Resumen

CAMPOS-SOLDINI, María Paula et al. Contribución al estudio de la ecología y biología de Epicauta atomaria (Coleoptera: Meloidae), insecto asociado a cultivos agrícolas en América del Sur. RIA. Rev. investig. agropecu. [online]. 2021, vol.47, n.3, pp.367-375.  Epub 01-Dic-2021. ISSN 1669-2314.

Epicauta atomaria (Meloinae: Epicautini) is a meloid that belongs to the Epicauta maculata species group. It is native to South America with a very wide distribution range that goes from 15° N, in central Brazil (Mato Grosso and Bahia), to 40° S, in the province of Río Negro (Argentina). Epicauta atomaria is recognized mainly by its coloring pattern: black integument, gray pubescent interrupted by glabrous macules. Despite the information collected for this insect, knowledge about its host plants, their economic importance, and oviposition behavior is highly fragmented and is generally based on isolated observations. The principal objectives of this work were: to provide information on its ecology, contributing with new distribution data for South America, make a complete list of associated cultivated and wild plants, providing new records, and describe and illustrate, for the first time, both the oviposition behavior and the different immature stages. As a result, we observed that E. atomaria has diurnal activity and is found preferentially on its host plants. Of the total number of plants registered, the most important families were Amaranthaceae and Solanaceae, and to a lesser extent Fabaceae. On the other hand, it was observed that the females lay their eggs in cavities in the ground, in compact masses that become darker as they mature. The larval development of E. atomaria included morphologically and biologically distinct phases, as was identified for other meloids. This study highlights the fact that E. atomaria is present in agricultural systems, therefore it is necessary to intensify research on the incidence of this insect in different crops of food interest and its possible agroecological management. Similarly, the study on associated wild plants should be expanded because they could be considered as primary alternative resources by these insects and their importance in being maintained or preserved in the vicinity of agricultural crops.

Palabras clave : bionomics; horticultural crops; oviposition; false bicho moro.

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