Interaction of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia on eggs of Spartocera dentiventris (Berg) (Hemiptera: Coreidae) under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The Spartocera dentiventris (Berg) (Hemiptera: Coreidae), commonly known as “tobacco stink bug” (Nicotiana tabacum) is responsible for causing great damage in tobacco farming, but has also been found in other agricultural crops in Brazil and other parts of the world (Caldas et al., 2000; Jesus et al., 2002). The culture of tobacco has great economic importance, due to its high commercial value and the ability to employ a great number of people (Maliszewski, 2019). However, the exacerbated use of pesticides in tobacco crops is a fact that requires attention, mainly due to the direct risk for the health of peaple involved in tobacco farming, as well as to the environment and to preserve the large entomological biodiversity present in tobacco farming (Silva et al., 2005). In this sense, methods of biological control of pest insects is warranted (Flores-Villegas et al., 2019).