Interaction between Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata&COLFAML; Acarophenacidae) and Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) on Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

The interaction between Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) and Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) may be a promising tool for the integrated pest management of stored grain insect pests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of these two natural enemies on Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius). The experimental units were petri dishes (140 x 10 mm) containing 30 g of whole wheat grains (13% water content) infested with 20 adults of R. dominica. The treatments consisted of inoculation of A. lacunatus and A. calandrae, separately and associated, in eight replicates. Three inoculations of five adult females of the natural enemies were carried out in each petri dish at five, ten and fifteen days after the infestation of R. dominica. All treatments were stored during 60 days in environmental chamber at 30 +/- 1 degrees C, 60 +/- 5% relative humidity and 24h scotophase. The smallest numbers of physogastric females of A. lacunatus and of adults of A. calandrae were obtained when the natural enemies were in association. The use of A. calandrae alone demonstrated a low instantaneous rate of increase (r(i)) of R. dominica and a high protection of the wheat grains. The association of A. calandrae with A. lacunatus led to the lowest number of immatures of R. dominica. These results demonstrate the importance of this interaction as a tool of for the integrated management of R. dominica in stored wheat grains.