Ocorrência de insetos fitófagos em Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult no estado de Goiás

Abstract

The desert rose, Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult, is an ornamental plant of the Apocynaceae family with high commercial value, that is used in the ornamentation of gardens, squares and public areas. The rapid expansion of the species has provided a favourable environment for its colonisation by several species of insects and mites in the new regions where it was introduced. The aim of this study was to report the occurrence of, and injuries caused by, phytophagous insects in A. obesum. Observations were made from August to October 2012 in plants of the desert rose used in landscaping at the Federal University of Goias. The samples were collected randomly, and the insects stored in glass containers containing 70% ethanol and forwarded for identification by taxonomists in the area. Two species of cochineals were identified: Hemiberlesia rapax Comstock (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) and Parasaissetia nigra (Nietner) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae), and the oleander aphid Aphis nerii Boyer (Hemiptera: Aphididae), which were damaging the leaves, flowers and stem of the desert rose. During the observations, natural enemies of A. nerii, such as parasitoids, were found due to the presence of mummies (parasitised individuals), as well as predators, such as chrysopidae, coccinellidae and Syrphidae. This is the first report of H. rapax occurring in A. obesum.