LEVANTAMENTO DE PARASITOIDES DE LAGARTAS (LEPIDOPTERA) DA SOJA NO SUDOESTE GOIANO

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is one of the most important agricultural crops in the world but faces significant challenges due to pest infestations. Biological control, which uses natural agents such as parasitoids, is an effective alternative for reducing pest populations and can help minimize production costs. This study presents a survey of soybean caterpillar parasitoids in the southwestern region of Goiás, with samples collected on 12 farms during the 2023/24 growing season. A total of 3,126 caterpillars were collected, with Spodoptera frugiperda and the looper complex being the most predominant species. Natural parasitism accounted for approximately 19% of caterpillar mortality, with emphasis on the orders Hymenoptera and Diptera. The families Braconidae (Hymenoptera) and Tachinidae (Diptera), particularly the genus Lespesia, stood out among the emerged parasitoids. The results highlight the potential of natural biological control as a sustainable tool for managing soybean pests and reinforce the importance of preserving natural enemies in agricultural systems.