Flutuação populacional de alados de Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) na região de Uberlândia-MG

Abstract

Integrated pest management (IPM) is established as an essential approach for modern agriculture, requiring precise monitoring of key pests such as the aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). This study investigated the population fluctuation of alate M. persicae in the Uberlândia-MG region, aiming to determine the main meteorological factors influencing the population of this aphid and the relative abundance of M. persicae compared to grass aphid pest species. The research was conducted at the Capim Branco Experimental Farm of the Federal University of Uberlândia, where systematic weekly collections were carried out using yellow traps, totaling 520 samples during the three-year period from 2021 to 2023. No significant correlations (p > 0.05) were found between the evaluated climatic parameters (precipitation, maximum, average and minimum temperatures, and relative air humidity) and the population fluctuation of M. persicae. There was a trend of population increase of M. persicae between May and August, with a maximum weekly rainfall of 0.53 mm, average temperature below 22°C, and relative humidity below 53% during this period, suggesting that these conditions may favor the development of the species. Furthermore, M. persicae showed low abundance (1–8% of captured individuals) compared to grass aphid species present in the area, such as Rhopalosiphum maidis (which accounted for up to 73% of captures) and Melanaphis spp. (with up to 46% occurrence). There was a tendency for the increase in Myzus persicae population between may and august from 2021 to 2023, during periods of lower temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity. Additionally, M. persicae was not the dominant species in the region during the studied period, with its low abundance possibly related to the predominance of grasses in the local agricultural landscape.