Advances in predatory bug Atopozelus opsimus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) rearing: preliminary results

The assassin bugs of the genus Atopozelus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) are native to the Americas, with five species described and registered in Brazil, being Atopozelus opsimus the species with the largest distribution in the country. In studies already carried out, this insect has shown a high predation rate to Glycaspis brimblecombei and Thaumastocoris peregrinus nymphs and adults, the main Eucalyptus plantations pest in Brazil. The aim of this work was to develop a methodology that can facilitate the maintenance of mass rearing of this predator in laboratory conditions. The experiment was carried out at laboratory conditions (Temp.: 25+1oC, RH: 60+10%, Photophase of 13 h), with two treatments. It was used wood cages, being 1st treatment using two eucalyptus saplings and the second one using an artificial support (a pool noodle with thin wooden sticks, simulating a sapling). Inside each cage five couples of A. opsimus were released and evaluating the number of egg masses, dead adults and living nymphs, offering adults of house fly as prey during 30 days. After this period, it was observed that the cages with eucalyptus saplings all adult insects were died, leaving only 38 nymphs and 14 egg masses. The cages with artificial support were verified one live adult, 54 nymphs and 20 egg masses. Considering these preliminary results, the adaptation of the insect to the artificial support was noted, not affecting predatory bug reproduction, an important point for mass rearing. The artificial support has as advantages: a) it is not necessary to care the saplings (watering and cleaning), b) reduce the cage weight, c) facilitate the insect management, considering open new cages and prepare insects to send to the field. The study still in ongoing to verified the predator production and prey consumption.