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Diclidophlebia smithi Burckhardt, Morais and Picanco (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a monophagous species which was selected as possible agent of biological control of miconia, Miconia calvescens DC. (Melastomataceae), a native plant of Central and South America that has become an aggressive invader of forest ecosystems in French Polynesia, Hawaii and Australia. The objective of this work was to study the biology and population dynamics of D. smithi in Vicosa and Dionisio (state of Minas Gerais, Brazil) from June 2001 to June 2002 and from February 2004 to February 2005 and evaluate injuries caused to the host plant and occurrence of natural enemies of this psyllid. Frequency distribution of the distance between the antennae indicated the existence of five nymphal instars. Colonies of the psyllid were observed throughout the year in Vicosa and Dionisio. Population peaks occurred from April to July (winter: a period of low temperatures, drought and short photoperiod in this region). Nymphs and adults were observed attacking buds, inflorescences and infrutescences of M. calvescens and causing damage by sucking the plant sap and injecting toxins. Desirable traits such as high population growth rate, easy mass rearing, occurrence throughout the year, host specificity, attack to reproductive organs and potential capacity to adapt to different climatic conditions including those similar to where M. calvescens invasions are occurring, all indicate that D. smithi is a promising biological control agent of M. calvescens. |
