The objective of this work was to evaluate the toxic effects of some protecting fungicides used in cucumber crop on the aphid Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877. The experiments were conducted in controlled conditions (Temp.: 25±2º C; RH: 70±10% and 12 h photophase). The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments (fungicides and control) and 45 replicates, each plot comprised of one individual. The used fungicides and their respective dosages in g a.i. L-1 were: sulfur 800 PM (1.6), mancozeb 800 PM (1.6) and copper oxichloride 840 PM (1.49). The control was composed of water. None of the tested products influenced the duration in days of the nymphal and adult phases, or the pre-reproductive and reproductive periods of A. gossypii. Sulfur and copper oxichloride affected the post-reproductive period of the aphid, which showed a period 4.5 times longer than that of the control and mancozeb. Fecundity was influenced by the tested fungicides, with a 1.25 fold increase in the total production of nymphs, so that tested fungicides were favorable to the insect.
Cucurbitaceae; cotton aphid; pesticide
