Coleomegilla maculata De Geer (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important predator and has the potential to be used as a biological control agent of insect pests of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. This study aimed to evaluate the development of C. maculata larvae fed eggs Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) alone or associated with artificial diet, eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and nymphs of Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized design with four replications, each with 10 larvae of C. maculata in an acclimatized room (25 ± 1 ºC, 70 ± 10% RH and 12 hours photophase). The duration of the stages of C. maculata was similar in all treatments, except for one that used nymphs of S. graminum, resulting in a shorter period for the larval stage. The viability of larval, prepupal and pupal stages and larval to adult C. maculata was high and similar in all treatments. No effect of diets on the weight of C. maculata adults occurred, except for the heavier insects fed on eggs of A. kuehniella, whose males and females weighed 9.8 ± 0.3 mg and 13.3 ± 0.5 mg, respectively.

The impact of the application of the Baculovirus spodoptera (2.5 x 10 11 polyhedra/ha), a nuclear polyhedrosis virus, on maize crop and the possible additional contribution of natural control agents to the management of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were evaluated. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with seven B. spodoptera treatments (at two days application intervals, beginning four days after artificial infestation with fall armyworm egg masses and finishing after 16 days), and five replications. The main natural enemies found in the experimental area were Chelonus insularis (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and Eiphosoma laphygmae Costa Lima (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), egg/larval and larval parasitoid, respectively, and Doru luteipes Scudder (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), predator of eggs and larvae. Along with NPV, the natural enemies provided a good control of the target insect reducing the damage caused by S. frugiperda larvae in maize plants.

One of the possibilities of recovering degraded areas intended for cattle raising is the maize-Brachiaria spp. integration. In this system, it recovers soil fertility through the correct use of lime and adequate fertilizer replacement. The plantation of the two agricultural explorations is made simultaneously. However, the presence of some of these insects is the spittlebug, (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), a sucking insect causing damage to the pastures both, through nymph and adult feeding. In maize only the adult causes damage, attacking the plant soon after its emergence. The experiment was adult spittlebugs/maize plant, kept alone or in association with Brachiaria species, being two susceptible (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk and B. ruziziensis cv. ruziziensis), and one resistant (B. brizantha cv. marandu). In general the maize in monoculture was of yellowish leaves. The presence of Brachiaria grasses intercropped to maize plants reduced the spittlebug damage to these plants. In the presence of susceptible cultivar, such as B. decumbens, the damage to maize plant was lower than when together with the resistant cultivar B. brizantha.