Morphological redescription and morphometry of Aniara sepulchralis (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) from Northeast Para, Brazil

Aniara sepulchralis specimens sampled at different locations (Belém and Bragantina microregions) show differences in size of some morphological structures such as head width, pronotum width, distance between eyes, pronotum base width, labral length, labral width, and spur of the third pair of legs. These changes may be due to biotic, abiotic, and structural factors peculiar to each environment. Differences in structures and morphological measurements of males and females of Aniara sepulchralis were observed, characterized as sexual dimorphism in relation to their teeth and labral-clypeal suture. Females present apical teeth and rectilinear suture, whereas males present a more rounded shape in both teeth and the labral-clypeal suture. Regarding measurements, females have greater body length, head width, eye distance, pronotum length, pronotum width, labral length, and pronotum base width than males.

Oil palm age and genotype interfere with defoliator lepidopteran infestation

ABSTRACT The state of Pará has oil palm plantings of different ages and distinct genotypes. The understanding of which factors influence the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars in palm groves is paramount for control strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM). This study quantified the effect of oil palm age independently, and that of oil palm age and genotype, on the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars. Data were collected from 19942014 and consisted of counting the average number of caterpillars/leaf/parcel. For Opsiphanes invirae and Talima sp., leaf 17 was sampled; for Acharia spp., Euclea sp., Euprosterna elaeasa, Natada sp., and Automeris liberia, leaf 25 was sampled. For Oiketicus kirbyi, Antaeotricha sp., and Brassolis sophorae no specific leaf was considered. Palm trees were classified into three groups: young palm trees (08 years after planting), adult palm trees (919 years after planting), and old palm trees (over 20 years after planting). Talima sp. showed the highest population peak followed by O. invirae, Acharia spp., Elaeis elaeasa and Euclea sp. This study concludes that genotype has an impact on the infestation by defoliating caterpillars. Also, oil palms at reproductive age are more prone to higher infestation levels than young trees. While population levels of defoliating caterpillars are low in general, outbreaks are frequent. Importantly, intraspecific genotypes are more vulnerable than interspecific genotypes to infestations by defoliating caterpillars. This study contributes to the bioecological knowledge on defoliating caterpillars on oil palm and therefore provides important information to strengthen integrated pest management practices.

Oil palm age and genotype interfere with defoliator lepidopteran infestation

The state of Pará has oil palm plantings of different ages and distinct genotypes. The understanding of which factors influence the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars in palm groves is paramount for control strategies based on integrated pest management (IPM). This study quantified the effect of oil palm age independently, and that of oil palm age and genotype, on the occurrence and abundance of defoliating caterpillars. Data were collected from 1994­2014 and consisted of counting the average number of caterpillars/leaf/parcel. For Opsiphanes invirae and Talima sp., leaf 17 was sampled; for Acharia spp., Euclea sp., Euprosterna elaeasa, Natada sp., and Automeris liberia, leaf 25 was sampled. For Oiketicus kirbyi, Antaeotricha sp., and Brassolis sophorae no specific leaf was considered. Palm trees were classified into three groups: young palm trees (0­8 years after planting), adult palm trees (9­19 years after planting), and old palm trees (over 20 years after planting). Talima sp. showed the highest population peak followed by O. invirae, Acharia spp., Elaeis elaeasa and Euclea sp. This study concludes that genotype has an impact on the infestation by defoliating caterpillars. Also, oil palms at reproductive age are more prone to higher infestation levels than young trees. While population levels of defoliating caterpillars are low in general, outbreaks are frequent. Importantly, intraspecific genotypes are more vulnerable than interspecific genotypes to infestations by defoliating caterpillars. This study contributes to the bioecological knowledge on defoliating caterpillars on oil palm and therefore provides important information to strengthen integrated pest management practices.

Spatiotemporal analysis of distribution of pest and predator in corn crops

ABSTRACT Crop pests have negative impacts on yield. This paper proposes a spatiotemporal geostatistical modeling to compare data of adult Syrphidae fly count and corn leaf aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch, 1856) colonies in corn crops. The use of a geostatistical model that allows the space-time variation makes the approach more interesting because it is a more complete model. Multiple regression was used to model the trend component for the variable response adult Syrphidae fly count and corn leaf aphid colonies, with the coordinates serving as covariates and the spatiotemporal variations around the deviation are described by a random spacetime residual field. Finally, the prediction map obtained by kriging may be a biological indicator of possible corn leaf aphid colonies in the corn crop. It was possible to verify that the occurrence of the pest provided a significant increase in adult predators and seminatural habitats may favor populations of natural enemies.

Spatiotemporal analysis of distribution of pest and predator in corn crops

Crop pests have negative impacts on yield. This paper proposes a spatiotemporal geostatistical modeling to compare data of adult Syrphidae fly count and corn leaf aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch, 1856) colonies in corn crops. The use of a geostatistical model that allows the space-time variation makes the approach more interesting because it is a more complete model. Multiple regression was used to model the trend component for the variable response adult Syrphidae fly count and corn leaf aphid colonies, with the coordinates serving as covariates and the spatiotemporal variations around the deviation are described by a random spacetime residual field. Finally, the prediction map obtained by kriging may be a biological indicator of possible corn leaf aphid colonies in the corn crop. It was possible to verify that the occurrence of the pest provided a significant increase in adult predators and seminatural habitats may favor populations of natural enemies.

Phytophagous insects and natural enemies in kale under organic and chemical fertilizers / Insetos fitófagos e inimigos naturais em couve sob adubação orgânica e química

Organic agriculture is distinguished by practices that benefit the environment and support sustainable agriculture. In the present study, leafy kale, Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC., was submitted to chemical and organic (castor bean cake and bovine manure) fertilization treatments aiming to verify the influence of these fertilizers on the occurrence of insect pests and natural enemies. The insects were sampled by visual examination of plants and pitfall traps. Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were the phytophagous insects that occurred more significantly in kale, under chemical rather than organic fertilization, whereas Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) were abundant in kale under organic fertilizer. The study showed that castor bean cake and bovine manure as leafy kale fertilizers can reduce the use of insecticides and provide quality food.(AU)

A agricultura orgânica destaca-se pelo emprego de práticas que beneficiam o meio ambiente e aumentam a sustentabilidade na agricultura. No presente estudo, a couve-de-folha, Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC., foi submetida a tratamentos de adubação química e orgânica à base de torta de mamona e esterco bovino para se verificar a influência dos fertilizantes na ocorrência de insetos pragas e inimigos naturais. Os insetos foram amostrados por meio de exame visual de plantas e armadilhas tipo alçapão. Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) e Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) foram os insetos fitófagos que ocorreram significativamente em maior número em couve sob adubação química que orgânica, enquanto Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) e aranhas (Arachnida: Araneae) foram abundantes em couve sob adubo orgânico. O estudo evidenciou que o uso de torta de mamona e esterco bovino como adubo de couve-de-folha pode reduzir o uso de inseticidas e fornecer alimentos de qualidade.(AU)

Phytophagous insects and natural enemies in kale under organic and chemical fertilizers / Insetos fitófagos e inimigos naturais em couve sob adubação orgânica e química

Organic agriculture is distinguished by practices that benefit the environment and support sustainable agriculture. In the present study, leafy kale, Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC., was submitted to chemical and organic (castor bean cake and bovine manure) fertilization treatments aiming to verify the influence of these fertilizers on the occurrence of insect pests and natural enemies. The insects were sampled by visual examination of plants and pitfall traps. Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were the phytophagous insects that occurred more significantly in kale, under chemical rather than organic fertilization, whereas Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) were abundant in kale under organic fertilizer. The study showed that castor bean cake and bovine manure as leafy kale fertilizers can reduce the use of insecticides and provide quality food.(AU)

A agricultura orgânica destaca-se pelo emprego de práticas que beneficiam o meio ambiente e aumentam a sustentabilidade na agricultura. No presente estudo, a couve-de-folha, Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC., foi submetida a tratamentos de adubação química e orgânica à base de torta de mamona e esterco bovino para se verificar a influência dos fertilizantes na ocorrência de insetos pragas e inimigos naturais. Os insetos foram amostrados por meio de exame visual de plantas e armadilhas tipo alçapão. Brevicoryne brassicae (L.) e Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) foram os insetos fitófagos que ocorreram significativamente em maior número em couve sob adubação química que orgânica, enquanto Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) e aranhas (Arachnida: Araneae) foram abundantes em couve sob adubo orgânico. O estudo evidenciou que o uso de torta de mamona e esterco bovino como adubo de couve-de-folha pode reduzir o uso de inseticidas e fornecer alimentos de qualidade.(AU)

Validation of the sampling methodology for Opsiphanes invirae caterpillars on oil palm plantations in the Brazilian Amazon / Validação da metodologia de amostragem para lagartas de Opsiphanes invirae em plantios de palma de óleo na Amazônia brasileira

This study validated the use of leaf 17 on the sampling of Opsiphanes invirae Hübner (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) through the quantification of caterpillar abundance on the different spirals leaves, in comparison to leaf 17, and, on the apical, intermediate and basal leaf regions. This study was performed in the state of Pará, between March-2014 and March-2015. Results confirmed that leaf 17 is the most adequate method for monitoring this defoliator pest.(AU)

Esta pesquisa validou a utilização da folha 17, nas amostragens de Opsiphanes invirae Hübner )Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), através da quantificação da abundância de lagartas nas diferentes folhas que compõem os espirais em comparação com a folha 17, e, em diferentes regiões da folha (apical, intermediária e basal). O estudo foi realizado no Pará entre março de 2014 e março de 2015. Os resultados confirmam que a folha 17 é a mais adequada para ser utilizada no monitoramento desse desfolhador.(AU)

Insecta e Arachnida associados ao solo : plantas herbáceas como área de refúgio visando ao controle biológico conservativo

Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal avaliar o controle biológico conservativo através da criação de área de refúgio em um agroecossistema. A área de estudo foi estabelecida em um hectare com a área de refúgio apresentando 80 m de comprimento e constituída por quatro canteiros de 20 m, cada um deles contendo uma das seguintes espécies de planta herbácea perene: Panicum maximum cv. Massai e Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 (gramíneas) e Stylosanthes spp. cv. BRS Campo Grande e Calopogonium mucunoides cv. Comum (leguminosas). Os artrópodes foram amostrados por meio de armadilhas de solo tipo alçapão. Todas as análises foram realizadas com as espécies consideradas predominantes classificadas de acordo com a abundância, freqüência, constância e dominância. Utilizou-se análise de regressão múltipla com seleção de variáveis ?stepwise? para verificar a influência dos fatores meteorológicos na variação populacional. As fases fenológicas da soja e milho foram determinadas e relacionadas com a flutuação populacional. Para determinar a distribuição espacial os dados foram analisados através dos índices de dispersão e modelos probabilísticos. A visualização da distribuição e influência da área de refúgio foi verificada por mapa de interpolação linear. Um total de 79.633 espécimes e 514 espécies de artrópodes foram coletados. Os himenópteros e os coleópteros foram os grupos mais diversificados e abundantes, com destaque para os formicídeos e carabídeos. Os refúgios com as plantas Stylosanthes spp. e Panicum maximum apresentaram maior diversidade e abundância de artrópodes. A maioria dos artrópodes associados ao solo considerados predominantes apresentou distribuição agregada. Muitos destes, principalmente artrópodes predadores, se agruparam próximo ou na área de refúgio

The objective of this study was to evaluate the conservation biological control through the creation of beetle bank in an agroecosystem. The study was conducted in one hectare with a 80 m long refuge area, with four blocks of 20 m., in each block one species of perennial herbaceous plant was planted: Panicum maximum cv. Masai and Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 (grasses) and Stylosanthes spp. cv. BRS Campo Grande and Calopogonium mucunoides cv. Common (legumes). The Arthropods were sampled by pitfall traps. All analyses were performed with the predominant species considered classified according to the abundance, frequency, constancy, and dominance. We used multiple regression analysis with variable selection stepwise to assess the influence of meteorological factors in population. The soybean and corn phenological stages were determined and related to population fluctuation. To determine the spatial distribution, data were analyzed using dispersion indices and probabilistic models based on the frequency distribution of the arthropods. The illustration of the distribution and influence of the beetle bank was verified by linear interpolation map. A total of 79,633 specimens and 514 species of arthropods were collected. The Hymenoptera and Coleoptera were more diverse and abundant, specially ants and ground beetles. The refuges with plants Stylosanthes spp. and Panicum maximum showed greater diversity and abundance of arthropods. Aggregated distribution was showed for most predominant arthropods associated with soil. Many of these, mainly predatory arthropods, clustered near or in the beetle bank

Análise de fauna, flutuação populacional e preferência pelo hábitat de Carabidae e Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) na região de Guaíra, Estado de São Paulo

Amostrou-se adultos de Carabidae e Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) em duas áreas com fragmento florestal e cultura de soja/milho sob sistemas de plantio direto e convencional visando estudar a fauna desses coleópteros por meio de vários índices e analisar a flutuação populacional de espécies dominantes. Avaliou-se também a preferência e distribuição pelo hábitats estudados. As amostragens foram realizadas no período de novembro/2004 a abril/2007 em Guaíra, SP, sendo quinzenal no período de safra e mensal nas entressafras. Para a obtenção das amostras utilizou-se armadilhas de solo distribuídas em dois transectos de 200 m de comprimento, sendo 100 m na cultura e 100 m no fragmento. A fauna foi caracterizada pelos índices de diversidade, equitabilidade, abundância, dominância, freqüência e constância. A preferência das espécies pelo hábitat foi obtida por análise de agrupamento. A distribuição das espécies pelos hábitats foi determinada considerando-se os adultos capturados por armadilha ao longo do transecto. No sistema de plantio direto capturou-se maior número de espécies de carabídeos e estafilinídeos e os índices de equitabilidade e diversidade, indicaram que além de mais diversificada, apresentou abundância relativa das espécies mais homogênea que quando comparada com a observada no sistema de plantio convencional. Entre as espécies de carabídeos destacou-se Abaris basistriatus por ter se caracterizado como dominante na cultura e fragmento florestal das duas áreas experimentais. As espécies Scarites sp.4 e A. basistriatus geralmente apresentaram picos populacionais quando a cultura de soja contava menos de 30 dias de implantação, as demais espécies apresentaram picos populacionais que ocorreram em períodos variados das safras. A precipitação pluvial foi o fator meteorológico que apresentou maior número de correlações positivas seguida

In this study it was sampled adults of Carabidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in two areas with forest fragment and soybean/corn crop in no-tillage and conventional tillage systems seeking to study the fauna of those coleopterons through several indexes and to analyze the population fluctuation of dominant species. It was also evaluated the preference and distribution by the studied habitats. The samplings were taken from november/2004 to april/2007 in Guaíra, SP, being biweekly in the crop period and monthly in the off-season crop. In order to obtain the samples it was used pitfall traps distributed in two transects of 200 m of length, being 100 m in the arable field and 100 m in the fragment. The fauna was characterized by the diversity indexes, equitability, abundance, dominance, frequency and constancy. The preference of the species for the habitat was obtained by cluster analysis. The distribution of the species for the habitats was determined considering the adults captured by trap along the transect. In the no-tillage system it was captured the largest number of carabid and staphylinid species, the equitability and diversity indexes indicated that the community of those beetles was shown best structured in that crop system when compared with the one observed in the conventional system. Among the carabid species it can be highlighted Abaris basistriatus for being characterized as dominant in the arable field and forest fragment of the two experimental areas. The species Scarites sp.4 and A. basistriatus usually presented population picks when the soybean crop counted less than 30 days of implantation, the other species showed population picks that happened in varied periods of the crops. The pluvial precipitation was the meteorological factor that presented the largest number of positive correlations proceeded by the minimum temperature of the ambient