Biology and quality assessment of Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in eggs of Spodoptera spp. for augmentative biological control programs.

The Spodoptera complex of the family Noctuidae, represented here by S. frugiperda (J.E. Smith), S. eridania (Stoll), S. albula (Walker), and S. cosmioides (Walker), is an important group of crop pests in Brazil. Spodoptera frugiperda and S. eridania are invasive in Africa, and the former also in Asia and Oceania. The egg parasitoids Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) are potential control agents for field use against these noctuids. We evaluated the parasitism efficiency, development, and flight capacity of an isofemale line and a regular line of T. remus, and 2 genetically variable populations of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman and Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in these 4 members of the Spodoptera complex. All parasitoids were able to develop in the 4 hosts. The parasitoids showed good flight capacity, except for the regular line of T. remus. The Trichogramma species, despite having high viability and female:male sex ratios, showed poorer parasitism performances than T. remus. The regular T. remus line also showed good parasitism capacity and high viability but had a predominance of males. In general, the isofemale line of T. remus showed good rates of parasitism and flight capacity as well as a high viability and sex ratio, proving to be a potential candidate for an augmentative biological-control program for Spodoptera spp Guenée (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Lyophilized artificial diet for rearing the Neotropical Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

An artificial diet to mass-rear Euschistus heros (F. 1798) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was developed in the laboratory. Biological studies were conducted under controlled conditions of temperature (25 ± 2 °C), RH: 60 ± 10%, and photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. Out of 13 diets tested, 2 diets (D9 and D11) were the most suitable. The artificial diets selected had the same composition (green beans, peanuts, sucrose, water, Nipagin, and sorbic acid) except for different antimicrobial agents (D11 has tetracycline, and D9 doesn't). The 68% viability for the egg-adult period of insects reared on these lyophilized artificial diets (LAD) was almost twice as high as the 38% viability obtained with the natural diet. Although adults reared on LAD weighed 17% less than those reared on the natural diet, mean fecundity was higher than on the natural diet (282 eggs/female), reaching 430 eggs/female. The net reproductive rate (Ro) increased over the generations for the diets with lyophilized material and antimicrobial agents. The opposite occurred with the diet of lyophilized material without antimicrobial agents, showing that the insects either adapted or degenerated through generations. Lyophilized diets supported the production of E. heros through at least 10 generations, with no degeneration.

Entomocidal effects of beech apricot, Labramia bojeri, seed extract on a soybean pest, the velvetbean moth, Anticarsia gemmatalis, and its enzymatic activity.

The effects of the beech apricot, Labramia bojeri A. de Candolle (Sapotales: Sapotaceae), seed aqueous extract on the larval development of the velvetbean moth, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), was evaluated. The extract inhibited larval development, pupal weight, and survival and emergence of adults. Digestive proteolytic activity in larval midgut and feces extracts was determined. Larvae fed 10 g/L of the aqueous extract showed a significant reduction in trypsin activity (~64%), when compared with control larvae. Trypsin and chymotrypsin activities were also detected in fecal material in aqueous-extract-fed larvae, with about ~4.5 times more trypsin activity than the controls. The results from dietary utilization experiments with A. gemmatalis larvae showed a reduction in the efficiency of conversion of ingested food and digested food and an increase in approximate digestibility and metabolic cost. The effect of the extract suggests the potential use of L. bojeri seeds to inhibit the development of A. gemmatalis via oral exposure. The L. bojeri extract can be an alternative to other methods of control.

Effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) on mortality and reproduction of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller 1879), in mass rearing, aiming at the production of Trichogramma spp.

Eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller 1879) are widely used for mass rearing of Trichogramma spp. and other parasitoids and predators, largely commercialized in many countries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) originated from larval metabolism on the biological parameters of A. kuehniella. For that purpose, we assess the production of carbon dioxide (CO2) per rearing tray of A. kuehniella and the effect of CO2 on the viability of egg-to-adult period and oviposition of A. kuehniella. Results allow to estimate that a rearing tray, containing 10,000 larvae between the 4th and 5th instars, produces an average of 30.67 mL of CO2 per hour. The highest egg production of A. kuehniella was obtained when the larvae were kept in rooms with lower concentration of CO2 (1,200 parts per million - ppm), producing 23% more eggs than in rooms with higher CO2 concentrations. In rooms with high density of trays (70 trays/room), CO2 concentration exceeded 4,400 ppm. The viability of the egg-to-adult period was not influenced by carbon dioxide.

Do releases of the mirid predator Macrolophus basicornis (Hemiptera: Miridae) together with the egg parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) improve biological control of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in tomato?

During the past decade, the use of predatory mirids alone or combined with releases of egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma have been tested in Europe for biological control of the worldwide invasive pest, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). Here, we evaluated the control of this pest by the release of the Neotropical mirid Macrolophus basicornis (Stal), the Neotropic/Nearctic parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, and by combined releases of the predator and the parasitoid. Tests were conducted in greenhouse compartments during the summer and fall season. Each compartment contained 10 tomato plants in which only the pest was released or the pest with 1 or 2 natural enemies. Plant damage, and pest and natural enemy densities were checked weekly on one apical, medium, and bottom leaf of 5 plants. Both M. basicornis and T. pretiosum significantly reduced T. absoluta density when released alone. Combined releases resulted in a 10% higher reduction during the summer season, but not during the fall season. The damage caused by T. absoluta was significantly higher in control treatments than in all natural enemy treatments: at the end of the summer trial leaves were completely damaged in the control treatment, whereas only up to 25% leaf damage occurred in the natural enemy treatments. Combined releases did not result in lower damage than with releases of either M. basicornis or T. pretiosum. Practical aspects of single and combined releases are discussed.

Addressing tobacco use in the context of complex social needs: A new conceptual framework and approach to address smoking cessation in community health centers.

Objective: This article presents a new conceptual framework "Connection to Health for Smokers" (CTHS), its application to address smoking cessation, and its acceptability in community health centers (CHCs). Methods: CTHS, an online interactive patient educational tool comprehensively implements the "5 A's" (ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange) within the context of patients' social and behavioral health needs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five health educators (nurses) who administered CTHS with 62 patients to evaluate the acceptability of the program. Thematic analyses were conducted with interview transcripts. Results: CHC health educators viewed CTHS has enhanced patient-centered communication, was able to identify patients' needs beyond tobacco use, and individualize action planning to integrate social and behavioral health needs. Conclusion: CTHS received enthusiasm from CHC health educators as a helpful tool to address tobacco use among their patients. Comprehensive on-site smoking cessation programs at CHCs that provide a structured evidence-based approach informed by an understanding of each patient's coexisting social and behavioral health needs may play an important role in reducing tobacco use disparities in the United States. Innovation: CTHS offers a new promising framework to comprehensively integrate the 5A's within the context of social and behavioral determinants of health for smoking cessation.

Integrative taxonomy and phylogeography of Telenomus remus (Scelionidae), with the first record of natural parasitism of Spodoptera spp. in Brazil.

The egg parasitoid Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) has been investigated for classical and applied biological control of noctuid pests, especially Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) species. Although T. remus was introduced into Brazil over three decades ago for classical biological control of S. frugiperda, this wasp has not been recorded as established in corn or soybean crops. We used an integrative approach to identify T. remus, combining a taxonomic key based on the male genitalia with DNA barcoding, using a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene fragment. This is the first report of natural parasitism of T. remus on S. frugiperda and S. cosmioides eggs at two locations in Brazil. We also confirmed that the T. remus lineage in Brazil derives from a strain in Venezuela (originally from Papua New Guinea and introduced into the Americas, Africa, and Asia). The occurrence of T. remus parasitizing S. frugiperda and S. cosmioides eggs in field conditions, not associated with inundative releases, suggests that the species has managed to establish itself in the field in Brazil. This opens possibilities for future biological control programs, since T. remus shows good potential for mass rearing and egg parasitism of important agricultural pests such as Spodoptera species.

Biology, Thermal Requirements, and Estimation of the Number of Generations of Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Coffee culture, one of the main agricultural activities in Brazil, has undergone recent negative impacts due to unfavorable climate conditions, with a subnormal rainy period and increased temperatures during the second half of 2015. The coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari, 1867) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the main insect pests of coffee crops worldwide. The present research aimed to determine the climate zones for coffee berry borer in the state of São Paulo, based on its thermal requirements. The results showed that the mean biological development time of H. hampei was affected by temperature, completing its life cycle more rapidly in increased temperatures until the 30°C threshold temperature, and more slowly above this temperature. Development time (egg-adult) was inversely related to temperature in the range between 18 and 32°C. The temperature threshold (Tt) was 13.9°C and the thermal constant (K) was 299 degree-days. These laboratory estimates of thermal requirements and the Geographic Information System (GIS) were used to generate insect life span distribution maps for São Paulo. In this state, the coffee berry borer can produce 5.09-10.53 generations annually. Higher pest incidences should coincide with both temperature increases and the availability of coffee fruit for infestation. The data obtained can be used to estimate the monthly and yearly number of generations of this pest, for use in integrated pest management programs.

Laboratory Performance Predicts the Success of Field Releases in Inbred Lines of the Egg Parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).

In this study we assessed the relationship between the laboratory and field performance of different isofemale lines of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley. In comparative assays, we used three rare mitochondrial haplotypes as genetic markers of the isofemale lines, and by introgressing these mitochondrial haplotypes into each of 15 genetically different nuclear lines, also tested the assumption that mitochondria are neutral markers. In a laboratory trial, 45 isofemale lines (15 nuclear genotypes x three mitochondrial haplotypes) were ranked in three categories (best, intermediate and worst) according to the mean offspring production and the proportion of female offspring. Subsequently, lines from each of the three categories were selected for field releases to quantify field parasitism on Ephestia kuehniella. Temporally separate releases were done in a transgenic Bt cornfield, with four plots, each with 50 points of recapture. The points of recapture consisted of trap cards with eggs of E. kuehniella collected daily. The trap cards were maintained in the laboratory at 25°C until the adult wasps emerged, and the maternal identity of the wasps was determined using qPCR and high-resolution melt curve analysis to determine the mitochondrial haplotype. The results showed that these measures of laboratory performance (fecundity and offspring sex ratio) were good predictors of field success in T. pretiosum. We also report strong evidence discrediting the assumption that mitochondria are neutral, in view of the correlation between performance and mitochondrial haplotype.

Takayasu's disease.

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology that can produce stenosis, occlusion, or aneurysmal degeneration of large arteries. TA occurs worldwide but disproportionately affects young females of Asian descent. A variable acute phase of largely constitutional symptoms is followed by a chronic phase in which symptoms related to arterial compromise predominate. Diagnosis is made using a combination of clinical and angiographic criteria. Initial therapy involves the use of corticosteroids to induce remission of acute phase activity, with the addition of cytotoxic medications for nonresponders. Angioplasty and stenting can be used in the treatment of shorter stenoses such as those encountered in the renal arteries. Surgical bypass is the preferred treatment of longer segment stenoses and occlusions. Bypass grafts should originate from unaffected arteries to ensure durable inflow. Endovascular therapy is effective initially but long-term durability data are lacking.

Short and long-term antinutritional effect of the trypsin inhibitor ApTI for biological control of sugarcane borer.

Plant-derived trypsin inhibitors have been shown to have potent anti-insect effects and are a promising alternative for the biological control of pests. In this work, we tested the anti-insect activity of Adenanthera pavonina trypsin inhibitor (ApTI) against Diatraea saccharalis larvae, a major insect pest in sugarcane. The addition of 0.1% ApTI in short-term assays resulted in 87% and 63% decreased trypsin and chymotrypsin activities respectively. ApTI was not digested after 60h incubation with D. saccharalis midgut proteases. The chronic effects of ApTI on F0 and F1 generations of D. saccharalis were also analyzed. The larvae from the F0 generation showed 55% and 21% decreased larval and pupal viability, respectively. ApTI-fed larvae from the F1 generation showed a decrease of 33% in survival rate and 23% in the average larval weight. Moreover, ApTI treatment reduced trypsin and chymotrypsin activities in F1 larvae. Thus, the anti-insect effects of ApTI on consecutive generations (F0 and F1) of D. saccharalis larvae demonstrate its potential for long-term control of this pest.

Molecular cloning and insecticidal effect of Inga laurina trypsin inhibitor on Diatraea saccharalis and Heliothis virescens.

Native Inga laurina (Fabaceae) trypsin inhibitor (ILTI) was tested for anti-insect activity against Diatraea saccharalis and Heliothis virescens larvae. The addition of 0.1% ILTI to the diet of D. saccharalis did not alter larval survival but decreased larval weight by 51%. The H. virescens larvae that were fed a diet containing 0.5% ILTI showed an 84% decrease in weight. ILTI was not digested by the midgut proteinases of either species of larvae. The trypsin levels were reduced by 55.3% in the feces of D. saccharalis and increased by 24.1% in the feces of H. virescens. The trypsin activity in both species fed with ILTI was sensitive to the inhibitor, suggesting that no novel proteinase resistant to ILTI was induced. Additionally, ILTI exhibited inhibitory activity against the proteinases present in the larval midgut of different species of Lepidoptera. The organization of the ilti gene was elucidated by analyzing its corresponding genomic sequence. The recombinant ILTI protein (reILTI) was expressed and purified, and its efficacy was evaluated. Both native ILTI and reILTI exhibited a similar strong inhibitory effect on bovine trypsin activity. These results suggest that ILTI presents insecticidal properties against both insects and may thus be a useful tool in the genetic engineering of plants.

[Effects of adult feeding on the reproduction and longevity of Noctuidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae and Elachistidae species]. / Efeito da alimentação da fase adulta na reprodução e longevidade de espécies de Noctuidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae e Elachistidae.

This research evaluates the effect of the adult diet on the reproduction of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, Heliothis virescens (Fabr.), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Noctuidae), Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) (Crambidae), Gymnandrosoma aurantianum Lima (Tortricidae) and Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Elachistidae). Adults of all species were fed either water or a 10% honey solution. The egg viability for the 1st and 2nd egg masses, adult fecundity, longevity, number of mating and the ovigeny index (OI) (degree of ovarian maturation) were evaluated. Fecundity of A. gemmatalis and H. virescens was drastically reduced when females were fed only on water. Egg viability from both 1st and 2nd egg masses was variable between treatments. Females of A. gemmatalis, H. virescens and S. frugiperda, and males of some species had a reduced longevity when fed only on water. The number of matings was higher for A. gemmatalis and D. saccharalis when fed on water only. The OI was < 1.0 for all species evaluated indicating that all females may develop new oocytes as they age. Based on the OI and the reduced fecundity of A. gemmatalis and H. virescens, one observes that adult feeding is important for the reproduction of both species, and the IO is not a good parameter to indicate such condition. Spodoptera frugiperda, G. aurantianum, D. saccharalis and S. catenifer do not require any source of carbohydrates as adults to sustain their reproduction.

The effects of host, geographic origin, and gender on the thermal requirements of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae).

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is the vector of the bacteria that causes citrus greening and is considered one of the world's most important citrus diseases. We examined how host, geographic region, and gender affect the thermal requirements of D. citri. The insects were reared in climatic chambers at constant temperatures of 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30, and 32 +/- 1 degrees C, 70 +/- 10% RH, and a 14 h photophase. Host plants for D. citri included orange (Citrus sinensis [Rutaceae]) varieties Pêra and Natal, the rootstock, Rungpur lime (C. limonia [Rutaceae]) and the natural host, Orange jessamine (Murraya paniculata [Rutaceae]). To study the influence of geographic origin on thermal requirements, we studied D. citri populations from Piracicaba, SP (warmer region) and Itapetininga, SP (cooler region). The duration and survival of the development stages and the duration of the total development (egg-adult) did not differ significantly on the different hosts, but it did vary with temperature. Nymphs of D. citri created on the different hosts have the same thermal requirements. The thermal requirements for this species collected from the two climate regions were identical; males and females also had the same thermal requirements.

[Effect of temperature and relative-humidity on the development of Liriomyza sativae Blanchard (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Vigna unguiculata]. / Efeito da temperatura e umidade relativa do ar no desenvolvimento de Liriomyza sativae Blanchard (Diptera: Agromyzidae) em Vigna unguiculata.

This research aimed to study the influence of temperature and relative-humidity (RH) on the development of Liriomyza sativae Blanchard during the egg-adult period, in cowpea, to provide essential information for future biological control projects against the pest. An inverse relation was observed between temperature increase in the range from 15 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius and development duration. Larval survival was not affected in the temperature range studied, while a high mortality of pupae was observed at 32 degrees Celsius (59.9%). RH did not affect the development time of the immature stages, although it influenced their survival. The lower developmental temperature threshold obtained for the egg-adult period was low (7.3 degrees Celsius) when compared with other species of Liriomyza, and was rather low for the larval stage (3.4 degrees Celsius). Based on the thermal requirements for L. sativae, it was possible to estimate the occurrence of 24.5 annual generations at a melon producing region in state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. For laboratory rearing aimed at biological control pest programs, the best rearing conditions are 30 degrees Celsius and 50% RH for the larval stage and 90% RH for the pupal stage.

[Performance of trichogrammatids as biocontrol agents of Pseudoplusia includens Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)]. / Desempenho de tricogramatídeos como potenciais agentes de controle de Pseudoplusia includens Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

This research aimed to point out the most suitable trichogrammatid strains to control the soybean looper Pseudoplusia includes Walker. Biological parameters and parasitism ratio of 11 Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, one Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner and one Trichogrammatoidea annulata De Santis strains reared on P. includens eggs were evaluated. Among all tested strains/species, T. pretiosum strain RV, collected in Rio Verde, GO, had the fastest development cycle and the highest percentage of parasitism of P. includens eggs. There was no difference in the parasitism and in the number of parasitoid emerged per egg among the tested parasitoid species and strains. Accordingly to the cluster analysis, T. pretiosum strain RV reared on P. includens eggs had the best performance. Considering the higher parasitism rate, shorter biological cycle, higher survival and sex ratio, T. pretiosum strain RV is the most appropriated to be used in field releases aiming at P. includens control.

[Temperature effects on the mating frequency of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hüebner and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)]. / Influência da temperatura na freqüência de cópula de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner e Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

This paper deals with the influence of temperature on the mating frequency of two lepidopterans, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which use different strategies of allocation, and with the utilization of nutrients for their reproductive activities. The insects were reared on artificial diets at 25 masculineC, and the adults were exposed to five temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 masculineC) to observe the influence of each temperature on their mating frequency, fecundity, fertility and longevity. The temperature affectedthe mating frequency of both species, being more evident at 15 masculineC and 35 masculineC, mainly for A. gemmatalis, which presented a drastic reduction on mating activities. The highest number of matings were observed from 20 masculineC to 30 masculineC, with S. frugiperda presenting mating activity (0-8) much higher than that of A. gemmatalis (0-2), but no correlation was observed among the number of matings and all other biological parameters evaluated (fecundity, fertility and longevity). However, S. frugiperda showed a positive correlation between fecundity and mating activity of females (r = 0.589; P = 0.003) at 25 masculineC. The highest fecundities were observed at temperatures from 20 masculineC to 30 masculineC for S. frugiperda and at 25 masculineC for A. gemmatalis. For both species, the longevity of males and females decreased as temperature increased.

[Biological characteristics of the egg phase of citrus root weevils]. / Aspectos biológicos do período embrionário dos curculionídeos-das-raízes dos citros.

The goal of this work was to study some characteristics of the egg phase of three species of citrus root weevils. The insects were collected from citrus plants in Itapetininga, SP, and brought to the Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos of ESALQ/USP, in Piracicaba, SP, where the species Naupactus cervinus (Boheman), Naupactus versatilis (Hustache) and Parapantomorus fluctuosus (Boheman) were kept. Duration and viability of the egg phase were evaluated, and the lower temperature threshold and thermal constant (K) were calculated for these species. The species of citrus root weevils showed different duration of egg phases. The egg phase ranged from 40.4 to 13.8 N. cervinus, from 38.7 to 20.0 days for N. versatilis, and from 35.0 to 13.8 days for P. fluctuosus, depending upon temperature. The temperature thresholds of this stage were 8.1, 8.3, and 9.9 masculineC at thermal constant was 385.7, 397.7 and 294.1 degree-days, for N. cervinus, N. versatilis and P. fluctuosus respectively. The duration of the egg phases of N. cervinus and N. versatilis were similar at the same temperatures and P. fluctuosus had a faster development than Naupactus spp. in all temperatures tested.

[Artificial diet for rearing Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), a predator of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)]. / Dieta artificial para criação de Doru luteipes (Scudder) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), predador da lagarta-do-cartucho do milho, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

A new technique involving an artificial diet and an artificial substrate for oviposition for the rearing of the predator Doru luteipes (Scudder) is suggested. Both adults and nymphs were maintained in petri dishes containing a transparent piece of soda straw filled with moistened cotton and the corresponding food for the biossays. The following treatments were tested: eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), Diatraea saccharalis Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Anagasta kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae); insect pupae meal (FPI); Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) commercial pollen (PC); FPI + PC, and FPI + cattail pollen [Typha angustifolia L. (Thyphaceae)]. Each treatment had 50 replicates, and food was offered in excess. Treatments consisting of insect pupae meal (FPI), FPI + commercial pollen (PC), and FPI + cattail pollen resulted in nymphal development of 32, 29, and 29 days, with 83, 90 and 100% survival, respectively, and were superior to the PC treatment, with values of 37 days and 67% survival observed for insects reared on commercial pollen. Treatments that included insect pupae flour, either alone or mixed with pollens, were similar to control (S. frugiperda eggs). We conclude that the artificial diets tested and rearing technique are suitable for the artificial rearing of D. luteipes in laboratory conditions.

A new concept for insect damage evaluation based on plant physiological variables.

The objective of this study was to determine the damage levels caused by Orthezia praelonga Douglas, 1891 and Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville 1842), on rangpur lime and Obatã coffee leaves, respectively. Measurements were based on a new concept for the evaluation of the following plant physiological parameters: photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature and transpiration, and internal concentration of CO2 (by infrared analyzer). A negative correlation between infestation level and photosynthesis was found, where the negative inflexion point of the curve was considered as a reference for damage levels. The control level for O. praelonga is below the 7-13% limit for damaged leaf area (40 to 70 scales per leaf), while for L. coffeella it is below the 26-36% limit for the same variable. Photosynthesis provided the best correlation for this type of analysis.