First Report on Banana Weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar 1823) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an Exotic Economically Important Pest from Saudi Arabia.

We report the first record of the occurrence of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar, 1823) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an economically important pest of bananas (Musa spp.), from Fifa Mountains in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, we recorded the first observation of damage caused to bananas by C. sordidus in a banana farm in Jazan Province, southwestern Saudi Arabia, in March 2022. Molecular characterization using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene confirmed the morphological identification of C. sordidus. This discovery is considered a warning notice to prevent the potential establishment and spread of this dangerous pest in the banana cultivation regions in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is recommended that detection and monitoring of banana weevil should be undertaken in Saudi banana farms in order to restrict the dissemination of this weevil to other banana cultivation areas.

Yield, seasonality and plant health care of banana 'BRS Conquista' covered with different coloured polyethylene bags / Rendimento, sazonalidade e fitossanidade dos frutos de bananeira'BRS Conquista' ensacados com polietileno de diferentes colorações

Bananas are the world's most popular fruit. Nonetheless, a great part of the production is lost, mainly for insect and disease incidences. Thus, cover developing banana bunches is a promising physical protection method that will improve the visual quality of the fruits, especially the rapidly growing consumer demand for healthy fruits. In fact, bags serve as protective barrier, allowing the production of free fruit damage; consequently, lowering production costs by cutting crop losses, as well as avoiding chemical materials. There is a wide variety of bag types and colours, but also, there is a scarce literature on their efficiency. This study hence aimed to evaluate the influence of coloured polyethylene bags on yield, seasonality and plant health of the 'BRS Conquista' bananas in subtropical high-altitude growing conditions. Treatments therefore consisted of using white, black, red and blue polyethylene bags, besides control (uncovered). Then, bags were randomly distributed in five blocks, four plants per plot. After bunch harvest, the following evaluation were proceeded: agronomic yield, the interval between bunches cover and harvest, injuries caused by thrips and the incidence of anthracnose. Results indicated that banana bunch coverings did not interfere in bunch yield. Nevertheless, white and black bags reduced the interval between bunch covers and harvest, that is, 114 and 115 days, respectively. Furthermore, white and red bags reduced the damage caused by thrips in fruits; while white, red and blue bags decreased the anthracnose incidence. This study therefore recommends the use of white polyethylene bags to cover banana bunches of the cultivar BRS Conquista, since this bag colour showed highly efficiency in controlling thrips and anthracnose incidence, besides reducing the interval between bunch cover andharvest.

Bananas são as frutas mais populares do mundo, porém a incidência de insetos e de doenças provoca muitas perdas de frutos. Neste sentido, o ensacamento dos cachos torna-se uma técnica promissora, sobretudo diante da crescente exigência dos consumidores por frutos de qualidade e seguros do ponto de vista alimentar. Os sacos funcionam como barreira de proteção, permitindo a produção de frutos livres de danos, com consequente redução de perdas e dos custos com aplicações de produtos químicos. Contudo, existe uma grande variedade de tipos e cores de sacos no mercado, mas não há relatos sobre a interferência destes parâmetros sobre a eficiência do ensacamento. Portanto, este estudo objetivou avaliara influência do uso de sacolas de polietileno, com diferentes cores, sobre o rendimento, sazonalidade e fitossanidade dos cachos da banana 'BRS Conquista' cultivada em região subtropical de alta altitude. Os tratamentos consistiram na utilização de sacos de polietileno branco, preto, vermelho e azul, além do controle (sem ensacamento). Estes sacos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco blocos e quatro plantas por parcela. Após a colheita dos cachos, avaliou-se o rendimento agronômico, o intervalo entre a emissão do cacho e a colheita e a presença de danos de tripes, além do avanço da incidência de antracnose até a maturação dos frutos. A partir dos resultados, verifica-se que o ensacamento não interferiu no rendimento dos cachos. Porém, a utilização de sacos brancos (114 dias) e pretos (115dias) reduziram o intervalo entre o ensacamento e a colheita. Os sacos brancos e vermelhos reduziram os danos provocados pelos tripes nas frutas; enquanto sacos brancos, vermelhos e azuis diminuíram a incidência de antracnose. Portanto, recomenda-se o uso de sacos de polietileno branco para coberturas de cachos de banana 'BRS Conquista', devido à maior eficiência no controle de tripes e antracnose; além de diminuir o intervalo de tempo entre a emissão do cacho e a colheita.

Yield, seasonality and plant health care of banana 'BRS Conquista' covered with different coloured polyethylene bags / Rendimento, sazonalidade e fitossanidade dos frutos de bananeira'BRS Conquista' ensacados com polietileno de diferentes colorações

Bananas are the world's most popular fruit. Nonetheless, a great part of the production is lost, mainly for insect and disease incidences. Thus, cover developing banana bunches is a promising physical protection method that will improve the visual quality of the fruits, especially the rapidly growing consumer demand for healthy fruits. In fact, bags serve as protective barrier, allowing the production of free fruit damage; consequently, lowering production costs by cutting crop losses, as well as avoiding chemical materials. There is a wide variety of bag types and colours, but also, there is a scarce literature on their efficiency. This study hence aimed to evaluate the influence of coloured polyethylene bags on yield, seasonality and plant health of the 'BRS Conquista' bananas in subtropical high-altitude growing conditions. Treatments therefore consisted of using white, black, red and blue polyethylene bags, besides control (uncovered). Then, bags were randomly distributed in five blocks, four plants per plot. After bunch harvest, the following evaluation were proceeded: agronomic yield, the interval between bunches cover and harvest, injuries caused by thrips and the incidence of anthracnose. Results indicated that banana bunch coverings did not interfere in bunch yield. Nevertheless, white and black bags reduced the interval between bunch covers and harvest, that is, 114 and 115 days, respectively. Furthermore, white and red bags reduced the damage caused by thrips in fruits; while white, red and blue bags decreased the anthracnose incidence. This study therefore recommends the use of white polyethylene bags to cover banana bunches of the cultivar BRS Conquista, since this bag colour showed highly efficiency in controlling thrips and anthracnose incidence, besides reducing the interval between bunch cover andharvest.(AU)

Bananas são as frutas mais populares do mundo, porém a incidência de insetos e de doenças provoca muitas perdas de frutos. Neste sentido, o ensacamento dos cachos torna-se uma técnica promissora, sobretudo diante da crescente exigência dos consumidores por frutos de qualidade e seguros do ponto de vista alimentar. Os sacos funcionam como barreira de proteção, permitindo a produção de frutos livres de danos, com consequente redução de perdas e dos custos com aplicações de produtos químicos. Contudo, existe uma grande variedade de tipos e cores de sacos no mercado, mas não há relatos sobre a interferência destes parâmetros sobre a eficiência do ensacamento. Portanto, este estudo objetivou avaliara influência do uso de sacolas de polietileno, com diferentes cores, sobre o rendimento, sazonalidade e fitossanidade dos cachos da banana 'BRS Conquista' cultivada em região subtropical de alta altitude. Os tratamentos consistiram na utilização de sacos de polietileno branco, preto, vermelho e azul, além do controle (sem ensacamento). Estes sacos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco blocos e quatro plantas por parcela. Após a colheita dos cachos, avaliou-se o rendimento agronômico, o intervalo entre a emissão do cacho e a colheita e a presença de danos de tripes, além do avanço da incidência de antracnose até a maturação dos frutos. A partir dos resultados, verifica-se que o ensacamento não interferiu no rendimento dos cachos. Porém, a utilização de sacos brancos (114 dias) e pretos (115dias) reduziram o intervalo entre o ensacamento e a colheita. Os sacos brancos e vermelhos reduziram os danos provocados pelos tripes nas frutas; enquanto sacos brancos, vermelhos e azuis diminuíram a incidência de antracnose. Portanto, recomenda-se o uso de sacos de polietileno branco para coberturas de cachos de banana 'BRS Conquista', devido à maior eficiência no controle de tripes e antracnose; além de diminuir o intervalo de tempo entre a emissão do cacho e a colheita.(AU)

What are the Main Sensor Methods for Quantifying Pesticides in Agricultural Activities? A Review.

In recent years, there has been an increase in pesticide use to improve crop production due to the growth of agricultural activities. Consequently, various pesticides have been present in the environment for an extended period of time. This review presents a general description of recent advances in the development of methods for the quantification of pesticides used in agricultural activities. Current advances focus on improving sensitivity and selectivity through the use of nanomaterials in both sensor assemblies and new biosensors. In this study, we summarize the electrochemical, optical, nano-colorimetric, piezoelectric, chemo-luminescent and fluorescent techniques related to the determination of agricultural pesticides. A brief description of each method and its applications, detection limit, purpose-which is to efficiently determine pesticides-cost and precision are considered. The main crops that are assessed in this study are bananas, although other fruits and vegetables contaminated with pesticides are also mentioned. While many studies have assessed biosensors for the determination of pesticides, the research in this area needs to be expanded to allow for a balance between agricultural activities and environmental protection.

Gene expression analysis in Musa acuminata during compatible interactions with Meloidogyne incognita.

Background and Aims: Endoparasitic root-knot nematodes (RKNs) ( Meloidogyne spp.) cause considerable losses in banana ( Musa spp.), with Meloidogyne incognita a predominant species in Cavendish sub-group bananas. This study investigates the root transcriptome in Musa acuminata genotypes 4297-06 (AA) and Cavendish Grande Naine (CAV; AAA) during early compatible interactions with M. incognita . Methods: Roots were analysed by brightfield light microscopy over a 35 d period to examine nematode penetration and morphological cell transformation. RNA samples were extracted 3, 7 and 10 days after inoculation (DAI) with nematode J2 juveniles, and cDNA libraries were sequenced using lllumina HiSeq technology. Sequences were mapped to the M. acuminata ssp. malaccensis var. Pahang genome sequence, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified and transcript representation determined by gene set enrichment and pathway mapping. Key Results: Microscopic analysis revealed a life cycle of M. incognita completing in 24 d in CAV and 27 d in 4279-06. Comparable numbers of DEGs were up- and downregulated in each genotype, with potential involvement of many in early host defence responses involving reactive oxygen species and jasmonate/ethylene signalling. DEGs revealed concomitant auxin metabolism and cell wall modification processes likely to be involved in giant cell formation. Notable transcripts related to host defence included those coding for leucine-rich repeat receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinases, peroxidases, thaumatin-like pathogenesis-related proteins, and DREB, ERF, MYB, NAC and WRKY transcription factors. Transcripts related to giant cell development included indole acetic acid-amido synthetase GH3.8 genes, involved in auxin metabolism, as well as genes encoding expansins and hydrolases, involved in cell wall modification. Conclusions: Expression analysis in M. acuminata during compatible interactions with RKNs provides insights into genes modulated during infection and giant cell formation. Increased understanding of both defence responses to limit parasitism during compatible interactions and effector-targeted host genes in this complex interaction will facilitate the development of genetic improvement measures for RKNs.

Beauveria bassiana strains for biological control of Cosmopolites sordidus (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in plantain.

The objective of this study was to select strains of Beauveria bassiana for controlling Cosmopolites sordidus (Germ.) in plantain farms (cv. Terra) of the "Recôncavo" and southern regions in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The virulence of 32 B. bassiana isolates against C. sordidus was determined under laboratory conditions. Three isolates (CNPMF 407, CNPMF 218, and CNPMF 416) were selected for evaluation under field conditions in plantations located in the counties of Mutuípe and Wenceslau Guimarães. Population of C. sordidus was estimated every 15 days by using pseudostem traps. The efficiency of the three strains of B. bassiana was compared to chemical control (carbofuran, 4 g/trap) and absence of control. Carbofuran caused around 90% of adult mortality after 12 months, with a reduction in the population of C. sordidus since the first evaluation. A low number of trapped insects was observed in the fungus-treated plots, suggesting the efficiency of the isolates in controlling the C. sordidus population. The strain CNPMF 218 was the most efficient in controlling C. sordidus adults in both locations, causing around 20% mortality, leading to 40% population size reduction after 12 months.

First record of Elixothrips brevisetis (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Brazil.

Elixothrips brevisetis (Bagnall), a species exotic to Brazil, is first recorded in the country. Individuals were collected on banana fruits (Musa sp.) (Musaceae) in July 2010 in the municipality of Luís Alves, state of Santa Catarina, causing rusting on the fruit peel in several bunches of bananas.

Management of Cosmopolites sordidus and Metamasius hemipterus in banana by pheromone-based mass trapping.

Mass trapping Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) using a pheromone-baited pitfall trap and Metamasius hemipterus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) using a pheromone-sugarcane-baited open gallon trap was conducted in commercial banana. Four traps for each insect per hectare were placed in each of two 5-hectare plots of banana. Two additional 5-hectare plots were designated as controls and treated according to the plantation protocol. Capture rates of C. sordidus and M. hemipterus declined by >75 % over 10-12 months. In the banana growing region studied, corm damage was due primarily to C. sordidus, while only a minor amount of damage was attributable to M. hemipterus. Corm damage reduction in trapping plots was, thus, attributed primarily to C. sordidus trapping. In trapping plots, corm damage decreased by 61-64 % during the experiment. Banana bunch weights increased 23 % relative to control plots after 11-12 months of trapping. Fruit diameter did not vary between bunches harvested from trapping plots vs. control plots. Plant vigor, however, as determined by stem circumference at one meter above ground increased in plots with traps compared to control plots. Trapping for C. sordidus in two plantations of over 200 hectares each, reduced corm damage 62-86 % relative to pre-trapping levels. Insecticide control measures in place when the experiment commenced resulted in about 20-30 % corm damage, while use of pheromone trapping to manage C. sordidus lowered corm damage to 10 % or less. It is estimated that the increase in value of increased yield obtained in this trial (23 %) is about $4,240 USD per year per hectare, while the cost of pheromone trapping is approximately $185 USD per year per hectare. The trapping program becomes revenue neutral if bunch weights increase by an average of 1 % per year of trapping. Approximately 10 % of all plantation area in Costa Rica use the pheromone trapping system described here. The system also is used in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and the Canary Islands.

Susceptibilidade de Rhynchophorus palmarum à ação de Metarhizium anisopliae e compatibilidade do entomopatógeno com agrotóxicos utilizados na cultura da banana / Susceptibility of Rhynchophorus palmarum to the action of Metarhizium anisopliae and the compatibility of the entomopathogen with agrochemicals used in the banana crop

Este estudo teve o objetivo de selecionar isolados do fungo entomopatogênico Metarhizium anisopliae para o controle de adultos de Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) e avaliar a compatibilidade de agrotóxicos utilizados nesta cultura com o isolado que ocasionasse maior mortalidade dos adultos. Para tal, adultos do inseto foram imersos em suspensões de seis isolados do fungo na concentração de 109 conídios.mL-1 e, após 24 dias, o isolado IBCB 348 causou maior mortalidade (87,5%) e foi utilizado para o teste de compatilibidade, por meio do cálculo da fórmula de T, com inseticidas, herbicidas e fungicidas comerciais utilizados na cultura. Nenhum dos fungicidas e herbicidas testados foram compatíveis com o patógeno. Os inseticidas Calypso, Dipterex 500 e Sevin 480 SC, na concentração mínima recomendada pelo fabricante, foram os únicos produtos classificados como compatíveis com o isolado IBCB 348 de M. anisopliae.

This study was aimed to screen the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for the control of Rhynchophorus palmarum (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adults and to evaluate the compatibility of agrochemicals used in this crop with the strain that caused the highest insect mortality. To this end, adult insects were immersed in suspensions of 6 strains at a concentration of 109 conidia.mL-1, and after 24 days the isolate IBCB 348 caused the highest mortality (87.5%) and was used in the compatibility test, using calculations by way of the T formula, with commercial insecticides, herbicides and fungicides used in the crop. Among the tested strains, IBCB 348 was the most efficient in the control of this pest, causing 87.5% of weevil mortality. None of the tested fungicides and herbicides were compatible with the pathogen. The insecticides Calypso, Dipterex 500 and Sevin 480 SC, at the lowest dose recommended by the manufacturer, were the only products classified as compatible with the strain IBCB 348 of M. anisopliae.

[Pesticides and prostate cancer: epidemiological data]. / Pesticides et cancer de la prostate: données épidémiologiques.

Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer affecting men in most Western countries. Certain risk factors have been identified (age, family history, ethnic origin), but the aetiology of this cancer remains largely unknown. However, a role for environmental factors is strongly suspected. Questions have been raised concerning the role of the chemical substances generated by human activities in the occurrence of this disease. Diverse studies have consistently demonstrated a higher risk of prostate cancer in agricultural populations than in the general population. The hypothesis that this higher risk is linked to the use of pesticides has been tested in a number of studies, mostly in North America and Europe. However, to date, with a few possible exceptions, it has been impossible to demonstrate a significant association between exposure to pesticides or a chemical family of pesticides and prostate cancer. In the face of these uncertainties, rigorous studies are required, with objective measurements of exposure, taking into account confounding factors and individual risk factors, making it possible to assess gene-environment interactions.

First report of Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) in South America / Primer reporte de Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) en Sur América

The presence of the red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst is recorded for the first time in South America. High populations and severe damages caused by this new invasive mite were found on coconut and banana leaves in Sucre (10° 27' 47" N and 64°10' 38" W) and Monagas (9º46'60" N and 63º12'0" W) states in northeastern Venezuela.

Se registra la presencia de Raoiella indica Hirst por primera vez en Sur América. Altas poblaciones y daños severos causados por esta nueva especie invasiva fueron encontrados en hojas de coco y banana en los estados nororientales de Venezuela, Sucre (10° 27' 47" N y 64°10' 38" W) y Monagas (9º46'60" N y 63º12'0" W).

Construction of a genetic linkage map of the fungal pathogen of banana Mycosphaerella fijiensis, causal agent of black leaf streak disease.

A genetic linkage map of the fungal plant pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis, causal agent of black leaf streak disease of banana was developed. A cross between the isolates CIRAD86 (from Cameroon) and CIRAD139A (from Colombia) was analyzed using molecular markers and the MAT locus. The genetic linkage map consists of 298 AFLP and 16 SSR markers with 23 linkage groups, containing five or more markers, covering 1,879 cM. Markers are separated on average by around 5.9 cM. The MAT locus was shown to segregate in a 1:1 ratio but could not be successfully mapped. An estimate of the relation between physical size and genetic distance was approximately 39.0 kb/cM. The estimated total haploid genome size was calculated using the genetic mapping data at 4,298.2 cM. This is the first genetic linkage map reported for this important foliar pathogen of banana. The great utility of the map will be for anchoring contigs in the genome sequence, evolutionary studies in comparison with other fungi, to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with aggressiveness or oxidative stress resistance and with the recently available genome sequence, for positional cloning.

First report of Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) in South America.

The presence of the red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst is recorded for the first time in South America. High populations and severe damages caused by this new invasive mite were found on coconut and banana leaves in Sucre (10 degrees 27' 47' N and 64 degrees 10' 38' W) and Monagas (9 masculine46'60' N and 63 masculine12'0' W) states in northeastern Venezuela.

Description of Culicoides (Mataemyia) felippebauerae sp. n., Forcipomyia musae immatures, and occurrence of F. genualis, breeding in banana stems in Brazilian Amazonia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

The following three species of Ceratopogonidae were collected breeding in the rhizomatous herb Phenakospermum guyannense Endl., 1833 in the vicinity of Manaus, Brazil, a new species, Culicoides (Mataemyia) felippebauerae Spinelli, Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) genualis (Loew), and F. (Phytohelea) musae Clastrier & Dellécole. C. (M.) felippebauerae is described and illustrated as adult, pupa, and fourth instar larva, the adult compared with the adult of C. barthi Taveres and Souza and larva and pupa with those of C. dicrourus Wirth & Blanton and C. macieli Tavares & Ruiz, the only species with known immatures in the subgenus. The pupa and fourth instar larva of F. (P.) musae are described and illustrated and compared with immatures of F. (P.) edwardsi Saunders.

Description of Culicoides (Mataemyia) felippebauerae sp. n., Forcipomyia musae immatures, and occurrence of F. genualis, breeding in banana stems in Brazilian Amazonia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The following three species of Ceratopogonidae were collected breeding in the rhizomatous herb Phenakospermum guyannense Endl., 1833 in the vicinity of Manaus, Brazil, a new species, Culicoides (Mataemyia) felippebauerae Spinelli, Forcipomyia (Forcipomyia) genualis (Loew), and F. (Phytohelea) musae Clastrier & Dellécole. C. (M.) felippebauerae is described and illustrated as adult, pupa, and fourth instar larva, the adult compared with the adult of C. barthi Taveres and Souza and larva and pupa with those of C. dicrourus Wirth & Blanton and C. macieli Tavares & Ruiz, the only species with known immatures in the subgenus. The pupa and fourth instar larva of F. (P.) musae are described and illustrated and compared with immatures of F. (P.) edwardsi Saunders.

[Banana tree pests attacking Heliconia latispatha Benth. (Heliconiaceae)]. / Pragas da bananeira atacando Heliconia latispatha Benth. (Heliconiaceae).

In mid-May 2005, the caterpillars Antichloris eriphia (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) and Calligo illioneus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) which are banana tree pests, were found attacking six-month old stalks of Heliconia latispatha Benth., planted near a banana tree plantation in Jaguariuna, SP, Brazil. The attack by C. illioneus is observed by the first time in Brazil.

Pragas da bananeira atacando Heliconia latispatha Benth. (Heliconiaceae) / Banana tree pests attacking Heliconia latispatha Benth. (Heliconiaceae)

Em maio de 2005, foi constatada a infestação de lagartas de Antichloris eriphia (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) e Calligo illioneus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), pragas da bananeira, em plantas de Heliconia latispatha Benth. com seis meses de idade, plantadas próximas a cultura de bananeiras em Jaguariúna, SP. Trata-se da primeira observação do ataque de C. illioneus em H. latispatha no Brasil.

In mid-May 2005, the caterpillars Antichloris eriphia (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) and Calligo illioneus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) which are banana tree pests, were found attacking six-month old stalks of Heliconia latispatha Benth., planted near a banana tree plantation in Jaguariuna, SP, Brazil. The attack by C. illioneus is observed by the first time in Brazil.

[Specific diversity of plant populations at rainfed scale and crop protection: the example of banana production in the French West Indies]. / Diversité spécifique des peuplements végétaux à l'échelle du bassin versant et contrôle des parasites des cultures: l'exemple de la culture bananière aux Antilles françaises.

Banana is a major crop in the French West Indies, where it is subjected to strong parasite pressure, resulting in pesticide pollution. An increase in plant population diversity in the cultivated ecosystem is generated by changing cultural practices. This results in a decrease in parasite pressure and hence a decrease in pollutant pesticide loads. Agricultural sustainability is therefore reinforced for better coexistence of populated, cultivated and protected areas.