Field Assessment of Oryzophagus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Preference and Performance on Selected Rice Cultivars.

Plant resistance is a key strategy for the management of Oryzophagus oryzae (Costa Lima) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an important pest in South American rice paddies. The present study investigated the resistance of rice cultivars in terms of feeding and oviposition preference, growth, development, and biological performance of O. oryzae under natural conditions of field infestation during two consecutive rice seasons. There were no effects of the six cultivars on the feeding and oviposition preferences of O. oryzae as evaluated 5, 8, and 11 d After Flooding (DAF) of the plots, indicating the absence of antixenosis. Cultivars did not differ in terms of egg viability and larval density of first instars on the roots at 15 DAF. Significant differences were found 25 and 35 DAF when larval density per sample was high on 'BRS Pampa CL' (up to 24.5), intermediate on 'BRS Querência' and 'BRS Ligeirinho' (up to 16.1), and low on 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn' (up to 8.8). The cultivars 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn' caused malnutrition and inhibition of larval growth. These effects, typical of antibiosis, resulted in delayed pupation and emergence of adults; in addition, emerged females had body weight decreased strongly. The cultivars BRS Pampa CL, BRS Querência, and BRS Ligeirinho are susceptible, resulting in high larval populations and more suitable development of O. oryzae; antibiosis, as indicated for 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn', probably is the key mechanism of rice resistance to O. oryzae.

Non-target toxicity of nine agrochemicals toward larvae and adults of two generalist predators active in peach orchards.

Chrysoperla externa and Coleomegilla quadrifasciata are important biological control agents in peach orchards. However, orchard management with these predatory insects is viable only by using selective agrochemicals. The objective of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of nine agrochemicals used in peach orchards in larval and adult stages of the C. externa and C. quadrifasciata in laboratory conditions. The bioassays followed the methodologies proposed by the International Organization for Biological and Integrated Control (IOBC). Larvae and adults of C. externa and C. quadrifasciata were exposed to the dry residues of these products. Lethal and sublethal effects were evaluated in bioassays with the larval and adult stages of both predators. The agrochemicals were classified according to the IOBC guidelines. The insecticide chlorantraniliprole was harmless (class 1) to the larval stage of C. externa and C. quadrifasciata. Azadirachtin, copper 25% + calcium 10%, and deltamethrin were harmless to the adult stage of both insect species. The organophosphates fenitrothion and malathion were harmful (class 4) to both species in the larval and adult stages and should not be used in peach orchards. Therefore, this study demonstrates the importance of toxicity and the lethal and sublethal effects of these agrochemicals to better determine their compatibility with IPM in peach production.