Isolation of a Novel Alphabaculovirus (Baculoviridae) from Automeris liberia (Cramer, 1780) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in African Oil Palms in Brazil.

A novel baculovirus observed to infect Automeris liberia (Cramer) (bullseye moth) is here described. Caterpillars of A. liberia with symptoms of viral infection were collected from African oil palm plantations in Tailândia, PA, Brazil. Macerated caterpillars were then offered to caterpillars of Automeris cinctistriga (Felder & Rogenhoper), leading to viral symptoms and death before pupation. A transmission electron microscope was used for virus ultrastructural identification. The presence of viral occlusion bodies (OBs) containing multiple nucleocapsids was observed and such features are compatible with Alphabaculovirus (Baculoviridae). Molecular detection by PCR with primers for polyhedrin gene (polh) and for late expression factor-8 gene (lef-8), confirmed that this isolate belonged to Alphabaculovirus genus. To our knowledge, this is the first record of a baculovirus isolated from or associated to Automeris. The name Automeris liberia nucleopolyhedrovirus (AuliNPV) is proposed for the new virus.

New cost-effective bioconversion process of palm kernel cake into bioinsecticides based on Beauveria bassiana and Isaria javanica.

The present study aimed to add value to palm oil by-products as substrates to efficiently produce conidia of Beauveria bassiana and Isaria javanica (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) for biological control of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), through a solid-state fermentation process using palm kernel cake and palm fiber as nutrient source and solid matrix, respectively. The optimum culture conditions yielded high concentrations of viable conidia after air-drying, when the fungi were grown on palm kernel cake (B. bassiana 7.65 × 109 and I. javanica 2.91 × 109 conidia g-1 dry substrate) after 6 days under optimal growth conditions set to 60% substrate moisture and 32 °C. Both fungal strains exhibited high efficacy against third-instar whitefly nymphs, inducing mortality up to 62.9 and 56.6% by B. bassiana and I. javanica, respectively, assessed after 9 days post-application in a screenhouse. Furthermore, we noted that insect mortality was strongly correlated with high atmospheric moisture, while B. bassiana appeared to require shorter accumulative hours under high moisture to kill whitefly nymphs compared to I. javanica. Our results underpin a feasible and cost-effective mass production method for aerial conidia, using palm kernel as the main substrate in order to produce efficacious fungal bioinsecticides against an invasive whitefly species in Brazil. Finally, our fermentation process may offer a sustainable and cost-effective means to produce eco-friendly mycoinsecticides, using an abundant agro-industrial by-product from Brazil that will ultimately assist in the integrated management of agricultural insect pests.

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

ABSTRACT: 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.

RESUMO: 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.