Ruta graveolens Extracts and Metabolites against Spodoptera frugiperda.

The biological activity of Ruta graveolens leaf tissue extracts obtained with different solvents (ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water) and metabolites (psoralen, 2- undecanone and rutin) against Spodoptera frugiperda was evaluated. Metabolites levels in extracts were quantified by HPLC and GC. Ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts showed 94% and 78% mortality, respectively. Additionally, psoralen metabolite showed a high mortality as cypermethrin. Metabolite quantification in extracts shows the presence of 2-undecanone (87.9 µmoles mg(-1) DW), psoralen (3.6 µmoles mg(-1) DW) and rutin (0.001 pmoles mg(-1) DW). We suggest that these concentrations of 2-undecanone and psoralen in R. graveolens leaf tissue extracts could be responsible for S. frugiperda mortality.

Correlation between Pr1 and Pr2 gene content and virulence in Metarhizium anisopliae strains.

Metarhizium anisopliae is a widely studied model to understand the virulence factors that participate in pathogenicity. Proteases such as subtilisin-like enzymes (Pr1) and trypsin-like enzymes (Pr2) are considered important factors for insect cuticle degradation. In four M. anisopliae strains (798, 6342, 6345, and 6347), the presence of pr1 and pr2 genes, as well as the enzymatic activity of these genes, was correlated with their virulence against two different insect pests. The 11 pr1 genes (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K) and pr2 gene were found in all strains. The activity of individual Pr1 and Pr2 proteases exhibited variation in time (24, 48, 72, and 96 h) and in the presence or absence of chitin as the inductor. The highest Pr1 enzymatic activity was shown by strain 798 at 48 h with chitin. The highest Pr2 enzymatic activity was exhibited by the 6342 and 6347 strains, both grown with chitin at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Highest mortality on S. exigua was caused by strain 6342 at 48 h, and strains 6342, 6345, and 6347 caused the highest mortality 7 days later. Mortality on Prosapia reached 30% without variation. The presence of subtilisin and trypsin genes and the activity of these proteases in M. anisopliae strains cannot be associated with the virulence against the two insect pests. Probably, subtilisin and trypsin enzyme production is not a vital factor for pathogenicity, but its contribution is important to the pathogenicity process.

Genetic differentiation among Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) populations living on different host plants.

The pink hibiscus mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) is a dangerous pest that damages a wide variety of agricultural, horticultural, and forestry crops. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprints were used to characterize the genetic variation of 11 M. hirsutus populations infesting three plant species in Nayarit, Mexico. Analysis was carried out using four primers combinations, producing 590 polymorphic bands. Cluster analysis, as well as bootstrap dendrogram and nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis, grouped M. hirsutus populations according to their host plant. The estimated F(ST) values indicated a high differentiation in M. hirsutus populations among the three host plant species. These results were also supported by a Bayesian analysis, which indicated a population clustering robustness according to their host plant. Genetic variation among populations is not caused by geographic distances, as shown by a Mantel test.

Design of a Bacillus thuringiensis-based formulation that increases feeding preference on Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae.

A Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-based formulation intended to increase feeding response in Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was developed. Eight matrices were prepared from natural ingredients and confronted with fresh maize leaves to select one highly palatable to larvae. The selected matrix was combined with Bt HD-125 strain at three different concentrations (30, 70, and 100 g/kg) of the spore-crystal complex to elaborate three insecticidal formulations. Effects caused by the matrix, including palatability, any adverse effect, and reduction in toxic activity of the strain, were tested on the formulations. Results indicated that the blend of modified cornstarch, porcine gelatin, and dried corncob was the most preferred by larvae. Formulations obtained were evaluated in mortality bioassays with neonate larvae in laboratory, using artificial diet, and in the greenhouse, with maize, Zea mays L., plants to compare their effectiveness when applied to natural food. In laboratory tests, all formulations, including a commercial formulation, were ingested by larvae causing high mortality in neonate larvae; in the greenhouse tests, formulations were also ingested causing mortality in larvae, overcoming commercial formulation effectiveness. Results suggest that the selected matrix combined with Bt 70 g/kg is the most suitable formulation to achieve effective control because this concentration acts faster than the lower concentration and is equal than the higher concentration. This formulation, designed specifically against a particular pest, is highly effective and offers a high potential for effective pest control.