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).

Biological basis for adoption of an isoline of Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) for an augmentative biological-control program for Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The widely distributed, polyphagous fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797), is one of the most important crop pests worldwide. The egg-parasitoid wasp, Telenomus remus Nixon, 1937, is frequently described as a possible control agent for S. frugiperda. We selected an isoline of T. remus and evaluated its parasitism potential (for 24 h) in S. frugiperda eggs, in laboratory conditions, and also its ability to fly at different temperatures and relative humidity levels, aiming to provide basic information about this isoline. The selected isoline maintained good flight capacity without affecting its parasitism efficiency or developing inefficient haplotypes for biological-control programs, compared across generations to a regularline laboratory-reared for more than 60 generations. The flight capacity of the isoline was best at 25-30 °C and relative humidity 70-90%.

Reproductive compatibility among sympatric and allopatric isofemale lines of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879.

The present study evaluated the reproductive compatibility of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879, through an integrative approach using biological data and morphometry of three isofemale lines (isolines) collected from two geographical areas. These isolines differed in sequences of mitochondrial DNA and reproductive performance in the laboratory. The wasps used to initiate the isolines were collected in different environments: two lines from a Mediterranean climate in Irvine, California, USA, and one line from a tropical climate in Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Reproductive compatibility was studied by evaluating the sex ratio and number of adult offspring produced of all mating combinations between adults from these isolines. Morphometry was studied by measuring 26 taxonomically useful characters, followed by a multivariate analysis. For the allopatric matings among Brazilian and North American isolines, a low level of crossing incompatibility was recorded, in only one direction of the crosses; whereas the sympatric North American isolines were incompatible in both directions. Multivariate analysis of the morphometric data indicated no distinct groups, suggesting that despite the genetic and biological differences, the isofemale lines are morphologically similar.

Insect Rearing Techniques for Biological Control Programs, a Component of Sustainable Agriculture in Brazil.

This article describes the importance of rearing insects, whether on a small scale for research or a large scale for mass rearing, for use in biological control (BC) programs with macro-organisms. These inter- or multidisciplinary research programs are necessarily long-term and depend on rearing techniques for their complete development. Some successful examples of BC in Brazil are presented, including case studies of Trichogramma spp. These required broad bioecological studies that provided the basis for both mass rearing and transfer of the necessary technology to farmers. This has allowed Brazil to occupy a leadership position in biological control in "Open Fields". For example, about three million ha are being treated with Trichogramma galloi (a native parasitoid), and about three and a half million ha with Cotesia flavipes (an exotic parasitoid) to control Diatraea saccharalis, the sugarcane borer. These natural enemies are produced by commercial firms, or by laboratories in sugar and alcohol plants themselves, in the case of C. flavipes.

Biology at Different Temperatures, Thermal Requirements, and Ecological Zoning of Opogona sacchari (Lepidoptera: Tineidae).

The banana moth, Opogona sacchari (Bojer, 1856), is a polyphagous pest that causes serious damage to different crops around the world, particularly to bananas in southern Brazil. The insect is designated a quarantine pest in several countries including Argentina, the main consumer market for bananas produced in southern Brazil. To provide support for the management of O. sacchari, the present study investigated the biology and thermal requirements at eight temperatures (18, 22, 25, 28, 30, 32, 33, and 34 ± 1°C) and constructed a fertility life table at five temperatures (18, 22, 25, 28, and 30 ± 1°C). Above 30°C, the mortality of all life stages was 100%; the best temperature for development was 25°C. Based on this information, an ecological zoning of the pest was developed for Brazil. The lower temperature threshold was 8.6°C. The zoning indicated that the pest does not occur in regions with warmer climates, corresponding to the actual distribution of this pest in Brazil.

Applied Biological Control in Brazil: From Laboratory Assays to Field Application.

Brazil has a long history of the use of biological control (BC) of pests. The first attempt to use parasitoids was reported in the 1930s, and the first successful case dates to 1967. For a long period, chemical products were the most widespread control measure among Brazilian growers. This situation has gradually changed because of the lack of satisfactory control to manage certain pests, a slow change in the culture of growers, and some emblematic cases of the successful use of BC. The use of BC as a component of Integrated Pest Management is increasingly common. The present contribution summarizes the evolution of BC in Brazil, citing as an example the case of successful use of Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Tamarixia radiata (Waterston) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and Trichogramma spp. It presents some data on the utilization of BC in the country, such as the case of sugarcane, for which microorganisms as well as macroorganisms are used; the use of Baculovirus in soybean, produced in mass-reared lepidopteran larvae; and the recent case of the control of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) by the parasitoid Tamarixia radiata. Finally, the prospects for wider use of BC in Brazil are discussed, together with the challenges involved in broadening the growers' use of this technology.

Artificial diet for laboratory rearing of Condylorrhiza vestigialis (Guenée, 1854) (Lep.: Crambidae).

The Brazilian Poplar Moth, Condylorrhiza vestigialis (Guenée), compromises the wood productivity of poplar trees (Populus sp.), mainly affecting the matchstick industry in southern Brazil. Considering the lack of information on rearing techniques for this insect, the objective of this study was to develop an artificial diet to rear C. vestigialis with biological characteristics similar to the wild insects. A properly diet will enable bio-ecological studies and biological control programs using the baculovirus Condylorrhiza vestigialis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (CvMNPV). To attain this objective, first, three artificial diets were tested. Only the diet based on corn, wheat germ and yeast as a protein source (Diet 3) was able to supply the nutritional requirements of the moth and support completion of its life cycle. In the second experiment, Diet 3 was compared to the natural diet of C. vestigialis. The artificial diet supported a viability of 81% of the eggs, while only 40% developed on the natural diet. Life-table data showed the same pattern: the net reproductive rate (Ro) of C. vestigialis reared on the artificial diet was 401.70, and on the natural diet was 151.22. The artificial diet is adequate for mass rearing of C. vestigialis, to support biological control programs using the baculovirus.

Selectivity of plant extracts for Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae).

We evaluated the selectivity of three plant extracts with potential insecticidal effects for the parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, which is commonly used in biological pest control. The plant extracts assayed were an acetone extract of Toona ciliata M. Roem., commercial neem oil, and a nanoencapsulated formulation of neem oil (NC40). The toxicity of the plant extracts to T. pretiosum was evaluated according to the recommendations of the International Organization for Biological Control- IOBC Working Group. We assessed the susceptibility of adults of the maternal and F1 generations and immature stages of T. pretiosum to the extracts. Females exposed to egg cards treated with commercial neem oil parasitized almost 70% fewer eggs than control eggs treated with water; and this extract was therefore classified as slightly harmful. When the eggs were offered to females 24h after treatment with neem oil and aqueous NC40, the parasitism rate also decreased, and the two extracts were classified as slightly harmful. Adult emergence was lower for parasitoids that fed on host eggs offered 24h after the treatment with the T. ciliata extract, which was considered slightly harmful. The emergence of T. pretiosum from eggs, larvae and pupae treated with the different plant extracts, did not decrease compared to development stages treated with the water control. The use of T. pretiosum, combined with the application of an ethanol extract of T. ciliata and a nanoencapsulated formulation of neem, appears to be feasible in view of these low toxicity indices.

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.

Uso do cad-cam no tratamento cirúrgico e protético de ameloblastoma mandibular: relato de caso / Cad-cam use in the surgical and prosthetic treatment of mandibular ameloblastoma: case report

A introdução da tecnologia CAD-CAM no dia-a-dia das especialidades Odontológicas, em particular da Cirurgia Bucomaxilofacial e da Prótese Dentária, abriram um novo horizonte de possibilidades terapêuticas para o tratamento de diversas patologias bucais que culminam com perda de estrutura óssea e edentulismo parcial. Este trabalho faz um relato de caso clínico, no qual um paciente acometido de ameloblastoma mandibular recebeu tratamento cirúrgico e protético auxiliado pelo CAD-CAM (AU)

The introduction of CAD-CAM technology in a daily basis into Dental specialities, particularly in Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics, has opened a new horizon of therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of many oral pathologies that lead to loss of bone structure and partial edentulism. This paper brings a case report of a patient with mandibular ameloblastoma which received surgical and prosthetic treatment with the use of CAD-CAM technology (AU)

Reflectance-based identification of parasitized host eggs and adult Trichogramma specimens.

A wide range of imaging and spectroscopy technologies is used in medical diagnostics, quality control in production systems, military applications, stress detection in agriculture, and ecological studies of both terrestrial and aquatic organisms. In this study, we hypothesized that reflectance profiling can be used to successfully classify animals that are otherwise very challenging to classify. We acquired hyperspectral images from adult specimens of the egg parasitoid genus Trichogramma (T. galloi, T. pretiosum and T. atopovirilia), which are ~1.0 mm in length. We also acquired hyperspectral images from host eggs containing developing Trichogramma instar and pupae. These obligate egg endoparasitoid species are commercially available as natural enemies of lepidopteran pests in food production systems. Because of their minute size and physical resemblance, classification is time consuming and requires a high level of technical experience. The classification of reflectance profiles was based on a combination of average reflectance and variogram parameters (describing the spatial structure of reflectance data) of reflectance values in individual spectral bands. Although variogram parameters (variogram analysis) are commonly used in large-scale spatial research (i.e. geoscience and landscape ecology), they have only recently been used in classification of high-resolution hyperspectral imaging data. The classification model of parasitized host eggs was equally successful for each of the three species and was successfully validated with independent data sets (>90% classification accuracy). The classification model of adult specimens accurately separated T. atopovirilia from the other two species, but specimens of T. galloi and T. pretiosum could not be accurately separated. Interestingly, molecular-based classification (using the DNA sequence of the internally transcribed spacer ITS2) of Trichogramma species published elsewhere corroborates the classification, as T. galloi and T. pretiosum are closely related and comparatively distant from T. atopovirilia. Our results emphasize the importance of using high-spectral and high-spatial resolution data in the classification of organism relatedness, and hyperspectral imaging may be of relevance to a wide range of commercial (i.e. producers of biocontrol agents), taxonomic and evolutionary research applications.

Guia multifuncional: abordagem racional da carga imediata em implantes dentais / Multifunctional stent: rational approach to immediate loading of dental implants

É proposta uma nova técnica que permite a construção e instalação definitiva de uma prótese total fixa mandibular implanto-suportada em apenas 31 horas após instalação cirúrgica dos implantes

Avaliaçäo do comportamento morfodimensional de materiais de moldagem utilizados em implantes dentais / Evaluation of the morphodimentional behavior of impression materials used in dental implants

Próteses com assentamento passivo sobre os implantes säo um dos requisitos fundamentais no controle das cargas transmitidas à interface implante-osso. Sua construçäo requer o uso de materiais de moldagem que registrem precisamente a posiçäo de implantes, bem como suas relaçöes com os dentes adjacentes. O presente trabalho avaliou o comportamento morfodimensional de seis siliconas de adiçäo, um poliéter, um polissulfeto, uma silicona de condensaçäo e um hidrocolóide irreversível, quando empregados em uma técnica de moldagem e transferência da posiçäo de implantes dentais. A análise dos dados obtidos demonstrou que todos os materiais testados apresentaram alteraçöes dimensionais estatisticamente significantes. A silicona de adiçäo President apresentou a menor alteraçäo dimensional, enquanto que o hidrocolóide irreversível Orthoprint apresentou a maior alteraçäo. Finalmente, todas as siliconas de adiçäo produziram modelos semelhantes, seguidas do poliéter, do polissulfeto, da silicona de condensaçäo e o hidrocolóide irreversível

Lesão periapical em implantes osseointegrados: descrição de caso clínico / The osteointegrated implant periapical lesion: a case report

Este relato descreve a ocorrência de uma lesão periapical inativa em um implante de titânio osseointegrado, a qual foi diagnosticada aproximadamente 16 meses após sua ativação e que apresentou-se assintomática durante aquele período. A lesão e a região do implante afetado foram removidas cirurgicamente