Emergence and Infestation Level of Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Coffee Berries on the Plant or on the Ground During the Post-harvest Period in Brazil.

The coffee berry borer (CBB), Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most important coffee pest in most of the coffee growing countries. CBB females leave old dry berries after harvest and search for dry noninfested berries on the plant or on the ground to lay eggs or to use as refuge until new berries are available on the coffee trees in the following season. The CBB infestation level and emergence from berries on the ground or on the plants were evaluated in two fields post-harvest in the Spring in Brazil over two seasons. Twenty infested or noninfested berries in separate cages (250 ml plastic cups) were placed on the plants or on the ground under the tree canopy, in each field. The number of infested berries and CBB females that emerged from the infested berries were recorded weekly. CBB emergence was higher from berries on the ground than those on the coffee trees in both seasons, whereas CBB infestation was higher on coffee berries on the plants than those on the ground in season I. Insolation (hours of sunlight) and temperature were the main covariates that affected emergence and infestation by this insect. The results are discussed for monitoring CBB during the time of dispersal with implications on integrated management of this pest.

How much is a pheromone worth?

Pheromone-baited traps have been widely used in integrated pest management programs, but their economic value for growers has never been reported.  We analyzed the economic benefits of long-term use of traps baited with the citrus fruit borer Gymnandrosoma aurantianum sex pheromone in Central-Southern Brazil. Our analysis show that from 2001 to 2013 citrus growers avoided accumulated pest losses of 132.7 million to 1.32 billion USD in gross revenues, considering potential crop losses in the range of 5 to 50%. The area analyzed, 56,600 to 79,100 hectares of citrus (20.4 to 29.4 million trees), corresponds to 9.7 to 13.5% of the total area planted with citrus in the state of São Paulo. The data show a benefit-to-cost ratio of US$ 2,655 to US$ 26,548 per dollar spent on research with estimated yield loss prevented in the range of 5-50%, respectively. This study demonstrates that, in addition to the priceless benefits for the environment, sex pheromones are invaluable tools for growers as their use for monitoring populations allows rational and reduced use of insecticides, a win-win situation.

A multifaceted trophic cascade in a detritus-based system: density-, trait-, or processing-chain-mediated effects?

We investigated three pathways by which predators on an intermediate trophic level may produce a trophic cascade in detritus-based systems. Predators may increase lower trophic levels (bacteria) by reducing density of bacteriovores, by altering behavior of bacteriovores, and by processing living bacteriovores into carcasses, feces, and dissolved nutrients that are substrates for bacteria. We tested these pathways in laboratory experiments with mosquitoes in water-filled containers. Larval Toxorhynchites rutilus prey on larval Aedes triseriatus, which feed on bacteria. Using containers stocked with oak leaf infusion as a bacterial substrate, we compared bacterial productivity at 7 and 14 days for: prey alone; prey with a predator; and prey with predation cues but no predator. Controls contained no larvae, either with predation cues or without cues. Predation cues in the control treatment increased bacterial abundance at 7 days, but this effect waned by 14 days. Aedes triseriatus larvae reduced bacterial abundance significantly at 14 days. Predator cues and real predation both eliminated the negative effect of A. triseriatus on bacterial abundance. Predation cues reduced survivorship of A. triseriatus larvae at 14 days, however this effect was smaller than the effect of real predation. We further tested effects of residues from predation as cues or as detritus in a second experiment in which A. triseriatus were killed at similar rates by: real predators; mechanical damage without the predator and carcasses left as detritus; or mechanical damage and carcasses removed. No prey larvae were killed in controls. Bacterial productivity was greater with real predation than in all other treatments and greater when prey larvae were killed or killed and removed, than in controls. Thus we find evidence that all three pathways contribute to the trophic cascade from T. rutilus to bacteria in tree hole systems.

Attracted to the enemy: Aedes aegypti prefers oviposition sites with predator-killed conspecifics.

Oviposition habitat choices of species with aquatic larvae are expected to be influenced by both offspring risk of mortality due to predation, and offspring growth potential. Aquatic predators may indirectly influence growth potential for prey by reducing prey density and, for filter-feeding prey, by increasing bacterial food for prey via added organic matter (feces, partially eaten victims), creating the potential for interactive effects on oviposition choices. We tested the hypothesis that the mosquito Aedes aegypti preferentially oviposits in habitats with predatory Toxorhynchites larvae because of indirect effects of predation on chemical cues indicating bacterial abundance. We predicted that A. aegypti would avoid oviposition in sites with Toxorhynchites, but prefer to oviposit where bacterial food for larvae is abundant, and that predation by Toxorhynchites would increase bacterial abundances. Gravid A. aegypti were offered paired oviposition sites representing choices among: predator presence; the act of predation; conspecific density; dead conspecific larvae; and bacterial activity. A. aegypti preferentially oviposited in sites with Toxorhynchites theobaldi predation, and with killed conspecific larvae, but failed to detect preferences for other treatments. The antibiotic tetracycline eliminated the strongest oviposition preference. Both predation by Toxorhynchites and killed larvae increased bacterial abundances, suggesting that oviposition attraction is cued by bacteria. Our results show the potential for indirect effects, like trophic cascades, to influence oviposition choices and community composition in aquatic systems. Our results suggest that predators like Toxorhynchites may be doubly beneficial as biocontrol agents because of the attraction of ovipositing mosquitoes to bacterial by-products of Toxorhynchites feeding.

Response of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) to volatiles produced by strawberry plants in response to attack by Tetranychid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae: Tetranychidae).

The attack of phytophagous mites may induce plants to produce volatiles, which in turn may attract predators. The occurrence of multiple phytophagous infestations on plants may influence predator response. In this paper, we investigated whether the attraction of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) to phytophagous-infested plants would change with the simultaneous presence of two tetranichid mites Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) and Tetranychus urticae Koch. While the former species is rarely found on strawberry plants and is only occasionally found in association with P. macropilis, the latter is commonly found on strawberry plants and is frequently found in association with P. macropilis. Y-tube olfactometer test assays demonstrated that the predator preferred plants infested with T. urticae, avoided plants infested with O. ilicis, and had no preference for plants infested with both phytophagous mite species. These results indicated that the presence of a non-prey species (O. ilicis) on a given plant can alter the response of the predator to one of its prey (T. urticae). The consequences of the predatory behavior determined in this study on the predator ability to control T. urticae population on strawberry plants are discussed.

Response of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) to volatiles produced by strawberry plants in response to attack by Tetranychid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae: Tetranychidae)

The attack of phytophagous mites may induce plants to produce volatiles, which in turn may attract predators. The occurrence of multiple phytophagous infestations on plants may influence predator response. In this paper, we investigated whether the attraction of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) to phytophagous-infested plants would change with the simultaneous presence of two tetranichid mites Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) and Tetranychus urticae Koch. While the former species is rarely found on strawberry plants and is only occasionally found in association with P. macropilis, the latter is commonly found on strawberry plants and is frequently found in association with P. macropilis. Y-tube olfactometer test assays demonstrated that the predator preferred plants infested with T. urticae, avoided plants infested with O. ilicis, and had no preference for plants infested with both phytophagous mite species. These results indicated that the presence of a non-prey species (O. ilicis) on a given plant can alter the response of the predator to one of its prey (T. urticae). The consequences of the predatory behavior determined in this study on the predator ability to control T. urticae population on strawberry plants are discussed.

[Spatial distribution of phytophagous mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) on strawberry plants]. / Distribuição espacial de ácaros fitófagos (Acari: Tetranychidae) em morangueiro.

Many phytophagous mites can attack strawberry plants, Fragaria x ananassa, among them the southern red mite, Oligonychus ilicis McGregor, and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. They are found together feeding on the same plant on the upper and underside of the leaves, respectively. Here we studied the choice for feeding sites of O. ilicis and T. urticae on strawberry plants. The first hypothesis tested whether the feeding site choice would be related to the fitness of the species. The second hypothesis dealt whether the feeding site would be determined by the presence of a heterospecific mite. We evaluated the preference, biology and reproductive success of O. ilicis and T. urticae on the under and upper side surface of strawberry leaves infested or not by the heterospecific. O. ilicis preferred to stay on the upper side surface while T. urticae preferred the underside. The preference for the leaf surface correlated with the reproductive success of the species (measured by the intrinsic growth rate). The choice pattern of feeding sites did not alter when the choice test was applied using sites previously infested by heterospecific. Although O. ilicis and T. urticae, apparently, do not interact directly for feeding sites, there is a chance that the first species induces defenses in strawberry plant enabling to reduce the fitness of the second species. The possibility of those species stay together on strawberry plant increases the damage capacity to the culture.

Distribuição espacial de ácaros fitófagos (Acari: Tetranychidae) em morangueiro / Spatial distribution of phytophagous mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) on strawberry plants

O morangueiro, Fragaria x ananassa, pode ser atacado por diferentes espécies de ácaros fitófagos, dentre elas o ácaro-vermelho, Oligonychus ilicis McGregor, e o ácaro-rajado, Tetranychus urticae Kock. Essas espécies são encontradas juntas, alimentando-se, com maior freqüência, sobre a epiderme adaxial e abaxial das folhas, respectivamente. Neste trabalho estudou-se o padrão de escolha de O. ilicis e T. urticae por sítio de alimentação em plantas de morangueiro. Duas hipóteses foram formuladas: a primeira, que a escolha por sítios de alimentação estaria relacionada à aptidão das espécies; a segunda, que esta escolha seria determinada pela presença do heteroespecífico. Com o objetivo de testar tais hipóteses, avaliou-se a preferência, biologia e sucesso reprodutivo de O. ilicis e T. urticae sobre a face abaxial e adaxial de folhas de morangueiro infestadas ou não pelo heteroespecífico. O. ilicis preferiu permanecer sobre a face adaxial enquanto T. urticae preferiu permanecer sobre a face abaxial de folhas de morangueiro. A preferência pelas faces foliares correlacionou-se com o sucesso reprodutivo das espécies, avaliado pela taxa intrínseca de crescimento populacional (r m). O padrão de escolha não se alterou quando as espécies foram submetidas ao teste de escolha entre as faces foliares previamente infestadas pelo heteroespecífico. É discutida a possibilidade de T. urticae induzir defesas da planta capazes de reduzir a aptidão de O. ilicis e vice-versa. A possibilidade dessas espécies permanecerem juntas sobre plantas de morangueiro aumenta a capacidade de dano à cultura.

Many phytophagous mites can attack strawberry plants, Fragaria x ananassa, among them the southern red mite, Oligonychus ilicis McGregor, and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. They are found together feeding on the same plant on the upper and underside of the leaves, respectively. Here we studied the choice for feeding sites of O. ilicis and T. urticae on strawberry plants. The first hypothesis tested whether the feeding site choice would be related to the fitness of the species. The second hypothesis dealt whether the feeding site would be determined by the presence of a heterospecific mite. We evaluated the preference, biology and reproductive success of O. ilicis and T. urticae on the under and upper side surface of strawberry leaves infested or not by the heterospecific. O. ilicis preferred to stay on the upper side surface while T. urticae preferred the underside. The preference for the leaf surface correlated with the reproductive success of the species (measured by the intrinsic growth rate). The choice pattern of feeding sites did not alter when the choice test was applied using sites previously infested by heterospecific. Although O. ilicis and T. urticae, apparently, do not interact directly for feeding sites, there is a chance that the first species induces defenses in strawberry plant enabling to reduce the fitness of the second species. The possibility of those species stay together on strawberry plant increases the damage capacity to the culture.

[Mating behavior of the coffee leaf-miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)]. / Comportamento de acasalamento do bicho-mineiro-do-cafeeiro, Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae).

Despite the importance of Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) in coffee production worldwide, there is a lack of information on its reproductive biology. This knowledge will help in mass rearing, as well as support the development of behavioral control techniques for this insect. The purpose of the study was to determine the periodicity of mating and male capture and describe the mating behavior L. coffeella. In laboratory, we observed the periodicity of mating with virgin couples of different ages, zero to five days after emergence. Male activity was studied in a 0.7 ha coffee plantation, cv. Catuaí, where Delta traps were installed at 0.5 m above ground, using either virgin females or rubber septa lured with the synthetic sex pheromone. The sequence of mating behavior was studied by making visual observations and recorded of pairs placed on individual plastic tubes. Mating occurred between 4h and 6h of photophase, when the highest frequencies involved pairs with ages of one and three days after emergence, with peak of mating occurring in 5th hour of photophase. The young or old pairs showed significantly copulation frequency and the peak of matings advance in 1h. The highest male capture occurred at 12p.m. and 13 p.m. by traps with virgin females or traps with synthetic sex pheromone lures, respectively. L. coffeella is one insect with diurnal mating and the mating behavior was not different from what is know for other Lepidoptera species.

Comportamento de acasalamento do bicho-mineiro-do-cafeeiro, Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) / Mating behavior of the coffee leaf-miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)

Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) é praga-chave na cafeicultura; contudo, faltam informações sobre sua reprodução para o desenvolvimento de táticas de controle por comportamento. Este trabalho teve como objetivos determinar a periodicidade de cópulas; a periodicidade de captura dos machos e caracterizar o comportamento de acasalamento de L. coffeella. A periodicidade de acasalamento foi avaliada em laboratório com casais virgens de diferentes idades, zero a cinco dias após a emergência, individualizados em tubos transparentes. A periodicidade de captura foi avaliada em café cv. Catuaí, onde foram instaladas armadilhas Delta com dois atraentes: fêmeas virgens e septos de borracha impregnados com o feromônio sexual sintético. As etapas do comportamento de acasalamento foram descritas a partir de observação direta e de filmagens de casais virgens individualizados em tubos transparentes. Os acasalamentos ocorreram entre 4h e 6h da fotofase, onde as maiores freqüências envolveram casais com idades entre um e três dias da emergência, com pico de acasalamentos na quinta hora da fotofase. Os casais recém-emergidos ou velhos mostraram significativamente menor freqüência de cópulas e o pico dos acasalamentos antecipado em 1h. A maior captura ocorreu às 12:00h e 13:00h, nas armadilhas com fêmeas virgens e feromônio sexual sintético, respectivamente. Pelos resultados, L. coffeella é um inseto com acasalamento diurno e os comportamentos de chamamento e corte seguem o padrão encontrado em outros Lepidoptera.

Despite the importance of Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville) in coffee production worldwide, there is a lack of information on its reproductive biology. This knowledge will help in mass rearing, as well as support the development of behavioral control techniques for this insect. The purpose of the study was to determine the periodicity of mating and male capture and describe the mating behavior L. coffeella. In laboratory, we observed the periodicity of mating with virgin couples of different ages, zero to five days after emergence. Male activity was studied in a 0.7 ha coffee plantation, cv. Catuaí, where Delta traps were installed at 0.5 m above ground, using either virgin females or rubber septa lured with the synthetic sex pheromone. The sequence of mating behavior was studied by making visual observations and recorded of pairs placed on individual plastic tubes. Mating occurred between 4h and 6h of photophase, when the highest frequencies involved pairs with ages of one and three days after emergence, with peak of mating occurring in 5th hour of photophase. The young or old pairs showed significantly copulation frequency and the peak of matings advance in 1h. The highest male capture occurred at 12p.m. and 13 p.m. by traps with virgin females or traps with synthetic sex pheromone lures, respectively. L. coffeella is one insect with diurnal mating and the mating behavior was not different from what is know for other Lepidoptera species.

Identification, synthesis, and field evaluation of the sex pheromone from the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella.

Using male antenna as the sensing element, three electroantennographic detection (EAD)-active peaks were detected from pheromone gland extracts of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella. Based on gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and GC-infrared data, the semiochemicals were tentatively identified as a novel pheromone, (Z,Z,E)-7,11,13-hexadecatrienal, a previously identified attractant, (Z,Z)-7,11-hexadecadienal, and (Z)-7-hexadecenal in a ratio of 30:10:1, respectively. Identification was confirmed with synthetic compounds, which gave retention times identical to those of the natural products on three capillary columns with polar and nonpolar phases. While traps baited only with the previously identified attractant alone did not catch any males in Brazil, binary and tertiary mixtures with the major constituents caught significantly more male moths than traps baited with five virgin females.

Towards the identification and synthesis of the sex pheromone of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton ( Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae )

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi caracterizar o comportamento sexual do minador-dos-citros, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, como suporte para o isolamento, identificação e síntese do seu feromônio sexual. O acasalamento de P. citrella ocorre no intervalo entre 1h antes do início da fotofase e 1h após o término da escotofase, entre adultos de um e dois dias de idade. O comportamento de corte e cópula foi descrito para essa espécie, sendo a duração média da cópula de 49,6 min. Estudos conduzidos em olfatômetro tipo Y demonstraram que os machos foram fortemente atraídos pelas fêmeas virgens bem como pelo extrato natural de glândulas de feromônio sexual das fêmeas.

Towards the identification and synthesis of the sex pheromone of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae).

The objective of this work was to characterize the sexual behavior of the citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, as the foundation for the isolation, identification, and synthesis of the complete sex pheromone of this species. Mating occurred in a time window of 2h, starting 1h before the onset of photophase. The large majority of tested insects mated in the first two days after emergence, with no significant difference between mating at day 1 and day 2. A stereotypical courtship and copulation behavior were described for this species. When mating was successful, the copulation was recorded in average for 49.6 min. In Y-olfactometer tests conducted at the time of mating activity, males were strongly attracted to caged virgin females as well as to extracts from putative pheromone glands.

Development of a control alternative for the citrus fruit borer, Ecdytolopha aurantiana (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae): from basic research to the grower

São descritas todas as etapas da pesquisa, desenvolvidas de 1995 a 2000, para a síntese do feromônio sexual de Ecdytolopha aurantiana (Lima, 1927), visando ao monitoramento desta praga que causa perdas da ordem de 50 milhões de dólares ao ano à citricultura paulista. As pesquisas básicas são apresentadas, incluindo o desenvolvimento de uma dieta artificial para o inseto, estudo de suas exigências térmicas e hídricas, estudos comportamentais, síntese da substância atraente para o macho desde a formulação até a distribuição do feromônio ao agricultor, e a sua comercialização. Trata-se de um caso de sucesso, a um custo de 50 mil dólares, com pesquisas inter- e multidisciplinares e que pode ser adotado para outros insetos-praga do país.

Efeito da escassez de presa na sobrevivência e reprodução do predador Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) / Effect of prey shortage on the reproduction and longevity of Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The effect of prey shortage on the performance of Supputius cincticeps (Stål) females was evaluated at 24.6 ± 0.7oC, 80 ± 4% RH and 12h photophase. Larvae of Tenebrio molitor L. were offered to the females during 24h every one, two, four, six or eight days; pieces of green bean (Phaseolusvulgaris L.) were offered continuously. The percentage of females with egg masses, oviposition period, and the number of egg masses, eggs and nymphs decreased with the increase in the interval without prey, whereas the periods of pre- and pos-oviposition increased. On the other hand, longevity and number of eggs per egg mass were not affected by the prey regimen. The results suggest a trade-off between longevity and fecundity (reduction of fecundity to maintain longevity), which could contribute to the establishment and survival of S. cincticeps during periods of prey scarcity.

O efeito da escassez de presas no desempenho de fêmeas de Supputius cincticeps (Stål) foi estudado a 24,6 ± 0,7oC, umidade relativa de 80 ± 4% e fotoperíodo de 12h. Larvas de Tenebriomolitor L. foram fornecidas às fêmeas durante 24h, a cada um, dois, quatro, seis ou oito dias; pedaços de vagem de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) foram fornecidos em todos os tratamentos de forma contínua. A porcentagem de fêmeas com posturas, o período de oviposição e o número de posturas, de ovos e de ninfas diminuíram com o aumento do intervalo sem presa. Entretanto, os períodos de pré- viposição e de pós-oviposição aumentaram à medida que o alimento tornou-se menos freqüente, enquanto alongevidade e o número de ovos por postura não foram afetados pelo regime de presas. Os resultados sugerem uma compensação entre a longevidade e a fecundidade (redução da segunda para manter a primeira), o que pode contribuir para o estabelecimento e a sobrevivência de S. cincticeps em condições de escassez de presa.

Concentração e tempo de liberação do feromônio sexual sintético de Bonagota cranaodes (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) na cultura da macieira / Concentration and duration of the synthetic sex pheromone of Bonagota cranaodes (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in an apple orchard

O efeito de cinco doses do feromônio sexual sintético de Bonagota (=Phtheochroa) cranaodes (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) (mistura de acetatos de E,Z, 3,5-acetato de dodecadienila e Z9-acetato de hexadecenila, na proporção de 9:1) foi estudado e o período de atratividade da mistura foi determinado em armadilhas adesivas em pomares de macieira do sul do Brasil. Não houve diferenças significativas na captura de machos entre as doses de 0,25 a 3,0 mig/septo de borracha. Armadilhas delta contendo duas fêmeas virgens foram cerca de quatro vezes mais atrativas que o feromônio sexual sintético na dose de 3 mig/septo, sendo que esta concentração permaneceu eficiente na captura de machos por quatro meses. Comparando-se as capturas de machos com o feromônio sexual sintético (3 mig) e com duas fêmeas virgens por armadilha, durante sete meses, obteve-se uma correlação significativa e positiva no número de machos capturados entre os dois atraentes, demonstrando que variações sazonais na população de B. cranaodes são detectadas pelo feromônio sexual sintético.

The effect of five dosis of the synthetic sex pheromone of Bonagota (=Phtheochroa) cranaodes (Meyrick) (a 9:1 blend of E,Z 3,5 dodecanyl acetate and Z9 hexadecenyl acetate) and the duration of the synthetic pheromone under field conditions were evaluated in a commercial apple orchard in Vacaria, RS, Brazil. No significant differences were observed among concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 3.0 mug per rubber septum. Delta traps baited with two virgin females were ca. four times more attractive than those baited with the synthetic sex pheromone at the dosis of 3 mug per septum. Rubber septa containing this amount of synthetic sex pheromone remained attractive for 120 days. Comparing number of males captured in traps baited with the synthetic pheromone and males captured in traps with virgin females during seven months, a significant and positive correlation is observed, demonstrating that the seasonal variations in B. cranaodes population density are detected using the synthetic sex pheromone in delta traps.

Seletividade de defensivos agrícolas ao fungo entomopatogênico Beauveria bassiana / Selectivity of insecticides and fungicides to the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana

A toxicidade relativa dos inseticidas organofosforados clorpirifós-metílico, dissulfotom, etiom, paratiom-metílico, do organoclorado endosulfam, da mistura do fungicida triadimenol e do inseticida dissulfotom e dos fungicidas inibidores da demetilação de esteróis triadimenol e tebuconazole ao fungo Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin foi estudada em laboratório. As concentrações dos pesticidas que inibiram 99 por cento do crescimento micelial desse fungo, em miligramas de ingrediente ativo por ml foram: tebuconazole = 0,42; paration-metílico = 1,69; triadimenol = 6,53; triadimenol + dissulfotom = 14,42; clorpirifós-metílico = 31,75; etiom = 7.028,96; endosulfam = 10.326,76 e dissulfotom = 763.959,86. As equações de regressão da inibição do crescimento micelial ( por cento), em função da concentração obtida por ensaio in vitro em meio batata-destrose-ágar (BDA) impregnado com os ingredientes ativos desses compostos, foram usadas para se estimar a seletividade das concentrações prescritas para cafezais, pelos seus respectivos fabricantes. Tebuconazole, paratiom-metílico e clorpirifós-metílico foram altamente tóxicos ao fungo B. bassiana; endosulfam e triadimenol + dissulfotom apresentaram seletividade moderada e triadimenol, etiom e dissulfotom foram seletivos para esse fungo.

The relative toxicity of the insecticides organophosphates methyl-chlorpyrifos, disulfoton, ethion, methyl-parathion, the organochlorinate endosulfan and the mixture of the fungicide triadimenol and the insecticide disulfoton and the sterol demethylation inhibiter fungicide (triadimenol and tebuconazole) to the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin was evaluated. Concentrations which inhibited radial mycelium growth (99 percent) of B. bassiana were 0.42; 1.69; 6.53; 14.42; 31.75; 7,028.96; 10,326.76 e 763,959.86 mg i.a/ml of tebuconazole, methyl-parathion, triadimenol, triadimenol + disulfoton, methyl-chlorpyrifos, ethion, endosulfan and disulfoton, respectively. The effects of these products were evaluated based on percentage of inhibition of radial mycelium growth of B. bassiana on potato dextrose-agar impregnated with them, after seven days. Tebuconazole, methyl-parathion and methyl-chlorpyrifos were highly toxic to B. bassiana; endosulfan and triadimenol + disulfoton were moderated toxic; while triadimenol, ethion, and disulfoton were selective to this fungi.

Horário de Oviposição e Ritmo Diário de Emergência de Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) em Laboratório / Oviposition Time and Daily Emergence Rhythm of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in Laboratory

The behavior of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton was studied in relation to the time of oviposition and daily emergence rhythm in laboratory under controlled temperature, relative humidity and photoperiod conditions. A crepuscular and nocturnal egg-laying habit of P. citrella was recorded with approximately 95.4% eggs laid during the scotophase (10h). Out of the total eggs laid throughout 24h, about 45.4% was concentrated on the first two hours of scotophase. P. citrella adults had a synchronized emergence, with a male:female proportion of 1:1, with a consequent sexual ratio of 0.5.

Estudou-se o comportamento de Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton quanto ao horário de oviposição e ritmo diário de emergência, em laboratório sob condições controladas de temperatura, umidade relativa e fotoperíodo. Ficou caracterizado o hábito crepuscular e noturno de postura de P. citrella, com aproximadamente 95,4% dos ovos colocados durante a escotofase (10h). Do total de ovos nas 24h, cerca de 45,4% concentraram-se nas duas primeiras horas da escotofase. Adultos de P. citrella apresentaram um sincronismo na emergência, com uma proporção macho:fêmea de 1:1, e portanto, com uma razão sexual igual a 0,5.

Field evaluation of potential of alarm pheromone compounds to enhance baits for control of grass-cutting ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

Leaf-cutting ants are important economic pests of the Neotropics, and the most common method of control involves the use of insecticidal baits. Baits that are currently available exhibit low attractiveness to grass-cutting species, thus there is a need to develop improved baits. The potential for using alarm pheromone compounds to enhance the attractiveness and subsequent harvest of baits was examined for two economically important species of grass-cutting ant, Atta bisphaerica (Forel) and Atta capiguara (Goncalves). Compounds of the alarm pheromone were applied to rubber septa that were then sealed inside plastic sachets together with citrus pulp-based bait. The best candidate compound for bait enhancement was 4-methyl-3-heptanone. This compound significantly increased the attractiveness of bait sachets to both species. It also appeared to improve the discovery of nearby unenhanced sachets. However, 4-methyl-3-heptanone resulted in only a slight and non-significant improvement in bait harvest. Enhanced and unenhanced bait sachets were applied at a number of positions to obtain an improvement in harvest, but without success. The possible reasons for the lack of an enhancement of harvest and the potential for using alarm pheromone compounds as leaf-cutting ant bait enhancers are discussed.

Comparação de Procedimentos de Amostragem de Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) em Tomateiro Estaqueado / Comparison of Sampling Procedures for Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Tomato Crop

In order to obtain a more reliable sampling method of the South American Tomato Moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (= Scrobipalpuloides absoluta), we compared different methodologies in an 1 ha commercial tomato crop. We sampled the last three expanded leaves, three expanded leaves at the medium canopy, the entire plant leaves and the catches by a pheromone trap, at 100 and 130 days after planting the seedlings. A randomized complete block with four replications was used, with each plot measuring 30 x 30 m. The number of eggs, leaf mines and larvae were counted on each leaf, as well as the number of adults captured in the pheromone trap. Counts in the entire plant leaves were taken as the control. The medium canopy method provided a better association for mines (R² = 0.87) and larvae (R² = 0.88), while egg counts were better associated with the three last expanded leaves (r² = 0.68). The number of eggs provided a better association with the number of larvae and mines (R² = 0.67 and R² = 0.85 respectively). Therefore, it is possible to predict damage by T. absoluta based on egg counting. Pheromone traps revealed an increase in adults number from 100 to 130 days of the crop. The increase in adult population has followed mine and larvae numbers.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi obter um método acurado para amostrar a traça do tomateiro, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (= Scrobipalpuloides absoluta). Conduziu-se um experimento em lavoura comercial de tomate estaqueado de 1 ha, em Coimbra, MG, para comparação de quatro métodos de amostragem (três folhas expandidas do terço apical, três folhas expandidas do terço médio, armadilhas de feromônio e folhas da planta inteira) nas idades de 100 e 130 dias após o transplantio das mudas. O delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, medindo, cada parcela, 30 x 30 m. A amostragem nas parcelas foi feita seguindo um caminhamento em zigue-zague. Nas folhas, em laboratório, contou-se o número de ovos, minas e lagartas e, nas armadilhas, o número de adultos capturados. As contagens nas plantas inteiras foram consideradas, para todos os métodos, como padrão para comparação. O método do terço mediano foi o que mostrou maiores valores de coeficientes de determinação, tanto para a contagem de minas (R² = 0,87), quanto para a de lagartas (R² = 0,88), sendo o método de amostragem do terço superior o que apresentou melhor resultado para a contagem de ovos (r² = 0,68). O número de ovos apresentou relação satisfatória com o de minas e lagartas (R² = 0,67 e R² = 0,85, respectivamente), mostrando que se pode inferir sobre as injúrias na planta com base no número de ovos. As armadilhas de feromônio revelaram um aumento no número de adultos da idade de 100 para 130 dias. Este aumento da infestação, inferido pela captura na armadilha, também pode ser observado nas plantas por meio do aumento no número de minas e lagartas.