Behavioral Responses of Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae) to Salinity-Stressed Citrus.

Most commercial citrus varieties are intolerant of salinity stress, but some rootstocks, such as Rangpur lime, tolerate moderately saline irrigation water. Development of salinity-tolerant citrus may allow for citriculture in semiarid and arid regions where salinity stress is problematic. Because salinity stress influences shoot growth in citrus, we compared the behavioral responses of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, to salinity-stressed versus nonstressed Rangpur lime seedlings. The effects of salinity stress on key physiological processes in the seedlings were also examined. Seedlings in the control group were fertilized with a solution having a salinity of 1.7 dS m-1 while seedlings in the salinity-stressed group were fertilized with a solution having a salinity of 10 dS m-1. The seedlings were exposed to salinity stress for increasing durations (15, 20, or 60 d). Seedlings presented differential physiological responses 15 d after the imposition of salinity stress, and differences in psyllid settling rate on control versus salinity-stressed seedlings were discernable within 1 h following the imposition of salinity stress. The levels of settling, oviposition, and egg survivorship were significantly lower on salinity-stressed versus control seedlings. Olfactometer tests showed that female psyllids preferred the odor from control seedlings, suggesting that the odors of control and salinity-stressed seedlings were different. The results showed that D. citri avoids salinity-stressed seedlings; this suggests the possibility of using moderate salinity stress as a management strategy to minimize psyllid settlement and reproduction and to reduce the spread of huanglongbing, especially in citrus grown in semiarid and arid areas.

Attractiveness of Host Plant Volatile Extracts to the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri, is Reduced by Terpenoids from the Non-Host Cashew.

Diaphorina citri is a vector of the bacterial causative agent of Huanglongbing (HLB = Citrus greening), a severe disease affecting citrus crops. As there is no known control for HLB, manipulating insect behaviour through deployment of semiochemicals offers a promising opportunity for protecting citrus crops. The behavioural responses of D. citri to plant volatiles, and the identity of these plant volatiles were investigated. Volatiles were collected from host plants Murraya paniculata, Citrus sinensis, C. reshni, C. limettioides, Poncirus trifoliata, and from non-host plants Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica, Anacardium occidentale. In behavioural assays, female D. citri spent more time in the arms containing volatiles from either M. paniculata or C. sinensis compared to the control arms. When D. citri was exposed to volatiles collected from A. occidentale, they preferred the control arm. Volatiles emitted from the other studied plants did not influence the foraging behaviour of D. citri. Chemical analyses of volatile extracts from C. sinensis, M. paniculata, and A. occidentale revealed the presence of the terpenoids (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene (DMNT) and (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyltrideca-1,3,7,11-tetraene (TMTT) in higher amounts in A. occidentale. In further behavioural bioassays, female D. citri spent less time in arms containing a synthetic blend of DMNT and TMTT compared to the control arms. Female D. citri also spent less time in arms containing the synthetic blend in combination with volatile extracts from either M. paniculata or C. sinensis compared to the control arms. Results suggest that higher release of the two terpenoids by A. occidentale make this species unattractive to D. citri, and that the terpenoids could be used in reducing colonisation of citrus plants and therefore HLB infection.

Beauveria bassiana strains for biological control of Cosmopolites sordidus (Germ.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in plantain.

The objective of this study was to select strains of Beauveria bassiana for controlling Cosmopolites sordidus (Germ.) in plantain farms (cv. Terra) of the "Recôncavo" and southern regions in the state of Bahia, Brazil. The virulence of 32 B. bassiana isolates against C. sordidus was determined under laboratory conditions. Three isolates (CNPMF 407, CNPMF 218, and CNPMF 416) were selected for evaluation under field conditions in plantations located in the counties of Mutuípe and Wenceslau Guimarães. Population of C. sordidus was estimated every 15 days by using pseudostem traps. The efficiency of the three strains of B. bassiana was compared to chemical control (carbofuran, 4 g/trap) and absence of control. Carbofuran caused around 90% of adult mortality after 12 months, with a reduction in the population of C. sordidus since the first evaluation. A low number of trapped insects was observed in the fungus-treated plots, suggesting the efficiency of the isolates in controlling the C. sordidus population. The strain CNPMF 218 was the most efficient in controlling C. sordidus adults in both locations, causing around 20% mortality, leading to 40% population size reduction after 12 months.

[Infestation of Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Carica spp. and Vasconcella spp. genotypes]. / Infestação de Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) em genótipos de Carica spp. e Vasconcella spp.

The papaya borer weevil, Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall), is generally considered a secondary pest, but it has been reported in high infestations in Northeast Brazil. This work aimed at evaluating the occurrence of P. papayanus and reporting its infestation level in papaya genotypes kept at the germplasm bank of Embrapa Cassava & Tropical Fruits (Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil). The number of larvae, pupae and adults found in each plant of 65 Carica spp. genotypes and of three Vasconcella spp. genotypes was registered in three to five plants of each genotype, by cutting the exsudating trunks lenghtwise. Papaya borer weevil was found in C. papaya and V. cauliflora but not in those of V. quercifolia. Among the evaluated genotypes, 52.4% of those belonging to the Solo group were infested, against 25.0% of the Formosa group. Larval infestation was the best criterion for sorting out genotypes concerning this insect infestation. This is also the first occurrence of the papaya borer weevil on V. cauliflora.

Infestação de Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) em genótipos de Carica spp. e Vasconcella spp. / Infestation of Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Carica spp. and Vasconcella spp. genotypes

The papaya borer weevil, Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall), is generally considered a secondary pest, but it has been reported in high infestations in Northeast Brazil. This work aimed at evaluating the occurrence of P. papayanus and reporting its infestation level in papaya genotypes kept at the germplasm bank of Embrapa Cassava & Tropical Fruits (Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil). The number of larvae, pupae and adults found in each plant of 65 Carica spp. genotypes and of three Vasconcella spp. genotypes was registered in three to five plants of each genotype, by cutting the exsudating trunks lenghtwise. Papaya borer weevil was found in C. papaya and V. cauliflora but not in those of V. quercifolia. Among the evaluated genotypes, 52.4 percent of those belonging to the Solo group were infested, against 25.0 percent of the Formosa group. Larval infestation was the best criterion for sorting out genotypes concerning this insect infestation. This is also the first occurrence of the papaya borer weevil on V. cauliflora.

A broca-do-mamoeiro, Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall), é considerada praga secundária da cultura; entretanto, altas infestações têm sido registradas no Nordeste do Brasil. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a infestação de P. papayanus em genótipos de mamoeiro do banco ativo de germoplasma de Carica spp. da Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura Tropical, em Cruz das Almas, BA. Registrou-se o número de larvas, pupas e adultos em 68 genótipos, amostrando-se de três a cinco plantas/genótipo. As amostragens foram feitas em caules com exsudações. A broca-do-mamoeiro infestou plantas de C. papaya e V. cauliflora, mas V. quercifolia não foi atacada. Entre os acessos de C. papaya infestados, 52,4 por cento e 25,0 por cento pertenciam, respectivamente, aos grupos Solo e Formosa. A amostragem de larvas foi o melhor critério para distinguir os acessos com relação à infestação pelo inseto. Esta é também a primeira ocorrência da broca-do-mamoeiro em V. cauliflora.

[Parasitism in Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) by Encarsia hispida De Santis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), in papaya, in Brazil]. / Parasitismo em Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) por Encarsia hispida De Santis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), em mamoeiro, no Brasil.

Infestation of Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) was observed in October 2004, in papaya plants of cultivar Sunrise Solo, under screenhouse conditions, in Cruz das Almas, State of Bahia, Brazil. In infested leaves, around 20% of parasitism on nymphs was verified. Leaves with parasitized nymphs were kept in laboratory until emergence of the parasitoid, identified as Encarsia hispida De Santis. This is the first time that this parasitoid was detected on T. variabilis nymphs in Brazil.

Parasitismo em Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) por Encarsia hispida De Santis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), em mamoeiro, no Brasil / Parasitism in Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) by Encarsia hispida De Santis (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), in papaya, in Brazil

Em Cruz das Almas, BA, em outubro de 2004, foi verificada infestação de Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) em mamoeiros 'Sunrise Solo', mantidos em telado. Nas folhas infestadas, detectaram-se níveis de parasitismo em ninfas da mosca-branca da ordem de 20 por cento. Folhas com ninfas parasitadas foram mantidas em laboratório até emergência dos parasitóides, identificados como Encarsia hispida De Santis. Trata-se do primeiro registro de parasitismo de ninfas de T. variabilis por essa espécie de Encarsia no Brasil.

Infestation of Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) was observed in October 2004, in papaya plants of cultivar Sunrise Solo, under screenhouse conditions, in Cruz das Almas, State of Bahia, Brazil. In infested leaves, around 20 percent of parasitism on nymphs was verified. Leaves with parasitized nymphs were kept in laboratory until emergence of the parasitoid, identified as Encarsia hispida De Santis. This is the first time that this parasitoid was detected on T. variabilis nymphs in Brazil.

Exsudato glandular de genótipos de tomateiro e desenvolvimento de Bemisia tabaci (Genn) (Sternorryncha: Aleyrodidae) biótipo B / Glandular exudate of tomato genotypes and development of Bemisia tabaci (Genn) (Sternorryncha: Aleyrodidae) biotype B

Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) é uma das principais pragas do tomateiro no Brasil, provocando severas perdas devido à sucção de seiva, indução do amadurecimento irregular dos frutos e transmissão de viroses. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito de tricomas glandulares no desenvolvimento de B. tabaci biótipo B em oito genótipos de tomateiro, em casa de vegetação. Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial (genótipo x exsudato), com três repetições, sendo os genótipos avaliados na condição com e sem exsudato. Adultos da mosca-branca foram transferidos para uma gaiola de voil, onde permaneceram durante 24h. As variáveis avaliadas foram número de ovos e viabilidade, período de incubação, número de ninfas, duração e sobrevivência da fase ninfal. Efetuou-se a contagem de tricomas e a determinação do pH e teor de acilglicose para todos os genótipos. Na presença de exsudato, LA716 proporcionou redução na oviposição do inseto, o que sugere efeito antixenótico. Resistência antixenótica em LA1739 e PI134417 não foi associada ao exsudato glandular. O efeito do exsudato na oviposição do inseto foi explicado pelo teor de acilglicose. O pH apresentou papel secundário na oviposição da mosca-branca. A densidade de tricomas favoreceu o desenvolvimento do inseto. LA1584 destacou-se pela redução na sobrevivência do inseto e prolongamento do ciclo, além de propiciar oviposição intermediária, podendo ser adequado para incorporação em programas de melhoramento. Entretanto, há necessidade de estudos adicionais para determinar o potencial de uso desse genótipo ou de seus híbridos no manejo integrado de pragas.

Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) is one of the most important tomato pests in Brazil and causes severe losses due to the sap suction, the induction of the irregular ripening of the fruit and virus transmission. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of exudates released by the glandular trichomes on the development of B. tabaci biotype B on eight tomato genotypes, under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was arranged as a factorial scheme (genotype x exudate) in a randomized block design, with three replications, being the genotypes evaluated in two conditions (with and without exudate). Whitefly adults were transferred to a voile cage for 24h. The variables evaluated were number of eggs and viability, incubation period, number of nymphs, duration and viability of the nymphal stage. Trichome counts and determination of pH and acylglucose content were made for all the genotypes. Intact leaflets of LA716 were less accepted for oviposition than leaflets without exudate, which suggests an antixenotic effect. Antixenotic resistance in LA1739 and PI134417 was not associated to the glandular exudate. The effect of exudates on the insect oviposition was explained by the acylglucose content. The pH showed secondary role on the whitefly oviposition. Trichomes density improved the insect development. LA1584 reduced the insect survival and increased its cycle, besides promoting an intermediate oviposition. For this reason, it can be useful in breeding programs. However, further studies are needed to determine the potential of this genotype and hybrids for future utilization in integrated pest management.

Infestação de Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) em genótipos de mamoeiro em Petrolina, Estado de Pernambuco / Infestation of Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on papaya genotypes in Petrolina, Pernambuco State, Brazil

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de identificar a espécie de mosca-branca presente em mamoeiro (Carica papaya L.) em Petrolina, PE e avaliar a influência de genótipos de mameiro sobre a infestação do inseto. Para isso, foram realizadas quatro avaliações mensais, estimando-se o número de ovos e ninfas em dezoito genótipos de mamoeiro. Em cada avaliação, foram retiradas duas folhas de uma única planta de cada genótipo, classificadas como folha nova e folha velha. A espécie de mosca-branca encontrada foi Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance). O maior número de ovos ocorreu nas regiões apical e mediana de folhas novas. Em folhas velhas, a maior parte dos ovos foi encontrada na região basal e as ninfas ocorreram com maior freqüência na região mediana. Os maiores valores para número de ovos nas folhas novas foram observados em CMF-012, CMF-022, CMF-023 e CMF-047, diferindo significativamente daqueles registrados nos demais genótipos. Nas folhas velhas, CMF-022, CMF-023 e CMF-047 apresentaram as maiores infestações de ninfas, diferindo significativamente de CMF-012, CMF-020, CMF-021 e CMF-034, os quais foram moderadamente infestados, em relação aos demais genótipos, nos quais se registrou baixa população de ninfas. Os genótipos Sunrise Solo e Tainung n°1 apresentaram baixa população de ovos e ninfas de T. variabilis. No presente trabalho, observou-se que os genótipos de mamoeiro afetaram diferencialmente a infestação da mosca-branca e que a estrutura populacional da praga variou de acordo com a idade da folha.

This work aimed at identifying the whitefly species attacking papaya (Carica papaya L.) plants in Petrolina, Pernambuco State, Brazil, and at evaluating the influence of papaya genotypes on insect infestation. Four monthly evaluations were done to estimate the number of eggs and nymphs on eighteen papaya genotypes. Two leaves per genotype, a new leaf and an old one, were removed at each evaluation. The whitefly species was identified as Trialeurodes variabilis (Quaintance). Eggs were found mostly on the terminal and median sections of the new leaves. On the old leaves, eggs and nymphs were mainly present on the proximal and median sections, respectively. The egg numbers were statistically higher on the new leaves of the genotypes CMF-012, CMF-022, CMF-023 and CMF-047. On the old leaves the nymph numbers were the highest on CMF-022, CMF-023 and CMF-047, differing significantly from CMF-012, CMF-020, CMF-021 and CMF-034. In these, infestations were moderate comparing to the remaining genotypes studied, which presented low nymph populations. Sunrise Solo and Tainung n°1 presented low populations of eggs and nymphs of T. variabilis. In synthesis, papaya genotypes influenced differently the whitefly infestation, and the structure of the pest population varied according to leaf age.

Atratividade e preferência para oviposição de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biótipo B em genótipos de tomateiro / Attractiveness and oviposition preference of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) biotype B in tomato genotypes

Genótipos de tomateiro pertencentes a diferentes espécies foram avaliados quanto à atratividade para adultos e preferência para oviposição de Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biótipo B, em casa de vegetação. O experimento foi instalado em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. Para infestação dos genótipos, introduziram-se, na casa de vegetação, plantas de soja com alta população de mosca-branca, aos 40-45 dias após o transplante. Avaliou-se o número de adultos e de ovos da mosca-branca nas faces adaxial e abaxial dos folíolos, durante cinco semanas. Cada observação foi constituída pela média de três folíolos. Determinou-se a área foliar média para cada genótipo, para obtenção da infestação por cm². Não foram constatadas diferenças significativas entre genótipos e entre avaliações, com relação ao número de adultos vivos na face adaxial dos folíolos. Considerando o número de adultos vivos na face abaxial, os genótipos menos atrativos foram LA716 (Lycopersicon pennellii) e PI134417 (L. hirsutum f. glabratum), ao passo que LA1609 (L. peruvianum) destacou-se como um dos mais atrativos. Em LA716, registrou-se o maior número de adultos mortos, devido à exsudação de tricomas glandulares que cobrem as folhas e caules, exercendo efeito sobre a captura dos adultos quando em contato com os folíolos. Comportamento semelhante foi verificado em LA1739, LA1740 e PI127826 (L. hirsutum) e em PI134417 e PI134418 (L. hirsutum f. glabratum). LA716 e PI134418 foram os menos preferidos para oviposição. Os genótipos preferidos para oviposição na face abaxial dos folíolos foram CNPH1039, Japão (L. pimpinellifolium) e LA1609.

Tomato genotypes of different species were evaluated regarding to attractiveness and oviposition preference of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with a split-pot scheme and three replicates. Plant infestation was done at 40-45 days after seedling transplanting by introducing highly whitefly-infested soybean plants. The variables evaluated were adult number and egg number on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the leaflets, during five weeks. Each observation was composed by the mean numbers obtained for three leaflets. Leaf area of each genotype was determined to estimate whitefly population per cm². There were no significant differences among genotypes and evaluations regarding to the presence of live adult whiteflies on the adaxial surfaces of the leaflets. For the number of live adult whiteflies on the abaxial surface, the least attractive genotypes were LA716 (Lycopersicon pennellii) and PI134417 (L. hirsutum f. glabratum); LA1609 (L. peruvianum) was one of the most attractive ones. Great number of dead adult whiteflies was registered on LA716, due to the sticky secretion produced by the glandular trichomes that cover leaves and stalks, trapping whiteflies when they contact the leaflet. Similar behavior was verified for LA1739, LA1740, PI127826 (L. hirsutum), PI134417 and PI134418 (L. hirsutum f. glabratum). LA716 and PI134418 were the least preferred genotypes for oviposition. The preferred genotypes for oviposition on the abaxial surface of the leaflets were CNPH1039, Japão (L. pimpinellifolium) and LA1609.