Interspecific insect relationships on Terminalia argentea (Myrtales: Combretaceae) trees in the Cerrado biome.

Terminalia argentea Mart. (Combretaceae), native to Brazil, is used in habitat restoration programs. Arthropods are bioindicators because their populations reflect changes in the environment. We evaluated the recovery of a degraded area by using ecological indices and analyzing arthropod interactions on T. argentea plants. The richness and diversity of sap-sucking Hemiptera and the abundance of tending ants and Sternorrhyncha predators increased with the number of T. argentea leaves. The correlation of the abundance of tending ants and Sternorrhyncha predators was positive with that of the sap-sucking Hemiptera, and the abundance of Sternorrhyncha predators was negative with that of tending ants and sap-sucking Hemiptera. The positive correlation between the abundance, richness, and diversity of insect groups and numbers of T. argentea leaves is an example of the bottom-up regulation mechanism, with the population dynamics of the lower trophic levels dictating those of higher trophic levels. The contribution of T. argentea, a host plant of many arthropods, to the recovery of ecological relationships between organisms in degraded ecosystems is important.

New records of Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) species from the Cerrado of Maranhão, Brazil / Novos registros de espécies de Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) para o Cerrado do Maranhão, Brasil

Abstract Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is the second most diverse subfamily of Saturniidae with 300 species described in 30 genera from southern Canada to northern Argentina. Species of this subfamily are widely distributed in Southeast Brazil, with many endemics to the Cerrado, and important as indicators of ecosystem quality. Specimens of Ceratocampinae were collected in the Parque Estadual do Mirador, Maranhão state, Brazil. Adeloneivaia acuta (Schaus, 1896), Adeloneivaia schubarti Barros & O. Mielke, 1970, Eacles penelope (Cramer, 1775) and Megaceresa pulchra (Bouvier, 1923) are recorded for the first time in Maranhão state and Northeast Brazil and Eacles fairchildi May & Oiticica, 1941, only for Maranhão. The record of five Ceratocampinae (Saturniidae) species increases the knowledge on the diversity and the importance of preserving those of this subfamily in the Cerrado biome of Maranhão state and the Northeast region of Brazil.

Resumo Ceratocampinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) é a segunda subfamília mais diversa de Saturniidae com 300 espécies descritas em 30 gêneros do sul do Canadá ao norte da Argentina. Espécies desta subfamília estão amplamente distribuídas no Sudeste do Brasil, com muitas endêmicas do Cerrado e importantes como indicadores da qualidade do ecossistema. Espécimes de Ceratocampinae foram coletados no Parque Estadual do Mirador, estado do Maranhão, Brasil. Adeloneivaia acuta (Schaus, 1896), Adeloneivaia schubarti Barros & O. Mielke, 1970, Eacles penelope (Cramer, 1775) e Megaceresa pulchra (Bouvier, 1923) são registradas pela primeira vez no estado do Maranhão e Nordeste do Brasil e Eacles fairchildi May & Oiticica, 1941 apenas para o Maranhão. O registro de cinco espécies de Ceratocampinae (Saturniidae) aumenta o conhecimento sobre a diversidade e a importância da preservação das espécies dessa subfamília no bioma Cerrado maranhense e na região Nordeste do Brasil.

Chemical control of Acromyrmex lundi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in anthropic ecosystems.

BACKGROUND: Leaf-cutting ants are pests in agriculture, forests and pasture and, usually, controlled with toxic baits. The management and control of leaf-cutting ants is complex as a consequence of its sociability and behavior. We tested three toxic baits with abamectin, fipronil and sulfluramid to control colonies of Acromyrmex lundi Mayr, 1865 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in two seasons: 'Spring 2020' and 'Summer 2020/21', in Argentina. RESULTS: The percentage of effective bait carried in the spring was similar between treatments with 80%, 80% and 90% for those with abamectin, fipronil and sulfluramid. The ant flow of A. lundi decreased after toxic bait applications compared to the control through time in all treatments. This activity was higher in the spring than in the summer. The baits reduced the foraging activity of A. lundi from 5 to 96 days after application (DAA). Abamectin and fipronil baits controlled 50% and 67% of the nests in the spring, and 20% and 43% at 96 DAA in the summer. Sulfluramid was the best treatment, killing 90% of A. lundi nests. CONCLUSION: The baits decrease the foraging activity of A. lundi until 96 DAA, with total or partial death of its colonies varying between treatments. The ant symptoms with the sulfluramid bait appeared faster than with fipronil and may be a result of the low level of carry-over or differences in the chemical quality of the active ingredients. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potential interactions between herbivorous arthropods and of their natural enemies on Caryocar brasiliense (Caryocaraceae) trees

ABSTRACT The study of arthropod communities foraging on monocultures of native plants (e.g. Caryocar brasiliense) in biodiversity hotspots (e.g. Brazilian Cerrado) is important to understand the processes driving their performance. This study evaluated the possible interactions between galling herbivores, free-feeding arthropods, and of their natural enemies on C. brasiliense trees, in an orchard (monoculture). The possible competition observed were: i) between galling insects with defoliators and phytophagous mites, ii) between sucking insects, iii) between phytophagous mites and, iv) between Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) with Histiostoma sp. (Acari: Histiostomidae) on C. brasiliense trees. Numbers of predators and prey, parasitoids and hosts, and predators and parasitoids were directly related among them. The competitive interactions between herbivorous predator and parasitoid may reduce Eurytoma sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) populations, a potential pest of C. brasiliense. The predator Zelus armillatus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and the parasitoids Sycophila sp. (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) and Ablerus magistretti (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) are important to determine the numbers of Eurytoma sp. and of its galls. These natural enemies may be important to control this galling insect on C. brasiliense trees. The arthropod competition affected their guild associated to C. brasiliense trees.

Lack of macronutrients in Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake (Myrtaceae) seedlings affects feed and development of Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: pentatomidae) / Deficiência de macronutrientes em mudas de Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake (Myrtaceae) afetam a alimentação e o desenvolvimento de Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: pentatomidae)

Several studies have reported the importance of phytophagy in the history of life from predator stinkbugs. However, knowledge of the nutrients acquired by these insects, from plant materials, is scarce. The phytophagy studies of zoophytophagous predators benefit biological control programs, making them more effective, since the best resources may be offered to these insects, increasing the potential for predation and, thus obtaining, success in pest control. Thus, this study investigated the development and zoophytophagy of predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in eucalyptus seedlings, deficient in macronutrients. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse and the treatments consisted of individual nitrogen omission, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur nutrient solution, where the eucalyptus seedlings were being conducted. The pupae of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Teneobridae) were offered ad libitum. The results of this experiment demonstrated the importance of nutrition in plants for the development and predation of P. nigrispinus. The plants deficient in nitrogen and magnesium reduce the predation efficiency of this zoophytophagous. The omission of calcium, magnesium and sulfur adversely affected the development of this insect predator, extending its immature stages. The proper nutritional balance of the plants is essential for the success in biological control programs that use zoophytophagous predators.

Diversos estudos têm relatado a importância da fitofagia na história de vida dos percevejos predadores. Porém, não se conhece quais são os nutrientes adquiridos por estes insetos nos materiais vegetais. Sabe-se que a fitofagia realizada pelos predadores zoofitófagos beneficia os programas de controle biológico, tornando-os mais eficazes, e que as plantas oferecem recursos que poderão aumentar o potencial de predação, garantindo o sucesso no controle de pragas. Deste modo, este trabalho investigou o consumo alimentar e desenvolvimento do percevejo Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), sob mudas de eucalipto, submetidas à solução nutritiva com omissão de macronutrientes. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação e os tratamentos consistiram na omissão individual de nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio, cálcio, magnésio e enxofre da solução nutritiva, onde as mudas de eucalipto se desenvolveram. Pupas de Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Teneobridae), foram oferecidas ad libitum. Os resultados deste experimento comprovaram a importância da complementação nutricional em plantas para o consumo alimentar e desenvolvimento do P. nigrispinus. A alimentação nas plantas em que o nitrogênio e magnésio foram omitidos diminuiu o consumo de biomassa animal das presas deste zoofitófago. E a omissão de cálcio, magnésio e enxofre afetou, negativamente, o desenvolvimento deste percevejo predador, prolongando seu estádio imaturo. O balanço nutricional adequado das plantas é fundamental para obter sucesso em programas de controle biológico em que se utilizam predadores zoofitófagos.

Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration by agroforestry systems in southeastern Brazil.

Agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems can increase carbon sequestration, offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce the carbon footprint generated by animal production. The objective of this study was to estimate GHG emissions, the tree and grass aboveground biomass production and carbon storage in different agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral systems in southeastern Brazil. The number of trees required to offset these emissions were also estimated. The GHG emissions were calculated based on pre-farm (e.g. agrochemical production, storage, and transportation), and on-farm activities (e.g. fertilization and machinery operation). Aboveground tree grass biomass and carbon storage in all systems was estimated with allometric equations. GHG emissions from the agroforestry systems ranged from 2.81 to 7.98 t CO2e ha-1. Carbon storage in the aboveground trees and grass biomass were 54.6, 11.4, 25.7 and 5.9 t C ha-1, and 3.3, 3.6, 3.8 and 3.3 t C ha-1 for systems 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The number of trees necessary to offset the emissions ranged from 17 to 44 trees ha-1, which was lower than the total planted in the systems. Agroforestry systems sequester CO2 from the atmosphere and can help the GHG emission-reduction policy of the Brazilian government.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) pesticide policy and integrated pest management in certified tropical plantations.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was the first non-governmental organization composed of multi-stakeholders to ensure the social, environmental, and economic sustainability of forest resources. FSC prohibits certain chemicals and active ingredients in certified forest plantations. A company seeking certification must discontinue use of products so listed and many face problems to comply with these constraints. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of certification on pest management from the perspective of Brazilian private forestry sector. Ninety-three percent of Brazilian FSC-certified forest companies rated leaf-cutting ants as "very important" pests. Chemical control was the most important management technique used and considered very important by 82 % of respondents. The main chemical used to control leaf-cutting ants, sulfluramid, is in the derogation process and was classified as very important by 96.5 % of the certified companies. Certified companies were generally satisfied in relation to FSC certification and the integrated management of forest pests, but 27.6 % agreed that the prohibitions of pesticides for leaf-cutting ant and termite control could be considered as a non-tariff barrier on high-productivity Brazilian forest plantations. FSC forest certification has encouraged the implementation of more sustainable techniques and decisions in pest management in forest plantations in Brazil. The prohibition on pesticides like sulfluramid and the use of alternatives without the same efficiency will result in pest mismanagement, production losses, and higher costs. This work has shown that the application of global rules for sustainable forest management needs to adapt to each local reality.