Imidacloprid: Impact on Africanized Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) workers and honey contamination.

Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is fundamental in the production chain, ensuring food diversity through the ecosystem service of pollination. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of imidacloprid, orally, topically, and by contact, on A. mellifera workers and to verify the presence of this active ingredient in honey. Toxicity levels were verified by bioassays. In bioassay 1, the levels correspond to the percentages of 100, 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01% of the recommended concentration for field application of the commercial product Nortox® (active ingredient imidacloprid), with which we obtained the mean lethal concentration (LC50) in 48 h for A. mellifera, determining the concentration ranges to be used in the subsequent bioassays. Bioassays 2 and 3 followed the guidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which specify the LC50 (48 h). In bioassay 4, the LC50 (48 h) and the survival rate of bees for a period of 120 h were determined by contact with a surface contaminated with imidacloprid, and in bioassay 5, the interference of the insecticide with the flight behavior of bees was evaluated. Honey samples were collected in agroecological and conventional georeferenced apiaries and traces of the imidacloprid were detected by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) with extraction by SPE C18. Bee survival was directly affected by the concentration and exposure time, as well behavioral performance, demonstrating the residual effect of imidacloprid on A. mellifera workers. Honey samples from a conventional apiary showed detection above the maximum residue limits (MRL) allowed by the European Union (0.05 µg mL-1), but samples from other apiaries showed no traces of this insecticide. Imidacloprid affects the survival rate and behavior of Africanized A. mellifera and honey quality.

Are Botanical Biopesticides Safe for Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)?

The recent global decline in insect populations is of particular concern for pollinators. Wild and managed bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) are of primary environmental and economic importance because of their role in pollinating cultivated and wild plants, and synthetic pesticides are among the major factors contributing to their decline. Botanical biopesticides may be a viable alternative to synthetic pesticides in plant defence due to their high selectivity and short environmental persistence. In recent years, scientific progress has been made to improve the development and effectiveness of these products. However, knowledge regarding their adverse effects on the environment and non-target species is still scarce, especially when compared to that of synthetic products. Here, we summarize the studies concerning the toxicity of botanical biopesticides on the different groups of social and solitary bees. We highlight the lethal and sublethal effects of these products on bees, the lack of a uniform protocol to assess the risks of biopesticides on pollinators, and the scarcity of studies on specific groups of bees, such as the large and diverse group of solitary bees. Results show that botanical biopesticides cause lethal effects and a large number of sublethal effects on bees. However, the toxicity is limited when comparing the effects of these compounds with those of synthetic compounds.

Bees and pesticides: the research impact and scientometrics relations.

Bees are fundamental insects in agroecosystems, mainly due to pollination. However, its decline has been observed in recent years, and the contamination by pesticides is suspected to be responsible. This relationship is the objective of our research, which is the first scientometric study on this subject. The data were obtained from the Web of Science database (1231) and were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel and CiteSpace. The results point to a significant increase in pesticide and bee reseach in the last 15 years in the most influential scientific journals. The USA and France have the largest number of publications and a moderade relationship between this trait and GDP (gross domestic product) was observed (r = 0.80; r2 = 0.60). There is no correlation between the use of pesticides and studies of the effects on pollinators and the use of pesticides and the countries' GDP. In general, studies have shown the negative effects of the contamination by pesticides on bees; however, most publications are with bees of the Apis genus, and therefore it is necessary to explore the action of pesticides on bumble bees and wild bees, as well furthur as studies are needed regarding the sublethal effects of these products on bees as the number of molecules used in the management of agricultural crops is vast.

Is glyphosate toxic to bees? A meta-analytical review.

Glyphosate (GLY) is an herbicide widely used in agriculture. First considered as non-toxic or slightly toxic to bees, GLY and its different formulations have shown, more recently, to affect negatively the survival, development and behavior of these insects, even when used in doses and concentrations recommended by the manufacturer. Thus, the results of research on the toxicity of GLY to bees are often conflicting, which makes a meta-analysis interesting for data integration, generating a statistically reliable result. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the GLY effects on mortality of bees through a meta-analysis. For this, a search was carried out in the databases Web of Science, CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil), Scopus, and PubMed. Papers that evaluated the effect of GLY on bee mortality published between 1945 and October 2020, were considered. After obtaining the data, R software was used to perform the meta-analytical tests. Sixteen papers on mortality were selected with 34 data sets. Most of the sets demonstrated differences between the control and experimental groups, showing that the treatments with GLY caused higher mortality of bees. The results considering the methodology used (ingestion or contact), the phase of the biological cycle (adults or larvae), and the dose (ecologically relevant dose and recommended by the manufacturer) were different when compared with their respective control groups. Therefore, GLY can be considered toxic to bees. It is important to emphasize that this meta-analysis identified that papers assessing the toxicity of GLY to bees are still scarce, for both lethal and sublethal effects, mainly for stingless and solitary bee species.

Possible interference of Bacillus thuringiensis in the survival and behavior of Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera).

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), an entomopathogenic bacterium, has been used as bioinsecticides for insect pest control worldwide. Consequently, the objective of this work was to evaluate the possible effects of commercial formulations of Bt products, Dipel and Xentari, on the survival and behavior of Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera). Bioassays were performed on foragers and newly emerged (24-h-old) bees that received the products mixed in the food. Their survival and behavior were evaluated through the vertical displacement tests and the walk test, analyzed using software Bee-Move. Then, histological analysis of the mesenterium was performed. As control treatment was used sterile water. The honey bees' survival was evaluated for between 1 and 144 h. No interference of B. thuringiensis, Dipel and Xentari, in the survival of Africanized honey bees were found. Only Xentari interfered with vertical displacement behavior of newly emerged (24-h-old) bees. Both the products tested were selective and safe for A. mellifera.

Toxicity assessment of marjoram and pomegranate aqueous extracts for Cobb chicken, non-target organisms of pest control.

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of 5% aqueous extracts of marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) on Cobb chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus L.), as a model to birds as non-target organisms for pest control. The extracts were prepared using dried ground leaves. The powder obtained was then added to distilled water to obtain 5% extract (w/v). After 48 h, the plant extracts were filtered and added to the feed of 36 female birds. For that, the chicken (12 days old) were acclimated for 3 days before starting the experiment. The plant extracts were administered for 6 days, always preceded by at least 14-h starvation. The birds were evaluated for 11 days, assessing behaviour, feed consumption and animal performance. After sacrificing the birds, histopathological examination was performed, and intestinal villi were measured. No death nor any alteration occurred during the experiment. There was no statistical difference among the treatments regarding feed consumption and performance even though there was intestinal villi reduction.

Side Effects of Organic Products on Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae).

Telenomus podisi Ashmead, 1893 is an important biocontrol agent, both in conventional and organic production systems. It can be used in association with other control strategies, such as natural botanical products and biological insecticides. Studies of selectivity and side effects are fundamental for proper management of insect control strategies because the interaction between different control strategies may negatively affect T. podisi. In this context, the present study evaluated the side effects of commercial natural products on T. podisi under laboratory conditions. Five natural products (insecticide, fungicide, and leaf fertilizer) allowed in organic farming were evaluated at concentrations recommended by the manufacturer in three bioassays. First bioassay (free-choice test), the preference of T. podisi parasitism between treated and non-treated E. heros eggs was assessed. In the second and third bioassay (no-choice tests) the treatments were applied to E. heros eggs, repectively before and after T. podisi parasitism (pre- and post-parasitism) and parasitism, emergence, offspring sex ratio, developmental time, and adult longevity were assessed. The products formulated with Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorok. (Hypocreales), Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Hypocreales), orange oil fertilizer, and the fungicide copper oxychloride did not have side effects on T. podisi because they did not affect most of the evaluated characteristics. In contrast, azadirachtin A/B had a sublethal effect due to the reduced parasitism in all tests performed and, although it did not affect other aspects, this could compromise the performance of the parasitoid.

Optimized Histological Preparation of Ovary for Ovariole Counting in Africanized Honey Bee Queens (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Techniques for counting ovariole number in virgin and mated Apis mellifera L. queens have been described in previous studies. Having a systematic and fast way to collect this measurement can help accelerate bee breeding programs, because selection decisions can be taken faster. The aim of this work was to develop an efficient histological method to preserve ovaries that allows assessing the number of ovarioles in newly emerged virgin queens, and also in mated queens, in a shorter time than the methods already published. The proposed method resulted in images suitable for ovariole counting in both newly emerged and mated queens, and the total histological process took less than 10 h. This method provides the optimization of the histological procedure for research breeding programs that use ovariole number as selection criteria for improving reproduction and production traits.

Longevity of Apis mellifera workers fed on a diet incorporating entomopathogens / Longevidade de operárias de Apis mellifera alimentadas com dieta incorporada com entomopatógenos

The present study had the objective of evaluating the longevity of A. mellifera workers fed on a diet incorporating commercial entomopathogens, Beauveria bassiana, and Bacillus thuringiensis. It also aimed at verifying possible morphological alterations in the midgut. To this purpose, the entomopathogens used were B. bassiana (Product A) (5.0 × 1011 viable conidia.kg-1), B. thuringiensis (Product B) (2.5 × 109 viable spores.g-1), and B. thuringiensis (Product C) (1.0 × 109 viable spores.g-1); and two controls: T1: sterilized distilled water, and T2: sterilized distilled water + Tween 80® (0.01%). For the bioassays, 2 mL of each treatment were incorporated into Candy paste. For each treatment, 80 bees were individually in flat bottom glass tubes (2.5 cm Ø) covered with voile, containing a piece of cotton soaked in water and Candy paste. These tubes were stored in a B.O.D (30 ± 2°C, R.H 70% ± 10%, 12 h), and mortality was evaluated every six hours, for 10 days. Soon after verifying mortality, two bees per treatment were selected for the removal of their midgut. Midgut samples were processed using standard methodology for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). It was verified that products A, B, and C reduced the longevity of bees when compared to T1 and T2 controls. In the qualitative analyses carried out using SEM, it was not possible to observe external or internal morphological alterations to midgut tissues. Although products A, B, and C cause a reduction in longevity, their presence was not verified when tissues were analyzed using SEM.(AU)

No presente trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a longevidade de operárias de A. mellifera alimentadas com dieta incorporada com os entomopatógenos comerciais Beauveria bassiana e Bacillus thuringiensis, e verificar possíveis alterações morfológicas em seu mesêntero. Para isso, os entomopatógenos utilizados foram B. bassiana (Produto A) (5,0 × 1011 conídios viáveis.kg-1), B. thuringiensis (Produto B) (2,5 × 109 esporos viáveis.g-1), B. thuringiensis (Produto C) (1,0 × 109 esporos viáveis.g-1); e dois controles: T1: água destilada esterilizada e T2: água destilada esterilizada + Tween 80® (0,01%). Para os bioensaios, 2 mL de cada tratamento foram incorporados à pasta Cândi. Para cada tratamento, 80 abelhas foram acondicionadas, individualmente, em tubos de vidro de fundo chato (2,5 cm Ø), cobertos com voile, contendo um pedaço de algodão embebido em água e pasta Cândi. Os tubos contendo as abelhas foram acondicionados em B.O.D (30 ± 2°C, U.R. 70% ± 10%, 12 h), e a mortalidade foi avaliada a cada seis horas, durante 10 dias. Logo após a verificação da mortalidade, foram separadas duas abelhas por tratamento para a retirada do mesêntero. Essas amostras foram processadas em metodologia padrão para Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Verificou-se que os produtos A, B e C reduziram a longevidade das abelhas quando comparados aos controles T1 e T2. Nas análises qualitativas realizadas com MEV, não foi possível observar alterações morfológicas externas ou internas nos tecidos do mesêntero. Apesar dos produtos A, B e C causarem redução na longevidade, sua presença não foi verificada quando os tecidos foram analisados por MEV.(AU)

Effect of entomopathogens on Africanized Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of commercially used entomopathogens on Africanized Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Four bioassays were performed: 1) pulverized entomopathogens on A. mellifera; 2) entomopathogens sprayed on a smooth surface; 3) entomopathogens sprayed on soy leaves; and 4) entomopathogens mixed with candy paste (sugar syrup). Five treatments were prepared: sterile distilled water (control), distilled water sterilized with Tween® 80 (0.01%), and the commercial entomopathogens Metarhizium anisopliae E9 (1.0 × 109 conidia mL−1), Beauveria bassiana PL63 (1.0 × 108 conidia mL−1) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-1 (3.0 × 108 spores mL−1). Each treatment consisted of five repetitions, with 20 workers per repetition, which were stored in a plastic box and, later, in a biological oxygen demand (B.O.D.) incubator (27 ± 2 ºC, RH of 60% ± 10%, 12-h photophase). The mortality of the workers was evaluated from 1 h to 240 h, and the data were analyzed using Bayesian inference. The workers killed by the ingestion of candy paste contaminated with the pathogens (products) were randomly separated and selected for the removal of the midgut. Each midgut was fixed in Bouin's solution and prepared for histology. B. bassiana was verified to reduce the survival of A. mellifera workers in all bioassays. Moreover, M. anisopliae reduced the survival of A. mellifera workers directly sprayed, on a smooth surface and mixed with candy. B. thuringiensis reduced A. mellifera survival on a smooth surface and mixed with candy paste. However, its effects were lower than that observed by B. bassiana. The treatments with the biological products did not induce morphometric alterations in the midgut of A. mellifera.

Combined physical and chemical methods to control lesser mealworm beetles under laboratory conditions.

The lesser mealworm beetle, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is an important insect pest. The insect acts as a disease vector and reservoir, negatively affecting the health of birds and humans, and harming poultry husbandry. Controlling the lesser mealworm is generally based on using synthetic chemical insecticides, which are sometimes ineffective, and is limited due to market concerns regarding the toxicity of chemical residues in food products. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential for the combination of physical and chemical methods to control A. diaperinus. Bioassays were conducted using poultry bedding and known populations of beetle adults and larvae. The treatments consisted of the isolated application of 400 g/m2 hydrated lime; 20% added moisture (distilled water); temperature increase to 45°C; an insecticide composed of cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos, and citronellal; and a combination of these factors. Beetle mortality was measured at 7 and 10 d of treatment. The hydrated lime and moisture treatments alone did not control A. diaperinus. Raising the temperature of the poultry bedding to 45°C effectively controlled both larvae (90±6%) and adults (90±4%). The use of insecticide provided adequate control of A. diaperinus in the conditions of the bioassay (93±2% and 68±5% for adults and larvae, respectively). The combination of the studied factors led to the total control of larvae and adults after 7 d of treatment.

Ação repelente, inseticida e fagoinibidora de extratos de pimenta dedo-de-moça sobre o gorgulho do milho / Pepper extracts as a repellent, insecticide and anti-feeding activity on the maize weevil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito repelente, inseticida e fagoinibidor de extratos de pimenta dedo-de-moça Capsicum baccatum (Willd.) Eshb. (Solanaceae) sobre o gorgulho do milho Sitophillus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). O efeito repelente/atraente foi avaliado utilizando quatro arenas/repetições, nas quais foram adicionados os extratos vegetais nas concentrações 0; 2,5; 5; 10 e 20% e 140 insetos e, após 24 horas, efetuou-se a contagem de insetos. Para a atividade inseticida, em recipientes plásticos, aplicou-se 1 mL do extrato nas mesmas concentrações já descritas sobre insetos adultos e, após agitação de 10 segundos, foram transferidos para placas de Petri, utilizando 4 repetições, com 20 insetos cada. A mortalidade foi avaliada diariamente durante 10 dias. Para o teste de fagoinibição, os insetos avaliados na atividade inseticida foram pesados em balança analítica, sendo utilizados quatro insetos de cada repetição. Verificaram-se que os extratos aquosos de sementes de pimenta apresentaram atividade repelente na concentração de 20% e apresentaram atividade inseticida independente da concentração. Efeito correlato foi obtido com extratos alcoólicos de frutos, que apresentaram atividade inseticida e fagoinibidora na concentração de 20%. A utilização de extratos vegetais de pimenta dedo-de-moça constitui alternativa de controle sobre o gorgulho do milho.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate thee repellent, insecticide and anti-feeding effect of red pepper Capsicum baccatum (Willd.) Eshb. (Solanaceae) extracts on the maize weevil Sitophillus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The determination of the repellent effect of plant extracts was assessed using four arenas/replicates in which the extracts were added at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20% and 140 insects; and 24 hours after, we performed the counting of insects. For the insecticidal activity, in plastic containers, 1 mL of the extract was applied, at the concentrations previously mentioned, on adult insects; and after stirring for 10 seconds they were transferred to Petri dishes, using four replicates of 20 insects each. Assessment of mortality was performed daily for ten days. To test the anti-feeding activity, insects evaluated for insecticidal activity were weighed on an analytical balance, four insects per replicate. It was found that the aqueous extracts of seeds of pepper had repellent activity at a concentration of 20%; and the insecticide activity was independent of concentration. The correlative effect was obtained with fruit alcoholic extracts, which showed insecticidal and anti-feeding activity at a concentration of 20%. The use of red pepper plant extracts could be an alternative to control the maize weevil.(AU)

Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner e Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) sob ação de extratos vegetais / Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) under the action of plant extracts

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de extratos vegetais aquosos de jambolão, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), mamona, Ricinus communis (L.) (Euphorbiaceae), uva-do-japão, Hovenia dulcis (Thumberg) (Rhamnaceae) e urucum (Bixa orellana (L.) (Bixaceae), na concentração de 10%, sobre Bacillus thuringiensis subesp. kurstaki(Btk) e sobre Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) e a associação destes sobre A. gemmatalis, em condições de laboratório. Os tratamentos constaram dos extratos aquosos e Btk isoladamente e a mistura de cada extrato com Btk. Estes foram incubados em agitador horizontal (30 ± 2°C, 150 rpm por 2 h) e, em seguida, aplicados sobre cubos de dieta artificial para A. gemmatalis, em placas de Petri. Como testemunha utilizou-se água destilada esterilizada. Cada tratamento constou de 4 placas de Petri (repetição), com 25 lagartas de segundo ínstar cada. Estas foram acondicionadas em câmara climatizada (27 ± 2°C umidade relativa 70 ± 10% e fotofase 14 h), avaliando-se a mortalidade após 24, 48 e 72 h. Também foram avaliados o percentual de empupamento e o peso das pupas dos insetos sobreviventes. Nenhum dos extratos apresentou efeito inseticida para A. gemmatalis e efeito negativo para os cristais de Btk. A mortalidade acumulada causada pelos extratos de uva-do-japão, jambolão, urucum e mamona foram, respectivamente, de 54,73; 46,09; 47,19 e 65,73%; diferindo significativamente da testemunha (95,74%). O peso médio das pupas não diferiu significativamente entre os tratamentos. A associação dos extratos de uva-do-japão, colorau e mamona com Btk provocou mortalidade acumulada de 100% em A. gemmatalis.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous plant extracts of jambolan, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), castor bean, Ricinus communis (L.) (Euphorbiaceae), grape japan, Hovenia dulcis (Thumberg) (Rhamnaceae) and urucum, Bixa orellana (L.) (Bixaceae) at a concentration of 10% on Bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki(Btk) and on Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), and the association of these on A. gemmatalis. The treatments consisted of aqueous extracts and Btk alone and the mixture of extract with Btk. These were incubated in a horizontal shaker (30 ± 2°C, 150 rpm for 2 h) and then applied to artificial diet cubes for A. gemmatalis in Petri dishes. As a control it was used sterile distilled water. Each treatment consisted of 4 Petri dishes (repetition) with 25 second instar larvae each. The disches were placed in a climatic chamber (27 ± 2°C, relative humidity 70 ± 10% and 14 h photoperiod), assessing the mortality after 24, 48 and 72 h. The percentage pupal and pupae weight of surviving insect were also assessed. None of the extracts showed insecticidal eff for A. gemmatalis and negative eff for crystals Btk. The cumulative mortality caused by extracts of grape japan, jambolan, urucum and castor bean were respectively 54.73; 46.09; 47.19 and 65.73%, diff significantly from the control (95.74%). The average weight of pupae did not diff significantly among treatments. The association of extracts of grape japan, urucun and castor bean with Btk caused 100% cumulative mortality in A. gemmatalis.(AU)

Métodos físicos e cal hidratada para manejo do cascudinho dos aviários / Physical methods and hydrated lime for management of lesser mealworm

A estabilidade de ambiência na avicultura moderna tem favorecido a proliferação de insetos praga. Nesse cenário, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), comumente denominado cascudinho, surge como principal inseto cosmopolita infestando camas de aviários. Neste sentido o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os fatores cal hidratada, temperatura e umidade na cama de aviários sobre a mortalidade de A. diaperinus em condições de laboratório. Foram realizados bioensaios laboratoriais simulando o ambiente de criação em recipientes com a adição de cama de aviário, ração e adultos e larvas de A. diaperinus. A variável resposta foi a mortalidade aos sete e 10 dias após a instalação dos experimentos. A adição de cal hidratada na cama de aviário na dosagem de 400g m-² promoveu mortalidade parcial de adultos (35,62%±2,74) e larvas (45,62%±1,75) de A. diaperinus. O fator umidade na cama de aviário, independente do percentual, não provocou mortalidade significativa de adultos de A. diaperinus. A temperatura da cama de aviário em 45°C proveu mortalidade total de adultos e larvas de A. diaperinus nas condições propostas.

The stability of in the modern poultry industry has been favored the proliferation of insect pests. In this scenario, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), commonly known as lesser mealworm, emerges as major cosmopolitan insect infesting poultry litter. In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the factors hydrated lime, temperature and humidity in the poultry litter on the A. diaperinus mortality under laboratory conditions. Laboratory bioassays were performed, simulating the poultry environment with litter in each experimental unit, with the addition of adults and larvae of A. diaperinus. The response variable was mortality at seven and 10 days after installation of the experiments. The addition of hydrated lime in the poultry litter at a dosage of 400g m-² promoted partial mortality of the adult population (35.62%±2,74) and larvae (45.62%±1,75) of A. diaperinus. The moisture in the litter, regardless of percentage, did not cause significant mortality of adults of A. diaperinus. The temperature in the litter at 45°C caused total mortality of adults and larvae of A. diaperinus at the conditions studied.

Seletividade de Beauveria bassiana e Metarhizium anisopliae a Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) / Selectivity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae to Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are efficient biological control agents and are thought to be used jointly. In here, we investigated if these entomopathogens could have any side-effects on T. pretiosum. Therefore, 1 x 8 cards containing sterilized eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) that were sprayed with 0.2 ml of B. bassiana or M. anisopliae (1.0 × 10(9) conidia/ml) were offered to a T. pretiosum female for 24h (30 cards/fungus = 30 replicates). Afterwards, females were isolated in glass tubes. The control group was sprayed with sterile distillated water + Tween 80 (0.01 percent). In addition, 60 cards with sterilized eggs of A. kuehniella were submitted to parasitism by females of T. pretiosum for 24h. Of these cards, 30 were sprayed with B. bassiana or M. anisopliae and 30 with distillated water + Tween 80 (0.01 percent), and observed daily until parasitoid emergence. Metarhizium anisopliae decreased parasitoid emergence and caused confirmed mortality. Therefore, field and semi-field experiments should be conducted for a final assessment of the side-effects of these entomopathogens on Trichogramma as a ways to develop a control strategy in which both can be used.

O parasitóide Trichogramma pretiosum Riley e os fungos entomopatogênicos Beauveria bassiana e Metarhizium anisopliae são considerados eficientes agentes de controle biológico e podem ser empregados concomitantemente em algumas situações. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar quais os efeitos desses entomopatógenos sobre T. pretiosum. Foram usadas cartelas de 1 × 8 cm contendo ovos esterilizados de Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) pulverizadas com 0,2 ml de B. bassiana ou M. anisopliae (1,0 × 10(9) conídios/ml) e mantidas individualmente com uma fêmea de T. pretiosum por 24h, totalizando 30 cartelas para cada fungo. Posteriormente, as fêmeas foram individualizadas em tubos de vidro. A testemunha consistiu na pulverização de água destilada estéril + Tween 80 (0,01 por cento). Paralelamente, 60 cartelas contendo ovos esterilizados de A. kuehniella foram submetidas ao parasitismo por fêmeas de T. pretiosum por 24h. Destas, 30 cartelas foram pulverizadas com B. bassiana ou M. anisopliae e 30 com água destilada estéril + 0,01 por cento, Tween 80, sendo os ovos observados diariamente até a emergência do parasitóide. Metarhizium anisopliae provocou diminuição na emergência de T. pretiosum e causou mortalidade confirmada. Assim, experimentos de campo e de semi-campo devem ser conduzidos para a avaliação final dos efeitos nocivos desses entomopatógenos a Trichogramma, para que estratégias de controle conjuntas possam ser desenvolvidas para esses agentes de controle.

[Selectivity of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae to Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)]. / Seletividade de Beauveria bassiana e Metarhizium anisopliae a Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).

Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae are efficient biological control agents and are thought to be used jointly. In here, we investigated if these entomopathogens could have any side-effects on T. pretiosum. Therefore, 1 x 8 cards containing sterilized eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) that were sprayed with 0.2 ml of B. bassiana or M. anisopliae (1.0 x 10(9) conidia/ml) were offered to a T. pretiosum female for 24h (30 cards/fungus = 30 replicates). Afterwards, females were isolated in glass tubes. The control group was sprayed with sterile distillated water + Tween 80 (0.01%). In addition, 60 cards with sterilized eggs of A. kuehniella were submitted to parasitism by females of T. pretiosum for 24h. Of these cards, 30 were sprayed with B. bassiana or M. anisopliae and 30 with distillated water + Tween 80 (0.01%), and observed daily until parasitoid emergence. Metarhizium anisopliae decreased parasitoid emergence and caused confirmed mortality. Therefore, field and semi-field experiments should be conducted for a final assessment of the side-effects of these entomopathogens on Trichogramma as a ways to develop a control strategy in which both can be used.