Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil: the Big Outbreak Monitored by Light Traps.

The first detection of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil pointed to a gloomy future for South American agriculture in the 2012/2013 harvest, and insecticide sales increased exponentially during 2013 and 2014. However, after this outbreak, the population of this insect returned to manageable levels. This study documents data on H. armigera moth collection using light traps during the outbreak in two locations: (a) western region of the state of Bahia, including population levels of H. armigera and main noctuid pests during the big outbreak (February and March 2013); (b) Federal District, including monthly data for five growing seasons (July 2012-June 2017). During the outbreak, an average of 527.3 moths were collected per trap (cotton crop, March) in the western region of Bahia each night, while the maximum average in the Federal District was 75.4 moths (January). The number of moths decreased in the following growing seasons, and in October 2016, the maximum number was 2.8 moths per trap. Aspects related to the variations of H. armigera and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) populations, including the study of phenology and relationship with climatic factors and Oceanic Niño Index, were analyzed and discussed. All aspects are approached to contribute to the management of lepidopteran pests, especially H. armigera, in the productive systems of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Biotic Potential and Life Tables of Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Rachiplusia nu, and Trichoplusia ni on Soybean and Forage Turnip.

Loopers such as Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), Rachiplusia nu (Guenée), and Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) are important defoliators in soybean, sunflower, and crucifer crops, respectively, in countries of the Americas. The biotic potential of these polyphagous species of Plusiinae was comparatively examined considering crop rotation and succession scenarios in which crucifer crops are cultivated during or after Brazilian winter. All the species developed and reproduced on soybean (BRS 133 Embrapa) and forage turnip (Cati AL 1000, Wolf Seeds do Brasil). The development of C. includens was similar on both host plants. The survival of R. nu was lower on forage turnip than on soybean. In contrast, T. ni performance (survival, fecundity, pupal weight) was better on forage turnip than on soybean. This suggests that in crop rotation and succession scenarios of soybean after brassicacea, C. includens is likely to have a higher number of generations per year and could be potentially more harmful.

Comparison of two artificial diets to rear Elaphria agrotina / Comparação de duas dietas artificiais para criação de Elaphria agrotina

ABSTRACT: Given the increasing importance of Elaphria agrotina (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn crops, especially in the Brazilian Savannah biome, the present research aimed to study its development and survival on Greene's and Poitout & Bues's artificial diets (25±1°C, 70±10% relative humidity [RH] and 12h photophase). Poitout & Bues's diet was more suitable than Greene's diet, providing higher survival percent (77.51% vs. 5.57%), lower development time (49.81 days vs. 55.24 days) and higher fecundity (167.65 vs. 84.9 eggs), respectively. All the caterpillars reared on Poitout & Bues's diet passed through six instars, while almost half of the larvae reared on Greene's diet went through one less instar stage. Regarding the main reproductive parameters, higher average time of generation (T) and lower values of net rates of reproduction (Ro), and increased (rm) intrinsic and finite reason of increase (λ), were observed for larvae reared on Greene's diet. Results presented in this study indicated that Poitout & Bues's diet is more suitable for maintenance of colonies of E. agrotina as compared to Greene's diet.

RESUMO: Com a crescente importância de Elaphria agrotina (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em cultivos de milho, especialmente no Bioma Cerrado, o presente trabalho objetivou comparar o seu desenvolvimento e sobrevivência em dieta artificial de Greene e Poitout & Bues (25±1ºC, 70±10% umidade relativa [UR] e fotofase de 12h). A dieta de Poitout & Bues foi mais adequada que a dieta de Grenne, proporcionando maior sobrevivência (77.51% e 5.57%), menor tempo de desenvolvimento (49.81 dias e 55.24 dias) e maior fecundidade (167.65 ovos e 84.9 ovos), respectivamente. Todas as lagartas alimentadas com dieta de Poitout & Bues passaram por seis instares, enquanto que praticamente metade das provenientes da dieta de Greene passou por um instar a menos. Lagartas alimentadas com dieta de Greene, apresentaram maior valor do tempo médio de cada geração (T) e menores valores das taxas líquida de reprodução (Ro), intrínseca de aumento (rm) e razão finita diária de aumento (λ). Os resultados deste estudo indicam a recomendação da dieta de Poitout & Bues para manutenção de colônias e criação massal de E. agrotina quando comparada com a dieta de Greene.

Immature stages of Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): developmental parameters and host plants.

This study aimed to detail the temporal and morphological parameters of the immature stages of southern armyworm Spodoptera eridania (Stoll, 1782) with larvae feed on artificial diet, under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 14-h photophase) and gather information about their larval host plants. The viability of the egg, larval, pupal, and prepupal stages was 97.82, 93.62, 96.42, and 97.03%, respectively. The average duration of the egg, larval, pupal, and pre-pupal stages was 4.00, 16.18, 1.58, and 9.17 d, respectively. During the larval stage, 43.44% of females passed through seven instars, observing that the female's development was significant slower than males. The female larvae that developed through six and seven instars exhibited a mean growth rate of 1.52 and 1.44, respectively. Female pupae were significantly larger, exhibiting faster development than males. The rearing method proved to be adequate, providing more detailed observations of the biological cycle, especially at the larval stage, and resulting in an overall survival of almost 85%. Two hundred two plant species belonging to 58 families are listed as natural hosts for S. eridania, mainly including Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Malvaceae.

Biotic potential and reproductive parameters of Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in the laboratory

Biotic potential and reprodutcive parameters of Spodoptera eridania (Stoll) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in the laboratory: This study aimed to evaluate the biotic potential and reproductive parameters of Spodoptera eridania (Stoll, 1782) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1ºC, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photophase). The longevity, pre-, post- and oviposition periods, fecundity and fertility of 15 couples was evaluated. The longevity of females (10.80 days) was not significantly higher than those of males (9.27 days). The mean durations of the pre, post and oviposition periods were 2.067, 0.600 and 8.133 days, respectively. The mean fecundity per female was 1,398 eggs and the mean fertility was 1,367.50 larvae. On average, females copulated 1.133 times. A strong positive correlation was observed between the number of mating and fecundity (r = 0.881, P <0.001). However a strong negative correlation was observed between the number of copulations and the duration of the pre-oviposition period (r = -0.826, P = 0.002) and longevity (r = -0.823, P = 0.001). The biotic potential of S. eridania was estimated at 1.894 x 10(25) individuals/female/year. The net reproductive rate (Ro) was 560.531 times per generation and the mean generation time (T) was 35.807 days. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.177, with a finite rate of increase (l) of 1.193, per week.

THE EFFECTS OF ADDING SOY FIBER TO WHEAT SPAGHETTI

This study has evaluated the effects of adding 4%, 6% and 8% soy fiber to wheat pasta for the production of dry wheat spaghetti. The properties of the mixture were evaluated for humidity, falling number, ashes, color, retained gluten, and subjected to farinograph (water absorption, development, stability) and extensograph analyses (resistance and extensibility). The spaghetti was evaluated with cooking tests (performance, increased volume, loss of soluble solids to cooking water) and sensory analysis. The addition of soy fiber to wheat flour resulted in mixtures with rheological and physicochemical characteristics suitable for the production of wheat spaghetti, enhancing performance and reducing the loss of soluble solids to the cooking water. The sensory analysis showed that, for all parameters tested, panelists favored mixtures with up to 6% soy fiber addition.

Redução do teor de gordura em hambúrgueres de carne bovina / Reducing the fat content in beef hamburgers

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar diferentes formulações de hambúrgueres de carne bovina com utilização de substitutos de gordura. Foram avaliadas 25 formulações de hambúrgueres onde variou-se o teor de gordura (0, 10 e 15%), farinha de aveia (0 e 5%), proteína de soja (0 e 12%) e azeite de oliva extra virgem (0 e 10%). Foram avaliados o rendimento no cozimento e porcentagem de encolhimento, a retenção de água e atributos sensoriais como sabor, textura e cor. Os maiores rendimentos, menores encolhimentos e maior capacidade de retenção de água foram encontrados nos hambúrgueres com adição de farinha de aveia e/ou proteína texturizada de soja. Na análise sensorial as amostras que apresentam uma maior porcentagem de carne em sua composição tiveram as maiores notas nos atributos cor e sabor. Em relação à textura os painelistas preferiram amostras que continham uma maior número de combinações de ingredientes.

Avaliação do comportamento anti-oxidante de sais orgânicos (acetato, citrato e lactato), em produtos cárneos frescais / Evaluation of the anti-oxidant of organic salts (acetate, citrate and lactate) in meat products

Os sais orgânicos vêm sendo investigados para uso em alimentos, devido à exigência dos consumidores por alimentos cada vez mais saudáveis, livres de substâncias que possam causar danos à saúde, a curto, a médio ou a longo prazo. Os ácidos orgânicos são considerados GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) para os alimentos, segundo a FDA (Food and Drug Administration) e têm sido indicados como aditivos naturais capazes de inibir ou retardar as alterações causadas por agentes físico-químicos ou microbiológicos. Este trabalho investigou o uso do acetato, do citrato e do lactato, nas concentrações de 1 por cento, 2 por cento e 3 por cento como agentes anti-oxidantes em lingüiças frescais de frango. A sua ação anti-oxidante foi medida através de análises de determinação do pH, determinação da acidez total e de índice de peróxido. Os dados foram avaliados através de análise de variância (ANOVA), tendo as suas médias agrupadas pelo teste de amplitude múltipla de Duncan, ao nível de 5 por cento. Foram considerados como fatores as concentrações do acetato, citrato e lactato (controle, 1 por cento, 2 por cento, 3 por cento). Os resultados indicaram que o citrato e o lactato de sódio apresentaram ação anti-oxidante mais pronunciada nas concentrações de 1 e 2 por cento.

Avaliação da perda de umidade de cinco variedades de tomate, através de secagem artificial / Evaluation of humidity loss in five varieties tomato through dehydration

Teve por objetivo pesquisar e analisar o tempo necessário para a desidratação e rendimento de matéria seca das variedades híbrido Carmen (Longa Vida), híbrido Empire, Santa Clara III, Santa Clara e Santa Clara 5600. Devido a dificuldade de identificação dos frutos nos mercados, optou-se por cultivar as variedades a partir de sementes certificadas. O cultivo foi realizado no município de Dom Pedro de Alcântara/RS, seguindo-se as recomendações técnicas convencionais. Os ensaios de secagem foram realizados no laboratório de Tecnologia de Alimentos da UNISUL, Tubarão/SC, sendo testados em 10 horas a 60ÝC. Através da análise de variância, sendo suas médias agrupadas pelo teste de amplitude múltipla de Duncan ao nível de 1 e 5 por cento, verificou-se que a variedade Santa Clara 5600 apresentou perda de umidade significativamente menor. Todas as variedades estudadas apresentaram perdas de umidade significativamente diferentes em relação às cinco primeiras horas de secagem.