Host preference of the egg parasitoids Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum in laboratory

Host preference of the egg parasitoids Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum in laboratory. This research aimed to evaluate the host preference of the egg parasitoids Telenomus remus and Trichogramma pretiosum. Trials were carried out in laboratory, under controlled environmental conditions (25 ± 2ºC temperature; 70 ± 10% RH; and 14 h photophase). The parasitoid searching behavior was evaluated based on the distribution (%) of eggs parasitized by each parasitoid, on egg masses of each host species. Results showed the host preference of T. remus by Spodoptera cosmioides eggs. T. pretiosum, reared in A. gemmatalis eggs, choose to parasitize always eggs of the host where the parasitoid had been reared. The egg preference was not observed when T. pretiosum was reared in S. frugiperda eggs. These results show that, in general, host preference of T. remus is less influenced by the host where it is developed than T. pretiosum. Host preference is an important parameter for biological control programs because more than one pest species may occur in the field, different from those where they were reared in the laboratory.

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

Larval development of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) fed on leaves of Bt maize expressing Cry1F and Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 proteins and its non-Bt isoline

This study aimed to evaluate, in controlled laboratory conditions (temperature of 25±2 °C, relative humidity of 60±10%, and 14/10 h L/D photoperiod), the larval development of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer, 1784) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) fed with leaves of Bt maize expressing Cry1F and Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 insecticide proteins and its non-Btisoline. Maize leaves triggered 100% of mortality on S. eridania larvae independently of being Bt or non-Bt plants. However, it was observed that in overall Bt maize (expressing a single or pyramided protein) slightly affects the larval development of S. eridania, even under reduced leaf consumption. Therefore, these results showed that Cry1F and Cry1F + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 can affect the larval development of S. eridania, although it is not a target pest of this plant; however, more research is needed to better understand this evidence. Finally, this study confirms that non-Bt maize leaves are unsuitable food source to S. eridania larvae, suggesting that they are not a potential pest in maize fields.

Biology and reproductive capacity of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in different soybean cultivars

This study aimed to evaluate the development, survival and reproductive capacity of Spodoptera eridania in four soybean cultivars. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory, in a climatic chamber at 25 °C ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 12 h photophase. The cultivars used were: FMT Tabarana, BRS/MT Pintado, FMT Tucunaré and Monsoy 8757, all conventional cultivars with medium cycles. All cultivars tested allowed the development of S. eridania. However, Monsoy 8757 was the cultivar that most affected the prolonged in the duration larval, pupal and total cycle, showed lower pupal weight as well as reduction in the intrinsic rate increase. These results contribute to the management of this species in regions of outbreaks in soybean areas.

Efecto del flufenoxuron sobre la actividad copuladora del macho de spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Ha sido evaluado el efecto de benzoilfenylureia sobre la capacidad copuladora de machos de Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepdoptera: Noctuidae). Dos grupos de larvas de 3º estadio fueron tratados con el flufenoxuron, uno por ingestión y el otro por contacto, con una concentración del producto igual a la DL60. Cuando hubo la emergencia de los adultos, 10 machos por tratamiento fueron individualizados en cilindros de papel de filtro y puestos a copular con hembras vírgenes, que eron sustituídas diariamente, hasta la muerte de las mismas. Las hembras que fueron ofrecidas a los machos, al morir, eron dissecadas para verificar se estaban o no copuladas, a través de la observación de la presencia de espermatóforos en la bursa copulatrix. Fue observado que los machos de S. littoralis provenientes de larvas tratadas con el flufenoxuron, no tuvieron su capacidad copuladora alterada. La metodología fue considerada adecuada para evaluar la atividad copuladora y el número de copulaciones realizadas por el macho de esta especie.

Biologia e tabela de vida de fertilidade de Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em morangueiro e videira

A biologia de Spodoptera eridania foi estudada em laboratório (22±1ºC, UR 70±10%, fotofase de 14 horas), em folhas de morangueiro (Fragaria x ananassa cv. 'Aromas') e videira (Vitis vinifera cv. 'Cabernet Sauvignon'). A duração e a viabilidade do ciclo total foram, respectivamente, de 52,2±1,32 dias e 37,6% para morangueiro e 42,2±0,45 dias e 25,5% para videira. A razão sexual em morangueiro foi de 0,58, e 0,48 em videira. A longevidade média de machos e fêmeas em morangueiro foi de 16,3±1,16 e 15,8±1,85 dias, respectivamente, e 5,6±0,88 e 7,3±0,83 dias em videira. A fecundidade média total foi de 1.747,5±187,32 ovos por fêmea em morangueiro, e 1.764,9±289,04 em videira. A tabela de vida de fertilidade mostrou que a taxa líquida de reprodução e a razão finita de aumento foram de 394,89 e 1,10, respectivamente, para morangueiro, e de 213,98 e 1,12 para videira. As culturas do morangueiro cv. 'Aromas' e da videira cv. 'Cabernet Sauvignon' são hospedeiras favoráveis e equivalentes quanto ao potencial de crescimento populacional de S. eridania.

Standardization of an ELISA test using a recombinant nucleoprotein from the Junin virus as the antigen and serological screening for arenavirus among the population of Nova Xavantina, State of Mato Grosso

INTRODUCTION: Arenavirus hemorrhagic fever is a severe emerging disease. METHODS: Considering that the levels of antibodies against arenavirus in the Brazilian population are completely unknown, we have standardized an ELISA test for detecting IgG antibodies using a recombinant nucleoprotein from the Junin virus as the antigen. This protein was obtained by inserting the gene of the Junin virus nucleoprotein into the genome of Autographa californica nucleopolyhedrovirus, using the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system. This recombinant baculovirus was used to infect S. frugiperda cells (SF9). RESULTS: The infection resulted in synthesis of high concentrations of recombinant protein. This protein was detected on 12.5% polyacrylamide gel and by means of Western blot. Using the standardized ELISA test, 343 samples from the population of Nova Xavantina were analyzed. We observed that 1.4% of the serum samples (five samples) presented antibody titers against arenavirus. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the population studied may present exposure to arenavirus infection.

Efeito de diferentes fontes de carboidrato e da privação de alimento sobre aspectos biológicos de Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae)

O efeito de cinco fontes de carboidratos, da água e da ausência de alimentação foi avaliado sobre aspectos biológicos de T. remus. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de: (a) fêmeas não alimentadas, e alimentadas com (b) água destilada; (c) mel puro; (d) xarope de glicose (Karo®); (e) solução de glicose 1M; (f) solução de frutose 1M; (g) solução de sacarose 1M; (h) solução de glicose+frutose+sacarose 1M; (i) solução de glicose+frutose+sacarose 3M. Os alimentos foram disponibilizados durante todo o experimento. Posturas de Sodoptera frugiperda com aproximadamente 100 ovos (< 24h) foram ofertadas às fêmeas de T. remus. O parasitismo, a razão sexual e a longevidade foram avaliados. No aspecto parasitismo, as fêmeas alimentadas com mel e soluções de glicose, frutose e sacarose mostraram maior eficiência, não diferindo significativamente entre si, enquanto que as fêmeas não alimentadas e alimentadas somente com água apresentaram níveis mais baixos de parasitismo. Já as fêmeas alimentadas com xarope de glicose (Karo®), solução de glicose+frutose+sacarose 1M e 3M apresentaram parasitismo mais baixo quando comparados com os outros tratamentos, não diferindo significativamente entre si. Quanto à razão sexual, os tratamentos não apresentaram diferenças significativas, mantendo-se em torno de 0,57. No que se refere à longevidade, os insetos mantiveram-se vivos em média 5 dias quando alimentados com qualquer um dos carboidratos, já aqueles alimentados com água ou não alimentados sobreviveram apenas por 1 dia. Logo, conclui-se que o mel, glicose, frutose e sacarose mostram-se mais adequados para a alimentação de fêmeas de T. remus.

Uso de CLAE no controle de qualidade em produtos comerciais de Nim: reprodutibilidade da ação inseticida

The Neem tree, Azadirachta indica, provides many useful compounds that are used as pesticides. However, the efficiency in field of products like neem oil can be committed because they have not been observed reproductive content of secondary metabolic like azadirachtin. Based on reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) a new method was developed to permit the rapid quantitative analysis of azadirachtin from seeds, extracts and oil of Neem. In the present study it was evaluated the azadirachtin quantitative variation among various Neem's extracts and seeds showing the importance of quality control for reproduction of the insecticide efficiency, using S. frugiperda as target insect.