A preliminary investigation of pre-dispersal seed predation by Acanthoscelides schrankiae horn (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze trees

This is the first record of Acanthoscelides schrankiae Horn, feeding in seeds of Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze. We investigated the pattern of oviposition and seed exploitation by A. schrankiae, and the distribution of mature fruits and seed predation in the inflorescences. We also compared the percentage of predated seeds, the total dry weight of fruits and non-predated seeds, the percentage of aborted seeds, and the percentage of non-emergent insects, among different quadrants of the M. bimucronata canopy. To determine the occurring species, the emergence of bruchids and parasitoids was observed in the laboratory, resulting altogether, only in individuals of A. schrankiae and Horismenus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) species, respectively. Mean number of fruits produced in the median region of inflorescence was significantly higher than in the inferior and superior regions, and the frequencies (observed and expected) of predated and non-predated seeds differed among the different regions of inflorescence. Females of A. schrankiae laid their eggs on fruits, and larvae, after emergence, perforated the exocarp to reach the seeds. Most fruits presented one to three eggs and only one bruchid larva was observed in each seed. The highest value of the rate number of eggs/fruit and the highest percentage of predated seeds were recorded in April. Dry weight of fruits (total) and seeds (non-predated), proportions of predated seeds, seed abortions, and non-emergent seed predators, were evenly distributed in the canopy.

Drosofilídeos e seus himenópteros parasitoides em coffea arabica L

The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of Drosophilidae and their parasitoids in coffee fruits in Cravinhos, SP, Brazil. The fruits were collected directly from the tree, and a portion was exposed under the canopy. Fifty-nine drosophilid pupae were collected in all, of which 31 adults (including two Ganaspis exemplars) emerged. The survival rate of all pupae was 49.2%. Thirty-five drosopholid pupae were obtained from the fruit trees, 24 of which later emerged, three different species: Zaprionus indianus Gupta, Drosophila nebulosa Sturtevant and D. simulans Sturtevant. From the fruits under the canopy of plants were obtained 24 pupae of four different species: Z. indianus, D. cardini Sturtevant, D. immigrans Sturtevant and D. willistoni Sturtevant. The emergence of two Ganaspis sp. (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) examples, with a parasitism rate of 8.3%, was also observed. Half of the drosophilids collected are introduced species and represented 79% of the adults emerged. Associations between Z. indianus, D. cardini, D. immigrans, D. nebulosa, D. simulans and D. willistoni and the coffee crop are reported herein.

Índice de infestação e fatores de mortalidade do bicudo-do-algodoeiro (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) no semi-árido do sudoeste da Bahia, Brasil

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman, 1843) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a pest that limits the production of cotton, especially in the North East of Brazil. The present study aimed to estimate the infestation index and natural mortality of boll weevil at Caraibas County, located in the semi-arid of the Southwest ofBahia. The experiment was performed using the cultivar BSR Aroeira, at Fazenda Lagoa Seca, in 2006. Weekly evaluations were performed, in five sampling areas 25m2, collecting blossoms fallen on the ground. The infestation was estimated by counting the oviposition punctures and /or the feeding on blossoms, and also by the presence of one of the phases of the boll weevil in the inside. Mortality factors were studied through the dissection of blossoms, estimating predation, parasitism, dissection and disease. The results obtained allowed to conclude that the boll weevil determines high infestation levels in the region. Parasitism, dissection and predation, following this order, determine high rates of real mortality of the pest. Catolaccus grandis Burks, 1954 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Bracon sp.(Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are parasitoids of boll weevil reported in sothwestern Bahia, being the first one the predominant species. © 2009, Sociedad Venezolana de Entomología.

Novos registros de Entedoníneos (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) para a cultura do café (Coffea arabica L.)

The first cases of Emersonella pubipennis Hansson, 2002, Emersonella planiceps Hansson, 2002, Omphale huggerti (Hansson, 1988), Chrysocharis caribea Boucek, 1977, Chrysocharis vonones (Walker, 1839) and Chrysocharis tristis Hansson, 1987 (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae, Entedoninae) were reported for Coffea arabica L. based on specimens collected in Cravinhos (21°18'S/47°47'W), State of São Paulo, Brazil. The first occurrence of E. pubipennis and O. huggerti were also reported in Brazil. The insects were collected with Moericke and light traps between May of 2005 and April of 2007.

Quality control of Cotesia flavipes (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from different Brazilian bio-factories

The goal of this study was to evaluate the quality of Cotesia flavipes from different bio-factories as biological control agents. We evaluated biological characteristics of the parasitoids throughout their lifespan, and measured the body length and width, abdomen width, thorax width and width and length of the right forewing of female and male parasitoids. Our results showed that the number of males and pupal viability were similar among the bio-factories; the number of emerged females was greater in bio-factories I and II; the egg-pupa period and the pupal period were shorter in bio-factory IV; and a greater longevity was found in bio-factories II and III. Sex ratio (at approximately 60% females) was satisfactory (in terms of suitability for release) across all bio-factories. For morphometric measurements, the body, abdomen and wing widths were similar in males; however, thorax width was greater in the males from bio-factory I; bio-factory III produced females with the highest body length; bio-factory I produced females with the greatest abdomen width; bio-factories III and IV produced females with the greatest wing length. Among the bio-factories studied, bio-factory IV produced the best quality C. flavipes, with respect to the greatest number of parasitoids per pupal mass (a mean of 57% more parasitoids) in a satisfactory sex ratio, and with the shortest developmental time, which facilitates faster rearing in the laboratory. Studies such as this, which assess the quality of a mass-produced C. flavipes, are crucial for the continued use of this parasitoid in controlling Diatraea saccharalis in the field. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Effect of Low-Temperature Storage on Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

We evaluated the effects of constant low-temperature storage on Diaeretiella rapae (McIntosh) (Braconidae, Aphidiinae). Diaeretiella rapae mummies were stored at 5 ± 1°C for 0-36 days. The percentage of D. rapae emergence varied (100-83%) after 0-32 days of storage. After 32 days, emergence reduced to 55%. According to our Probit analysis, 50% mortality (LT50) of the population of D. rapae was reached after 40 days of storage at 5°C. Storage for up to 32 days did not negatively affect emergence and survival. Cold exposure of D. rapae for 36 days did not influence morphological malformations, sex ratio, and emergence of the F1 generation. After 4-36 days of storage, D. rapae showed a gradual decrease in emergence, longevity, reproductive capacity, and F1 sex ratio. Diaeretiella rapae can be stored for up to 24 days at 5°C, at which time the percentage of parasitism and the F1 sex ratio remain above 38% and at 0.50, respectively. © 2013 Sociedade Entomológica do Brasil.

Interações interespecíficas e comportamentais de moscas-varejeiras: abordagens ecológicas e médico-legais envolvendo populações naturais

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Análise filogenética de Scotaenini (Hymenoptera, Vespoidea, Tiphiidae, Thynninae)

Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal - IBILCE

Desenvolvimento e aplicação de modelos matemáticos para o controle da Diaphorina citri via manejo integrado e estudo da influência da temperatura sobre a dinâmica populacional de Talitroides topitotum

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Performance de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 e T. exiguum Pinto & Platner, 1978 (Hymenoptera: trichogrammatidae) em ovos de populações de Plutella xylostella (LINNAEUS, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) sob ação de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, 1915 (Bacillales: Bacillaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Dinâmica dos fatores de mortalidade de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em milho com e sem liberação de Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Bioecologia comparada de duas linhagens de Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) parasitando ovos de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Distribuição espacial do parasitismo de Cotesia flavipes (Cameron, 1891) (ymenoptera: Braconidae) em cana-de-açúcar

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Seletividade de agrotóxicos a duas espécies de Trichogramma (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) em diferentes hospedeiros

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Moscas frugívoras, lepidópteros desfolhadores e seus parasitóides (Hymenoptera) associados a cultivo de café, em Cravinhos, SP

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)