Host recognition by a polyphagous lepidopteran (Helicoverpa armigera): primary host plants, host produced volatiles and neurosensory stimulation

An important question in the host-finding behaviour of a polyphagous insect is whether the insect recognizes a suite or template of chemicals that are common to many plants? To answer this question, headspace volatiles of a subset of commonly used host plants (pigeon pea, tobacco, cotton and bean) and nonhost plants (lantana and oleander) of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are screened by gas chromatography (GC) linked to a mated female H. armigera electroantennograph (EAG). In the present study, pigeon pea is postulated to be a primary host plant of the insect, for comparison of the EAG responses across the test plants. EAG responses for pigeon pea volatiles are also compared between females of different physiological status (virgin and mated females) and the sexes. Eight electrophysiologically active compounds in pigeon pea headspace are identified in relatively high concentrations using GC linked to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). These comprised three green leaf volatiles [(2E)-hexenal, (3Z)-hexenylacetate and (3Z)-hexenyl-2-methylbutyrate] and five monoterpenes (alpha-pinene,beta-myrcene, limonene, E-beta-ocimene and linalool). Other tested host plants have a smaller subset of these electrophysiologically active compounds and even the nonhost plants contain some of these compounds, all at relatively lower concentrations than pigeon pea. The physiological status or sex of the moths has no effect on the responses for these identified compounds. The present study demonstrates how some host plants can be primary targets for moths that are searching for hosts whereas the other host plants are incidental or secondary targets.

Phosphate Deficiency Induces the Jasmonate Pathway and Enhances Resistance to Insect Herbivory.

During their life cycle, plants are typically confronted by simultaneous biotic and abiotic stresses. Low inorganic phosphate (Pi) is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies limiting plant growth in natural and agricultural ecosystems, while insect herbivory accounts for major losses in plant productivity and impacts ecological and evolutionary changes in plant populations. Here, we report that plants experiencing Pi deficiency induce the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway and enhance their defense against insect herbivory. Pi-deficient Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) showed enhanced synthesis of JA and the bioactive conjugate JA-isoleucine, as well as activation of the JA signaling pathway, in both shoots and roots of wild-type plants and in shoots of the Pi-deficient mutant pho1 The kinetics of the induction of the JA signaling pathway by Pi deficiency was influenced by PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE1, the main transcription factor regulating the expression of Pi starvation-induced genes. Phenotypes of the pho1 mutant typically associated with Pi deficiency, such as high shoot anthocyanin levels and poor shoot growth, were significantly attenuated by blocking the JA biosynthesis or signaling pathway. Wounded pho1 leaves hyperaccumulated JA/JA-isoleucine in comparison with the wild type. The pho1 mutant also showed an increased resistance against the generalist herbivore Spodoptera littoralis that was attenuated in JA biosynthesis and signaling mutants. Pi deficiency also triggered increased resistance to S. littoralis in wild-type Arabidopsis as well as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Nicotiana benthamiana, revealing that the link between Pi deficiency and enhanced herbivory resistance is conserved in a diversity of plants, including crops.

Determinación de la acción residual en diferentes dosis de chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) con énfasis en la dosis mínima, para control de cogollero (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith; Lepidotera: Noctuidae) en maíz

Este ensayo fue realizado con el objetivo de conocer cuál es el efecto de diferente dosis de chlorpyripos sobre el tiempo de protección, buscando la dosis más adecuada para control del gusano cogollero, spodoptera frugiperda (j.e Smith) , en maíz. De manera que este estudio nos permitiera decidir cuál es el momento indicado de un recuento para una posterior aplicación del pesticida y 6 fundamentalmente bajar los costos de protección. Al evaluar la acción residual se encontró diferencia significativa entre las dosis de 1,0.5, 0.25, 0.125,0.0625 1t/mz de chlorpyrifos. La dosis de 0.25 1t/mz no es diferente de la dosis de 1 1t/mz cuanto a la acción residual de chlorpyrifos y sus promedio de rendimiento tienen también mucha similiridad pero su costo determinan la diferencia. Los resultado conducen a decidir la recomendación de la dosis de 0.25 1t/mz por ser la más económica con una acción residual de 23.3 días y un costo de control de $ 242.55 con 2.2 aplicaciones promedio en todo el periodo del cultivo, a diferencia de la dosis más alta usada de 1 1t/mz con una acción residual de 21.9 días, un promedio de 2.6 aplicaciones y un costo de $ 795.6 y el rendimiento final no es diferente entre ellas. Por otro lado de asegura que con una sola aplicación de chlorpyrifos se garantiza la mortalidad de larvas de spodoptera frugiperda (j.e. Smith) durante a los 5 a 10 días después de aplicación. Todo los anteriores permite dar un lapso estable en el tiempo que se sabe tomar para recuento, decidir la dosis mínima más económica, por su acción residual y bajar así los costó de producción.

Efecto de diferentes períodos de aplicación tempranos de Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) en maíz sobre depredadores y parasitos de cogollero Spodoptera frugiperda (Lep: Noctuidae)

De los granos básicos en Nicaragua, el Maíz representa el 45% del área sembrada y es por así decirlo uno de los principales alimentos de la dieta alimenticia de lo9s Nicaragüenses. Sin embargo la producción aún no evoluciona paralela en el orden de los 4 500.000 quintales al año. Esta situación motiva importaciones que en 1983 fueron de 40.000 toneladas métricas (%0) situación debida a que la siembra continua en forma tradicional en altos porcentajes, ò sometida a manejo inadecuado por parte de los productores pero en especial al daño que nos causan las enfermedades y plagas especialmente el cogollero /Spodoptera Frugiperda)) obteniéndose en la mayoría de los casos rendimientos por debajo del punto de equilibrio para conseguir rentabilidad (20). El gusano cogollero (spodoptera frugiperda) es la principal plaga del maíz, la larva desarrollada de alimenta de las hojas dentro del cogollo causando una disminución en el gran foliar de la planta y afectando así la producción hasta en un 52% (23). El daño causado por spodoptera frugiperda se puede acentuar más por el mal uso de producto químico ya que con excesiva aplicaciones inducimos resistencia a la plaga, esto incide a una intoxicación del medio ambiente, afectación del agro ecosistema, los costó de producción se elevan ya que son productos caros y tienen que ser importado. Cuando se hacen estas aplicaciones no se toma en cuenta que con ello eliminamos la fauna benéfica la cual nos ayudaría a ejercer un control sobre la plaga si los químicos fueran aplicados de una forma más racional y se pudiera conservar dicha fauna benéfica, actuando ambos en combinación. Las condiciones excesivas aplicaciones no siempre han proporcionados el control duradero de plagas que se esperaba y frecuentemente han conducido al aumento en el uso de los pesticidas y el incremento de los problema de residuos en los producto y en el suelo. Estos resultados junto con el alarmante desarrollo de resistencia de las plagas a los productos químicos, han estimulado el interés en el diseño de programa en que los pesticidas trabajan en forma armónica con los agentes biológicos que intervienen en la disminución del incremento de las plagas. Mediante la combinación de las características ventajosas de los métodos de control químico y biológico por ejemplo, se reduce la plaga, causando el mínimo disturbio de la actividad del enemigo natural, por lo que puede lograrse una mayor permanencia en la superficie de la plaga (5) Muchos de los experimento iniciales para promover un balance favorable entre las plagas y sus enemigos naturales después del uso del pesticida, han sido llevados a cabo por entomólogos con intereses parciales en el control biológicos . el exitoso desarrollo de los programa de control químico y de control biológico integrados demandan la conciliación de esos puntos de vista, tanto como se requiera la combinación del conocimiento de la evaluación del enemigo natural y la toxicidad del pesticida. A pesar de que el control integral es muchos más que la unión de las técnicas biológicas y químicos para combate de las plagas , la mayor parte de los proyectos de este tipo tienen que estructuraras tomando muy en cuenta la acción de los plaguicidas , que se vayan a emplear, ya que este es el elemento de los programa fitosanitarios que más trastorno crea al agraecosistema. (3,27) Con este estudio se pretende tratar de comprobar la hipótesis de que aplicaciones de insecticidas quimico ( chilorpyrifos lorsban) afectan a poblaciones de parásitos y depredadores de cogollero( spodoptera frugiperda). De esta forma se puede contribuir a la reafirmación de la necesidad del uso del control biológico y disminuir así el uso indiscriminado de esto producto, para no afectar en gran medida al control ejercido por la fauna benéfica. Sustracción y formulación de hipótesis 1) parásitos Aplicaciones de chierpyricos (lograban) en diferente periodo no tienen ningún efecto sobre parasito de cogollero (spodoptera frugiperda). _ aplicaciones de chlorpyrifos (lograban) en diferente periodo de cogollero (spodoptera frugiperda). 2) depredadores - aplicaciones de chlorpyrifos (lograban) en diferente parásitos no tienen ningún efecto sobre depredadores de cogollero (spedeprera frugiperda) - aplicaciones de chlorpyrifos (lograban) en diferente periodos tienen efecto sobre depredadores de cogollero (spedeprera frugiperda).

Aspectos morfológicos y biológicos de la oruga militar tardía (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lep.: Noctuidae)

p.193-199

Campoletis flavicincta (Hym., Ichneumonidae) : ocorrência, criação e interação com Spodoptera frugiperda (Lep., Noctuidae) e Bacillus thuringiensis aizawai

Spodoptera frugiperda é um inseto-praga responsável por altos níveis de desfolhamento em gramíneas cultivadas, sendo que, dentre os métodos de controle, o biológico pode vir a tornar-se uma alternativa. Foi feita uma revisão de literatura sobre parasitóides de S. frugiperda. A ocorrência de parasitóides desse inseto, em áreas de cultivo de milho da EEA/IRGA, foi avaliada em Cachoeirinha, RS. Verificou-se a presença de Chelonus sp., Cotesia sp. e Exaticolus sp. (Hym., Braconidae), Campoletis flavicincta e Ophion sp. (Hym., Ichneumonidae) e de Archytas incertus e Lespesia archippivora (Dip., Tachinidae), com predomínio de C. flavicincta. Em função da dificuldade de obtenção de fêmeas deste inseto em laboratório, foram avaliadas diferentes condições de criação. Desta forma, registrou-se uma razão sexual de 0,41 quando foram expostas lagartas de segundo ínstar de S. frugiperda, as fêmeas do parasitóide apresentavam idade entre 3 e 6 dias e os casais foram formados no momento da exposição. Por fim, aspectos referentes à interação entre C. flavicincta/S. frugiperda/B. thuringiensis aizawai, em laboratório, foram avaliados A partir de análise do consumo alimentar de folhas de milho, observou-se que lagartas parasitadas e infectadas apresentaram um menor consumo, apesar do mesmo não ter diferido daquele de lagartas apenas parasitadas. A mortalidade das lagartas parasitadas e infectadas foi superior tanto das infectadas quanto das parasitadas. Lagartas infectadas mostraram um período de alimentação que não diferiu das sadias, apesar de terem apresentado maior duração da fase larval. Indivíduos descendentes de casais que emergiram de lagartas infectadas não tiveram alteradas suas características biológicas. A análise histológica de lagartas parasitadas e infectadas indicou não ter havido alteração no ovo e larva do parasitóide, resultante da ação do bacilo. Pode-se, portanto, inferir que o uso conjunto do parasitóide e da bactéria não resulta em prejuízo para o parasitóide.

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ia10 and Vip3Aa protein interactions and their toxicity in Spodoptera spp. (Lepidoptera)

The polyphagous pests belonging to the genus Spodoptera are considered to be among the most important causes of damage and are widely distributed throughout the Americas'. Due to the extensive use of genetically modified plants containing Bacillus thuringiensis genes that code for insecticidal proteins, resistant insects may arise. To prevent the development of resistance, pyramided plants, which express multiple insecticidal proteins that act through distinct mode of actions, can be used. This study analyzed the mechanisms of action for the proteins Cry1Ia10 and Vip3Aa on neonatal Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera albula, Spodoptera eridania and Spodoptera cosmioides larvae. The interactions of these toxins with receptors on the intestinal epithelial membrane were also analyzed by binding biotinylated toxins to brush border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) from the intestines of these insects. A putative receptor of approximately 65. kDa was found by ligand blotting in all of these species. In vitro competition assays using biotinylated proteins have indicated that Vip3Aa and Cry1Ia10 do not compete for the same receptor for S. frugiperda, S. albula and S. cosmioides and that Vip3Aa was more efficient than Cry1Ia10 when tested individually, by bioassays. A synergistic effect of the toxins in S. frugiperda, S. albula and S. cosmioides was observed when they were combined. However, in S. eridania, Cry1Ia10 and Vip3Aa might compete for the same receptor and through bioassays Cry1Ia10 was more efficient than Vip3Aa and showed an antagonistic effect when the proteins were combined. These results suggest that using these genes to develop pyramided plants may not prove effective in preventing the development of resistance in S. eridiana. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Resistência de variedades de algodoeiro a Spodoptera frugiperla (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepdoptera: Noctuidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Determinação dos tipos de resistência de genótipos de soja ao ataque de Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker, 1858) (Lepdoptera: Noctuidae)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the types of resistance of soybean genotypes to the attack of Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker, 1858), under laboratory conditions. Plants of the soybean genotypes, IAC 100, Dowling, PI 227687, PI 274454, BR 16, IGRA RA 626 RR, PI 227682, BRSGO 8360, IGRA RA 516 RR e P 98Y11 RR, were cultivated in vases and placed in a greenhouse in order to have their leaves used afterwards in free-choice and no-choice no-preference for feeding tests and evaluation of the biological parameters of S. cosmioides fed on the genotypes. For free-choice no preference for feeding test, 10 leaf discs were prepared and placed in Petri dishes equidistantly among themselves, and then two recently-hatched caterpillar per genotype were release in the center of the plate. The same test was performed for third instar larvae, so that one caterpillar per genotype was used. In non-choice test, only one genotype was used in each Petri dish, where two recently-hatched or one third instar caterpillars were released, respectively. For both tests, the attractiveness was assessed at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 360, 720 and 1440 minutes after the release of the insects. In addition, the leaf area consumed was evaluated. Randomized blocks design and completely randomized design were used for free-choice and non-choice tests, respectively, with 10 replications. In biology test, recently-hatched larvae were transferred to Petri dishes with leaves of the genotypes, evaluating the period of larvae, pupae and overall (larvae + pupae), viability of larvae, pupae and overall, weight of 12 days-old larvae and 24 hours-old pupae and longevity of the adults. Completely randomized design was used for this test, with 30 replications. Genotypes IGRA RA 516 RR and IGRA RA 626 RR were the least and the most consumed by recently-hatched larvae of S. cosmioides, respectively, in non-choice non-preference for feeding test. Genotypes PI 274454 and PI 227687 were...

Evaluation of Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as parasitoid of the Sarsina violascens Herrich-Schaeffer (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

This is the first report on the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis, genus Eulophidae, found in the field parasitizing pupae of defoliating eucalyptus. Lepidopterous pests occur in eucalyptus plantations in Brazil, reaching high population levels. Due to the complexity of pest control in eucalyptus forests, alternative control methods have been proposed, for instance biological control through use of parasitoids. Natural enemies play an important role in regulating host populations because their larvae feed on the eggs, larvae, pupae or adults of other insects. The parasitic Hymenoptera are important agents in biological control programs against forest pests, and may provide economic and environmental benefits. The generalist endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare and LaSalle, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) can develop in its host’s pupae, which overcome the host’s physiology and can therefore be used for biological control of agricultural and forest pests. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of P. elaeisis as a pupal parasitoid of S. violascens in providing a potential alternative to chemical control of the pest and creation of an alternative host. The experiment was developed in the Laboratory for Biological Control of Forest Pests, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio Mesquita Filho”. Parasitoids used in this test were originally collected on pupae of E. eucerus. (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) in eucalyptus plantations at Lençois Paulistas, São Paulo state, Brazil, in 2011. Thereafter, a laboratory culture has been maintained, using pupae of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lep.: Noctuidae) as hosts. S. violascens eggs were collected in a eucalyptus clonal plantation in Sao Paulo state (Brazil). Larvae were reared under ambient conditions on Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake (Myrtaceae) leaves. The following parameters were determined: parasitism level, numbers of emerged and non-emerged parasitoids and duration of egg-adult cycle. The S. violascens pupae were dissected to evaluate the non-emerged parasitoids. The parasitism level reached 100%, with a 100% emergence rate. It was verified that 113.2±0.8 parasitoids emerged per individual pupa versus only 0.7±0.1 that did not emerge. The P. elaeisis egg-adult cycle was 20.3±0.6 days in S. violascens pupae. This opens new perspectives for utilizing this parasitoid in biological control programs against caterpillars important to forestry. Sarsina violascens in Brazil.

A mitochondrial genome phylogeny of owlet moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea), and examination of the utility of mitochondrial genomes for lepidopteran phylogenetics

A phylogenetic hypothesis for the lepidopteran superfamily Noctuoidea was inferred based on the complete mitochondrial (mt) genomes of 12 species (six newly sequenced). The monophyly of each noctuoid family in the latest classification was well supported. Novel and robust relationships were recovered at the family level, in contrast to previous analyses using nuclear genes. Erebidae was recovered as sister to (Nolidae+(Euteliidae+Noctuidae)), while Notodontidae was sister to all these taxa (the putatively basalmost lineage Oenosandridae was not included). In order to improve phylogenetic resolution using mt genomes, various analytical approaches were tested: Bayesian inference (BI) vs. maximum likelihood (ML), excluding vs. including RNA genes (rRNA or tRNA), and Gblocks treatment. The evolutionary signal within mt genomes had low sensitivity to analytical changes. Inference methods had the most significant influence. Inclusion of tRNAs positively increased the congruence of topologies, while inclusion of rRNAs resulted in a range of phylogenetic relationships varying depending on other analytical factors. The two Gblocks parameter settings had opposite effects on nodal support between the two inference methods. The relaxed parameter (GBRA) resulted in higher support values in BI analyses, while the strict parameter (GBDH) resulted in higher support values in ML analyses.

Frequency of insecticide spray application for control of fall armyworm (Lepidóptera: Noctuidae) on sorghum

Existe desconocimiento del efecto de frecuencias de aplicación de los insecticidas sobre el comportamiento de las poblaciones del gu· sano cogollero ( Spodoptera frugipercta) y la repercusión de estas en los rendimientos del sorgo granifero (Sorghum bicolor l. Moench). El estudio se realizó en la Estación Experimental dos del Centro Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria y Forestal (CENTA), ubicado en San Andrés, departamento de La Libertad, El Salvador, durante los meses de septiembre del año 2001 y enero de 2002. El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar el efecto del numero de aplicaciones de clorpirifos sobre las poblaciones de larvas de gusano cogollero en el cultivo del sorgo. Para este ensayo se estableció un diseño de bloques al azar con cinco tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Se realizaron aplicaciones de Chlorpyrifos en el cultivo del sorgo, en dosis de 1.4 1 ha·1, en 285 1 de agua durante cuatro fechas (4 estados de desarrollo de la planta), específicamente a los 15, 25, 35 y 45 días después de la siembra. Las parcelas contratamientos recibieron 1 , 2, 3 y 4 aplicaciones de insecticidas y fueron comparadas con una parcela sin aplicación. Cada tratamiento insecticida inicialmente tuvo reducciones significativas en las poblaciones de cogollero, comparados con la parcela sin aplicación. Tratamientos con cada aplicación adicional tuvo reducciones significativas en las poblaciones de larvas vivas, comparados con tratamientos que tuvieron menor numero de aplicaciones. El cogollero, tuvo reinfestaciones, en las parcelas que recibieron ya sea una, dos o tres aplicaciones de insecticidas, durante el periodo de observación después de cada uno de los tres tratamientos. Estos resultados muestran las reinfecciones de las poblaciones de cogollero después de las aplicaciones de insecticidas, y la carencia de efecto residual de los mismos. A pesar de que no se determinaron diferencias significativas en el rendimiento de grano, las diferencias numéricas oscilaron desde 555 a 1 674 kg ha·1 mas allá del rendimiento observado en el tratamiento sin aplicación, lo cual sugiere que el manejo efectivo del daño ocasionado por el cogollero en el cultivo de sorgo, puede resultar en mejora de los rendimientos.

Metabolism of (-)-grandisin from Piper solmsianum in Coleoptera and Lepidoptera species

The biotransformation of the major Piper solmsianum leaf phenylpropanoids, such as the tetrahydrofuran lignan grandisin and derivatives was investigated in the beetle Naupactus bipes as well as in the caterpillars Heraclides hectorides and Quadrus u-lucida. Analysis of fecal material indicated that metabolism occurred mainly through mono- and di-O-demethylation at para positions of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl rings of tetrahydrofuran lignans during digestion by these insects. Additionally, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxycinnamyl and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamyl alcohols were identified in fecal extracts of N. bipes. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Avaliação preliminar da viabilidade de produção in vitro de um isolado brasileiro de baculovírus Spodoptera frugiperda MNPV

In vivo production of viral biopesticides is the major source of viral insecticides currently in the marketplace. However, this system presents limitations during production scale-up. For the Spodoptera frugiperda nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV), the insect used for replication has cannibalistic characteristics, thus production is even more difficult. Insect cells are commonly used for in vitro baculovirus production. Most of these cell lines are derived from Lepidoptera species. The Sf21 cell line is derived from Spodoptera frugiperda caterpillar ovarian tissue, and its clonal isolate Sf9 has been used for biopesticide production due to its ease of growth in suspension cultures. In this work, the in vitro production capabilities of a Brazilian SfMNPV isolate obtained from cornfields was evaluated. Comparison of polyhedra production was carried out using both Sf21 and Sf9 cells, based on volumetric and specific yields. Both cell lines were cultivated in Hyclone medium supplemented with different fetal bovine serum concentrations (2,5 and 5%). The best results were obtained using Sf9 cells supplemented with 5% serum. These results were further confirmed quantitively through kinetic parameter estimation for both cells lines and different serum concentrations. After seven successive passages, this system still presented high specific polyhedra production