A Method to Estimate the Population Level of Aceria litchii (Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) and a Study of the Population Dynamics of This Species and Its Predators on Litchi Trees in Southern Brazil

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

Development of a Methodology and Evaluation of Pesticides Against Aceria litchii and Its Predator Phytoseius intermedius (Acari: Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae)

The litchi erineum mite, Aceria litchii (Keifer), is the major pest of litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonnerat (Sapindaceae). This study evaluated the effect of 11 pesticides on the survival of A. litchii as well as on the survival and reproduction of Phytoseius intermedius Evans& McFarlane, the predator most found in association with it in Brazil. The containment of A. litchii in small petri dishes whose bottoms were covered with a solidified paste made of a mixture of gypsum and activated charcoal (9: 1 in volume), kept humid, was shown to be adequate for this type of study. For the evaluation of the effect of pesticides on A. litchii, mites leaving the erinia from the pieces of litchi leaves (removed from the plants approximate to 24 h earlier) were sprayed under a Potter tower and immediately transferred to the 2.5-cm-diameter petri dishes. After 2, 12, 24, and 48 h of the application, the dishes were examined to evaluate the mite survival. The four pesticides causing the highest levels A. litchii mortality, as well as azadirachtin, were tested for the effect on P. intermedius. For this test, experimental units consisted of discs of uninfested litchi leaves also sprayed under a Potter tower before introducing the predators. Survival and oviposition of the predator were evaluated every 24 h for 5 consecutive days; viability of the eggs laid was also evaluated. Highest mortality of A. litchii occurred with the application of fenpyroximate, sulfur, abamectin, and hexythiazox. Azadirachtin was considered moderately harmful to the predator P. intermedius, whereas other pesticides were classified as harmful. Despite the low efficiency of azadirachtin in the control of the pest, its relative selectivity to P. intermedius would encourage the evaluation on field condition, especially for use in organic production systems.

Effect of Egg Rearing Temperature and Storage Time on the Biological Characteristics of the Predatory Stink Bug Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Interactions Between the Entomopathogenic Fungi Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and the Aphid Parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) on Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The interactions between the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and the aphid parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae McIntoch (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Nymphs of Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were first exposed to parasitoid females for 24 h and then 0, 24, and 48 h afterwards sprayed with a solution of B. bassiana. Likewise, aphids were also sprayed with B. bassiana and then exposed to parasitoids at 0, 24, and 48 h afterwards. Parasitism rate varied from 13 to 66.5%, and were signi_cantly lower in treatments where the two agents were exposed within a 0-24 h time interval compared with the control (without B. bassiana). Parasitoid emergence was negatively affected in treatments with B. bassiana spraying and subsequent exposure to D. rapae. Decreases in longevity of adult females of the D. rapae F1 generation were observed in treatments with B. bassiana spraying. The application of these two biological control agents can be used in combination on the control of M. persicae, wherein this use requires effective time management to avoid antagonistic interactions.

Post-Embryonic Development in Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Functional and Taxonomic Diversity of Stinging Wasps in Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest Areas

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

The Usefulness of the Sting Apparatus in Phylogenetic Reconstructions in Vespids, with Emphasis on the Epiponini: More Support for the Single Origin of Eusociality in the Vespidae

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

Atlantic rainforest remnant harbors greater biotic diversity but reduced lepidopteran populations compared to a eucalyptus plantation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Density of Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Parasitizing Diaphania hyalinata (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Pupae

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Reproductive Tract Histology of Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Allometry for Sexual Size Dimorphism in Stoneflies Defies the Rensch's Rule

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Evaluation of Insecticides for the Control of Linepithema micans (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)