Avaliação da esporulação de Bionectria ochroleuca em diferentes meios de culturas

The biological control of the plants diseases, caused by fungi, is carried out using others organisms (predator, parasite or pathogen). Among the possible agents of biocontrol, a fungus has been highlighting as promising and it is known as Clonostachys rosea, asexual form of Bionectria ochroleuca. For that, it is necessary the in vitro production of spores of this fungus. In this study were tested several culture media to select those with better conidia production. The study was conducted at Plant Protection Division, in the Plant Production Department, FCA - UNESP, Botucatu campus, São Paulo state, Brazil. We used the isolated CCR64 (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA)-CNPMA). The means of crops were: BDA; Oats-Agar; Mazeina-Agar; Rice-Agar; V8-5%; V8-10%; V8-20%; TJ-5 %; TJ-10, TJ-20%. The sporulation of the fungus in different culture media was estimated at 8 days after of the incubation. The data were analyzed using method of comparing averages, using the Tukey test, at 5% probability, and the data processed, using (X + 1) 0.5 transformation. All culture media tested were able to produce conidia. It was found that the best culture media for production of conidia of Bionectria ochroleuca is the TJ-5%, followed by TJ-20%, with an sporulation average of 3,5 x 106 conidia / ml.

Diferentes densidades de Trichospilus diatreae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) e seu desenvolvimiento sobre pupas de Thyrinteina arnobia (Lepdoptera: Geometridae)

The control of defoliating caterpillars in eucalyptus forests via the application of chemical and biological insecticides is a complex issue, mainly due to the large size of plantations and the height of trees. Because of this complexity, alternate control methods have been proposed, such as biological control. Several factors should be taken into consideration for biological control programs to be successful, including density of natural enemies released. In this experiment we used 48-hour-old Thyrinteina arnobia pupae exposed to parasitism by 48-hour-old Trichospilus diatraeae females at the following parasitoid/host ratios, respectively: 1:1, 7:1, 14:1, 21:1, 28:1, and 35:1, with 15 replicates per treatment. Density was an important factor for T. diatraeae development, since parasitism rates of 33.3% were found at a density of 1 female per pupa, while no significant differences were found among parasitism rates for densities of 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 females/pupa, with parasitism rates above 70 %. As to emergence, densities of 1:1 and 35:1 did not differ statistically, with low emergence rates. The 7:1 density had an intermediate performance, while densities of 14:1, 21:1, and 28:1 were the most effective, with emergence rates above 90%. With regard to the number of emerged parasitoids there was a positive intraspecific interference up to the 28:1 density. There was an increase in development period from egg-adult as the density of females per pupa increased.

Patogenicidade de Verticillium lecanii ao pulgão-do-pinus

Avaliou-se a patogenicidade do isolado IBCB 473 de Verticillium lecanii no pulgão-do-pinus Cinara atlantica (Hemiptera, Aphididae), inseto-praga em plantios de Pinus spp. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco repetições por tratamento e cada repetição constituída de uma placa de Petri (9 cm de diâmetro) contendo 10 ninfas. Foram testadas suspensões de inóculo nas concentrações de 1,0 ' 10(6); 0,5 ' 10(7); 1,0 ' 10(7); 0,5 ' 10(8); e 1,0 ' 10(8) conídios/mL, pulverizando-se 1 mL sobre as ninfas. Como tratamento-testemunha, utilizou-se água esterilizada. As placas de Petri foram mantidas em câmara climatizada a 25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% de UR e fotofase de 12 horas. As avaliações foram realizadas diariamente, anotando-se a mortalidade dos indivíduos de cada tratamento. A dose mais eficiente foi de 1,0 x 10(8) conídios/mL, causando mortalidade de 86,0% após cinco dias da pulverização. Os valores de TL50 das concentrações utilizadas foram de 5,82; 5,24; 4,60; 4,34; e 3,83 dias, respectivamente.

Controle biológico da podridão radicular e promoção de crescimento em pepino hidropônico com microrganismos de manguezais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de microrganismos de manguezais para controlar a podridão radicular causada por Pythium aphanidermatum e para promover o crescimento em pepino hidropônico (Cucumis sativus). Avaliaram-se 19 microrganismos quanto ao controle da doença em mini-hidroponia. Os microrganismos mais promissores para esse fim - Gordonia rubripertincta SO-3B-2 e a mistura dos isolados G. rubripertincta SO-3B-2, MB-P3A-49, MB-P3-C68 e SO-3L-3, de Pseudomonas stutzeri, e Bacillus cereus AVIC-3-6 - foram, posteriormente, testados quanto à promoção de crescimento do pepineiro, em casa de vegetação. Microrganismos de manguezais podem ter importância funcional no controle biológico da podridão radicular causada por P. aphanidermatum e na promoção do crescimento do pepineiro cultivado em hidroponia. Os microrganismos G. rubripertincta SO-3B-2 e P. stutzeri MB-P3A-49 são promissores na promoção do crescimento das plantas não infestadas com o patógeno.

Pressurização da calda de pulverização na viabilidade de microrganismos entomopatogênicos

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

New record of Trichospilus diatraeae Margabandhu & Cherian, 1942 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizing Sarsina violascens (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in Brazil

This is the first report of Trichospilus diatracae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) found in the field, parasitizing pupae of the eucalyptus defoliating Sarsina violascens (Herrich-Schaeffer, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) in Brazil. This offers a new perspectives for the use of this parasitoid in biological control programs against caterpillars of forestry importance.

Novo registro de Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu, 1942 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), como parasitóide de Spodoptera cosmioides Walker, 1858 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) no Brasil

Spodoptera cosmioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)é uma espécie polífaga e alimenta-se de grande número de plantas cultivadas e espontâneas. No Brasil, as culturas do abacaxi, algodoeiro, arroz, berinjela, cebola, eucalipto, pimentão e tomateiro, entre outras hortaliças, são consideradas hospedeiras da praga. Entretanto, apesar da ampla gama de hospedeiros, sua ocorrência como praga é relatada relacionada a desequilíbrios provocados pelo uso excessivo de inseticidas de amplo espectro, o que vem causando a resistência da praga a inseticidas. Devido a essa complexidade, métodos alternativos de controle têm sido propostos, por exemplo, o controle biológico através da utilização de parasitóides. Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenptera: Eulophidae) é um parasitóide gregário pupal preferencialmente de espécies da ordem Lepidoptera. Este é o primeiro relato de T. diatraeae parasitando pupas de S. cosmioides, parasitóide que oferece novas perspectivas para os programas de controle biológico.

Controle da pinta preta dos frutos cítricos em cultivo orgânico com agentes de biocontrole e produtos alternativos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Trichospilus Diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu, 1942 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), un nuevo parasitoide de Hypsipyla Grandella (Zeller, 1848) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Primer reporte de Trichospilus diatraeae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitando pupas de lagarta Hypsipyla grandella, principal plaga forestal en América Latina y el Caribe, abriendo nuevas perspectivas para la utilización de este parasitoide en programas de control biológico de lagartas de importancia forestal.

Differences in the number of hemocytes in the snail host Biomphalaria tenagophila, resistant and susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni infection

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Composição da artropodofauna entomófoga associada a diferentes genótipos de sorgo granífero no cerrado do Sudeste do Brasil

Espécies de artrópodos entomófagos foram coletadas e identificadas nos genótipos sorgo AF-28, IAC-83/75-5-1-6, TX-2536, BR-300, IPA-201 e SAR, no Município de Selvíria, MS. Foram conduzidos três experimentos em campo, com os genótipos sendo semeados em 03/1988, 10/1988 e 02/1989, respectivamente. Para contagem dos artrópodos entomófagos, no início do florescimento foram marcadas 560 panículas por genótipo. Após esse momento, diariamente e durante 14 dias seguidos, foram coletadas 40 panículas por genótipo (10 por parcela). Nas coletas foram utilizados sacos plásticos com 10 litros de capacidade para envolver as panículas e capturar os artrópodos presentes. As panículas coletadas foram levadas para o Laboratório de Entomologia da Faculdade de Engenharia/UNESP, Campus de Ilha Solteira, SP, para separação, contagem e identificação dos artrópodos. Nas panículas provenientes da semeadura da seca coletou-se, em média, maior número de artrópodos entomófagos em relação à semeadura das águas. Dos artrópodos entomófagos coletados, as aranhas apresentaram maior número de espécies e, desses, a tecelã Alpaida veniliae (Keys.), a aranha corredora noturna Cheiracanthium inclusum (Blackwall), e a caçadora de emboscada, Misumenops pallidus (Keys.), foram as mais abundantes. O genótipo de sorgo IPA-201 comportou-se como o mais atrativo ao percevejo Orius sp. e à tesourinha Doru lineare (Eschs.), enquanto que o IAC-83/75-5-1-6 foi medianamente atrativo a D. lineare. As aranhas foram coletadas em maior número nos genótipos BR-300 e SART.

Estratégias de Produção in vitro de Bioinseticida Viral: influências do Isolado, da Cinética e do Modo de operação

Societal concerns about environmental sustainability has lead to the development of ecologically-friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides for crop protection. One such alternative is biological pest control. In particular, baculoviruses are well suited as insect biopesticides due to their narrow host specificity and relative ease of propagation. In Brazil, the baculovirus Anticarsia gemmatalis nucleopolyhedrovirus (AgMNPV) is the main biological control agent employed for the soybean pest, Anticarsia gemmatalis. This baculovirus biopesticide is currently produced using caterpillars, but increasing market demand for the product has encouraged the development of an in vitro manufacturing process, which can be scaled up to much higher virus productivities. In this study, three wild-type AgMNPV isolates (AgMNPV-2D, AgMNPV-MP2 and AgMNPV-MP5) and a recombinant form (vAgEGT-LacZ) were characterised in terms of occlusion body (OB) production and infection kinetics, to enable future optimisation of the in vitro production process. These viruses were propagated using a Spodoptera frugiperda (IPLB-SF21) insect cell line grown in shaker-flask batch cultures. Among the virus isolates tested, AgMNPV-MP5 was found to be the best producer, yielding (5.3±0.85)x108 OB/mL after 8 days post infection. The characterisation of vAgEGT-LacZ propagation in suspension cell cultures has not been previously reported in the literature; hence it became the main focus for this thesis. In particular, it was carried out a study on the effect of the multiplicity of infection (MOI) on OB production. Five successive batches were performed getting a final production (8.9±1.42)x1014 occlusion bodies, considering that production is related for a bioreactor with final volume of 10m3. A low MOI associated with a fed-batch process for vAgEGT-LacZ production was found to support a 3-fold higher OB yield when compared to the default batch process (1.8x107 and 5.3x107 OB/mL, respectively). This yield is competitive with regards to the production process.

ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY of STERILE INSECT TECHNIQUE APPLIED TO AEDES AEGYPTI

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

Possible causes of spatial variability in Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lep., Crambidae) and its parasitoid populations in sugarcane fields in Brazil

Based on the large data set stored in some sugarcane mills regarding the biological control programme of Diatraea saccharalis using the parasitoids Cotesia flavipes and tachinid flies, the aim of the present study was to determine whether sugarcane varieties, number of cuts and plant ages are major determinants in promoting spatial variability in D. saccharalis, C. flavipes and tachinid fly populations in sugarcane fields in the state of São Paulo (Brazil). The data set used to support this study was provided by the Sao Joao and Barra sugarcane mills. Coefficient of variation was adopted as a measure of the spatial variability of population density. Spatial variability was estimated for the total density of D. saecharalis (parasitized + unparasitized larvae), and also for D. saccharalis larvae parasitized by tachinids and by C. flavipes. Statistical analysis revealed that the spatial variation in D. saccharalis populations was influenced by the number of cuts and by plant ages in the Barra and Sao Joao Mills, respectively. Similar results were obtained for D. saccharalis larvae parasitized by tachinids; however, in the Sao Joao Mill, the spatial variability of these populations was also influenced by the different number of varieties. Finally, considering D. saccharalis larvae parasitized by C. flavipes, no significant regressions with any of the three categories were observed for both sugarcane mills. The multitrophic implications for this agricultural system are also discussed.

Evidences of non-additive effects of multiple parasitoids on Diatraea saccharalis Fabr. (Lep., Crambidae) populations in sugarcane fields in Brazil

Biological control is a relatively benign method of pest control. However, considerable debate exists over whether multiple natural enemies often interact to produce additive or non-additive effects on their prey or host populations. Based on the large data set stored in the Sao Joao and Barra sugarcane mills (state of São Paulo, Brazil) regarding the programme of biological control of Diatraea saccharalis using the parasitoids Cotesia flavipes and tachinid flies, in the present study the author investigated whether the parasitoids released into sugarcane fields interfered significantly with the rate of parasitized D. saccharalis hosts. The author also observed whether there was an additive effect of releasing C. flavipes and tachinids on the rate of parasitized hosts, and looked for evidence of possible negative effects of the use of multiple parasitoid species in this biological control programme. Results showed that C. flavipes and the tachinids were concomitantly released in the Barra Mill, but not in the Sao Jao Mill. Furthermore, in the Barra Mill there was evidence that the parasitoids interacted because the percentage of parasitism did not increase after the release of either C. flavipes or tachinids. In the Sao Joao Mill, when both parasitoid species were released out of synchrony, both the percentage of parasitism by C. flavipes as well as that of the tachinids increased. When large numbers of tachinids were released in the Barra Mill, they caused a significant lower percentage of parasitism imposed by C. flavipes. The implications of the results as evidence of non-additive effects of C. flavipes plus tachinids on D. saccharalis populations are discussed.