Interactions between Paramoeba perurans, the causative agent of amoebic gill disease, and the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank staff at Marine Scotland Science Patricia White, Rebecca McIntosh, Julia Black and Mark Fordyce for their technical assistance and invaluable feedback on the project. Thanks also go to Alex Douglas at the University of Aberdeen for his advice on data analysis and statistics. For feedback on the manuscript thanks to Lesley McEvoy and Rhiannon Inkster at the NAFC Marine Centre. The study was supported by the Marine Collaborations Forum (MarCRF) which aims to develop cross-disciplinary research between the University of Aberdeen and Marine Scotland Science. Finally, thanks are also due to Scottish Fishermen's Trust for a student support bursary.

Interactions between nematodes, potato and soil-borne micro-organisms and their effect on the management of potato cyst nematodes

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) cause significant damage to the potato crop worldwide and growers experience economic losses related to yield loss and the cost of control measures. Experiments were set up to further elucidate the complex tritrophic PCNpotato-soil bacteria relationship. Bacterial strains isolated from the sugar beet rhizosphere were shown to be hatch active towards Globodera pallida and to be capable of successfully colonising the sugar beet rhizosphere when applied exogenously. A trap-crop system, based on these isolates, was proposed. Ridge and bulk soil taken from a commercial potato field were incubated with sterile potato root leachate (sPRL) and subsequent in vitro hatching assays showed that PCN hatch was influenced by microorganisms present in the ridge, but not in the bulk soil. Community level physiological profiling (CLPP) of ridge and bulk soil, using BIOLOG EcoplatesTM, demonstrated differences in bacterial functional diversity between the two soil types. An investigation of the inter-species competition between G. pallida and G. rostochiensis showed that G. pallida performed significantly better, in terms of multiplication rate, in competition with G. rostochiensis compared to its multiplication rate in single-species populations. Effectively removing the early hatch of G. rostochiensis in pot trials led to the removal of this competitive advantage of G. pallida suggesting that this advantage was due, at least in part, to morphological changes to the root caused by the early hatching of G. rostochiensis.

The organic sea-surface microlayer in the upwelling region off the coast of Peru and potential implications for air-sea exchange processes

The sea-surface microlayer (SML) is at the upper- most surface of the ocean, linking the hydrosphere with the atmosphere. The presence and enrichment of organic compounds in the SML have been suggested to influence air- sea gas exchange processes as well as the emission of primary organic aerosols. Here, we report on organic matter components collected from an approximately 50µm thick SML and from the underlying water (ULW), ca. 20 cm below the SML, in December 2012 during the SOPRAN METEOR 91 cruise to the highly productive, coastal upwelling regime off the coast of Peru. Samples were collected at 37 stations including coastal upwelling sites and off-shore stations with less organic matter and were analyzed for total and dissolved high molecular weight (> 1 kDa) combined carbohydrates (TCCHO, DCCHO), free amino acids (FAA), total and dissolved hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA, DHAA), transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), Coomassie stainable particles (CSPs), total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC, DOC), total and dissolved nitrogen (TN, TDN), as well as bacterial and phytoplankton abundance. Our results showed a close coupling between organic matter concentrations in the water column and in the SML for almost all components except for FAA and DHAA that showed highest enrichment in the SML on average. Accumulation of gel particles (i.e., TEP and CSP) in the SML differed spatially. While CSP abundance in the SML was not related to wind speed, TEP abundance decreased with wind speed, leading to a depletion of TEP in the SML at about 5 m s-1 . Our study provides insight to the physical and biological control of organic matter enrichment in the SML, and discusses the potential role of organic matter in the SML for air-sea exchange processes.

Seasonal changes in broodstock spawning performance and egg quality in ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta)

Sea lice continue to be one of the largest issues for the salmon farming industry and the use of ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) as a biological control is considered to be one of the most sustainable solutions in development. Broodstock management has proved challenging in the initial phases due to the significant lack of understanding of basic reproductive physiology and behaviour in the species. The aim of the study was to monitor captive breeding populations throughout a spawning season to examine timing and duration of spawning,quantify egg production, and look at seasonal changes in egg quality parameters as well as investigate the parental contribution to spawning events. A clear spawning rhythm was shown with 3-5 spawning periods inclusive of spawning windows lasting 1-9 days followed by inter spawning intervals of 8-12 days. Fertilization rate remained consistently high (> 87.5%) over the spawning season and did not differ significantly between spawning populations. Hatch rate was variable (0-97.5 %), but peaked in the middle of the spawning season. Meanoocyte diameter and gum layer thickness decreased slightly over the spawning season with no significant differences between spawning populations. Fatty acid (FA) profile of eggs remained consistent throughout the season and with the exception of high levels of ARA (3.8 ± 0.5 % of total FA) the FA profile was similar to that observed in other marine fish species. Parental contribution analysis showed 3 out of 6 spawning events to be single paired mating while the remaining 3 had contributions from multiple parents. Furthermore, the proposed multiple batch spawning nature of this species was confirmed with proof of a single femalecontributing to two separate spawning events. Overall this work represents the first comprehensive data set of spawning activity of captive ballan wrasse, and as such and will be helpful in formulating sustainable broodstock management plans for the species.

La perception du temps et sa modulation par la température chez les guêpes parasitoïdes

Les modèles d'optimalité postulent que les animaux en quête de ressources utilisent le taux de gain de valeur adaptative pour optimiser plusieurs comportements tels que la répartition du temps lors de l’exploitation d‘un agrégat et l'investissement en progénitures. Bien que la durée de plusieurs comportements doit être régulée, peu d’évidences de la perception du temps sont actuellement disponibles pour les insectes et aucune pour les guêpes parasitoïdes, et ce malgré leur importance en tant que modèles écologiques. De plus, puisque les guêpes parasitoïdes sont poïkilothermes, cette capacité pourrait être affectée par la température. Nous avons supposé que les guêpes parasitoïdes auraient la capacité de percevoir le temps, à la fois de façon prospective (mesure du temps écoulé) et rétrospective (durée d'un événement passé), afin d'optimiser les décisions liées à l'exploitation d’agrégats d’hôtes et à la reproduction. Nous avons également émis l'hypothèse que la température aurait une incidence sur la perception du temps des guêpes parasitoïdes. Pour la mesure prospective du temps, nous avons utilisé la capacité d’apprentissage associatif de Microplitis croceipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Les guêpes ont été entraînées à associer une odeur à la durée d'un intervalle entre des hôtes. Après leur entraînement, elles ont été testées dans un tunnel de vol avec un choix d’odeurs. Les guêpes ont choisi majoritairement l'odeur associée à l'intervalle de temps auquel elles étaient testées. Nous avons également investigué le rôle de la dépense énergétique sur la mesure du temps. Suite à une restriction de mouvement des guêpes pendant l'intervalle de temps entre les hôtes, elles choisissaient aléatoirement dans le tunnel de vol. L'absence de dépense énergétique les aurait rendues incapables de mesurer le temps. La dépense d'énergie est donc un substitut essentiel pour mesurer le temps. Pour la mesure rétrospective du temps, nous avons utilisé le processus d'évaluation de l'hôte de Trichogramma euproctidis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). Certains trichogrammes utilisent la durée du transit initial sur l'œuf hôte afin d’en évaluer la taille et d’ajuster le nombre d’œufs à y pondre. Nous avons augmenté artificiellement la durée de transit initiale de T. euproctidis en suspendant l'œuf hôte pour le faire paraître plus gros qu'un œuf de taille similaire. Une augmentation de la durée de transit initiale a augmenté la taille de la ponte. Ceci démontre la capacité de T. euproctidis de mesurer la durée du transit initial, et donc d’une mesure du temps rétrospective. Pour déterminer si la température modifie la mesure du temps dans les espèces poïkilothermes, nous avons utilisé le comportement d’exploitation d’agrégats d’hôtes de T. euproctidis. Les modèles d’optimalités prédisent que les guêpes devraient rester plus longtemps et quitter à un faible taux de gain de valeur adaptative suite à un déplacement de longue durée plutôt que pour un déplacement de courte durée. Nous avons testé l'impact d'un déplacement de 24 h à différentes températures sur l'exploitation d’agrégats d’hôtes. Un déplacement à température chaude augmente le temps de résidence dans l’agrégat et diminue le taux de gain de valeur adaptative au moment de quitter ; ces comportements sont associés à un trajet de longue durée. L'inverse a été observé lors d’un déplacement à une température froide. Les températures chaude et froide ont modulé la mesure du temps en accélérant ou ralentissant l'horloge biologique, faisant paraître le déplacement respectivement plus long ou plus court qu’il ne l’était réellement. Ces résultats démontrent clairement que les guêpes parasitoïdes ont la capacité de mesurer le temps, autant rétrospectivement que prospectivement. Des preuves directes de leur capacité sont maintenant disponibles pour au moins deux espèces de guêpes parasitoïdes, une composante essentielle des modèles d'optimalité. Le rôle de la dépense énergétique dans la mesure du temps a aussi été démontré. Nos résultats fournissent également la preuve de l'impact de la température sur la perception du temps chez les insectes. L'utilisation de la dépense énergétique en tant que proxy pour mesurer le temps pourrait expliquer une partie de sa thermosensibilité, puisque les guêpes parasitoïdes sont poïkilothermes. Cette mesure du temps sensible à la température pourrait affecter des stratégies de lutte biologique. Sur le terrain, au début de la journée, la température de l'air sera similaire à la température de l'air autour des plantes infestées par des parasites, alors qu'elle sera plus chaude pendant la journée. En lutte biologique augmentative, les guêpes parasitoïdes libérées resteraient plus longtemps dans les agrégats d’hôtes que celles relâchées en début de journée.

Sweet cherry: composition, postharvest preservation, processing and trends for its future use

Background Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) are a nutritious fruit which are rich in polyphenols and have high antioxidant potential. Most sweet cherries are consumed fresh and a small proportion of the total sweet cherries production is value added to make processed food products. Sweet cherries are highly perishable fruit with a short harvest season, therefore extensive preservation and processing methods have been developed for the extension of their shelf-life and distribution of their products. Scope and Approach In this review, the main physicochemical properties of sweet cherries, as well as bioactive components and their determination methods are described. The study emphasises the recent progress of postharvest technology, such as controlled/modified atmosphere storage, edible coatings, irradiation, and biological control agents, to maintain sweet cherries for the fresh market. Valorisations of second-grade sweet cherries, as well as trends for the diversification of cherry products for future studies are also discussed. Key Findings and Conclusions Sweet cherry fruit have a short harvest period and marketing window. The major loss in quality after harvest include moisture loss, softening, decay and stem browning. Without compromising their eating quality, the extension in fruit quality and shelf-life for sweet cherries is feasible by means of combination of good handling practice and applications of appropriate postharvest technology. With the drive of health-food sector, the potential of using second class cherries including cherry stems as a source of bioactive compound extraction is high, as cherry fruit is well-known for being rich in health-promoting components.

Secretome analysis of Trichoderma atroviride T17 biocontrol of Guignardia citricarpa

The fungal species Guignardia citricarpa is an important pathogen in citriculture. Members of the fungal genus Trichoderma are recognized as biocontrol agents but studies on the interactions between both fungi are scarce. This study aimed to identify extracellular proteins secreted by Trichoderma atroviride T17 that are related to the control of G. citricarpa. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D) was used to study the patterns of proteins secreted by T. atroviride T17 in medium containing glucose (control) and in medium containing G. citricarpa GC3 inactivated mycelium. We identified 59 of the 116 spots differentially expressed (50.86%) by LC–MS/MS. Of these, we highlight the presence of glycoside hydrolases (CAZy families 3, 43, 54, 76 and 93), chitinase, mutanase, a-1,3-glucanase, a-1,2-mannosidase, carboxylic hydrolase ester, carbohydrate-binding module family 13, glucan 1,3-b-glucosidase, a-galactosidase and Neutral protease 2. These proteins are related to mycoparasitism processes, stimuli and therefore to the biological control of pathogens. The results obtained are in agreement with reports describing an increase in the secretion of proteins related to mycoparasitism and biological control and a reduction in the secretion of proteins related to the metabolism of Trichoderma species grown in the presence of the pathogen. Moreover, these results are pioneer in understanding T. atroviride interaction with G. citricarpa. For the first time, we identified potential candidate proteins that may have a role in the antagonism mechanism of G. citricarpa by T. atroviride T17. Thus our results shed a light into the molecular mechanisms that T. atroviride use to control G. citricarpa.

Efeito de agentes de controle sobre a qualidade reprodutiva de rainhas de Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) africanizadas

The agriculture with the use of products with less environmental impact is expanding. In it, the producers offer their products without the use of synthetic chemical inputs, solving the phytosanitary problems with the use of biological or alternative control agents such as parasites, predators, entomopathogenic, alternative products, plant extracts and essential oils. These products can be considered safe to non-target organisms, but studies are needed to find these features on natural enemies and on the beneficial insects such as bees, common frequenter of cultures. In this sense, this study aims to evaluate the effects of control over reproductive quality queens of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Africanized. For this, it tested the action of control products on the production of A. mellifera queens, using the commercial entomopathogenic fungus Boveril® 1,0x108 (Beauveria bassiana) and aqueous extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum) at a concentration of 5% sterile distilled water with Tween (0.01%) and sterile distilled water (controls). The treatments were incorporated into a tissue type gauze, wrapped in an acrylic plate and packed inside minirrecrias type colonies for the production of queens on the day before the transfer of larvae. The next day were introduced battens with 30 domes with larvae to produce queens, so the workers have contacted the agent tested. From the emergence of all the queens, they were monitored to determine the measures of body weight (mg), length and width of wing and abdomen, length, width and height of the chest (mm) as well as the time of emergence of queens. The next step was evaluated the influence of the control agents in production creates, performing measurements of creating areas in cm2 for six straight weeks. It was found that the area creates Queens did not differ among the treatments. Histological analysis of hipofaringeanas of workers glands that came into contact with the control agents and the midgut of virgin queens were also held. Histological analysis differences were observed in the tissues when the treatments were compared with the respective controls.

Potencial do óleo de Aloysia citriodora Palau no controle de fitopatógenos e na indução de resistência ao tombamento de plântulas de feijão, pepino e beterraba

The crops are affected by pests and diseases that decrease productivity. Among them are the damping off of seedlings that can occur in pre and post-emergence. In bean crops, cucumber and beet these diseases occur, being caused by various pathogens, especialy fitopathogenic fungi. Several measures are used for the controle of such diseases, among them, is the chemical seed treatment fungicides. However, society has become increasingly concerned about the quality and food and environmental contamination, generation a growting search for sensitive products to humans and the environment. The use of essential oils to control plant pathogens is an example of alternative tested by science in the search for less aggressive technologies. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of the use of essential oil Aloysia citriodora, in control of pathogens causing damping off in beans, cucumber and beet. This thesis was divided in four chapters, the introductory first, and the other addressing the control of Pythium sp. in beans, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on cucumber, and Fusarium sp. on beet. The methodology consisted of four experiments in each pathosystem, with all the work done at the Federal Technological University of Parana, Campus Dois Vizinhos. In the first experiment evaluated the fungistatic and fungicidal effect of the essential oil of A. citriodora on PDA in vitro in mycelial growth of pathogens studied. In the second experiment evaluated the in vitro effect of essential oil concentrations of A. citriodora in BD medium on microscope slides, on the germination of sporangia Pythium sp. and conidia Fusarium sp., and in Petri dishes with PDA medium, the sclerotia germination speed index of S. sclerotiorum. In the third experiment, we evaluated in germination test in paper roll (PR), the phytotoxic effect or not the use of essential oil concentrations of A. citriodora in dry bean seed, cucumber and beet. The variables used to assess this experiment were the germination percentage, mediun green mass per plant and average length of seedlings. In the fourth experiment we assessed the effect of treating bean seeds, cucumber and beet with essential oil contents of A. citriodora, seeds in their subsequent substrates contamined with pathogens studied, Pythium sp., S. sclerotiorum and Fusarium sp. In this experiment we used the following variables: percentage of emergence, percentage of post-emergence damping off, green average mass per plant, average length per plant and biochemical analyzes. The biochemistry of plant tissues evaluated were as follows: protein content, enzymatic activities of peroxidases, phenylalanine ammonia-liase (PAL), chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases. The in vitro results show that the essential oil has fungistatic and fungicidal effect on mycelial growth, on sporangia germination, conidia and sclerotia of the pathogens studied in this work, wich may be related to its major components, citral and limonene. The oil also exhibits low phytotoxicity to seeds of the species studied, only in beans decreases germination in most studied dosage (0,25%), cucumber also in the higher dosage (0,25%) reduce the length of seedlings, and beet there were no negative effects to the seedlings. In the test in substrate contaminated with the pathogens, the use of essential oil: increased germination and decreased post emergence damping off of beans seedlings; at a concentration of 0,0625% decreases post emergence damping off in cucumber. In biochemical analyzes found an increase in the enzymatic activity of peroxidases and β-1,3-glucanases on beans, and glucanases on cucumber, and increased enzyme activity of peroxidases on beet, showing action in resistance induction at damping off.

Toxicidade de extratos vegetais ao percevejo bronzeado do eucalipto Thaumastocoris peregrinus (hemiptera: heteroptera: thaumastocoridae) e organismos não-alvo

Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae ) is an insect from Australia which is causing severe damage to eucalyptus crops around the world. When feeding from the leaves sap, it causes bronzening, and in extreme cases, may lead to the tree death. Control methods have been studied and the most promising so far is the egg parasitoid Cleruchoides noackae (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae). Alternative products from plants with insecticidal properties could also be a viable option, and they might even be used concomitantly with C. noackae, aiming for a most effective control, but still safe for the environment. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify the action of 5% aqueous plant extracts of Matricaria chamomilla, Echinodorus grandiflorus, Punica granatum, Maytenus ilicifolia a n d Origanum majorana on T. peregrinus. In addition, we aimed to study the extracts potential toxicity to C. noackae and Gallus domesticus L., since the plant compounds might have negative effect upon the non-target organisms. At first, HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) was used to verify which phenolic compounds would be found in the plant extracts. These were tested on bronze bug adults, in confinement test (to verify the insecticidal action of the extracts) and free-choice test (to verify the repellency). The extracts that showed better results were selected for further tests with non-target organisms. Regarding C. noackae, pre-parasitism and post-parasitism, confinement and free-choice tests were performed to verify if the extracts would affect the host-choosing by the female or the development of the immature stages of the parasitoid. To verify if the extracts would be toxic to G. domesticus, the plant extracts were added to young birds feed for five days. Parameters such as weight gain, food intake, quantification of serum enzymes and histopathological analysis were carried out. HPLC analysis detected gallic, ferulic, vanillic, caffeic and cumaric acid in the extracts samples. All plant extracts tested reduced T. peregrinus survival, but E. grandiflorus, Matricaria chamomilla Maytenus ilicifolia had also a repellent effect, and were tested on the non-target organisms. None of these extracts affected neither the host choice by C. noackae nor adult emergency, when compared to the control group. In addition, the extracts did not cause alterations in any of the studied parameters. Thus, we verified that E. grandiflorus, Matricaria chamomilla and Maytenus ilicifolia have potential to be used to control T. peregrinus and are safe to C. noackae and G. domesticus.

Impact of dead and sunken water hyacinth on biotic communities, the aquatic environment and socioeconomic activities

The mobile water hyacinth, which was produced in growth zones, especially Murchison bay, was mainly exported to three sheltered storage bays (Thruston, Hannington and Waiya). Between 1996 and May 1998, the mobile form of water hyacinth occupied about 800 ha in Thruston bay, 750 ha in Hannington bay and 140 ha in Waiya bay). Biological control weevils and other factors, including localised nutrient depletion, weakened the weed that was confined to the bays and it sunk around October 1998. The settling to the bottom of such huge quantities of organic matter its subsequent decomposition and the debris from this mass was likely to have environmental impacts on biotic communities (e.g. fish and invertebrate), physico-chemical conditions (water quality), and on socio-economic activities (e.g. at fish landings, water abstraction, and hydro-power generation points). Sunken water hyacinth debris could also affect nutrient levels in the water column and lead to reduction in the content of dissolved oxygen. The changes in nutrient dynamics and oxygen levels could affect algal productivity, invertebrate composition and fish communities. Socio-economic impacts of dead sunken weed were expected from debris deposited along the shoreline especially at fish landings, water abstraction and hydropower generation points. Therefore, environmental impact assessment studies were carried out between 1998 and 2002 in selected representative zones of Lake Victoria to identify the effects of the sunken water hyacinth biomass.

Chorume de suíno no controle da rizoctoniose em beterraba

The fungus Rhizoctonia solani is a soil borne pathogen that causes damage to various crops. The chemical control, when managed incorrectly, can be harmful to the environment, which makes the study of alternative control important. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of different doses of Liquid swine manure (LSM), with and without the retention of gases, at different soil pH levels, to control R. solani in beet. An inoculum of the fungus R. solani was on rice grains, which had been previously sterilised. The experiments were set up in a greenhouse in a completely randomised block design, arranged in a three-factor 2 x 2 x 5 scheme, comprising of soil pH levels (4.8 and 7.2) x with and without gas retention x LSM dose (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%), with four replications per treatment. To setup the experiments, 4 kg of soil of each pH level were packed separately into plastic bags. Subsequently, the soil of each bag was infested with 15 g of fungus inoculum/kg of soil, and moistened as necessary. After seven days of infestation of the soil with the pathogen the different doses of LSM were incorporated separately into the bags, the bags designated as the gas retention treatment were closed, while those designated as the gas release treatment were left open. After seven days, part of the soil from each bag was packed separately into 16 cells of 128 cell Styrofoam trays, which were then seeded with two beet seeds per cell. The other part of the soil was placed in 2 litre pots, to conduct the quantification of microbial activity, through the method of CO2 release, 21 days after the experiment was setup. Seedling emergence and damping-off evaluations were performed daily for 21 days consecutively. The data was submitted to analysis of variance, and when significant were submitted to regression analysis or Tukey at 5% probability of error. The experiments were repeated twice. According to the results obtained, there was a suppressive effect of LSM on R. solani. For the variable emergence, the 10% dose of LSM resulted in the largest number of emerging plants in the two soil pH levels studied, whether or not gas was retained. Seedling dampingoff decreased with increasing volumes of LSM incorporated into the soil. The soil with the pH level of 7.2 presented less seedling damping-off than the soil with a pH level of 4.8. The retention of gases provided greater control of R. solani in the higher LSM doses and in soil with a pH level of 7.2. Also noted in this study that there was a significant increase in microbial activity with increasing doses of LSM when applied to soil with pH levels of 4.8 and 7.2. Based on these results, it was concluded that the 10% dose of LSM provided the best control of R. solani without harming seedling emergence.

Lantana: current management status and future prospects.

Lantana camara L. is a significant weed of which there are some 650 varieties in over 60 countries or island groups. It has been the focus of biological control attempts for a century, yet still poses major problems in many regions. Lantana has a significant impact on economic and environmental areas and is difficult to control. The key to good management of lantana is constant vigilance. Repeated control of new regrowth is critical to success. Control of new infestations should be a priority because the species is able to expand its range during good seasons, but does not die out during poor conditions. This book is a resource for land managers and researchers on methods of lantana control, particularly biocontrol.

Abundância das formas imaturas de Psaroniocompsa incrustata ( Lutz, 1910) (Diptera: Simuliidae) em um criadouro natural no rio Pium/RN, e sua fauna associada

The species psaroniocompsa incrustata (Lutz, 1910) was studied in relation to its abundance in different and seasonal periods, the physico-chemical of the breending ground and the fauna predation added to the immature of the species. The study was developed during eight months, from April to July, 2005 (rainy season) and from October, 2005 to January, 2006 (drought season), in one natural breending ground situated in the Pium river, that is part of the hydrographical basin of the Pirangi river in Rio Grande do Norte. The immature of Simuliidae were collected manually in vegetal substrate. At the same place, it was made one sampling of the associated fauna using Suber collectors and the measurement of the environment variants. It was also made one analysis of the stomach content of possible enemies of the simulídeos, to observe the predation of the associated fauna. It was collected 7.713 samples, all from de species P. Incrustata, it was observed a bigger abundance in the drought season, and the entomologic fauna associated totalizing 20.1314 species, distributed in the kinds: Diptera, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Trichoptera, e Hemiptera, with a bigger representativity of Dipteros. The analysis of the stomach content of the species from the families Libellulidae and Hydropsychidae showed the presence of the simulídeos in only 4% of the material analysed, therefore it was not confirmed the presence of one efficient biological control of the simulídeos in this breending ground

Performance of Sirex noctilio’s biocontrol agent Deladenus siricidicola, in known and predicted hosts

Survival of the free-living mycetophagous form of Deladenus siricidicola, the major biological control agent of Sirex woodwasp, Sirex noctilio, was tested in known (Pinus taeda) and predicted novel (P. elliottii subsp. elliottii × P. caribaea var. hondurensis) hybrid host taxa. Trials were established in the field to simulate nematode dispersal both naturally by infected wasps and following commercial inoculation, as well as in the laboratory under controlled conditions. Nematodes showed reduced survival in hybrid pine compared with P. taeda for all tree-associated treatments, but performed equivalently in petri-dish bioassays containing substrate of each taxon. Growth of Amylostereum areolatum, the food source of D. siricidicola was lower on plates containing ground hybrid substrate than on plates containing ground P. taeda. Some physical differences were found between taxa, including differences in bordered pit diameters, tracheid widths, and basic density, but these did not consistently explain reduced performance. More plant secondary compounds (predominantly oleoresins) were present in hybrid taxa than in P. taeda, and in standing trees compared with felled trees. Our results suggested that D. siricidicola may not be as effective in hybrid pine taxa for the biological control of S. noctilio as it is in its current known host taxa, possibly because of reduced growth of its food source, A. areolatum in hybrid pine.