Natural parasitism in eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) by Trichogramma spp. (Hymenoptera, Trichogrammatidae) in Brazil

Field surveys were carried during four soybean seasons in Southern Brazil to evaluate the occurrence of parasitoids in eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, 1818 and their incidence along the crop season. Eggs were collected by visual search on soybean leaves and from plants kept inside cages where A. gemmatalis moths were allowed to lay eggs. Trichogramma acacioi Brun, Moraes & Soares, 1984 was recorded for the first time in eggs of A. gemmatalis and the citations in the literature of Trichogramma lasallei Pinto, 1998 in Brazil where based on the material collected in this survey. Apart from these species, Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879, Trichogramma rojasi Nagaraja & Nagarkatti, 1973 and Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner, 1983 were also collected, all of which have been previously recorded in this host. Parasitized eggs were collected all over the period of occurrence of A. gemmatalis, from January to April each year. Total parasitism ranged from 4.8% in 2000 and 2002, 23.3% in 2001 and 28.9% in 2003. T. pretiosum and T. acacioi accounted for more than 80% of the parasitoids emerged each year, followed by T. atopovirilia, T. rojasi and T. lasallei, with less than 20% of incidence. Both the sex ratio and the mean number of parasitoids/egg did not differ among the species. Searching for A. gemmatalis eggs proved to be time consuming in comparison to the collection of eggs laid by moths inside the cages, which showed to be a useful method to provide qualitative estimates of parasitism in eggs of A. gemmatalis.

Infestation and natural parasitism of aphids in single and mixed pastures of black oats and ryegrass

Some species of aphids are major pests on cereal crops and grass pastures. Usually these pests are not adequately controlled in pasture lands that become sources of aphid infestations to cereal crops. The dynamics of aphids and the incidence of natural enemies are less known in pasture systems than in cereal fields. The objective of this work was to assess the aphid infestation and natural aphid parasitism in different pasture composition. Three hypotheses were tested: 1- the aphid species composition in pastures may vary according to the cereal species in the field; 2- the mixture of two plant species can modify the amount and diversity of aphids; 3- the plant species composition of pasture fields influences the parasitism of aphids. Empirical data were obtained from three Poaceae fields: black oats (Avena strigosa L.), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), and a mixed field of black oats and ryegrass. The most abundant aphid species was Rhopalosiphum padi followed by Sitobion avenae. Plant species composition increases the amount and the parasitism rates of aphids. The mixture of heavily infested black oats with a poorly infested ryegrass resulted in reduction of aphid infestation in comparison with heavily-infested single plant species field. This is possible because the conditions are favorable for the development of parasitoid populations. Aphidius colemani was the main parasitoid found in these areas.

Natural parasitism of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) nymphs by Tamarixia radiata Waterston (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) in São Paulo orange groves

The psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama 1908 has become the main citrus pest species in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, after the introduction of the huanglongbing or citrus greening. This study evaluated the parasitism of 3rd, 4th and 5th instar D. citri nymphs by Tamarixia radiata (Waterston, 1922) in citrus groves under a regimen of regular insecticide applications in ten producing regions: Araraquara, Barretos, Bauru, Botucatu, Franca, Itapetininga, Jaú, Limeira, Lins and São João da Boa Vista. Sixty-nine samples of new branches infested with nymphs of D. citri were collected from 2005 to 2008 in orange groves ranging from 1 to 20 years old, of the varieties Hamlin, Pera, Valencia and Natal. The parasitoid T. radiata is widely distributed in São Paulo orange groves, and was identified in 50 (72%) of the samples, showing a mean parasitism rate of 12.4%. The highest parasitism rate was observed in the "summer" (from January through March), with a mean of 25.7%. Nymphal parasitism was above 90% in two samples. The probable causes of the variations in parasitism of D. citri by T. radiata are discussed.

Natural parasitism of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) nymphs by Tamarixia radiata Waterston (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) in Sao Paulo orange groves

Natural parasitism of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) nymphs by Tamarixia radiata Waterston (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) in Sao Paulo orange groves. The psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama 1908 has become the main citrus pest species in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, after the introduction of the huanglongbing or citrus greening. This study evaluated the parasitism of 3rd, 4th and 5th instar D. citri nymphs by Tamarixia radiata (Waterston, 1922) in citrus groves under a regimen of regular insecticide applications in ten producing regions: Araraquara, Barretos, Bauru, Botucatu, Franca, Itapetininga, Jau, Limeira, Lins and Sao Joao da Boa Vista. Sixty-nine samples of new branches infested with nymphs of D. citri were collected from 2005 to 2008 in orange groves ranging from 1 to 20 years old, of the varieties Hamlin, Pera, Valencia and Natal. The parasitoid T. radiata is widely distributed in Sao Paulo orange groves, and was identified in 50 (72%) of the samples, showing a mean parasitism rate of 12.4%. The highest parasitism rate was observed in the "summer" (from January through March), with a mean of 25.7%. Nymphal parasitism was above 90% in two samples. The probable causes of the variations in parasitism of D. citri by T. radiata are discussed.

Natural parasitism of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera, Psyllidae) nymphs by Tamarixia radiata Waterston (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) in São Paulo orange groves

The psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama 1908 has become the main citrus pest species in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, after the introduction of the huanglongbing or citrus greening. This study evaluated the parasitism of 3rd, 4th and 5th instar D. citri nymphs by Tamarixia radiata (Waterston, 1922) in citrus groves under a regimen of regular insecticide applications in ten producing regions: Araraquara, Barretos, Bauru, Botucatu, Franca, Itapetininga, Jaú, Limeira, Lins and São João da Boa Vista. Sixty-nine samples of new branches infested with nymphs of D. citri were collected from 2005 to 2008 in orange groves ranging from 1 to 20 years old, of the varieties Hamlin, Pera, Valencia and Natal. The parasitoid T. radiata is widely distributed in São Paulo orange groves, and was identified in 50 (72%) of the samples, showing a mean parasitism rate of 12.4%. The highest parasitism rate was observed in the "summer" (from January through March), with a mean of 25.7%. Nymphal parasitism was above 90% in two samples. The probable causes of the variations in parasitism of D. citri by T. radiata are discussed.

Natural parasitism by Trichogramma spp. in agroecosystems of the Mid-­North, Brazil.

The micro-­hymenopterans of genus Trichogramma are eggs parasitoids used in the biological control of lepidopteran pests. The objectives of this study was to record the interaction of species of Trichogramma and their hosts on crops in the Mid-­North, in the states of Maranhão and Piauí, Brazil.

Natural parasitism of lepidopteran eggs by Trichogramma species (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in agricultural crops in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The genus Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) includes insect egg parasitoids that are widely used throughout the world as control agents of pest insects. The aim of this study was to identify the species of Trichogramma naturally associated with the eggs of lepidopteran pests of the following agricultural and horticultural crops: collards, Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae); papaya, Carica papaya L. (Capparales: Caricaceae); tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (Solanales: Solanaceae); cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae); banana, Musa sp. L. (Zingiberales: Musaceae); passion fruit, Passiflora sp. Degener (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae); sugarcane, Saccharum sp. L. (Poales: Poaceae); and corn (maize), Zea mays L. (Poales: Poaceae); and an invasive species (Sodom?s apple milkweed, Calotropis procera Aiton; Gentianales: Apocynaceae) in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We report natural parasitism by Trichogramma in eggs of Agraulis vanillae vanillae (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Antichloris eriphia F. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), Danaus sp. (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Erinnyis ello L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae), and Protambulyx strigilis L. (Lepidopera: Sphingidae). In total, 2,242 specimens of Trichogramma were obtained, belonging to the species T. pretiosum Riley, T. manicobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, T. marandobai Brun, Moraes & Soares, and T. galloi Zucchi. These species of Trichogramma may be candidates for biological control programs of lepidopteran pests in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais and in other semiarid regions.

Parasitismo natural de bufalinos em Botucatu, SP, Brasil: III. Dinâmica do parasitismo gastro-intestinal em vacas e suas crias

Gastro-intestinal parasitism of 24 buffalo cows before parturition, and post-parturition, their infection and that of their respective calves during the following 30 weeks were studied. Willis, Hoffmann and whenever possible, the modified Gordon & Whitlock techniques were used for fecal examinations. Toxocara vitulorum eggs were the earliest forms encountered in calves feces, as follows: during the 1st week after birth, 58.33% of the calves were positive, and in the 4th week, 100% of these animals were positive. Eggs of Strongyloides sp were in the 1st week after birth in two of the calves and in the 5th week, all for them were positive. The next parasites to appear were the Coccidia of which oocysts were detected in the feces of two calves in the 2nd week after birth, and 58.33% of the calves were positive for these in the 3rd week, and in the 6th week, all calves shed oocysts in their feces. On the other hand, eggs of Strongylids were the last forms to appear in calves feces. However, despite their sporadic appearance in the feces, eggs of these parasites were observed continuously from the 11th week onwards, and at this point, the percentage of positive samples began to increase to reach its peak. Relatively to adult animals, eggs of T. vitulorum were observed in the feces of 11 cows, one or twice at most; eggs of Strongyloides sp were seen only once in the feces of four buffalo cows and eggs of Strongylids in 21 out of 24 cows. Oocysts of Coccidia were observed in 16 cows. Mechanisms of infestation of calves with these parasites are discussed.

Parasitismo natural de bufalinos em Botucatu, SP, Brasil: III. Dinâmica do parasitismo gastro-intestinal em vacas e suas crias

Gastro-intestinal parasitism of 24 buffalo cows before parturition, and post-parturition, their infection and that of their respective calves during the following 30 weeks were studied. Willis, Hoffmann and whenever possible, the modified Gordon & Whitlock techniques were used for fecal examinations. Toxocara vitulorum eggs were the earliest forms encountered in calves feces, as follows: during the 1st week after birth, 58.33% of the calves were positive, and in the 4th week, 100% of these animals were positive. Eggs of Strongyloides sp were in the 1st week after birth in two of the calves and in the 5th week, all for them were positive. The next parasites to appear were the Coccidia of which oocysts were detected in the feces of two calves in the 2nd week after birth, and 58.33% of the calves were positive for these in the 3rd week, and in the 6th week, all calves shed oocysts in their feces. on the other hand, eggs of Strongylids were the last forms to appear in calves feces. However, despite their sporadic appearance in the feces, eggs of these parasites were observed continuously from the 11th week onwards, and at this point, the percentage of positive samples began to increase to reach its peak. Relatively to adult animals, eggs of T. vitulorum were observed in the feces of 11 cows, one or twice at most; eggs of Strongyloides sp were seen only once in the feces of four buffalo cows and eggs of Strongylids in 21 out of 24 cows. Oocysts of Coccidia were observed in 16 cows. Mechanisms of infestation of calves with these parasites are discussed.

Ocorrência de Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) em cafezais da Amazônia Brasileira

Adultos de Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem foram detectados em novembro de 2003 durante amostragem de frutos de Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner danificados por Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) em Ouro Preto D'Oeste, RO (10º45'S e 62º15'W). De janeiro a julho de 2004, o parasitóide foi amostrada mensalmente em 200 frutos danificados por H. hampei. Provavelmente, C. stephanoderis exerça alguma pressão de parasitismo sobre a população da broca-do-café. A ocorrência do parasitóide em condições naturais aponta para outra alternativa de controle biológico de H. hampei em Rondônia. Este é o primeiro registro de C. stephanoderis em plantações de café na Amazônia brasileira.

Taxonomic redescription and biological notes on Diaugia angusta (Diptera,Tachinidae): parasitoid of the palm boring weevils Metamasius ensirostris and M. hemipterus (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae)

Diaugia angusta Perty, 1833 is a Neotropical species of Tachinidae (Diptera) reported here as a parasitoid of Metamasius ensirostris (Germar, 1824) and M hemipterus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) in Brazil. Several species of Dryophthoridae and Curculionidae cause damage to bromeliad and palm species, and most are regarded as pests. In the present study, the male and female of D. angusta are morphologically characterized and illustrated to provide a means for the identification of this parasitoid. Data obtained from preliminary field research show that natural parasitism of Metamasius pupae by D. angusta varies by year but can reach nearly 30%. A network of parasitoid-host interactions among tachinid parasitoids and coleopteran hosts reported as bromeliad and palm pests (Dryophthoridae and Curculionidae) in the Americas indicates that the species of the tribe Dexiini sensu lam (including D. angusta) might be promising as biological control agents of these pests.

Taxonomic redescription and biological notes on Diaugia angusta (Diptera,Tachinidae): parasitoid of the palm boring weevils Metamasius ensirostris and M. hemipterus (Coleoptera, Dryophthoridae)

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

Impacto de herbicidas sobre a biologia e controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) na cultura do milho

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Dinâmica populacional do psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) e parasitismo por Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) em floresta de eucalipto

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Proteção de Plantas) - FCA

Métodos para avaliar a liberação e o parasitismo de Cotesia flavipes (Cameron, 1891) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) em cana-de-açúcar

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV