Aspectos biológicos de Chrysoperla externa(Hagen, 1861)(Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) alimentada com Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813)(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) e Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy, 1907) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The citrus-growing ecosystem houses a great deal of species of natural enemies, among them Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861), which presents a great potential for use in the biological control of pests. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of the preys Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) and Toxoptera citricida (Kirkaldy, 1907) on the development of larva and pupa of C. externa. The trial was carried out in an acclimatized room at 25 +/- 1 degrees C, 70 +/- 10% RH and 12-hour photophase, the treatments consisting of the continuous and alternate supply of those two preys in each instar of the predator, in addition to eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) utilized for comparison purposes. Both the white mealybug and the aphids were given in sufficient amounts to the C. externa larvae to be able to feed ad libitum. The lifetime and the survival rate of the phases of larva, pupa and the larval-adult period of C. externa were evaluated. It was found that T. citricida given either singly along the larval development or in two consecutive instars of the predator was not an adequate prey, 100% of mortality over the larval-adult period being found. When the larvae fed on P. citri, given in two instars of the predator, the survival rate in the larval-adult period was similar to the diet constituted of only A. kuehniella eggs, except when fed with T. citricida in the first instar.

Desenvolvimento de Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em cafeeiros

A cochonilha Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) suga a seiva dos botões florais e frutos do cafeeiro, atacando as rosetas desde a floração até a colheita. Embora seja relatada há alguns anos na cafeicultura, são escassas as informações sobre o desenvolvimento dessa cochonilha em cafeeiros. Assim, o presente trabalho teve por objetivos avaliar alguns aspectos biológicos da fase ninfal de P. citri em plantas de café. Ovos dessa cochonilha foram retirados de uma criação em laboratório, isolados em placas de Petri contendo discos foliares de Coffea arabica L., das cultivares Acaiá Cerrado, Mundo Novo e Catuaí Vermelho e de C. canephora Pierre & Froenher, cultivar Apoatã. As placas foram mantidas em câmara climatizada a 25 ± 1ºC, 70 ± 10% de umidade relativa e 12h de fotofase. Constatou-se que a cultivar Catuaí Vermelho foi a que proporcionou maior duração do período ninfal das fêmeas, porém, não foram constatadas diferenças na mortalidade. Essa cochonilha se desenvolveu satisfatoriamente em todas as cultivares de café estudadas e os resultados não mostraram diferenças claras de susceptibilidade.

Desenvolvimento da cochonilha-branca planococcus citri (risso, 1813) (hemiptera: pseudococcidae) em frutíferas

The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri is an important pest attacking several crops. Biotic and abiotic factors, as well as the substrate they feed on influence its population. The present study was aimed to study the effect of some feeding substrates on mealybug development in laboratory conditions. Leaf disks of guava, fig and cherimoya were placed individually on an agar film inside a Petri dish. One egg of the insect was confined inside each container, replicated 60 times for each treatment. Containers were kept in a climatized chamber at 25[degree] C, 70 [plus or minus] 10% RH and 12 hours photophase. Insects reared on guava leaves showed a longer nymphal development, while the female longevity was longer on fig leaves. However, no statistical differences were found in the survival index, which showed values higher than 83%, suggesting that all substrates studied here were adequate for the development of P. citri.

Estudos biológicos de cochonilhas do gênero Planococcus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em diferentes hospedeiros

This work was carried out to study the development of populations of the genus Planococcus in different plant species, aiming at the verification of host specificity. The mealybugs Planococcus minor were obtained from cocoa plants (Theobroma cacao L.) and coffee crop (Coffea canephora L.), and Planococcus citri from citrus seedlings (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). Single eggs were transferred to Petri dishes containing leaf discs of cocoa (T. cacao cultivar Catongo), coffee (Coffea arabica L. cultivar Mundo Novo) and citrus (C. sinensis cultivar Pera Rio). They were maintained on a water-agar slide at 1%, with the abaxial surface turned upwards. The dishes were sealed with a PVC plastic film and kept in climatized chambers regulated at 25 [plus or minus] 1[degrees] C, 70 [plus or minus] 10% RH and 12 hours of photophase. For the mealybugs coming from cocoa plants, the citrus substrate prolonged the nymphal development of the males (26.0 days). In the nymphal period of females and males coming from coffee plants, the coffee substrate allowed a shorter duration of that period (19.2 and 21.3 days, respectively) and, in addition to having providing a longer longevity to the females (59.1 days). The highest rates of mortality were obtained when they were reared on the cocoa substrate, regardless of the host plant from which they were originally collected, and when kept on citrus, for insects collected on coffee plants. P. citri and P. minor have higher preference for coffee substrate regardless of the original host, thus showing partial host specificity.

Cacao swollen shoot virus in Nigeria: analysis of a pathogen and its vectors

Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV) causes the Cacao swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD) and significantly reduces production in West African cacao. This study characterised the current status of the disease in the major cacao growing States in Nigeria and attempted a clarification on the manner of CSSV transmission. Two separate field surveys and sample collections were conducted in Nigeria in summer 2012 and spring 2013. PCR-based screening of cacao leaf samples and subsequent DNA sequencing showed that the disease continues to persist in Ondo and Oyo States and in new cacao sites in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Edo States. Mealybug samples collected were identified using a robust approach involving environmental scanning electron microscopy, histology and DNA barcoding, which highlighted the importance of integrative taxonomy in the study. The results show that the genus Planococcus (Planococcus citri (Risso) and/or Planococcus minor (Maskell)) was the most abundant vector (73.5%) at the sites examined followed by Formicococcus njalensis (Laing) (19.0 %). In a laboratory study, the feeding behaviour of Pl. citri, Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni-Tozzetti) and Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) on cacao were investigated using electrical penetration graph (EPG) analysis. EPG waveforms reflecting intercellular stylet penetration (C), extracellular salivation (E1e), salivation in sieve elements (E1), phloem ingestion (E2), derailed stylet mechanics (F), xylem ingestion (G) and non-probing phase (Np) were analysed. Individual mealybugs exhibited marked variation within species and significantly differed (p ≤ .05) between species for E1e and E1. PCR-based assessments of the retention time for CSSV in viruliferous Pl. citri, Ps. longispinus and Ps. viburni fed on a non-cacao diet showed that CSSV was still detectable after 144 hours. These unusually long durations for a pathogen currently classified as a semi-persistent virus have implications for the design of non-malvaceous barrier crops currently being considered for the protection of new cacao plantings.

Resposta funcional da joaninha Cryptolaemus predando Cochonilha branca em diferentes temperaturas e substratos vegetais

This work was carried out to evaluate the functional response of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, 1850 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed with Planococcus citri Risso, 1813 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) reared on a pumpkin hybrid (Cucurbita maxima x Cucurbita moscata) (Cucurbitaceae), seedlings of Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia) Rutaceae) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) (Solanaceae) at two temperatures. The predation rate of C. montrouzieri was measured using Petri dishes of 15 cm diameter with 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 adults of P. Citri. One third instar larva, one fourfh instar and one newly emerged adult (without differentiation of sex) of C. montrouzieri were added to each plate. The study was conducted in climatic chambers at temperatures of 25 and 30 degrees C and photophase of 12 hours. The predation rate was evaluated after 24 hours of prey exposition to the predator, by counting the number of preys trapped in the different treatments and control. The statistical design was completely randomized with four treatments x 6 subplots with 7 repetitions, the two temperatures. The values obtained were subjected to analysis of variance, to relate the number of scales preyed by larvae and adults of C. montrouzieri set up in different substrates. The amount of prey consumed by larvae and adults of the predator increased with increasing the prey density until it reaches a plateau, characterizing functional response type II. In general, the number of scales preyed by larvae and adults of C. montrouzieri was higher on potato and under temperature of 30 degrees C.

Estudo diagnóstico e taxonômico de cochonilhas (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) associadas às plantas cítricas no estado de Sâo Paulo, Brasil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Is the potential of Coccidoxenoides perminutus, a mealybug parasitoid, limited by climatic or nutritional factors?

The encyrtid Coccidoxenoides perminutus is a widely distributed parasitoid of citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri). Worldwide, it has been implicated in successful biocontrol in only a few widely separated localities. C perminutus contributes little to control P. citri in field situations in south-east Queensland, Australia, but invades insectary cultures and reduces mealybug populations considerably under these controlled conditions. This discrepancy between poor field performance and good performance under controlled conditions was investigated to establish whether climatic factors inhibit the field performance of this species in the biological control of P. citri. Subsequent laboratory examination of the influence of varied humidities and temperatures on the activity levels and survival of C perminutus revealed a low tolerance for high saturation deficits (i.e., low % RH at high T degreesC) with reduced reproductive output. The influence of different food sources on adult survival and reproduction was also quantified, to establish if the adverse effects of climate could be overcome by supplementing adult diet. Neither honeydew from their mealybug hosts nor nectar from Alphitonia flowers significantly enhanced parasitoid survival. A subsequent test of five nectar species revealed a significant difference in their influence on C. perminutus survival and reproduction, with only Alpinia zerumbet proving to be as suitable as honey. The floral species that proved suitable in the laboratory need to be checked for their attractiveness to C perminutus in the field and for their ability to enhance the survival and reproductive output of parasitoids. This information suggests that the prevailing dry conditions in south-east Queensland citrus-growing areas apparently impede successful biological control of P. citri by C perminutus, but possibilities are available for habitat manipulation (by providing suitable nectar sources for adult parasitoids) to conserve and enhance C perminutus activity in the field. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Life history parameters and biocontrol potential of the mealybug parasitoid Coccidoxenoides peregrinus (Timberlake) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae): Asexuality, fecundity and ovipositional patterns

Properties relevant to the ovipositional activity and lifetime productivity of Coccidoxenoides peregrinus (Timberlake) were assessed in the laboratory, to determine the potential of this species as a biocontrol agent against the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso). In general, this species has not performed well in orchards, except for a few localities on different continents. The mode of reproduction of C peregrinus is almost entirely thelytokous, with males produced sporadically and at low frequency. The females have both pro-ovigenic and synovigenic traits, which raises questions of the utility of this distinction. The females have a high reproductive potential with 10-20 eggs per day available within the first two days (after a short (12 h) pre-oviposition period), and 80-150 eggs per day thereafter until death at about eight days. Mean lifetime fecundity was 239.2 +/- 34.3 eggs. C peregrinus oviposits across a range of P. citri instars, but productivity relies predominantly on second instar hosts. Second stage (N2) hosts received most eggs in choice (about 52%) and no-choice (about 50%) tests. Most eggs deposited into N2 hosts (82%) reached adult stage whereas only a few of those deposited into N1 and N3 (about 5% each) developed successfully. The haemolymph of parasitised reproductive mealybugs contained granular structures and no parasitoid eggs were found 24 h after exposure to ovipositing wasps. Also, no wasps emerged from parasitised adult hosts that were kept alive. Parasitoid eggs deposited into adult hosts were presumed encapsulated and destroyed, as control mealybugs (not exposed to female wasps) had no granular structures in their haemolymph. Wasps exposed to an abundance of hosts soon started ovipositing, but only for a relatively short time each day (about 2.5 h out of a 7 h exposure). They stopped ovipositing despite eggs judged to be mature in their ovaries. The reproductive output of C peregrinus is discussed in relation to the ecological factors that could influence this output, and the implications for biocontrol are discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Why is Coccidoxenoides perminutus, a mealybug parasitoid, ineffective as a biocontrol agent - Inaccurate measures of parasitism or low adult survival?

Coccidoxenoides perminutus achieves only low levels of parasitism of its host Planococcus citri in southeast Queensland citrus. Two possible causes were investigated. Adult survival under natural conditions was assessed to determine whether providing adult food sources could enhance survival. Behavioural changes of hosts, induced by C perminutus parasitism, was also investigated to establish if parasitised P. citri move from their feeding site to seek protected shelters some distance away and are thus not accounted for in field assessments of parasitism rates. Unparasitised mealybugs placed in the field for two periods were retrieved before the effects of parasitism were manifested and parasitism rates were still low (0.3% at 5 days and 1.2% at 10 days). Levels of locomotion of P. citri exposed to C perminutus were compared with those of unexposed ones. Parasitised mealybugs, regardless of instar, undergo behavioural changes. In comparison to unparasitised controls, the mealybugs become highly active 7-14 days after exposure to wasps. All parasitised mealybugs undergo physical changes, their body becomes cylindrical, their legs go so rigid that the mealybugs become immobile, and this signifies the typical mummy appearance. All mealybugs that became mummies eventually fell from the host lemon fruit because of impaired locomotion and were caught on sticky traps that had been placed beneath the lemons. Consequently, their final site of mummification was not established. C perminutus adults provided with nectar or honey survived longer (about 5 days) in the field than those without food (about a day). Nectar from two plant species, Alpinia zerumbet and Datura candida, proved to be good sources of food for the adult wasps, and were comparable in quality to honey. The low level of parasitism achieved by C perminutus in southeast Queensland citrus thus appears to be a consequence of the short adult life and the negative effects of a harsh environment. Provision of a suitable food source (e.g., nectar) may well enhance levels of parasitism in the field. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ocorrência de joaninha Azya luteipes 1850 Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), agente de controle biológico de cochonilhas do cafeeiro, em Porto Velho, Rondônia.

Publicação que reúne informações sobre a ocorrência de joaninha Azya luteipes em plantações de café Conilon, no município de Porto Velho, Rondônia.

Multiplex PCR para a identificação de cochonilhas farinhentas (Hemiptera Pseudococcidae) presentes na cultura da videira no Brasil.

Uma alta diversidade de espécies de cochonilhas farinhentas (Hemiptera:Pseudococcidae) tem sido observada na cultura da videira. Algumas espécies são inclusive consideradas pragas quarentenárias para outros países. A identificação de cochonilhas farinhentas é um dos fatores limitantes para o manejo destes insetos no campo, em decorrência da grande similaridade morfológica observada entre espécies próximas e da variação morfológica que ocorre em alguns grupos em decorrência do hospedeiro e da temperatura de desenvolvimento. Além disto, a identificação destes insetos baseia-se em características morfológicas presentes apenas em fêmeas adultas, realizada por poucos especialistas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um ?kit? de identificação molecular das principais espécies de cochonilhas farinhentas presentes na cultura da videira no Brasil [(Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley), Planococcus citri (Risso), Planococcus ficus (Signoret) e Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret)]. Cochonilhas farinhentas foram coletadas na Serra Gaúcha, RS, Vale do São Francisco (Polos Juazeiro- BA e Petrolina-PE) e em cidades produtoras de uvas do Paraná.

Formigas associadas a cochonilhas-farinhentas em cultivos de videira no semiárido brasileiro.

A região do Submédio São Francisco é pioneira na produção de uvas em condições tropicais no Brasil. No entanto, com a expansão das áreas cultivadas, surge simultaneamente, a ampliação da distribuição de insetos-praga (OLIVEIRA et al., 2010), como as cochonilhas. Dentre as espécies que atacam os cultivos de videira na região, destacam-se as cochonilhas-farinhentas (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) das espécies Maconelicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908), Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) e Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell, 1893). Estas espécies podem ocasionar danos em uvas destinadas ao consumo in natura, danificando as bagas devido à sucção de seiva e como consequência, favorecer o aparecimento da fumagina, depreciando a fruta para o mercado externo e o interno (MORANDI FILHO, 2008). As formigas são muito importantes por dispersarem as cochonilhas-farinhentas e a constatação de algumas espécies em videira pode ser um indicativo da presença de populações destes insetos (DAANE et. al., 2006). Formigas e cochonilhas da família Pseudococcidade podem associar-se com benefícios mútuos. Neste tipo de relação, as formigas se alimentam do honeydew excretado e em troca, defendem as cochonilhas dos seus inimigos naturais, diminuem a taxa de mortalidade, e consequentemente, aumentam a população de cochonilhas, auxiliam na diminuição da contaminação dos fungos e/ou transportam as suas ninfas para outros locais de nidificação (ZHOU et al., 2015). Um exemplo é a espécie de formiga argentina Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: formicidae) que tem se associado diretamente à cochonilha-farinhenta em busca das excreções açucaradas, tendo sido considerada uma das principais pragas, como na Califórnia e na África do Sul (DAANE et al. 2006). Além disso, a presença de formigas dificulta o controle biológico (MGOCHEKI; ADDISON, 2009) e como as formigas transportam as ninfas para o interior dos cachos, o controle é dificultado. Assim, o controle de formigas deve estar associado às estratégias de manejo das cochonilhas-praga (DAANE et. al., 2008). Com isso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o levantamento de espécies de formigas 31 doceiras associadas à cochonilhas-farinhentas (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em cultivos de videira no Submédio São Francisco.

A male-specific nuclease-resistant chromatin fraction in the mealybug Planococcus lilacinus

In mealybugs, chromatin condensation is related to both genomic imprinting and sex determination. The paternal chromosomal complement is condensed and genetically inactive in sons but not in daughters. During a study of chromatin organization in Planococcus lilacinus, digestion with micrococcal nuclease showed that 3% to 5% of the male genome is resistant to the enzyme. This Nuclease Resistant Chromatin (NRC) apparently has a nucleosomal organization. Southern hybridization of genomic DNA suggests that NRC sequences are present in both sexes and occur throughout the genome. Cloned NRC DNA is A+T-rich with stretches of adenines similar to those present in mouse alpha-satellite sequences. NRC DNA also contains sequence motifs that are typically associated with the nuclear matrix. Salt-fractionation experiments showed that NRC sequences are matrix associated. These observations are discussed in relation to the unusual cytological features of mealybug chromosomes, including the possible existence of multiple centres of inactivation.

Developmental analysis of a female-specific 16S rRNA gene from mycetome-associated endosymbionts of a mealybug, Planococcus lilacinus

A clone showing female-specific expression was identified from an embryonic cDNA library of a mealybug, Planococcus lilacinus, In Southern blots this clone (P7) showed hybridization to genomic DNA of females, but not to that of males, However, P7 showed no hybridization to nuclei of either sex, raising the possibility that it was extrachromosomal in origin, In sectioned adult females P7 hybridized to an abdominal organ called the mycetome. The mycetome is formed by mycetocytes, which are polyploid cells originating from the polar bodies and cleavage nuclei that harbour maternally transmitted, intracellular symbionts. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of symbionts within the mycetocytes, Sequence analysis showed that P7 is a 16S rRNA gene, confirming its prokaryotic origin, P7 transcripts are localized to one pole in young embryos but are found in the pole as well as in the germ band during later stages of development, P7 expression is detectable in young embryos of both sexes but the absence of P7 in third instar and adult males suggests that this gene, and hence the endosymbionts, are subject to sex-specific elimination. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.