Alexandre Igor Azevedo Pereira

Harpactor angulosus (Reduviidae: Harpactorinae), A Predator of Neotropical Saturniids, Hylesia spp. in Brazil

ABSTRACT: Caterpillars of the genus Hylesia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) can cause agricultural damages and dermatological lesions by direct contact to its urticating bristles. The biological control can regulate populations of these insects, but their natural enemies are poorly known. The occurrence of Harpactor angulosus (Lepeletier and Serville, 1825) (Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) predating caterpillars of Hylesia spp. is described. Adults of this predator were captured in an area of secondary forest in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil and their pairs individualized in the field to obtain eggs. Adults of this predator presented sex dimorphism, with smaller males than females. They were found predating caterpillars of Hylesia spp., isolated from others to avoid the aposematic defense of this prey, when grouped. The presence of this predator, in the field, demonstrates its potential for the biological control of defoliating caterpillars. Studies on biological aspects and alimentary habits are important to understand the importance of H. angulosus in the biological control of defoliating caterpillars.

Susceptibility of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidea) to gamma-cyhalothrin under laboratory conditions

Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) e um importante agente de controle biologico do curuquere [Alabama argillacea (Hubner)] na cultura do algodao no Brasil. O uso de produtos seletivos tais como piretroides tem sido enfatizado no agroecosistema do algodoeiro. Portanto, estudou-se em laboratorio a suscetibilidade do percevejo predador Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) ao inseticida piretroide gamma-cyhalothrin. As exposicoes via ingestao e aplicacao topica de ninfas de 5o instar, femeas e machos de P. nigrispinus a gamma-cyhalothrin foram feitas, usando-se sete concentracoes do inseticida. Gamma-cyhalothrin via aplicacao topica foi relativamente menos toxico as formas adultas de P. nigrispinus (femeas: CL50 = 143,5 ppm i.a. e machos: CL50 = 145,1 ppm i.a.) e as ninfas de 5o instar (CL50 = 103,9 ppm) desse predador, quando comparado a sua utilizacao por ingestao (femeas: LC50 = 1,98 ppm i.a., machos: LC50 = 1,91 ppm i.a. e ninfas de para ninfas de 5o instar: LC50 = 2,05 ppm i.a.). Os resultados dessa pesquisa sugerem que o uso de piretroides em programas de MIP deve ser avaliado com bastante cautela.

Glyphosate-based herbicides toxicity on life history parameters of zoophytophagous Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The increase of agricultural areas with glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops, and use of this herbicide in Brazil, makes necessary to assess its impacts on non-target organisms. The objective was to evaluate the development, reproduction and life table parameters of Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) reared on GR-soybean plants treated with glyphosate formulations (Zapp-Qi, Roundup-Transorb-R and Roundup-Original) at the recommended field dose (720g acid equivalent ha-1). Glyphosate formulations had no affect on nymph and adult weight of this predator. Fourth instar stage was shortest with Zapp Qi. Egg-adult period was similar between treatments (26 days) with a survival over 90%. Zapp-Qi and Roundup-Transorb-R (potassium-salt: K-salt) reduced the egg, posture and nymph number per female, and the longevity and oviposition periods of this predator. Podisus nigrispinus net reproductive rate was highest in GR-soybean plants treated with Roundup-Original (isopropylamine-salt: IPA-salt). However, the duration of one generation, intrinsic and finite increase rates, and time to duplicate the population, were similar between treatments. Glyphosate toxicity on P. nigrispinus depends of the glyphosate salt type. IPA-salt was least harmless to this predator. Formulations based on K-salt altered its reproductive parameters, however, the development and population dynamic were not affect. Therefore, these glyphosate formulations are compatible with the predator P. nigrispinus with GR-soybean crop.

LIFE HISTORY NOTES ON THE SAWFLY HAPLOSTEGUS NIGRICRUS CONDE (HYMENOPTERA: PERGIDAE) ON PSIDIUM GUAJAVA (MYRTACEAE) IN MINAS GERAIS STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract The life history of Haplostegus nigricrus Conde (Hymenoptera: Pergidae), a leaf-feeding sawfly of Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), was studied in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The life history and morphology are compared with those of Haplostegus epimelas Konow (Hymenoptera: Pergidae), another species that feeds on guava leaves. Haplostegus nigricrus females oviposit in the midrib of guava, and larvae feed on the leaves. Late-instar larvae drop to the ground and construct a cell for pupation. Cocoons are made individually with soil particles and other substrate. Three occurrence peaks of female adults were observed for H. nigricrus and two for H. epimelas. No males of H. nigricrus were found. The importance of this study to the knowledge of South American Pergidae is discussed. Abstract Resumo.—A história de vida de Haplostegus nigricrus Conde (Hymenoptera: Pergidae), um Symphyta desfolhador de Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), foi estudada em Viçosa, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. A história de vida e a morfologia desse inseto são comparadas com as de Haplostegus epimelas Konow (Hymenoptera: Pergidae), outra espécie de Symphyta que se alimenta de folhas de goiabeira. Larvas de H. nigricrus alimentam-se das folhas de goiabeira e as fêmeas ovipositam em sua nervura principal. Larvas de ultimo estádio descem até o chão onde constroem uma célula para empupar. Os casulos são confeccionados individualmente com partículas de solo e outros substratos. Três picos de ocorrência para fêmeas adultas foram observados para H. nigricrus e dois para H. epimelas. Machos de H. nigricrus não foram capturados. A importância desse estudo para o conhecimento dos Pergidae Sul-Americanos é discutida.

Antrocephalus mitys (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) in Laboratory Cultures of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and Possible Role in Biological Control of Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Antrocephalus mitys (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) in Laboratory Cultures of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and Possible Role in Biological Control of Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Sweet Corn, Explored as a Companion Plant, Mitigates Sucking Insects in Industrial Tomato Plants, Pre-flowering Stage

Plant diversification mitigates colonization by herbivorous insects in agricultural systems. Tomato and sweet corn generate raw material, for industrial processing, with outstanding production in Goias state, Brazil. Yet, little is known about the potential of sweet corn as a companion plant for sucking insects, and natural enemies, in tomato plants. We collected pests and natural enemies in tomato (pre-flowering stage) plants under three treatments: isolated tomato plants (T1), tomato plants with sweet corn in the border (T2), and tomato plants with polyculture (garlic, lettuce, and squash) in the border (T3). The insects were collected by yellow sticky traps. Dalbulus maidis (29.52%), Frankliniella schultzei (23.90%), F. occidentalis (18.72%) and Myzus persicae (15.20%) corresponded to 87.34% of the total insects collected. Tomato plants cultivated with sweet corn on the border had lower infestation of the thrips, F. schultzei as well as the aphid M. persicae. The number of D. maidis and F. occidentalis adults did not change according to the treatments. Diabrotica speciosa and Astylus variegatus were more collected in tomato plants with adjacent sweet corn. Predators and parasitoids represented only 6.62% of the total abundance. Cycloneda sanguinea and parasitoids were more collected in tomato plants with polyculture (T3). Tomato with sweet corn or polyculture favored the abundance of the predator Sphaerophoria scripta. Considerations around the control of insect pests and the sustenance of natural enemies in tomato plants, with sweet corn acting as a companion plant, in the pre-flowering stage of that Solanaceae, are demonstrated.

Hydrogen Peroxide for Insect and Algae Control in a Lettuce Hydroponic Environment

Insects and algae demonstrate adaptability in hydroponic environments. Algae attract flies, Bradysia spp. (Diptera: Sciaridae) and Scatella stagnalis (Diptera: Ephydridae), called fungus gnats and shore fly, respectively. Flies feed on algae, damaging seedlings radicellae, and may transmit pathogens to lettuce plants. Little information on the management of flies and algae is known. A paradox in the face of the expansion of hydroponics. The objective was to evaluate the potential of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as an insecticide and algaecide agent. Entomopathogenic fungi were also evaluated as an alternative control to flies. The experiment was conducted in a commercial hydroponic system under a randomized complete block design with 5 treatments and 4 replicates. The treatments, sprayed on the phenolic foam plates, immediately after lettuce seed deposition, were: H2O2, Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Spinosyn and water, as control. The quality of the lettuce seedlings (cv. Brida), the presence of flies and algae evolution in the phenolic foam plates were recorded daily. H2O2 and Spinosyn affected lettuce seed germination, but were able to reduce adult flies on the phenolic foam cells. The highest number of larvae was observed with both fungi, and only water, compared to H2O2. No larvae were found in Spinosyn sprayed phenolic foam cells. However, lettuce seedlings from Spinosyn sprayed plates were those with lower fresh weight. H2O2 severely retained algae infestation in phenolic foam cells over a 15-day observation period. The present work demonstrates the potential that H2O2 can play as an insecticidal and algaecide agent in hydroponic environments.

Aethalion reticulatum (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) Feeding on Erythrina speciosa (Fabales: Fabaceae): First Record of Its Host Plant and Damage Characteristics

Abstract Erythrina speciosa Andrews (Fabales: Fabaceae) has multiple uses due to its medicinal properties, potential for recovering degraded areas, and excellent landscape effect, but insects that use this plant are poorly known. This paper reports, for the first time, the occurrence of Aethalion reticulatum (L., 1758) (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) on E. speciosa seedlings in nurseries at Sacra Família do Tinguá, Municipality of Engenheiro Paulo de Frontin, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Egg clutches of A. reticulatum were observed at the apex and on the median region of these seedlings, covered by a grayish brown substance, visually distinguished from the greenish color of the E. speciosa stem. Damage to this plant was characterized by hypertrophy and cracks at the apex of E. speciosa seedlings. Control measures for A. reticulatum, based on studies on other hosts, are presented.