Edegar Fronza

Immature stages of Spodoptera albula (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Developmental parameters and host plants

This study aimed to detail the temporal and morphological parameters of the immature stages of Spodoptera albula (Walker 1857) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photophase) and to gather information about their larval host plants. For this purpose, a new rearing method and artificial diet was employed and validated. The viability of the egg, larval, pupal and pre-pupal stages was 94.54, 97.33, 93.84 and 92.34%, respectively. The average duration of the egg, larval, pupal and pre-pupal stages was 4.14, 16.37, 1.69, and 9.34 days, respectively. During the larval stage, 80.85% of females and 93.99% of males passed through six and remaining through seven instars, with significant larval protandry. The larvae that developed through six and seven instars exhibited a mean growth rate of 1.58 and 1.48, respectively. Fifty five host plant species belonging to 29 families are listed. The female pupae were significantly larger, exhibiting protogyny. Both the rearing methods as well as the larval diet proved adequate, providing more detailled observations of the biological cycle, especially the larval stage, and resulting in an overall survival of almost 80%.

Biotic potential, fertility and life table of Spodoptera albula (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), under controlled conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the biotic potential, life table parameters and fertility of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photo phase). The longevity, pre, post and oviposition periods, fecundity and fertility of 13 couples were evaluated. The longevity of females (13.500 days) was significantly higher than those of males (11.154 days). The mean durations of the pre, post and oviposition periods were 2.615, 1.769 and 9.385 days, respectively. The mean fecundity was 1.417.69 eggs and mean fertility was 1.340.401 larvae, per female. On average, females copulated 1, 231 times. A strong positive correlation was observed between the number of copulations and fecundity (r = 0.847, p <0.001), as well as a strong negative correlation between the number of copulations and the duration of the pre-oviposition period (r = -0.762, p = 0.002), and longevity (r = -0.788, p = 0.001). The biotic potential of S. albula was estimated at 8.768 x 1022 individuals / female / year. The net reproductive rate (Ro) was 353,904 times per generation and the mean generation time (T) was 37.187 days. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 1,105, with a finite rate of increase (λ) of 3,019.

Life cycle of Agrotis malefida (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): a diapausing cutworm

This study describes the life cycle of Agrotis malefida Guenee, 1852 (Noctuidae: Noctuinae) under laboratory conditions. The insects were reared in a controlled environment (25 ± 1oC, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours photo phase) and observed daily. The larvae were fed Greenes artificial diet and adults were offered a 10% sucrose solution. The viability and duration of immature stages were assessed. The experiment initiated with 2,410 eggs. Larvae were isolated shortly after hatching. Longevity, pre-, post- and oviposition, fecundity and fertility of 13 adult couples were also evaluated. The viability of eggs, larvae, pupae and pre-pupae was 96.72, 91.25, 78.37 and 95.26%, respectively. The average duration of egg, larva, pre-pupa, pupa and adult was 7.93, 54.26, 61.61, 37.43 and 12.85 days, respectively. The immature stage of A. malefida lasted an average of 161.29 days, ranging from 102 to 227 days. The life cycle of A. malefida is much longer than that of congeners. The mean fecundity was 1,696.77 eggs and fertility 1,641.15 larvae per female. Under the conditions in which the study was conducted, the biotic potential of A. malefida was of 606,666.59 individuals/female/year. The results also indicated that this species goes through larval (pre-pupae) and pupal diapause.

Identification of α-tocopherol and α-tocopheryl acetate from the cuticle of soybean pods armyworm (Spodoptera cosmioides).

The chemical composition of the soybean pods armyworm Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker, 1858) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, 1818 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) larval cuticles was evaluated using gas chromatography coupled to a mass detector (GC-MS). Among the usual lipids found in the insect cuticle, α-tocopherol and α-tocopheryl acetate were also isolated from S. cosmioides. On the other hand, no vitamin E derivative was found in A. gemmatalis exuvia. This is the first report of vitamin E occurrence in the insects cuticle.

Butterflies and moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) associated with erva-mate , the South American Holly ( Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.), in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The result of an inventory on the lepidopteran fauna associated with the South American Holly ( erva-mate ) is described. This inventory was based on a bibliographic review, the examination of specimens deposited in scientific collections from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, the systematic collection within commercial erva-mate farms located in Anta Gorda, RS, and on the occasional collections from native trees within the Regiao dos Vinhedos campus of the Universidade de Caxias do Sul. Every fifteen days between 20 August 2005 and 19 August 2006, 150 trees were visually inspected and all Lepidoptera were collected. A list of 75 lepidopteran taxa belonging to 16 families is presented, including 27 new occurrences for the erva-mate crop, of which 14 species represent new records for the state.

Metarhizium (Nomuraea) rileyi as biological control agent

ABSTRACT Metarhizium rileyi is an entomopathogenic fungus of Lepidoptera and infects many noctuids, which are key pests of agricultural crops. In this literature review, we summarise the state of art and use of this potential biological pest control agent. Pathogen–host interactions include conidial adhesion, invasion process, and enzymatic activity. Environmental factors that impact the productivity associated with this fungus such as environment temperature, humidity, and availability of spores are discussed. Recent research has focused on enzymatic aspects related to pathogenicity, in which the cause is not fully elucidated yet. More than 60 known host species, mainly lepidopterans, are listed. Non-susceptible species, including predatory insects, are also presented. The difficulty of mass production and the formulation are the principal obstacles in use of M. rileyi. We summarise the challenges necessary to better utilise this agent in biocontrol and suggest novel research approaches, including the development of commercial and technically viable formulations.

Aspects of the biology and morphology of Dirphia dolosa Bouvier, 1929 (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae)

Dirphia dolosa Bouvier, 1929 is an endemic moth from southern Brazil, with available information restricted to occurrence data, natural host plant and adult morphology. This study describes bionomic peculiarities of this species, obtained from observations of larval aggregations in the field and in the laboratory. Data on all developmental stages are presented and compared with those of other Hemileucinae. D. dolosa present a facultative pupal diapause and may have two generations per year under the climatic conditions of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

Profile of newborns with gastroschisis diagnosis in a public hospital at Porto Alegre/RS

Objective: To know the profile of newborn diagnosed with gastroschisis and treated at a public hospital at Porto Alegre, southern Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study was conducted to retrospectively analyze 54 medical records of neonates diagnosed with gastroschisis treated at the study hospital between January 2006 and January 2016. The analysis included all medical records of infants diagnosed with gastroschisis and born in the institution studied, as well as those who were transferred from other health institutions in the period examined. Medical records were searched through electronic consultation to the institutions Epidemiology Service, using the International Code of Diseases (ICD) 10 Q 793). Later, the files were accessed through the Medical Records and Statistics Service. Information was collected using a form containing the study variables. The data analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 21.0. The study complied with the ethical aspects of human research legislation. Results: The prevalence of gastroschisis was 0.11%, totaling 54 cases identified. Mean maternal age was 20.2 years; sex distribution was equal among newborns with the malformation; and 72.5% of cases had primary abdominal closure. Conclusion: The results for related causes and treatment, such as maternal age, drug use, and type of abdominal closure, were similar to findings from other studies on gastroschisis. Keywords: Congenital anomalies; gastroschisis; nursing care; neonatal nursing.

Biological aspects of Tiracola grandirena (Herrich-Schäffer, 1868) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): a polyphagous armyworm

We studied the biology of Tiracola grandirena (Herrich-Schäffer, 1868) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Hadeninae) at 25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours of photo phase. Three experiments, using 150 larvae each, were conducted for the larval stage. In the first, used to assess the duration and survival of all stages, insects were reared individually and fed an artificial diet (Grenee). In the second, individuals were also reared separately, but were fed leaves of 10 plants from different families. In the third, the larvae were not individualised, the food plants were rotated such as to provide three plant species every 48 hours. In the first experiment, the viability of the eggs, larvae, pupae and prepupae was 91.9, 94.7, 32.49 and 43.5%, respectively. The average duration of the egg, larvae, prepupae, pupae and adult were 6.0, 25.3, 25.7, 21.4 and 12.7 days, respectively. The prolonged prepupal period indicates that T. grandirena can develop larval (prepupal) diapause. The results of the experiments with different host plants showed that T. grandirena is polyphagous at species, population and individual level.

Biology and life table of Dirphia araucariae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae): a herbivore of potentially high impact on Araucaria angustifolia

The life-history and biology of Dirphia araucariae Jones, 1908, including its life fertility table, are here described. Moths were reared in the laboratory under controlled conditions on their host plant, Araucaria angustifolia (Bertoloni) O. Kuntze - Araucariaceae. We describe several life-history traits of the species, namely: developmental period, survival rate, growth rate, fertility, fecundity, sex ratio, cephalic capsule width, and pupal weight. Mean duration of life stages were: egg = 26.78 days; larva = 61.78 days; prepupa = 6.85 days; pupa = 62.46 days; adult = 8.37 days. We found statistically significant differences between sexes for adult, larval and pupal stage duration; larval stage was longer in females while pupal stage was longer in males. The survival rate of each life stage was: egg = 96.18%; larva = 95.38%; prepupa = 83.87%; pupa = 100%. The larvae developed through six instars and the mean growth rate was 1.418. The width of male and female cephalic capsules were different in last three instars, even though the total mean width between sexes was not different. Pupal mean weight ranged from 2.40 g to 4.79 g, with females being heavier than males. Fertility ranged from 66.78% to 100%, and the total fecundity was 358.45 eggs/female, including both laid eggs and eggs held in the abdomen. The sex ratio was 0.50 ± 0.05. The estimated biotic potential was 48731.08 specimens/female/year. We found the following values for the fertility life table: (Ro) = 117.21 females; (T) = 162.75 days; (rm) = 0.21; (l) = 1.23. Considering the biological parameters evaluated in this study, we conclude that D. araucariae is not able to cause primary damage in A. angustifolia forests, although further studies are needed to understand the reasons for occasional population outbreaks.