Pedro J. Ferreira-Filho

Does diatomaceous earth control leaf-cutter ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Eucalyptus plantations?

ABSTRACT Genus Atta includes some of the most important Formicidae leaf cutter ants which cause extensive damage to the eucalyptus plantations. Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, one of the chief pests in Brazilian reforestation, can restrict and reduce forest productivity by its intense and constant leaf-cutting activities on plants at all stages. Therefore, the demand for new products to control A. sexdens rubropilosa indicates the study of the utilization of the dry powder formulation of diatomaceous earth (DE) against this pest in the eucalyptus cultivars. The study was conducted using 120 colonies of A. sexdens rubropilosa in Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex. Maiden x Eucalyptus urophylla Blake (Myrtaceae) (urograndis) stand. The randomized block experimental design was used with six treatments (1, 10, 25, and 50 g/m2 of DE, 6.0 g/m2 sulfluramid bait per square meter of loose soil, and the control) with five replications, each with four colonies of this ant. Diatomaceous earth was applied to the active A. sexdens rubropilosa ant holes, and the sulfluramid bait was applied in bulk in a localized manner. The control efficacy of A. sexdens rubropilosa with DE was low, showing values similar to that of the control, and, for this reason, it cannot be used to control this ant. The bait with sulfluramid showed higher efficacy than those of the other treatments.

Selitrichodes neseri (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Recovered from Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Galls After Initial Release on Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in Brazil, and Data on Its Biology

Abstract Blue gum chalcid, Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), causes galling damage to Eucalyptus species (Myrtaceae) in various regions of the world, but has been controlled effectively by its primary parasitoid, Selitrichodes neseri Kelly & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the recovery of S. neseri after its initial release on Eucalyptus plants in Brazil and to provide data on its biology. Selitrichodes neseri was imported from South Africa to Brazil for the biological control of L. invasa, in Mar 2015, and recovered from Aug 2015 to Dec 2016. Successful recovery of this parasitoid shows its potential to become established in the field. Seedlings of 2 hybrids obtained from crosses between rose gum Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill. ex Maiden and flooded gum Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake and between Eucalyptus sp. and (river red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. × E. grandis) showed potential as hosts for culture of S. neseri on L. invasa in the laboratory because up until the adult parasitoid emergence these seedlings did not wilt. When reared at 25.1 to 26.0 °C, the total number of parasitoids and the proportion of male parasitoids were highest, relative to hosts reared at 26.1 to 27.0 °C. Peak emergence of S. neseri occurred 28 d after parasitism.

Susceptibility of Eucalyptus spp. (Myrtales: Myrtaceae) and Clones to Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in Paraná, Brazil

Summary ‘Grancam COP 1277’ had the highest percentage of leaves and petioles attacked by L. invasa, whereas ‘Urograndis (seminal)’, ‘Urocam VM1’ and E. grandis had lower and statistically similar values. The attack by the wasp on C. citriodora was relatively minor compared with the above susceptible lines. Statistical differences were observed among similar proportions of attack between the oviposition preference on the 3 strata, leaves, and petioles of the assessed trees.

The exotic wasp Megastigmus transvaalensis (Hymenoptera: Torymidae): first record and damage on the Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius drupes, in São Paulo, Brazil

This paper records the first report of Megastigmus transvaalensis Hussey (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) in Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) drupes in Sorocaba, state of São Paulo, Brazil. This wasp is an invasive species and was found damaging S. terebinthifolius drupes in urban areas (35.0 ± 15.8%), natural forests (21.5 ± 10.2%) and restoration areas (15.8 ± 8.4%). The bio-ecology and damage caused by M. transvaalensis in the S. terebinthifolius drupes warrants further study focused upon the management of this phytophagous wasp. Megastigmus transvaalensis has a potential to be disseminated throughout Brazil and is posing a threat to the natural regeneration of S. terebinthifolius in the native forests and restoration areas and ecological regions of this country.

Environmental Determinants Affecting the Occurrence of Defoliator Caterpillars on Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) plantations in the Brazilian Amazonian Region

Abstract Lepidoptera defoliators can be very damaging to eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate how plant age, the number of rotations, the tree growth rate (m3 of wood per ha per yr), the distance of native vegetation strips from the eucalyptus plantations, and the width of these strips affect the population dynamics of Lepidoptera defoliators in eucalyptus crops. The survey of the lepidopteran species was conducted fortnightly from Sep 1992 to Aug 1994 using light traps in Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake (Myrtaceae) plantations in 4 areas of the Brazilian Amazon region. In total, 1,049, 1,096, 1,020, and 853 Lepidoptera species with 4,413, 3,457, 3,226, and 2,222 individuals and 11, 11, 11, and 10 species of primary pests were recorded. The primary pest species were represented by 272, 772, 963, and 411 individuals, corresponding to 1.1, 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2% of the species and of 6.2, 22.3, 29.8, and 18.5% of the individuals collected in the 4 areas, respectively. Eupseudosoma aberrans Schaus (Arctiidae), Eupseudosoma involuta Sepp (Arctiidae), Nystalea nyseus Cramer (Notodontidae), Oxydia vesulia Cramer (Geometridae), Stenalcidia grosica Schaus (Geometridae), and Thyrinteina arnobia Stoll (Geometridae) were the most abundant and represent 83.2% of primary pests species. The number of individuals of the primary pest species were not correlated with plant age, the number of rotations, the distance of native vegetation strips from the eucalyptus plantations, and the width these strips, but the total number of individuals of defoliating Lepidoptera had an inverse correlation with the growth rate (m3 of wood per ha per yr) of eucalyptus plants.

Parasitism of Lepidopteran Defoliators of Urban Plants by Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Abstract Heraclides anchisiades capys (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), Citioica anthonilis (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), and Methona themisto (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) are tree and shrub pests commonly found in urban areas. The parasitism capacity of Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was evaluated on pupae of these lepidopteran pests as well as on 2 commonly used alternative hosts, Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The number of parasitoids produced per mg of host pupal biomass was significantly greater on H. anchisiades capys and T. molitor compared with the other 3 lepidopteran species. The mean number of parasitoids emerging per host pupa was also significantly more on H. anchisiades capys compared with C. anthonilis, M. themisto, A. gemmatalis, or T. molitor. All host species tested in this study show the potential to be used in mass rearing P. elaeisis in the laboratory. However, the lower parasitism and emergence of P. elaeisis on H. anchisiades capys pupae suggests that this lepidopteran pest may not be a suitable host for this parasitoid in the field.

The native psyllid Mastigimas anjosi (Hemiptera: Calophyidae): first record and abundance on pink cedar, Cedrela fissilis (Meliaceae), trees in São Paulo, Brazil

Summary The objective of this study was to identify and report on the occurrence of Psylloidea damaging pink cedar, Cedrela fissilis Vell. (Meliaceae), plants in the municipality of Sorocaba, in the southern region of São Paulo State, Brazil. Psyllids were collected on C. fissilis plants, and sent to authorities for identification. Psyllids damaging C. fissilis plants in urban areas and fragments of semideciduous seasonal forest were identified as Mastigimas anjosi Burckhardt, Queiroz D., Queiroz E., Andrade, Zanol Rezende & Kotrba (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Calophyidae), which is native to Brazil. Cedrela fissilis also is endemic to Brazil, and has high ecological and economic value. It is harvested for timber production and is on the endangered species list. This is the first report of M. anjosi damaging C. fissilis plants in São Paulo State, Brazil and the importance of this plant for conservation and ecological restoration areas in Brazil justifies research to develop management programs for this psyllid.

Management of Hylesia nanus (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) on Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) Plantations

Abstract The management of Hylesia nanus Walker (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), a defoliator of Eucalyptus species (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), was evaluated on the northern coast of Bahia State, Brazil, by performing 3 connected experiments: (1) monitoring of H. nanus moths by using light traps; (2) biological control of H. nanus pupae by releasing the endoparasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae); and (3) chemical control of H. nanus larvae with 1 spraying of bifenthrin + etilenoxi. The light traps effectively assisted the monitoring and control of H. nanus moths, with a mean population peak (± SE) of 801 ± 438 individuals collected per trap in a 23 d nocturnal period. Palmistichus elaeisis was recovered from the H. nanus pupae 96 h post release, with a parasitism rate of 23 ± 3%, indicating an ability to parasitize and contribute to insect suppression. Release of this parasitoid can be integrated with monitoring using light traps. Chemical control was highly effective against the last instar H. nanus larvae, with only 11 ± 3 larval survivors per tree trunk 24 h post spraying. Thus, the monitoring of moths by using light traps, control of pupae by releasing P. elaeisis, and chemical control of last instar larvae are methods that could be integrated into a management plan for H. nanus.

First Record of the Wood-Borer Hylettus seniculus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Pinus caribaea var. Hondrurensis Plantations in Brazil

Summary Here we report for the first time the occurrence of Hylettus seniculus Germar 1824 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) boring Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis Morelet (Pinaceae) trunks. Damage by this insect were evaluated from August to Dec 2008 and 2009 by cutting a tree per month from 5 groups of trap trees (5 plants per group) stressed with systemic herbicide. The damage by H. seniculus on trap trees P. caribaea var. hondurensis indicates that prolonged storage of pine logs in the field should be avoided.