Repelência e atividade inseticida de pós vegetais sobre Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman em feijão-fava armazenado / Repellency and insecticidal activity of plant powders on Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boh. ) on stored lima beans

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o potencial inseticida de Piper nigrum L. (pimenta do reino), Ruta graveolens L. (arruda), Laurus nobilis L. (louro), Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry (cravo da índia), Chenopodium ambrosioides L. (mastruz), Piper tuberculatum Jaqc. (pimenta de macaco), Tagetes erecta L. (cravo de defunto), Cymbopogon nardus L. (citronela) e Melissa officinalis L. (erva cidreira) sobre Z. subfasciatus Boh. através dos testes de confinamento, onde os insetos foram confinados durante cinco dias em um recipiente contendo dez grãos de feijão-fava com 0,3 g do pó da planta a ser testada, e, com chance de escolha por meio de uma arena circular, os insetos tiveram a possibilidade de escolha entre grãos com os pós e a testemunha, grãos sem pó das plantas. Observou-se que houve plantas que atuaram como inseticida, outras que repeliram o inseto e não causaram a morte, e outras, que além de repelir também mataram os insetos quando em contato (cravo da índia e matruz). Concluímos que: P. nigrum, P. tuberculatum, S. aromaticum e C. ambrosioides são tóxicas à Z. subfasciatus causando-lhes a morte, L. nobilis, T. erecta, e C. nardus não apresentaram efeito tóxico sobre Z. subfasciatus, C. ambrosioides, S. aromaticum, e C. nardus são repelentes à Z. subfasciatus; P. nigrum, P. tuberculatum, e T. erecta são neutras, e que M. officinalis não apresentou nenhum efeito sobre Z. subfasciatus em relação aos parâmetros avaliados.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the insecticidal potential of Piper nigrum L., Ruta graveolens L., Laurus nobilis L., Syzygium aromaticum Merr. & L.M.Perry., Chenopodium ambrosioides L., Piper tuberculatum Jaqc., Tagetes erecta L., Cymbopogon nardus L. and Melissa officinalis L. against Zabrotes subfasciatus by free choice, in which, by means of a circular arena, insects had a choice, treatments with or without powder and no choice tests, where insects were confined for five days in a container containing ten grains of lima beans with 0.3 g of powder to be tested. It was observed that some plants have killed the insect while others just repelled the insect, causing no harm to it. Also, one of the studied plants repelled and killed the insects (S. aromaticum, C. ambrosioides and P. tuberculatum). We can conclude that: P. nigrum, P. tuberculatum, S. aromaticum e C. ambrosioides are toxic to the Z. subfasciatus, causing its death. L. nobilis, T. erecta e C. nardus do not present any toxic effect over Z. subfasciatus. C. ambrosioides, S. aromaticum e C. nardus are repellent to Z. subfasciatus. P. nigrum, P. tuberculatum e T. erecta are neutral and M. officinalis have presented no effects over Z. subfasciatus in relation to the parameters evaluated.

Aplicabilidad de estadística multivariada para estudios nutricionales: bioensayo con el gorgojo de arroz (Sitophilus oryzae L) / Applicability of Multivariate Statistics for nutritional studies: bioassay rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L)

El análisis de componentes principales (PCA), escalamiento multidimensional no-métrico (MDS) y el análisis de similaridad (ANOSIM) son técnicas estadísticas multivariadas, las dos primeras representan gráficamente de manera simultánea las unidades estadísticas y las variables que las caracterizan, evaluando similaridades entre las unidades y correlaciones entre las variables, la última técnica dota de un test estadístico no paramétrico para comparar agrupaciones de las unidades. Este trabajo evaluó la aplicabilidad de estas técnicas para valorar la calidad nutricional de la dieta, utilizando el bioensayo del gorgojo de arroz. Las dietas ensayadas fueron: almidón de maíz; almidón de papa; 5% glucosa; arvejas; ayuno y ayuno con agua. Se estudiaron las variables supervivencia, variación de peso y composición corporal. El PCA y MDS mostraron relaciones positivas de la supervivencia y variación de peso con los parámetros corporales grasa y carbohidratos, siendo mayor para dietas de almidón, similares al control positivo. En el PCA se observaron diferencias en las poblaciones mantenidas con las diferentes dietas; el MDS no distingue claramente entre ellas, aún cuando logra diferenciar la dieta definida por el ayuno de las restantes. Ambos estudios definieron un gradiente del valor nutritivo de las dietas, en el eje de las abscisas. El ANOSIM indicó diferencias significativas (p<0,05) entre grupos de insectos sustentados con estas dietas. Esta prueba refuerza los resultados obtenidos en el PCA y MDS. La aplicación de estas herramientas estadísticas son promisorias para analizar procesos complejos, como la interacción de distintas variables que midan la calidad nutricional de diferentes dietas.

The principal component analysis (PCA), non-metric multidimensional scaling (MDS) and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) are multivariate statistical techniques that graphically represent numerical measures of several factors and display multiple relationships that may exist between them. In this study, we evaluated the applicability of these techniques to analyze the nutritional quality of diet, using as model, the bioassay rice weevil. The diets tested were: corn starch, potato starch, 5% glucose, peas, starved and starved with water supply. The variables studied were: survival, weight change and body composition. The PCA and MDS showed positive relationships of survival and weight change with body fat and carbohydrate parameters. Fat and carbohydrates were greater in starches diets, similar to the positive control. The PCA showed differences between populations fed with different diets, whereas the MDS showed similarity between diets. Both studies defined a gradient of the nutritive value of diets in the x-axis. The ANOSIM indicate significant (p<0, 05) differences between groups. This test is necessary to support the results obtained in the PCA and MDS. The application of these statistical tools is promising to analyze complex processes such as interaction of differents variables to measure the nutritional quality of diets.

A remarkable leaf mine induced by Tachygonus sp.n. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae: Rhamphini) on Erythroxylum subsessile (Erythroxylaceae) with a description of the new species / Mina foliar singular induzida por Tachygonus sp. n. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Tachygoninae) em Erythroxylum subsessile (Erythroxylaceae) com descrição da nova espécie

In this study, we describe and present original data on the bionomics and ecology of Tachygonus erythroxyli Hespenheide, New Species, on Erythroxylum subsessile (Mart.). Thirty individuals of E. subsessile were analysed every two months, from October, 2006 to October, 2007 at the National Park of Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ) Carapebus, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Females of T. erythroxyli lay their eggs singly on the upper surface of the host's leaves. The mine of T. erythroxyli is expanded with three bubbles, each one representing one larval instar. These mines occur throughout the year in at least half of the host plants and are markedly more abundant in summer. We obtained three parasitoid species, making a total of 53% of the rate of parasitism. Cirrospilus sp. (Eulophidae) was the most prevalent and represented 88% of the parasitoids. The great abundance of Tachygonus mines, their high frequency in their host plant, and local monophagy of this leaf miner weevil suggest a close association between T. erythroxyli and Erythroxylum subsessile.

No presente estudo, foram descritos e apresentados os primeiros dados sobre bionomia e ecologia de Tachygonus erythroxyli Hespenheide, New Species, em Erythroxylum subsessile (Mart.). Trinta indivíduos de E. subsessile foram amostrados a cada dois meses, de outubro de 2006 a outubro de 2007, no Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ), Carapebus-Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Fêmeas de T. erythroxyli colocam ovos isolados na face superior das folhas do seu hospedeiro. A mina de T. erythroxyli é do tipo expandida e apresenta um formato de três bolhas, sendo que cada bolha corresponde a um estádio da larva. Essas minas ocorrem ao longo de todo o ano em pelo menos metade das plantas hospedeiras, sendo marcadamente mais abundantes no verão. Foram obtidas três espécies de parasitoides que, juntas, demonstraram uma taxa de parasitismo de 53%. Cirrospilus sp. (Eulophidae) foi a mais abundante e representou 88% dos parasitoides. A grande abundância de minas de Tachygonus, a alta frequência em seu hospedeiro e a monofagia local desse besouro minador de folhas sugere uma forte associação entre T. erythroxyli e Erythroxylum subsessile.

Life history and larval morphology of Eurhinus magnificus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a new weevil to the United States

Eurhinus magnificus Gyllenhal has been collected in south Florida, presumably introduced through trade with countries in its native range. Very little information has been published on the biology or taxonomy of this insect. We conducted studies to investigate various aspects of its life history and host plant associations. The pre-imaginal life stages of E. magnificus are described for the first time. Dimensions of the adult, egg, larval, and pupal stages are also provided; head capsule measurement revealed five larval instars. All life stages of E. magnificus were collected at several sites in Broward and Miami-Dade counties from the host plant Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & Jarvis (Vitaceae). Eggs were laid singly within the succulent, young subterminal portion of the host plant stem, one or two occurring between two nodes. Gall formation was apparent by the first to third instar and continued to increase in size until pupation which occurred within the gall. Predators and pathogens appeared to be responsible for considerable mortality in the field; there was no evidence of parasitism of any of the life stages. Greenhouse studies were undertaken to determine E. magnificus development time and host specificity. Adult weevils attacked grape cultivars (Vitis spp.) and feeding opened the stems to fungal agents but no physical evidence of larval development was apparent on grapes.

Se ha recolectado, en el sur de Florida, a Eurhinus magnificus Gyllenhal. Se efectuaron estudios de investigación sobre varios aspectos del ciclo biológico, y asociaciones entre el picudo y plantas hospederas. Se describen aquí por primera vez los estados inmaduros de E. magnificus. Se dan a conocer las dimensiones de los estados de adulto, huevo, larva y pupa. Las medidas de la cápsula cefálica revelaron que hay cinco estadios en esta especie. Todos los estados de E. magnificus fueron colectados en la planta hospedera Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicholson y C.E. Jarvis (Vitaceae) en varios lugares localizados en los condados de Broward y Miami-Dade. Los picudos depositan un o dos huevos dentro de la parte más tierna del tallo que se encuentra entre dos yemas laterales localizadas en la región subterminal de la planta hospedera. En esta región, aparece una agalla, la cual es más visible cuando la larva esta entre el primer y tercer estadios. La agalla crece en tamaño hasta empupamiento, el cual ocurre dentro de esta. Los depredadores y patógenos parecen ser responsables por una gran mortalidad de estados inmaduros en el campo; En el campo, no se observó ningun indice de parasitismo en esta especie. Se llevaron a cabo estudios en casa de malla con el fin de determinar el tiempo de desarrollo y especificidad de hospederos de E. magnificus. Los picudos atacaron cultivares de uva (Vitis spp. - Vitaceae). No se observó el desarrollo larvario de E. magnificus en Vitis L.

Aspectos biológicos do período embrionário dos curculionídeos-das-raízes dos citros / Biological characteristics of the egg phase of citrus root weevils

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar algumas características da fase de ovo de três espécies de curculionídeos-das-raízes dos citros. Os insetos foram coletados em citros em Itapetininga, SP, levados ao Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos da ESALQ/USP, em Piracicaba, SP, onde foram mantidas as espécies numericamente mais importantes: Naupactus cervinus (Boheman), Naupactus versatilis (Hustache) e Parapantomorus fluctuosus (Boheman). Dessas espécies foi avaliada duração e a viabilidade da fase de ovo e calculados o limite térmico inferior de desenvolvimento (Tb) e a constante térmica (K). As espécies de curculionídeos-das-raízes dos citros apresentaram diferenças quanto à fase de ovo. O período embrionário, variou de 40,4 a 18,6 dias para N. cervinus, 38,7 a 20,0 dias para N. versatilis e 35,0 a 13,8 dias P. fluctuosus, dependendo da temperatura. Os limiares térmicos inferiores de desenvolvimento foram de 8,1; 8,3 e 9,9°C com constante térmica 385,7; 397,7 e 294,1 graus dia (GD), respectivamente para N. cervinus, N. versatilis e P. fluctuosus. A duração da fase de ovo foi muito semelhante para N. cervinus e N. versatilis, nas mesmas temperaturas e P. fluctuosus, apresentou desenvolvimento mais rápido do que Naupactus spp., em todas as temperaturas testadas.

The goal of this work was to study some characteristics of the egg phase of three species of citrus root weevils. The insects were collected from citrus plants in Itapetininga, SP, and brought to the Laboratório de Biologia de Insetos of ESALQ/USP, in Piracicaba, SP, where the species Naupactus cervinus (Boheman), Naupactus versatilis (Hustache) and Parapantomorus fluctuosus (Boheman) were kept. Duration and viability of the egg phase were evaluated, and the lower temperature threshold and thermal constant (K) were calculated for these species. The species of citrus root weevils showed different duration of egg phases. The egg phase ranged from 40.4 to 13.8 N. cervinus, from 38.7 to 20.0 days for N. versatilis, and from 35.0 to 13.8 days for P. fluctuosus, depending upon temperature. The temperature thresholds of this stage were 8.1, 8.3, and 9.9°C at thermal constant was 385.7, 397.7 and 294.1 degree-days, for N. cervinus, N. versatilis and P. fluctuosus respectively. The duration of the egg phases of N. cervinus and N. versatilis were similar at the same temperatures and P. fluctuosus had a faster development than Naupactus spp. in all temperatures tested.

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of chickpea with alpha-amylase inhibitor gene for insect resistance.

Chickpea is the world's third most important pulse crop and India produces 75% of the world's supply. Chickpea seeds are attacked by Callosobruchus maculatus and C. chinensis which cause extensive damage. The alpha-amylase inhibitor gene isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris seeds was introduced into chickpea cultivar K850 through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. A total of 288 kanamycin resistant plants were regenerated. Only 0.3% of these were true transformants. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and Southern hybridization confirmed the presence of 4.9 kb alpha-amylase inhibitor gene in the transformed plants. Western blot confirmed the presence of alpha-amylase inhibitor protein. The results of bioassay study revealed a significant reduction in the survival rate of bruchid weevil C. maculatus reared on transgenic chickpea seeds. All the transgenic plants exhibited a segregation ratio of 3:1.