RESUMEN
ABSTRACT Plant resistance is an important tactic within the precepts of Integrated Pest Management, and the existence of grain sorghum hybrids with multiple insect resistance could benefit crop management and sustainability. This study evaluated the susceptibility of 30 grain-sorghum hybrids to three major pests, namely, fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, sugarcane borer (SCB) Diatraea saccharalis, and green-belly stink bug (GBS) Diceraeus melacanthus. The hybrids were cultivated and experiments with each insect species were conducted separately in a greenhouse. For FAW, visual injury assessments were performed on plants 7 and 14 days after infestation (DAI). For SCB, insect presence and injury were assessed 40 DAI. For GBS, the plants were evaluated using a damage rating scale 12, 19, and 26 DAI. Cluster analysis allowed separating the grain sorghum hybrids into groups regarding the levels of resistance to each pest. Hybrid BRS373 stood out as moderately resistant to FAW; AG1090, 80G20, BRAVO, BRS373, AG1615, and IG220 were the most promising for SCB; and for GBS, hybrids 50A40, A9735R, JADE, ENFORCER, BUSTER, 50A10, and IG244 were the most nominated. This information will significantly aid sorghum breeding programs focused on developing commercial hybrids that comprise both insect-resistance and high-yield characteristics. However, further research should evaluate potential chemical and morphological plant traits underlying the lower levels of susceptibility to FAW, SCB, and GBS found in the selected sorghum hybrids.
RESUMEN
ABSTRACT The dispersion of Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas) from soybean (first crop season) to maize (second crop season) is facilitated by the presence of weeds (e.g. Commelina benghalensis) and soybean grains on the ground. Understanding insect development and behavior on different food sources is important to develop pest management strategies. Thus, three independent experiments were conducted to study D. melacanthus nymph development, and adult preference for feeding and oviposition in different food source scenarios in the field. The first two trials studied development and food preference of D. melacanthus related to different food sources (C. benghalensis branches, moistened soybean grain + soybean seedlings, maize seedlings + C. benghalensis branches, moistened soybean grains + maize seedlings, moistened soybean grains + C. benghalensis branches, maize seedlings, as well as a standard diet). The third trial evaluated D. melacanthus oviposition preferences between the aforementioned plants. Overall, moistened soybean grains resulted in better nutritional quality, thus being crucial for D. melacanthus development, triggering faster nymph development as well as better overall adult fitness. The combination of soybean grains and maize seedlings or C. benghalensis branches showed great potential to benefit D. melacanthus, since these complementary food sources improved stink bug fitness, increasing mainly adult longevity, fecundity and egg viability. Therefore, it can be concluded that in order to reduce D. melacanthus outbreaks in second season maize, it is important to reduce soybean harvest loss (reducing, therefore, moistened soybean grain on the ground) and eliminate stink bug associated plants like C. benghalensis.
RESUMEN
RESUMO: Este estudo investigou os aspectos biológicos de Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) em três temperaturas (19±1°C, 25±1°C e 31±1°C), alimentados com grãos imaturos de milho 2B688Hx (expressa a proteína inseticida Cry1F, para o controle de lepidópteros-alvo) e 2B688. Foi observado que a temperatura de 19±1°C prejudicou o desenvolvimento de D. melacanthus, pois, nessa condição, foi registrada a maior taxa de mortalidade das ninfas, menor peso de adultos e as fêmeas não ovipositaram. Por outro lado, a duração da fase jovem, mortalidade, peso de adultos, fecundidade e viabilidade de ovos não diferiu entre as temperaturas 25±1°C e 31±1°C. Também foi demonstrado que os aspectos biológicos dos percevejos alimentados com grãos imaturos de milho 2B688Hx não diferiram dos que se desenvolveram com a isolinha 2B688. Este estudo comprova que D. melacanthus desenvolve-se melhor em condições de temperaturas mais elevadas (até 31±1°C), e o fato de se alimentar com grãos imaturos de milho 2B688Hx não afeta o seu desenvolvimento.
ABSTRACT: This study investigated the development of Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) at different temperatures (19±1°C, 25±1°C and 31±1°C) reared on 2B688Hx (expressing Cry1F insectice protein to control lepidopterans target) immature corn grains. The temperature of 19±1°C impaired the development of D. melacanthus and recorded the highest mortality of nymphs, lower weight and adult females laid no eggs. Moreover, the length of the nymphal biology, adult weight, fecundity and viability of eggs did not differ between temperatures 25±1°C and 31±1°C. It was also shown that the biological aspects of green belly stink bugs fed with 2B688Hx immature grains of corn do not differ from that develop with 2B688 isoline. This study showed that the biological cycle of D. melacanthus is favored at warmer temperature (until 31±1°C), and the consume of immature corn grain 2B688Hx does not affect its development.