Optimization of Methodology for Rearing Spodoptera albula on Artificial Diet.

Advances in techniques for rearing insects on artificial diets are fundamental to solving issues of basic and applied entomology. In this study, we evaluated the development of Spodoptera albula (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on three artificial diets used for other species of Lepidoptera, at three larval densities, and two densities of adult couples housed in oviposition cages of two sizes, with the aim of optimizing methodology for rearing S. albula in the laboratory. Biological parameters were recorded from S. albula, and a fitness index was calculated based on the larval survival and duration and weight of pupae. The total and daily oviposition was recorded using 5 or 10 adult couples of S. albula housed in two cage sizes. Concentrations of total nitrogen and protein in the tested diets were determined. Development of S. albula was completed in all artificial diets; however, the diet used for rearing Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner) larvae was the most suitable for S. albula, yielding intermediate development time and higher survival relative to the other diets. Individualization of larvae favored S. albula development by producing overall greater weights of larvae and pupae, higher survival rates, and longer adult longevity. Cage size and number of couples per cage did not influence S. albula fecundity in the experiment conditions. Spodoptera albula can be satisfactorily reared on the artificial diet used for A. gemmatalis, using one larva per tube, and either density of adults at any cage size. Additional amendments are needed in the rearing methodology to achieve optimal conditions for larval development to adulthood.

Formulations of Melia azedarach to Control Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Larvae in Corn and Plant Enhancement.

We evaluated oil and powder formulations of Melia azedarach for controlling larvae of Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) in corn and plant enhancement. Five concentrations of each formulation were evaluated and compared to fipronil (negative control) and distilled water (positive control). After treatment, the number of surviving insects (larvae, pupae, and adults), the adult body weight, the sex ratio, and the longevity were recorded, while the height, dry weight of aerial part and roots, and number of leaves of plants were measured. The oil formulation at 4.0 mL reduced the larvae population of D. speciosa similarly to the insecticide fipronil, which resulted in greater height, dry weight of the root system, and number of leaves. Powder formulation at concentrations of 40, 80, and 160 mg caused larval mortality above 80%; however, these concentrations did not prevent reduction of plant height and dry weight of aerial part. Further studies assessing the residual period of M. azedarach control against D. speciosa larvae and its phytotoxicity, which are common traits associated with azadirachtin application, are necessary to subsidize the next steps of this alternative control strategy.

Antibiosis in Soybean Genotypes and the Resistance Levels to Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The southern armyworm (SAW) Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) is one of the most common armyworm species defoliating soybeans. Preliminary screening trials have indicated that some soybean genotypes exhibit resistance to SAW. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the development of SAW larvae fed on ten soybean genotypes in order to identify genotypes with antibiosis-type resistance. Neonate SAW larvae were daily fed with young leaves collected from plants at the vegetative growth stages V4-V5. Larval development and survival were recorded. Genotypes PI 227687 and PI 227682 delayed larval, pupal, and larva-adult development and yielded larvae with the lowest weight and survival and pupae with the lowest weight. Genotypes IAC 100 and DM 339 also negatively affected larval and pupal development and larval survival but at a lower level. Based on our results, the soybean lines PI 227687 and PI 227682 could be used as sources of genes for soybean breeding programs aiming to develop high yield, SAW-resistant cultivars. Moreover, further trials must be carried out under field conditions to validate if the commercial cultivars IAC 100 and DM 339, which expressed moderate levels of antibiosis-type resistance in the laboratory, are effective in suppressing SAW larvae populations.

Comportamento de genótipos de feijoeiro ao ataque de Bemisia tabaci (Genn) biótipo B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) / Behavior of bean genotypes to attack by Bemisia tabaci (Genn) biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Avaliou-se o comportamento de genótipos de feijoeiro sob infestação de Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biótipo B em condições de campo, nas épocas de cultivo "da seca" e "das águas". Utilizaram-se os genótipos IAC-Tybatã, IAC-Una, FT-Nobre, Pérola, LP 98-122, LP 02-130, LP 01-38, LP 9979, BRS-Pontal, BRS-Requinte, BRS-Triunfo, BRS-Grafite, CV-48 e Z-28. Adotou-se o delineamento de blocos casualizados com 14 tratamentos e três repetições. As avaliações foram realizadas semanalmente, contando-se o número de ovos e de ninfas de B. tabaci biótipo B em dez folíolos por parcela. Na safra "da seca" os genótipos menos ovipositados por B. tabaci biótipo B foram IAC-Una e LP 02-130 e os mais ovipositados foram os genótipos Z-28 e Pérola. As menores presenças de ninfas de mosca-branca foram observadas em LP 98-122 e FT-Nobre e as maiores em LP 01-38, Pérola e Z-28. Para a safra "das águas" os genótipos não diferiram entre si em relação ao ataque de B. tabaci biótipo B. Os fatores da produção apresentaram diferença estatística somente na safra das secas.

Bean genotypes were evaluated under the infestation of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B under field conditions in the dry and rainy season. The genotypes used were IAC-Tybatã, IAC-Una, FT-Nobre, Pérola, LP 98-122, LP 02-130, LP 01-38, LP 9979, BRSPontal, BRS-Requinte, BRS-Triunfo, BRS-Grafite, CV-48 and Z-28. The experiment was arranged in randomized blocks with 14 treatments and 3 replications. The evaluations were made on a weekly basis by counting B. tabaci biotype B eggs and nymphs on 10 leaflets per plot. In the dry season the least oviposited genotypes by B. tabaci biotype B were IAC-Una and LP 02-130, while the most oviposited were Z-28 and Pérola. The least presence of nymphs of whitefly was observed on LP 98-122 and FT-Nobre, and the most on LP 01-38, Perola and Z-28. For the rainy season the genotypes did not differ in relation to the attack of B. tabaci biotype B. The yield factors presented a statistical difference only in the dry season.

Não-preferência para oviposição e alimentação de Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) por cultivares de amendoim / Non-oviposition and non-feeding preference of Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for peanut cultivars

Este trabalho buscou selecionar cultivares de amendoim resistentes a Spodoptera frugiperda, dos tipos não-preferência para oviposição e alimentação, em testes com e sem chance de escolha. Utilizaram-se cultivares de amendoim de hábitos de crescimento ereto (IAC 5, IAC 8112, IAC 22 e IAC Tatu ST) e rasteiro (IAC 503, IAC 505, IAC 147, IAC 125, IAC Caiapó e IAC Runner 886). Os testes de não-preferência para oviposição foram realizados com adultos recém-emergidos, os quais foram alimentados com solução de mel a 10%, permanecendo nas gaiolas por quatro dias até o início das avaliações. Estas consistiram na quantificação do número de ovos e posturas, com posterior cálculo do número de ovos por postura. Para os testes de não-preferência para alimentação foram colocados discos foliares das cultivares em placas de Petri, liberando uma lagarta de terceiro ínstar por cultivar. Avaliou-se a atratividade a 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 360, 720; 1.440 minutos, contando-se o número de lagartas que se alimentavam nas cultivares e, ao término do experimento, quantificou-se a área foliar consumida por cultivar. Nos testes de não-preferência para oviposição ou alimentação, com ou sem chance, nenhuma cultivar de hábitos de crescimento ereto ou rasteiro influenciou a oviposição ou alimentação de S. frugiperda. Dessa maneira, as cultivares de amendoim não apresentaram resistência dos tipos não-preferência para oviposição e alimentação.

This study aimed to select peanut cultivars resistant to Spodoptera frugiperda, selecting non-oviposition and non-feeding preference in choice and no-choice tests. Peanut cultivars with upright growth habit (IAC 5, IAC 8112, IAC 22 and IAC Tatu ST) and runner growth habit (IAC 503, IAC 505, IAC 147, IAC 125, IAC Caiapó and IAC Runner 886) were evaluated. Tests of non-oviposition preference were conducted with newly emerged adults. Adults were fed a 10% honey solution, remaining in cages for 4 days until the start of the evaluations. The evaluations consisted of quantifying the number of eggs and egg masses, followed by calculating the number of eggs per egg mass. To perform non-feeding preference tests, leaf discs from different peanut cultivars were placed in disposable Petri dishes followed by releasing of a third-instar caterpillar for each cultivar. The attractiveness at 1, 5; 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 360, 720 and 1,440 minutes was evaluated by counting the caterpillars that were feeding on cultivars. The leaf area consumed was evaluated at the end of the experiment for each cultivar. In the tests of non-oviposition and non-feeding preference, with choice or no-choice, none of the cultivars of the upright growth and runner growth habit influenced the oviposition or food of S. frugiperda. Thus, the peanut cultivars showed no resistance of the non-feeding and non-oviposition types.