Effectiveness of Push-Pull Systems to Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Management in Maize Crops in Morelos, Mexico.

Chemical control is the main method used to combat fall armyworm in maize crops. However, its indiscriminate use usually leads to a more complex scenario characterized by loss of its effectiveness due to the development of resistance of the insect pest, emergence of secondary pests, and reduction of the populations of natural enemies. For this reason, efforts to develop strategies for agroecological pest management such as Push-Pull are increasingly growing. In this context, the present study was carried out to evaluate field effectiveness of Push-Pull systems for S. frugiperda management in maize crops in Morelos, Mexico. In a randomized block experiment, the incidence and severity of S. frugiperda, the development and yield of maize were evaluated in nine Push-Pull systems and a maize monoculture. The Push-Pull systems presented incidence/severity values lower than those of the monoculture. Morphological development and maize yield in the latter were lower than those of most Push-Pull systems. Mombasa-D. ambrosioides, Mulato II-T. erecta, Mulato II-C. juncea, Tanzania-T. erecta and Tanzania-D. ambrosioides systems presented higher yields than those of monocultures.

Attraction of Adults of Cyclocephala lunulata and Cyclocephala barrerai (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Melolonthidae) towards Bacteria Volatiles Isolated from Their Genital Chambers.

In the study of the chemical communication of adults of the Melolonthidae family, bacteria have been observed in the epithelium of the genital chamber; possibly, bacteria are involved in the production of sex attractants in their hosts. Therefore, it is important to identify the volatile organic compounds from bacteria (VOCsB) released by these microorganisms and study the biological activity stimulated by VOBCs in adults of Melolonthidae. In this study, bacteria were isolated from the genital chamber of Cyclocephala lunulata and Cyclocephala barrerai, from which VOCsB were extracted using static headspace solid-phase microextraction (SHS-SPME) and dynamic headspace Super Q solid-phase extraction (DHS-SPE) and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effect of VOCsB on the hosts and conspecifics was evaluated utilizing an olfactometer and electroantennography (EAG). Two species of Enterobacteria were isolated from the genital chamber of each female species, and VOCsB derived from sulfur-containing compounds, alcohols, esters, and fatty acids were identified. An attraction response was observed in olfactometry studies, and antennal responses to VOCsB were confirmed in EAG bioassays. With these results, new perspectives on the relationship between these beetles and their bacteria emerge, in addition to establishing a basis for management programs in the future.

Plant Selection for the Establishment of Push-Pull Strategies for Zea mays-Spodoptera frugiperda Pathosystem in Morelos, Mexico.

Regulations imposed on the use of chemical insecticides call for the development of environmental-friendly pest management strategies. One of the most effective strategies is the push-pull system, which takes advantage of the behavioral response of the insect to the integration of repellent stimuli; it expels the pest out of the main crop (push), while attracting stimuli (attractants) pull the pest to an alternative crop or trap (pull). The objective of this study was to design a push-pull system to control Spodoptera frugiperda in maize crops (Zea mays) in Morelos, Mexico. Data on reproductive potential, larvae development, food consumption and olfactometry were used to obtain a Trap Plant Selection Index (TRAPS) based on Principal Component Analysis. This TRAPS was used to select the most suitable plants. The degree of repellency of potential plants to be used as the trap crop was studied with four-way olfactometers. S. frugiperda females oviposited more eggs on Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II, Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa and Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania than on Z. mays, regardless of the fact that these plants delayed the development of their offspring. Dysphania ambrosioides, Tagetes erecta and Crotalaria juncea were less attractive to S. frugiperda females. Therefore, the former plants could be used as crop traps, and the latter as intercropped repellent plants in a push-pull system.

Copitarsia decolora Guenée (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) females avoid larvae competition by detecting larvae damaged plants.

Herbivory insects can discriminate the quality of a host plant for food or oviposition, by detecting the volatile organic compounds (VOC's) released by the plant, however, damaged plants may release a different VOC's profile modifying the insects' response. We tested if the VOC's profile from damaged plants affected the response of Copitarsia decolora as these moths oviposit preferably around undamaged host plants. We assessed the response in wind tunnel conditions of C. decolora mated females to volatiles collected by dynamic headspace from 30-40 d old cabbage undamaged plants and mechanical and larval damaged plants. Headspace volatile compounds from undamaged cabbage plants were more attractive to mated females than those from larval and mechanical damaged cabbage plants. Moths stimulated with headspace volatiles from undamaged plants performed more complete flight and ovipositor displays than those moths stimulated with headspace volatiles from damaged cabbage plants. A mixture of synthetic compounds identified from undamaged cabbages elicited similar antennal and wind tunnel responses in mated females as headspace volatiles from undamaged cabbage plants. C. decolora females may discriminate between damaged and undamaged host plants by detecting their VOC's profiles as a strategy to avoid unsuitable plants for their offspring increasing their fitness.

Influence of host fruit and conspecifics on the release of the sex pheromone By Toxotrypana curvicauda males (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The release of tephritid sex pheromones depends significantly on the age of the male, the social context (presence of conspecifics) and chemical context (host volatiles). In this study, the influence of host fruit and conspecific (males and females) on the emission of the pheromonal compound 2-methyl-6-vinylpyrazine (2,6 mvp) by Toxotrypana curvicauda (Gerstaecker) males was investigated under laboratory conditions. Males were divided into one control group (nonexposed to treatment) and five experimental groups were placed 1 hr before volatile collection with: 1) host fruit (unripe papaya), 2) two females, 3) two males, 4) host fruit plus two females, and 5) host fruit plus two males. The volatiles were sampled by means of solid phase microextraction and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, with a focus on 2,6 mvp. Males emitted volatiles from the first day after adult emergence. The maximum peak and the temporal pattern of 2,6 mvp release were modified by the presence of host fruit and conspecific males or females. On day 5, males in the presence of fruit maintained a constant release of 2,6 mvp while the presence of conspecific caused a decrease of pheromone release. The release of 2,6 mvp was increased significantly in males exposed to both types of stimuli simultaneously. The stimuli (fruit and conspecifics) modified the release of 2,6 mvp, however the effect depended on male age.

Extraction with SPME and synthesis of 2-methyl-6-vinylpyrazine by a 'one pot' reaction using microwaves.

A synthesis of 2-methyl-6-vinylpyrazine was carried out by way of a 'one pot' reaction. In order to establish the efficiency of this synthesis the extraction of the volatiles released by male papaya fruit flies was performed by SPME (solid phase micro-extraction). The compound was separated and identified using GC/MSD (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry detector).