Colonization and Spatial Distribution of Boll Weevil in Commercial Cotton Fields.

The departure and arrival of boll weevil in cotton fields have fostered major control decisions against this pest over time. Field colonization and distribution of boll weevil were evaluated using cotton fields from 93.7 to 154 ha each, located in Serra da Petrovina and Campo Verde, both in the Cerrado biome of Mato Grosso State, Brazil, as a function of cotton field bordering vegetation and crop phenology. The monitoring of adult weevils was carried out using traps containing sex and aggregation pheromone. The traps were set up considering the four coordinates of the field, bordering vegetation, and distances from the field margin. Six traps were set in each direction with three representing the field margin (0 m, 60 m, and 120 m from the borderline) and the other three set up equidistant from the center of the field (> 200 m). Traps were evaluated weekly beginning 10 days after plant emergence (DAE) throughout the cotton phenology until harvesting. Boll weevils were caught in the first evaluation 10 DAE, irrespective of the vegetation bordering the cotton field and distance of trap from field margin. The average weevils per trap was relatively low throughout the crop development but increased significantly through the maturation and harvesting periods. Furthermore, the bordering vegetation was not the only determinant factor for boll weevil colonization and distribution throughout the cotton field. Based on these data, boll weevil exhibited early colonization, already occurring beyond the border of the field.

Predation on Diamondback Moth Larvae and Aphid by Resistant and Susceptible Lady Beetle, Eriopis connexa.

A successful pest control requires both chemical and biological agents for most commercially grown crops. However, insecticide resistance is increasing worldwide. Cabbage, a widely grown Brassicaceae, hosts the most resistant insect pest to insecticides, the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. However, insecticide-resistant populations Eriopis connexa (Germar), a lady beetle often found controlling aphids and other soft-bodied pest species sharing brassica fields with DBM. Thus, as a model for integration of insecticide and biological control methods, we evaluated predation by pyrethroid-resistant and pyrethroid-susceptible lady beetles on DBM larvae offered alone and in the presence of a preferred prey, the aphid Lipaphis pseudobrassicae (Davis). During 24-h exposure, resistant and susceptible E. connexa consumed an average of 9.8 and 6.0 second-instar instar DBM larvae, respectively. Resistant beetles showed no significant preferences for prey consumption between untreated and deltamethrin-treated leaf surfaces, at field-recommended rate. As a function of DBM availability, resistant beetles exhibited similar predation on treated and untreated arena and higher predation than susceptible beetles in a treated arena. In greenhouse cages, resistant and susceptible beetles exhibited similar survival after 10 days on cabbage treated with deltamethrin and promoted the reduction of DBM to 5.0% and 5.6%, respectively. Both populations fed on a mixed diet of aphids and DBM larvae even under high availability of the preferred aphid prey. Resistant E. connexa survives deltamethrin exposure and do not alter their predatory behavior in response to this insecticide-treated environment.

Tetrastischus howardi density and dispersal toward augmentation biological control of sugarcane borer.

The number of Tetrastischus howardi (Olliff) females to be released and their dispersion should be known, that way, used D. saccharalis pupae as sentinel host to measure parasitism as function of the release density of the parasitoid and its location in the field. Two sets of trials were run aiming first to define the number of parasitoids to be released and the dispersal of the parasitoid using plots in sugarcane commercial fields, respectively. Pieces of sugarcane stalk holding sentinel pupae were taken to the field and exposed to parasitism in both trials. The parasitoid was released at the rate of 20, 40, 80, and 160 females per sentinel pupa, except for the control plot without releasing. The parasitism rate was calculated based on the recovered pupae after 96 h of exposure time from releasing the parasitoids. The models estimated the best parasitism rate by releasing 102 parasitoids per pupa. In the second trial, sentinel pupae were arranged in five subsequent circles corresponding 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 m around the central parasitoid releasing point at rate of 4, 8, 12, 16, and 18 pupae per circle. The mean estimated dispersal distance was 7.64 m, with a covering area of 80.07 m2. Based on these findings, release of T. howardi is recommended in 125 points per hectare of sugarcane at rate of 102 females per pupa of the pest aiming to achieve homogeneous distribution and parasitism.

Prey Foraging Under Sublethal Lambda-Cyhalothrin Exposure on Pyrethroid-Susceptible and -Resistant Lady Beetles (Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae)).

Sublethal insecticide exposure may affect foraging of insects, including natural enemies, although the subject is usually neglected. The lady beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera: Coccinelidae) is an important predator of aphids with existing pyrethroid-resistant populations that are undergoing scrutiny for potential use in pest management systems characterized by frequent insecticide use. However, the potential effect of sublethal pyrethroid exposure on this predator's foraging activity has not yet been assessed and may compromise its use in biological control. Therefore, our objective was to assess the effect of sublethal lambda-cyhalothrin exposure on three components of the prey foraging activity (i.e., walking, and prey searching and handling), in both pyrethroid-susceptible and -resistant adults of E. connexa. Both lady beetle populations exhibited similar walking patterns without insecticide exposure in noncontaminated arenas, but in partially contaminated arenas walking differed between strains, such that the resistant insects exhibited greater walking activity. Behavioral avoidance expressed as repellence to lambda-cyhalothrin was not observed for either the susceptible or resistant populations of E. connexa, but the insecticide caused avoidance by means of inducing irritability in 40% of the individuals, irrespective of the strain. Insects remained in the insecticide-contaminated portion of the arena for extended periods resulting in greater exposure. Although lambda-cyhalothrin exposure did not affect prey searching by susceptible lady beetles, prey searching was extended for exposed resistant predators. In contrast, prey handling was not affected by population or by lambda-cyhalothrin exposure. Thus, sublethal exposure to the insecticide in conjunction with the insect resistance profile can affect prey foraging with pyrethroid-exposed resistant predators exhibiting longer prey searching time associated with higher walking activity reducing its predatory performance.

Field-evolved resistance to λ-cyhalothrin in the lady beetle Eriopis connexa.

Natural enemies are exposed to insecticide sprays for herbivorous species and may evolve field resistance to insecticides. Natural enemies selected for resistance in the field, however, are welcome for pest control. The susceptibility of 20 populations of Eriopis connexa from various crop ecosystems to λ-cyhalothrin was tested. Three bioassays were conducted: (i) topical treatment with lethal dose (LD)50 previously determined for populations considered standard for susceptibility (LD50S) and for resistance (LD50R) to λ-cyhalothrin at technical grade; (ii) dose-mortality assay to calculate the LD for populations exhibiting significant survival to the LD50R; and (iii) determination of survival when exposed to dried residues at field rates. Among the 20 tested populations, seven populations did not survive or survival rates were lower than 10% when treated with LD50R; three populations survived >20%, but lower than 50%; while ten populations exhibited equal or greater survival rates compared with the 50% expected survival for the LD50R. Thus, these ten populations were subjected to dose-mortality response, and the LD50 values varied from 0.046 to 5.44 µg a.i./insect with resistance ratio of 8.52- to 884.08-folds. Adults from these ten populations that were ranked as resistant according to the LD50R exhibited survival from 44.5 to 100% exposed to the lowest and from 38.8 to 100% exposed to the highest field rates of λ-cyhalothrin, respectively. Otherwise, the remaining ten populations ranked as susceptible according to the LD50R showed survival from 3.3 to 56% exposed to the lowest and from 0 to 17.7% exposed to the highest field rates of λ-cyhalothrin, respectively. Therefore, 50% of the tested E. connexa populations exhibited field-evolved resistance to λ-cyhalothrin and the use of a discriminatory LD50 for resistance matched the survival obtained when exposed to the insecticide field rates.

Mating system, age, and reproductive performance in Tenuisvalvae notata, a long-lived ladybird beetle.

The long-lived polygynandrous ladybird beetle Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) found in Brazil was evaluated in the laboratory for the effects of multiple mating and aging on its reproductive performance. This species is native to South America and is an important predator of mealybugs. Specifically studied were partner choice, female reproductive success, adult longevity, male virility, and offspring development. Young (5-10 days old) and older virgin females (95-100 days old) were subjected to either a single mate or multiple mating with the same or different males of various mating status (virgin or previously mated once, twice, and thrice). Results revealed a preference in both genders to mate with previously known partners. Additionally, younger females had higher fecundity and greater longevity when mated only once in comparison to those mated multiple times. Fecundity, fertility, and offspring development were similar across the treatments regardless of the number of mating or male mating history. Fecundity and fertility decreased throughout the oviposition period regardless of mating treatment.

High Concentrations of Chlorantraniliprole Reduce Its Compatibility with a Key Predator, Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Diamides are a novel insecticide group that act by disrupting insect muscle contraction. Recommended field rates (FRs) vary greatly among target pests and cropping systems, leading to variable risks for non-target organisms. We evaluated the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole to the predator Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) by exposure to residues, topical application, and consumption of contaminated food. We also estimated lethal concentrations (LCs) of chlorantraniliprole in two target pests, cotton leafworm, Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), and tobacco budworm, Chloridea virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), by exposing larvae to treated cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., leaves and assessed residual activity at various intervals after application to cotton plants. Exposure to dried residues and ingestion of treated moth eggs resulted in similar toxicity to H. convergens, whereas topical application was a less toxic route of exposure. Regardless of exposure route, the LC50s and LC90s obtained for H. convergens were higher than those calculated for the pests. Residues at the upper limit of the LC90 for C. virescens remained effective against this pest for up to 16 d, while exhibiting minor impacts on H. convergens. In contrast, the FR concentration of C. virescens caused significant mortality in H. convergens. The results suggest that the current FR for C. virescens is too high to be safe for H. convergens, and given the LCs observed for this pest in the present study, trials to explore the potential efficacy of lower FRs are justified. Depending on the concentration and route of exposure, this insecticide has the potential to be compatible with H. convergens.

Thermal Requirements and Performance of the Parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Eggs Under Variable Temperatures.

Temperature causes physiological and behavioral changes in egg parasitism. Egg parasitoids are a possible alternative for the control of Lepidoptera pests. The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) is a generalist pest that has recently been introduced into Brazil. We evaluated the suitability of H. armigera eggs as hosts for Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and the effects of temperature (18-33°C) on its survival and development. We assessed the developmental time (egg adult), thermal requirements, age-specific fertility, and parasitism rate upon eggs of H. armigera at six different temperatures. Linear and nonlinear (Brière2) models were fitted to our data in order to describe the relationship between developmental rate and temperature for the immature stages of T. pretiosum and estimate the thermal constant (K), lower developmental temperature threshold (LT), optimum temperature for development (Topt), and upper developmental temperature threshold (Tmax). The estimated K and LT estimated by linear model were 130.38 degree days and 10.3°C, respectively. The T0, Topt, and Tmax by Brière model were 11.52, 32.89, and 41.1°C, respectively. Females of T. pretiosum developed at each temperature were assessed, and parasitism rate was above 75% on the first day, except at 30°C where it took 2 d to reach 75%. At 33°C, the highest rate of parasitism was 38%. The life table parameters predict population increases across the temperature range evaluated. The results demonstrated that T. pretiosum are suitable for the control of H. armigera, and the best performance will be achieved when used in regions with temperatures up to 30°C.

Complete genome sequence of a novel influenza A H1N2 virus circulating in swine from Central Bajio region, Mexico.

The aim of this study was to perform the complete genome sequence of a swine influenza A H1N2 virus strain isolated from a pig in Guanajuato, México (A/swine/Mexico/GtoDMZC01/2014) and to report its seroprevalence in 86 counties at the Central Bajio zone. To understand the evolutionary dynamics of the isolate, we undertook a phylogenetic analysis of the eight gene segments. These data revealed that the isolated virus is a reassortant H1N2 subtype, as its genes are derived from human (HA, NP, PA) and swine (M, NA, PB1, PB2 and NS) influenza viruses. Pig serum samples were analysed by the hemagglutination inhibition test, using wild H1N2 and H3N2 strains (A/swine/México/Mex51/2010 [H3N2]) as antigen sources. Positive samples to the H1N2 subtype were processed using the field-isolated H1N1 subtype (A/swine/México/Ver37/2010 [H1N1]). Seroprevalence to the H1N2 subtype was 26.74% in the sampled counties, being Jalisco the state with highest seroprevalence to this subtype (35.30%). The results herein reported demonstrate that this new, previously unregistered influenza virus subtype in México that shows internal genes from other swine viral subtypes isolated in the past 5 years, along with human virus-originated genes, is widely distributed in this area of the country.

Activity of Selected Formulated Biorational and Synthetic Insecticides Against Larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

This work studied 17 insecticides belonging to nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV), Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt kurstaki and Bt aizawai), benzoylureas (insect growth regulators [IGRs]), carbamates, organophosphates, spinosyns, and diamides against larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), invasive species in the South American continent. Larvae of different instars were fed for 7 d with untreated or insecticide-treated diets. Mortality was recorded daily for 7 d, and surviving larvae were individually weighed on the seventh day. The NPV and Bt insecticides caused 100% mortality of first-instar larvae and first-instar and second-instar larvae, respectively. However, both NPV and Bt-based products caused low mortality of third-instar larvae and did not kill older larvae. The IGR lufenuron was highly effective against all three ages of larvae tested, whereas teflubenzuron and triflumuron produced maximum 60% mortality of second-instar larvae and lower than 50% to older larvae. Thiodicarb, chlorantraniliprole, indoxacarb, chlorpyrifos, and chlorfenapyr, irrespective of tested age, caused 100% mortality of larvae, with the last two insecticides reaching 100% mortality within 2 d of feeding on the treated diet. Flubendiamide caused lower mortality but significantly affected the weight of surviving larvae, whereas neither spinosad nor methomyl produced significant mortality or affected the weight of larvae. Based on the results, the age of H. armigera larvae plays an important role in the recommendation of NPV and Bt insecticides. Furthermore, there are potential options between biological and synthetic insecticides tested against H. armigera, and recording larval size during monitoring, in addition to the infestation level, should be considered when recommending biological-based insecticides to control this pest.

Performance of Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) resistant to lambda-cyhalothrin after extended recovery from knockdown.

A population of the predatory lady beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) was recorded as resistant to lambda-cyhalothrin. Adults exposed to this insecticide have recovered from knockdown after 72 h. Thus, the performance of resistant (R) and susceptible (S) populations of E. connexa not exposed to insecticide (R0 and S0) and R adults recovering from knockdown 24, 48, and 72 h after exposure (R24, R48, and R72) was studied. In addition, the fertility life table parameters were calculated for one generation considering the progenies from R0, S0, and R24 populations. The recovery rate from knockdown was 69.4% for R-adults, and greater recovery rate was observed within 48 h following lambda-cyhalothrin exposure. The S-females produced about 50% more eggs and lived longer, when compared with R-females irrespective of the recovery periods after knockdown. The R-females produced similar number of eggs and exhibited similar longevity across all treatments (R0, R24, R48, and R72). Progenies produced by R- and S-populations did not exhibit consistent differences in development and survival. The fertility life table parameters showed higher intrinsic rate of population growth (rm) and lower mean generation time (T) for R0- and R24-females, when compared with those for S0-females. Thus, the time interval needed to recover from knockdown is not related to the adaptive cost of resistance in E. connexa.

Fitness Advantage in Heterozygous Ladybird Beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar) Resistant to Lambda-Cyhalothrin.

The pyrethroid lambda-cyhalothrin is widely recommended for use against defoliators in crop ecosystems, but this broad-spectrum insecticide lacks efficacy against aphids; thus, key aphid predators such as the ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) must be preserved. Given that populations of E. connexa recently identified as resistant to lambda-cyhalothrin show potential of integrating chemical and biological control in crop ecosystems, a historical goal of integrated pest management. In the present study, the resistance maintenance over F1, F2, and F3 progenies from crossing resistant (R) and susceptible (S) E. connexa populations that might be expected after releasing R predator in the crop field and the F1 offspring performance when the R population is crossed with the S population are evaluated. The offspring performance is determined for F1 progenies from crossing the R population at F40- and F45-reared generations in the laboratory with the S population at F38- and F1-reared generations in the laboratory. The mortality rate in the heterozygous F1 progeny is low and similar to the rate for the R population (<5%), but it is about 75% in F2 and F3 progenies from crossing R and S populations. Fecundity and longevity of the heterozygous F1 progeny are significantly greater compared to the R population. These results suggest that when R population beetles are released and mating with S population residents, their field offspring retains the resistance phenotype with the advantages of greater egg production and longer survival compared to the parental R population.

Lambda-Cyhalothrin Resistance in the Lady Beetle Eriopis connexa (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Confers Tolerance to Other Pyrethroids.

Pyrethroid insecticides are widely recommended to control insect defoliators but lack efficacy against most aphid species. Thus, conserving aphid predators such as the lady beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar) is important to pest management in crop ecosystems that require pyrethroid sprays. In a greenhouse, early fourth-instar larvae and 5-day-old adults from susceptible (S) and resistant (R) E. connexa populations were caged on lambda-cyhalothrin-treated cotton plants, after which survival and egg production (for those caged at adult stage) were assessed. In the laboratory, similar groups were subjected to dried residues and topical treatment with one of eight pyrethroids (alpha-cypermethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenpropathrin, permethrin, zeta-cypermethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin), the organophosphate methidathion, or water and wetting agent. After caging on treated cotton terminals, 66% of the R-population larvae survived to adulthood, compared with 2% of those from the S-population. At 12 d after caging at adult stage under the same conditions, 64% of the females from the R-population survived and laid eggs, compared with 100% mortality and no oviposition for the S-females. In trials involving dried insecticide residues, gain in survival based on the survival difference (percentage for R-population minus percentage for S-population) across all tested pyrethroids varied from 3 to 63% for larvae and from 3 to 70% for adults. In trials involving topical sprays of the tested pyrethroids, survival differences ranged from 36 to 96% for larvae and from 21 to 82% for adults. Fenpropathrin and bifenthrin were the least and most toxic, respectively.

Validation and application of a multi-residue method, using accelerated solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography, for pesticides quantification in soil.

A multi-residue method was developed to determine different types of pesticides in soils. An extraction with pressure and temperature, through accelerated solvent extraction (dichloromethane:acetone, 50:50, v/v). The pesticides were determined by gas chromatography with several selective detectors: electron capture detector, pulsed flame photometric detector and thermionic specific detector. The following parameters were determined: limit of detection, limit of quantification, equipment linearity (working interval), method linearity as well as, method accuracy and precision. The average recoveries ranged between 76 and 106%, with the exception of chlorothalonil, which had an average recovery of 46%. Additionally, detection limits from 0.9 to 7.6ng g -: (1) and the quantification limits from 3.00 to 25.47ng g -: (1) were estimated. In terms of linearity and precision, the results obtained were in the ranges considered adequate (R(2) ≥ 0.98 and coefficient of variation (CV) ≤ 20%), with the exception of aldrin (R(2) = 0.946, CV = 35.79%), lindane (R(2) = 0.917, CV = 32.91%) and chlorothalonil (R(2) = 0.8184, CV = 81.35%). The proposed method was used to evaluate pesticides in real soil samples, detecting concentrations over 1000ng g -: (1) for some pesticides. The method was correctly validated and provided for the rapid determination of pesticides in soil.

Anthocyanins and Phenolic Acids of Hybrid and Native Blue Maize (Zea mays L.) Extracts and Their Antiproliferative Activity in Mammary (MCF7), Liver (HepG2), Colon (Caco2 and HT29) and Prostate (PC3) Cancer Cells.

Blue maize is an excellent source of bioactive components such as phenolic acids and anthocyanins but when it is processed for human consumption, these compounds decrease considerably. Therefore, blue maize could be directed to produce nutraceutical extracts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between anthocyanins composition of acidified and non-acidified extracts from native and hybrid blue maize genotypes and their antiproliferative effect in mammary (MCF7), liver (HepG2), colon (Caco2 and HT29) and prostate (PC3) cancer cells. The most abundant phenolic acid was ferulic acid. Nine anthocyanins were quantified in the extracts, being Cy3-Glu the most abundant. Acylated forms were also obtained in high abundance depending of the extraction method. An extract concentration range of 4.31 to 7.23 mg/mL inhibited by 50% the growth of untransformed cells NIH3T3. Antiproliferative effect on PC3, Caco2, HepG2 and MCF7 cancer cells of acidified extracts from hybrid blue maize was larger than the observed using non-acidified extracts. Among the nine compounds that were quantified in the extracts tested, CyMalGlu I showed the strongest correlation with the reduction of cell viability in Caco2 (-0.876), HepG2 (-0.813), MCF7 (-0.765) and PC3 (-0.894). No significant correlation or differences in antiproliferative effect on HT29 was found among the extracts. The method of extraction of maize anthocyanins must be selected to obtain a high yield of CyMalGlu I more than only Cy3-Glu since acylation affects the inhibition of cancer cell growth.

Performance of the Striped Mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) under Variable Conditions of Temperature and Mating.

Mealybugs have strong associations with their host plants due to their limitations for dispersal. Thus, environmental conditions and host quality may impact the biological traits of mealybugs. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report on the biology of a Brazilian population of the striped mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), which has recently been reported to infest cotton in Brazil. We evaluated the development and reproductive performance of F. virgata reared under different temperatures (25, 27, and 28°C) and mating status. The type of reproduction was also studied with insects reared on a factitious host and on cotton plants. Shorter development was obtained at 28°C as follows: nymphs generating males and females exhibited three and four instars with a mean duration of 19.1 and 20.5 days, respectively. The nymphal viability ranged from 77 to 96%, and was highest at 25°C. Females reared at 28°C initiated reproduction earlier (16.4 days), but the reproductive period was similar in all temperatures (∼16.2 days). Females produced more nymphs at 27 and 28°C (440 and 292 neonates) than at 25°C (277 neonates), although they lived longer at 25°C (63 days). Ferrisia virgata females exhibited only sexual reproduction. Thus, only mated females produced offspring, whereas unmated females died without reproducing. Therefore, the studied population of F. virgata exhibited only sexual reproduction with high survival and offspring production when fed cotton. Furthermore, pumpkin is a feasible host for mass rearing this mealybug species in the laboratory, an opening avenue for future studies.

Survival and behavioural responses of the predatory ladybird beetle, Eriopis connexa populations susceptible and resistant to a pyrethroid insecticide.

The ladybird beetle, Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of the commonest predators of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the cotton agroecosystem and in many other row and fruit crops in Brazil, and has been introduced into other countries such as the USA for purposes of aphid control. In addition, the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the most serious cotton pest where it occurs, including Brazil. Controlling boll weevils and other pests such as cotton defoliators still tends to involve the intense application of insecticides to secure cotton production. The pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is commonly used, but this compound is not effective against aphids; hence, a desirable strategy would be to maintain E. connexa populations in cotton fields where LCT is applied. Using populations of E. connexa resistant (Res) and susceptible (Sus) to LCT, we compared behavioural responses on treated cotton plants and under confinement on partially and fully treated surfaces, and assessed the insects' survival on treated plants compared with that of the boll weevil. The E. connexa resistant population caged on treated plants with 15 and 75 g a.i. ha-1 exhibited ≫82% survival for both insecticide concentrations compared with ≪3% and ≪17% survival for susceptible E. connexa populations and boll weevils, respectively. The response of E. connexa Res and Sus populations when released, either on the soil or on the plant canopy, indicated avoidance towards treated plants, as measured by elapsed time to assess the plant. When compared with susceptible individuals, resistant ones took longer time to suffer insecticide knockdown, had a higher recovery rate after suffering knockdown, and spent more time in the plant canopy. Based on behavioural parameters evaluated in treated arenas, no ladybird beetles exhibited repellency. However, irritability was evident, with the susceptible population exhibiting greater irritability compared with the resistant population and a subgroup comprising resistant individuals that had recovered from knockdown. The outcomes for the E. connexa Res population indicate a promising strategy for its maintenance when using the insecticide LCT in integrated pest management schemes to control boll weevil or other non-target pest of ladybird beetles in cotton fields.

[Rearing technique and biological traits of Atheloca subrufella (Hulst) (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae) in coconut fruits]. / Técnica de Criação e Aspectos Biológicos de Atheloca subrufella (Hulst) (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae) em Frutos de Coqueiro.

Rearing Technique and Biological Traits of Atheloca subrufella (Hulst) (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae) in Coconut Fruits. Larvae of the coconut moth Atheloca subrufella (Hulst) develop in flowers and fruits of coconut, Cocos nucifera, causing precocious abscission of these structures and, hence, yield decrease. This work studied a feasible and suitable rearing technique for A. subrufella using fruits of coconut. We first determined the appropriate density of larvae to be reared per coconut fruit (among two, three, four or five larvae) and later tested the suitability of this rearing technique for three successive generations. The storage of egg and pupal stages during 0, 5, 10 and 20 days was also studied at 12ºC. Based on the fertility life table parameters, the best results were achieved by rearing two or three larvae per fruit as they yielded the best net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of population increase. In addition, eggs and pupae of A. subrufella can be stored at 12ºC up to five days with viability higher than 90%. Adult moths emerged from pupae stored for five days at 12ºC produced an average of 219.4 eggs and lived 18.8 days. Storage periods for eggs and pupae over 10 days significantly reduced egg viability and adult fecundity, respectively. Thus, the technique in here described was shown to be suitable for the continuous rearing of A. subrufella in laboratory conditions.

Masculinity and gender roles among Puerto Rican men: machismo on the U.S. mainland.

The literature on masculinity and gender roles in American life has mostly over-looked Latino men, or has stereotyped them by means of a distorted concept of machismo. A reconceptualization of masculinity and machismo among Puerto Rican men is presented, based on a multidimensional view of their historical and current sociocultural reality. Relevant clinical and social services for Puerto Rican men are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.