Impact of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on Soybean Yield and Quality Under Field Conditions.

Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a key insect pest in soybean fields in Brazil but data are lacking on the relationship between pest abundance and crop yield and quality. Controlled infestation studies were conducted on caged soybean plants in the field over a two year period at two sites in Brazil. Differences in temperature in the two years affected population growth of B. tabaci, reaching 413 nymphs per leaflet in the first year, and 179 the second year even when the average temperature was 3ºC higher. Higher temperatures promoted a shorter lifecycle and nearly one more generation. Yield was affected with losses up to 500 kg/ha in 2017/2018 and 1,147 kg/ha in 2018/2019. A decrease in the weight of a thousand grains of 18 and 33 g was observed in the first and second year, respectively. No significant differences were observed in grain germination, but estimated losses in protein content were up to 440 kg/ha at the highest infestation level. Pest density and yield data were used to estimate economic injury levels (EILs). EILs ranged from 2.5 to 25.67 nymphs per leaflet and 0.17-1.79 adults per leaflet over a range of control costs, soybean production values, and control efficacies. These results should provide data useful toward development of pest management decision making tools.

Correlation-Based Network Analysis of the Influence of Bemisia tabaci Feeding on Photosynthesis and Foliar Sugar and Starch Composition in Soybean.

Bemisia tabaci (MEAM1) represents a species of economic importance in soybean. One of the obstacles to the management of B. tabaci is the quantification of damage by the pest because damage is indirectly inferred through losses in productivity. The objective of this study was to characterize the influence of B. tabaci feeding on soybean by assessing effects on photosynthetic parameters and the sugar and starch content of soybean leaves. The goal was to identify the optimal parameter to directly quantify pest damage on crop yield. Correlation networks were created among data on sugar content (fructose, glucose, and sucrose), starch and photosynthetic parameters (initial fluorescence, performance index on absorption basis, and turn-over number), and the number of nymphs at each of three infestations level (low, medium, and high) during both the vegetative and reproductive stage of the crop. In general, nymphs were more abundant during the vegetative stage. Starch content was strongly correlated with nymph density. A strong positive correlation was observed between fructose and nymph density during the vegetative stage. Among the photosynthetic parameters, the turn-over number N was positively correlated with nymph density at a low-infestation level and negatively correlated with nymphs when they occurred at a high-infestation level. B. tabaci feeding affected the plant's physiology and its interaction is reflected in part by the relationships among photosynthetic parameters as well as the levels of sugars and starch. This understanding might be useful in developing better monitoring tools for pest management.

Monitoring Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Infestation in Soybean by Proximal Sensing.

Although monitoring insect pest populations in the fields is essential in crop management, it is still a laborious and sometimes ineffective process. Imprecise decision-making in an integrated pest management program may lead to ineffective control in infested areas or the excessive use of insecticides. In addition, high infestation levels may diminish the photosynthetic activity of soybean, reducing their development and yield. Therefore, we proposed that levels of infested soybean areas could be identified and classified in a field using hyperspectral proximal sensing. Thus, the goals of this study were to investigate and discriminate the reflectance characteristics of soybean non-infested and infested with Bemisia tabaci using hyperspectral sensing data. Therefore, cages were placed over soybean plants in a commercial field and artificial whitefly infestations were created. Later, samples of infested and non-infested soybean leaves were collected and transported to the laboratory to obtain the hyperspectral curves. The results allowed us to discriminate the different levels of infestation and to separate healthy from whitefly infested soybean leaves based on their reflectance. In conclusion, these results show that hyperspectral sensing can potentially be used to monitor whitefly populations in soybean fields.

Knockdown of calreticulin, laccase, and Snf7 Genes Through RNAi Is Not Effective to Control the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Livideae).

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, transmits the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter associated with huanglongbing (HLB), a devastating disease of the citrus industry. The use of genetically modified plants is an alternative to control this vector. Conversely, technology based on RNA interference (RNAi) for silencing specific genes of a target insect could be attempted. This work evaluated the knockdown effect of the target genes calreticulin (DcCRT), laccase (DcLAC), and Snf7 (DcSnf7) by RNAi through feeding D. citri in Murraya paniculata leaves after the uptake of an aqueous solution with dsRNA homologous to each vector target gene. Confocal microscopy revealed the uptake of the fluorescent-labeled dsRNA by detached leaves and the symplastic movement, allowing the ingestion by the feeding insect. A reduction in the survival rate was observed only 144 h after the beginning of feeding with dsRNA targeting DcSnf7; however, no reduction in transcript accumulation. The knockdown of the DcCRT and DcLAC genes was detected only 12 and 96 h after insect feeding, respectively. Additionally, a reduction in amino acid excretion from insects fed with dsRNA targets to DcCRT and DcLAC was observed 120 h after the beginning of feeding. However, the effects of the dsRNAs tested here appear to be minimal, both at the transcriptional and phenotype levels. For most concentrations and time points, no effects were observed. Therefore, the knockdown of genes DcCRT, DcLAC, and DcSnf7 do not appear to have the potential to control of D. citri through RNAi-mediated gene silencing.

Do Ready-Mix Insecticides Cause Lethal and Sublethal Effects on Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Pupa?

The use of selective insecticides aids farmers in maintaining pest populations below the economic threshold level. The integrated use of biological and chemical control is only possible if the effects of insecticides on natural enemies are studied. Although the IOBC/WPRS standards allow us to compare these studies worldwide, the methods used are sometimes inconsistent. This study determined the effects of ready-mix insecticides applied on pupae of Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley, 1879) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and compared the effects on emergence of two different methods of exposing T. pretiosum pupae to insecticides: immersed or sprayed using a Potter tower. Both methods gave the same results, indicating that they can be compared. Moreover, it is important to go beyond IOBC/WPRS classification and study the effects of pesticides on different biological parameters of natural enemies. This additional step may increase the likelihood of successful integration of biological and chemical control. Based on the emergence reduction, Chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin, abamectin + chlorantraniliprole, and alpha-cypermethrin + teflubenzuron were classified as innocuous (class 1). Cypermethrin + profenofos and cyproconazole + thiamethoxam were classified as slightly harmful (class 2). Methanol + methomyl and lufenuron + profenofos were classified as harmful (class 4). Abamectin + chlorantraniliprole, although classified as innocuous, reduced the parasitism, longevity, and flight capability of the adult parasitoids. None of these insecticides altered the emergence and sex ratio of the second generation.

Oral acute toxicity and impact of neonicotinoids on Apis mellifera L. and Scaptotrigona postica Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Wild and managed bees are essential for crop pollination and food production. However, the widespread use of insecticides such as neonicotinoids may affect the survival, development, behavior, and maintenance of bee colonies. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the impacts of three neonicotinoid insecticides on the survival and walking abilities of the Africanized honeybee A. mellifera and stingless bee S. postica. A. mellifera was more susceptible than S. postica to all neonicotinoids tested. The median lethal concentrations LC50 values estimated for acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and thiacloprid were 189.62, 22.78, and 142.31 ng µL-1 of diet for A. mellifera, and 475.94, 89.11, and 218.21 ng µL-1 of diet for S. postica, respectively. All tested neonicotinoids affected the speed, distance traveled, duration and frequency of resting, and continuous mobility of both bee species. The results showed that in spite of the different susceptibility to compounds with cyano and nitro radicals, the behavioral variables showed different levels of commitment according to the molecule insecticide and bee species. These results contribute not only to the understanding of the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on A. mellifera and S. postica, but also to help in the development of protocols that aim to reduce the impact of these insecticides in Neotropical environments.

The Asian Citrus Psyllid Host Murraya koenigii Is Immune to Citrus Huanglongbing Pathogen 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus'.

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) Diaphorina citri, vector of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), the putative causal agent of citrus Huanglongbing (HLB), is controlled by application of insecticides, which, although effective, has resulted in serious biological imbalances. New management tools are needed, and the technique known as "trap crop" has been attracting attention. A potential plant for use as a trap crop in the management of the ACP is Murraya koenigii (curry leaf). However, for this plant to be used in the field, it needs to be attractive for the vector and must not harbor CLas. To verify the potential of curry leaf as trap crop for the management of HLB, we investigated the ability of D. citri to transmit CLas to M. koenigii, and to other test plants, including M. paniculata (orange jasmine) and cultivar Valencia sweet-orange seedlings. For the tests, the insects were reared on a symptomatic CLas-infected plant and allowed to feed on the three test plant species. The overall maximum transmission rate for the citrus seedlings was 83.3%, and for orange jasmine was 33.3%. Successful transmission of CLas by ACP to the curry-leaf seedlings was not observed, and it was treated as immune to CLas. Supported by the previous results that M. koenigii is attractive for ACP, these results indicate that curry leaf is an excellent candidate for use as a trap crop, to improve the management of the insect vector and consequently of HLB.

Thiamethoxam and imidacloprid drench applications on sweet orange nursery trees disrupt the feeding and settling behaviour of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

BACKGROUND: Chemical control is the method most used for management of Diaphorina citri, the vector of the phloem-limited bacteria associated with citrus huanglongbing (HLB) disease. The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of soil-drench applications of neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam and imidacloprid) on the probing behaviour of D. citri on citrus nursery trees, using the electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique, and to measure the D. citri settling behaviour after probing on citrus nursery trees that had received these neonicotinoid treatments. RESULTS: The drench applications of neonicotinoids on citrus nursery trees disrupt D. citri probing, mainly for EPG variables related to phloem sap ingestion, with a significant reduction (≈90%) in the duration of this activity compared with untreated plants in all assessment periods (15, 35 and 90 days after application). Moreover, both insecticides have a repellent effect on D. citri, resulting in significant dispersal of psyllids from treated plants. CONCLUSIONS: This study clearly demonstrates the interference of soil-applied neonicotinoids on the feeding and settling behaviour of D. citri on citrus nursery trees, mainly during the phloem ingestion phase. These findings reinforce the recommendation of drench application of neonicotinoids before planting nursery trees as a useful strategy for HLB management. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efficacy of Area-Wide Inoculum Reduction and Vector Control on Temporal Progress of Huanglongbing in Young Sweet Orange Plantings.

Huanglongbing (HLB), caused by 'Candidatus Liberibacter' spp. and transmitted by the Asian citrus psyllid Diaphorina citri (ACP), is an important threat to citrus industries worldwide, causing significant yield loss. The current recommended strategies to manage HLB are to eliminate HLB-symptomatic trees to reduce sources of bacterial inoculum and to apply insecticides to reduce psyllid vector populations. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and the importance of both strategies applied within young citrus plots (local management), in different frequencies and combinations, on HLB temporal progress. Two factorial field experiments, E1 and E2, were initiated in a new plantation of sweet orange in an HLB epidemic region of Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October 2005 and May 2006, respectively. Local inoculum reduction (tree removal) intervals for E1 were every 4, 8, and 16 weeks and, for E2, every 2, 4, 12, and 26 weeks. Local vector control strategies for E1 were no control, program A (PA), and program B (PB); and, for E2, no control and program C (PC), as follows. Psyllids were controlled with two 56-day-interval soil or drench applications of systemic insecticides concurrently with the rainy season each year and, during the rest of the year, with insecticide sprays every 28 days for PA and every 14 days for PB and PC. Regional HLB management was present for E1 and absent for E2. The beginning of the HLB epidemic was delayed for 10 months in E1 compared with appearance of the first diseased tree in E2 but wasn't affected by different local strategies in either experiment. After 60 (E1) and 53 (E2) months, the HLB incidence and progress rates were not affected by different frequencies of local inoculum reduction in either experiment, and were different only in plots with and without local vector control in E2. In E1, the disease incidence was reduced by 90% and the disease progress rate by 50% in plots both with and without vector control. These reductions were explained by smaller psyllid populations and lower frequency of bacterialiferous psyllids in E1 compared with E2. Annual productivity increased over time in E1, as expected for young plantings, but remained stable or decreased in E2. These results confirm that immigration of bacterialiferous ACP vectors plays a critical role in HLB epidemics and suggest that area-wide inoculum reduction and ACP management strongly affect HLB control.

Citrus Sudden Death Is Transmitted by Graft-Inoculation and Natural Transmission Is Prevented by Individual Insect-Proof Cages.

Citrus sudden death (CSD) transmission was studied by graft-inoculation and under natural conditions. Young sweet orange trees on Rangpur rootstock were used as indicator plants. They were examined regularly for one or two characteristic markers of CSD: (i) presence of a yellow-stained layer of thickened bark on the Rangpur rootstock, and (ii) infection with the CSD-associated marafivirus. Based on these two markers, transmission of CSD was obtained, not only when budwood for graft-inoculation was taken from symptomatic, sweet orange trees on Rangpur, but also when the budwood sources were asymptomatic sweet orange trees on Cleopatra mandarin, indicating that the latter trees are symptomless carriers of the CSD agent. For natural transmission, 80 young indicator plants were planted within a citrus plot severely affected by CSD. Individual insect-proof cages were built around 40 indicator plants, and the other 40 indicator plants remained uncaged. Only two of the 40 caged indicator plants were affected by CSD, whereas 17 uncaged indicator plants showed CSD symptoms and were infected with the marafivirus. An additional 12 uncaged indicator plants became severely affected with citrus variegated chlorosis and were removed. These results strongly suggest that under natural conditions, CSD is transmitted by an aerial vector, such as an insect, and that the cages protected the trees against infection by the vector.

Faunistic analysis of sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae) in a 'Westin' sweet orange orchard.

The purpose of this study was to analyze sharpshooter fauna in a five-year-old 'Westin' sweet orange orchard. Yellow sticky traps were placed on the edge of a forest, and on the periphery and inside the citrus stand. The traps were evaluated fortnightly, for three years. The most frequent species were Acrogonia citrina Marucci & Cavichioli, Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg), and Oncometopia facialis (Signoret). B. xanthophis occurred more in the forest edge, especially on spring and winter. A. citrina occurred most frequently in the forest edge, especially on spring. The highest incidence of O. facialis was inside the citrus stand, on spring and summer. Other cicadellids occurred more often in the forest edge, especially on summer. A. citrina, B. xanthophis, Dilobopterus costalimai Young, and O. facialis were predominant in all places studied. A. citrina, B. xanthophis and O. facialis were super dominant, super abundant, super frequent, and constant, except inside the stand, where B. xanthophis was dominant, very abundant, very frequent, and constant. D. costalimai and Homalodisca ignorata Melichar were dominant, very abundant, and very frequent in the forest edge and in the periphery of the stand, and D. costalimai was also predominant inside the stand. Scopogonalia subolivacea (Stål) was predominant in the forest edge and inside the stand, while Plesiommata corniculata Young was predominant in the periphery (both were dominant, very abundant, very frequent, and accessory).

Faunistic analysis of sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae) in a 'Westin' sweet orange orchard / Análise faunística de cicadelíneos (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae) em pomar de laranjeira 'Westin'

The purpose of this study was to analyze sharpshooter fauna in a five-year-old 'Westin' sweet orange orchard. Yellow sticky traps were placed on the edge of a forest, and on the periphery and inside the citrus stand. The traps were evaluated fortnightly, for three years. The most frequent species were Acrogonia citrina Marucci & Cavichioli, Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg), and Oncometopia facialis (Signoret). B. xanthophis occurred more in the forest edge, especially on spring and winter. A. citrina occurred most frequently in the forest edge, especially on spring. The highest incidence of O. facialis was inside the citrus stand, on spring and summer. Other cicadellids occurred more often in the forest edge, especially on summer. A. citrina, B. xanthophis, Dilobopterus costalimai Young, and O. facialis were predominant in all places studied. A. citrina, B. xanthophis and O. facialis were super dominant, super abundant, super frequent, and constant, except inside the stand, where B. xanthophis was dominant, very abundant, very frequent, and constant. D. costalimai and Homalodisca ignorata Melichar were dominant, very abundant, and very frequent in the forest edge and in the periphery of the stand, and D. costalimai was also predominant inside the stand. Scopogonalia subolivacea (Stål) was predominant in the forest edge and inside the stand, while Plesiommata corniculata Young was predominant in the periphery (both were dominant, very abundant, very frequent, and accessory).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a fauna de cigarrinhas em pomar de laranjeira 'Westin' enxertada sobre limoeiro 'Cravo', em plantas com cinco anos de idade. Foram instaladas armadilhas adesivas amarelas na borda da mata, na periferia do talhão e no interior do talhão, sendo avaliadas quinzenalmente, por três anos. As cigarrinhas que ocorreram com maior freqüência foram Acrogonia citrina Marucci & Cavichioli, Bucephalogonia xanthophis (Berg) e Oncometopia facialis (Signoret). B. xanthophis ocorreu mais na borda da mata, principalmente na primavera e inverno. A. citrina ocorreu mais na borda da mata, principalmente na primavera. A a maior incidência de O. facialis foi no interior do talhão, e maior na primavera e verão. A ocorrência de outros cicadelíneos foi maior na borda da mata, principalmente no verão. Segundo a análise faunística, A. citrina, B. xanthophis, Dilobopterus costalimai Young e O. facialis foram predominantes em todos os locais estudados; A. citrina, B. xanthophis e O. facialis foram super dominantes, super abundantes, super freqüentes e constantes, exceto no interior do talhão, onde B. xanthophis foi dominante, muito abundante, muito freqüente e constante. D. costalimai e Homalodisca ignorata Melichar foram dominantes, muito abundantes e muito freqüentes na borda da mata e periferia do talhão, sendo que D. costalimai também foi predominante no interior do talhão. Scopogonalia subolivacea (Stål) foi predominante na borda da mata e interior do talhão e Plesiommata corniculata Young, na periferia do talhão (ambas foram dominantes, muito abundantes, muito freqüentes e acessórias).

Distribution and quantification of Candidatus Liberibacter americanus, agent of huanglongbing disease of citrus in São Paulo State, Brasil, in leaves of an affected sweet orange tree as determined by PCR.

Huanglongbing (HLB), an insect-transmitted disease of citrus, known for many years in Asia and Africa, has appeared in the state of São Paulo State (SSP), Brazil, in 2004, and the state of Florida, USA, in 2005. HLB endangers the very existence of citrus, as trees infected with the bacterial pathogen, irrevocably decline. In the absence of curative procedures, control of HLB is difficult and only based on prevention. Even though not available in culture, the HLB bacterium could be shown to be Gram-negative and to represent a new candidate genus, Candidatus Liberibacter, in the alpha subdivision of the Proteobacteria. Three Candidatus (Ca.) L. species occur: Ca. L. africanus in Africa, Ca. L. asiaticus in Asia, SSP, and Florida, and Ca. L. americanus in SSP. The liberibacters occur exclusively in the phloem sieve tubes. On affected trees, HLB symptoms are often seen on certain branches only, suggesting an uneven distribution of the Liberibacter. Occurrence of Ca. L. americanus, the major HLB agent in SSP, has been examined in 822 leaf samples from an affected sweet orange tree by two conventional PCR techniques and a newly developed real time (RTi) PCR, also used for quantification of the Liberibacter in the leaves. Even though RTi-PCR was able to detect as few as 10 liberibacters per gram of leaf tissue (l/g), no liberibacters could be detected in any of the many leaf samples from a symptomless branch, while in blotchy mottle leaves from symptomatic branches of the same tree, the Liberibacter titer reached values as high as 10(7)l/g. These results demonstrate the uneven distribution of the Liberibacter in HLB-affected trees.

Planos de amostragem seqüenciais para Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha, Ortheziidae) na cultura de citros / Sequential sampling plans to Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha, Ortheziidae) in citrus

A amostragem seqüencial caracteriza-se por utilizar amostras de tamanho variável, e possui a vantagem da redução do tempo de amostragem e de custos quando comparada com a amostragem de tamanho fixo. Para implantar o manejo apropriado da cochonilha ortézia, foram desenvolvidos planos de amostragem seqüenciais para pomares com baixa e alta infestação. Os dados foram coletados no município de Matão, SP, em talhões de pomares comerciais de laranja da variedade 'Pêra Rio', com cinco, nove e 15 anos de idade. Foram realizadas vinte amostragens em área total de cada talhão, observando-se visualmente a presença ou ausência da praga nas plantas, onde cada unidade amostral constituiu-se de 10 plantas. Após verificado que nos três talhões a distribuição da cochonilha era agregada, ajustando-se à distribuição binomial negativa na maior parte das avaliações, construíram-se dois planos de amostragem seqüenciais, de acordo com o Teste Seqüencial da Razão de Verossimilhança (TSRV). Na construção dos planos adotou-se o nível de dano econômico de 2 por cento, e os valores para os erros tipo I e II foram fixados em a = b = 0,10. Os resultados mostraram que os números máximos de amostras esperados para se definir a necessidade ou não de controle foram de 172 e 76 amostras para o talhão com baixa e alta infestação, respectivamente.

The sequential sampling is characterized by using samples of variable sizes, and has the advantage of reducing sampling time and costs if compared to fixed-size sampling. To introduce an adequate management for orthezia, sequential sampling plans were developed for orchards under low and high infestation. Data were collected in Matão, SP, in commercial stands of the orange variety 'Pêra Rio', at five, nine and 15 years of age. Twenty samplings were performed in the whole area of each stand by observing the presence or absence of scales on plants, being plots comprised of ten plants. After observing that in all of the three stands the scale population was distributed according to the contagious model, fitting the Negative Binomial Distribution in most samplings, two sequential sampling plans were constructed according to the Sequential Likelihood Ratio Test (SLRT). To construct these plans an economic threshold of 2 percent was adopted and the type I and II error probabilities were fixed in a = b = 0.10. Results showed that the maximum numbers of samples expected to determine control need were 172 and 76 samples for stands with low and high infestation, respectively.

[Sequential sampling plans to Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha, Ortheziidae) in citrus]. / Planos de amostragem seqüenciais para Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha, Ortheziidae) na cultura de citros.

The sequential sampling is characterized by using samples of variable sizes, and has the advantage of reducing sampling time and costs if compared to fixed-size sampling. To introduce an adequate management for orthezia, sequential sampling plans were developed for orchards under low and high infestation. Data were collected in Matão, SP, in commercial stands of the orange variety 'Pêra Rio', at five, nine and 15 years of age. Twenty samplings were performed in the whole area of each stand by observing the presence or absence of scales on plants, being plots comprised of ten plants. After observing that in all of the three stands the scale population was distributed according to the contagious model, fitting the Negative Binomial Distribution in most samplings, two sequential sampling plans were constructed according to the Sequential Likelihood Ratio Test (SLRT). To construct these plans an economic threshold of 2% was adopted and the type I and II error probabilities were fixed in alpha = beta = 0.10. Results showed that the maximum numbers of samples expected to determine control need were 172 and 76 samples for stands with low and high infestation, respectively.

Distribuição de probabilidade de ocorrência de Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) na cultura de citros / Probability distribution of Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) in citrus

A distribuição de probabilidade de ocorrência da cochonilha ortézia, Orthezia praelonga Douglas, foi estudada em talhões de pomares comerciais de laranja (Citrus sinensis L., da variedade "Pêra Rio"), com 5, 9 e 15 anos de idade, durante um ano. Foram realizadas vinte amostragens na área total de cada talhão observando-se visualmente a presença ou ausência da praga nas plantas. Os índices de dispersão utilizados foram: razão variância média (I), índice de Morisita (Id), coeficiente de Green (Cx) e expoente k da distribuição binomial negativa. A distribuição binomial negativa foi o modelo mais adequado para representar a distribuição de frequência do ortezídeo na cultura do citros, já que a variância foi superior à média em todas as amostragens. A análise dos índices de agregação mostrou distribuição agregada da cochonilha na maioria das amostragens.

The probability distribution of the orthezia scale, Orthezia praelonga Douglas, was studied in plots of commercial orange orchards (Citrus sinensis L., var. "Pêra Rio"), with 5, 9 and 15 years of age, during one year. The survey of presence or absence of the pest in the plants was carried through twenty samplings in the total area of each plot visually inspecting each plant. The dispersion indexes used were: variance/mean relationship (I), index of Morisita (Id), coefficient of Green (Cx) and k exponent of negative binomial distribution for each sampling. The negative binomial distribution was more representative of the frequency distribution data of this scale in citrus, since the variance was superior to the average in all samplings. The analysis of the aggregation index showed that the majority of the samplings presented aggregate distribution for the scales.

[Probability distribution of Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) in citrus]. / Distribuição de probabilidade de ocorrência de Orthezia praelonga Douglas (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Ortheziidae) na cultura de citros.

The probability distribution of the orthezia scale, Orthezia praelonga Douglas, was studied in plots of commercial orange orchards (Citrus sinensis L., var. "Pêra Rio"), with 5, 9 and 15 years of age, during one year. The survey of presence or absence of the pest in the plants was carried through twenty samplings in the total area of each plot visually inspecting each plant. The dispersion indexes used were: variance/mean relationship (I), index of Morisita (Id), coefficient of Green (Cx) and k exponent of negative binomial distribution for each sampling. The negative binomial distribution was more representative of the frequency distribution data of this scale in citrus, since the variance was superior to the average in all samplings. The analysis of the aggregation index showed that the majority of the samplings presented aggregate distribution for the scales.

Development of a control alternative for the citrus fruit borer, Ecdytolopha aurantiana (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae): from basic research to the grower

São descritas todas as etapas da pesquisa, desenvolvidas de 1995 a 2000, para a síntese do feromônio sexual de Ecdytolopha aurantiana (Lima, 1927), visando ao monitoramento desta praga que causa perdas da ordem de 50 milhões de dólares ao ano à citricultura paulista. As pesquisas básicas são apresentadas, incluindo o desenvolvimento de uma dieta artificial para o inseto, estudo de suas exigências térmicas e hídricas, estudos comportamentais, síntese da substância atraente para o macho desde a formulação até a distribuição do feromônio ao agricultor, e a sua comercialização. Trata-se de um caso de sucesso, a um custo de 50 mil dólares, com pesquisas inter- e multidisciplinares e que pode ser adotado para outros insetos-praga do país.

Distribuição espacial de Dilobopterus costalimai young (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) em citros na região de Taquaritinga, SP / Spatial distribution of Dilobopterus costalimai young (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in citrus area of Taquaritinga, São Paulo State, Brazil

Dilobopterus costalimai Young is one of the most important pests in Brazilian citrus crop because it transmits Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterium that causes Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC). We studied the spatial distribution of the insect, in order to develop a sampling plan to determine the proper moment to control the pest. D. costalimai was collected fortnightly, between 11/1999 until 4/2000, in a thirteen-year-old citrus orchard, where no insecticide was sprayed against this insect. Thirteen samples were performed in a grid of 100 yellow sticky traps (10 x 25 cm) in Taquaritinga County, Sao Paulo State. The variance of the sampling was higher than the mean in all samplings, with index ratio variance/mean (I) between 1.07 and 2.90, Morisita index between 1.07 and 1.57, k exponent of negative binomial distribution between 1.56 and 14.79. The chi-square goodness-of-fit test to Poisson distribution were not significant in seven samplings, however adjust to negative binomial were not significant in all samplings. The index b of Taylor´s Power Law was 1.3054, thus showing an aggregated distribution for this species in the field.

Dilobopterus costalimai Young é considerada uma das mais importantes pragas na citricultura brasileira por ser vetora de Xylella fastidiosa, bactéria causadora da doença Clorose Variegada dos Citros (CVC). Neste trabalho estudou-se a distribuição espacial do inseto com o objetivo de desenvolver um plano de amostragem para determinar o momento de controlar a praga. Foram feitas amostragens quinzenais de D. costalimai em um pomar de laranja-doce de treze anos de idade sem aplicação de inseticidas para controle desse inseto, entre 11/1999 e 4/2000. Treze amostragens foram realizadas em 100 pontos, utilizando-se armadilhas amarelas adesivas (10 x 25 cm), em Taquaritinga, estado de São Paulo. A variância amostral foi superior à média em todas as amostragens, com índice razão variância/média (I) entre 1,07 e 2,90, índice de Morisita entre 1,07 e 1,57, expoente k da distribuição binomial negativa variando de 1,56 a 14,79. Os testes de qui-quadrado de ajuste à distribuição de Poisson não foram significativos em sete amostragens, enquanto os testes de ajuste à distribuição binomial negativa não foram significativos em todas as amostragens. O coeficiente b da lei de potência de Taylor foi igual a 1,3054 mostrando que a praga se distribui de forma agregada no campo.

Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) and its relationship with the citrus canker bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri in Brazil / Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) e sua relação com a bactéria do cancro cítrico Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri no Brasil

The relationship of the citrus canker bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri with the citrus leafminer (CLM), Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton was investigated. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions at 28±2ºC, 70±10 percent RH and 14h photophase and in a greenhouse. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) "Caipira"cv was used to rear CLM. Plants inoculated with 2nd and 3rd instar larvae or pupae showed high percentages (94.3, 98.3 and 100 percent, respectively) of bacterium-infected leaves. The damage caused by this insect was responsible for the increase in citrus canker infestation. The leaf infection rate by X. axonopodis pv citri on pre-injured leaves was similar to that observed on mechanically damaged leaves inoculated with the bacterium, with 94.1 percent to 97.0 percent of the leaves presenting bacterial pustules. The bacterium can also penetrate through the stomata. An 11-fold lower infection rate was observed as compared to the leaves injured by the insect seven days after inoculation. Under such conditions the percentage of cankered leaves increased to 41.2 percent at 14 days, a value corresponding to about 50 percent of the leaves attacked by the insect. In this paper it is also pointed out the significance of the damages caused by CLM in terms of the increase of citrus canker, since the favorable microclimatic conditions of temperature and relative humidity inside the mines built by the larvae account for an improved development of the bacterium.

Estudou-se em laboratório (28±2ºC, 70±10 por cento UR e fotofase de 14h) e em casa-de-vegetação a relação entre as lesões provocadas pelo ataque do minador-dos-citros, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton, e a infecção causada pela bactéria do cancro cítrico Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri. Utilizaram-se, como hospedeiro do minador, plantas de laranja caipira cultivadas em tubetes. Folhas inoculadas com lagartas de segundo e terceiro ínstares ou pupas apresentaram índices de infecção bacteriana de 94,3, 98,3 e 100 por cento, respectivamente. A taxa de infecção foliar por X. axonopodis pv citri em folhas lesionadas pelo inseto foi semelhante àquela observada em folhas danificadas mecanicamente e inoculadas posteriormente com bactéria (94,1 a 97 por cento de pústulas bacterianas). A bactéria penetra também através dos estômatos. Aos sete dias após a inoculação, constatou-se uma taxa de infecção 11 vezes menor nas folhas que não foram lesionadas pelo inseto. O percentual de folhas com cancro aumentou aos 14 dias para 41,2 por cento; esse valor é cerca de 50 por cento menor se comparado às folhas que foram atacadas pelo inseto. Ficou demonstrada a importância dos danos provocados pelo minador-dos-citros no aumento do cancro cítrico, uma vez que as condições favoráveis de temperatura e umidade relativa no interior das minas construídas pelas lagartas, contribuem para um melhor desenvolvimento da bactéria.