Lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on the survival and reproduction of Brevipalpus yothersi (Acari: Tenuipalpidae).

The overuse of insecticides to control vector insects such as Diaphorina citri Kuwayama in citrus groves has altered the population dynamics of pest mites. Among phytophagous mites, population outbreaks of citrus leprosis mite, Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, have been increasingly intense and frequent in Brazilian citrus groves. Despite the great importance of the B. yothersi mite for citrus production, the lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides on this mite have not yet been studied. Therefore, in this study, the effects of insecticides commonly used for D. citri control on B. yothersi mortality, reproduction, and instantaneous growth rate were assessed. For this, two experiments were carried out, one under controlled conditions and another in a greenhouse. The insecticides tested were beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, buprofezin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, pyriproxyfen, and thiamethoxam at 0 (control), 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and twofold the recommended insecticide concentration for D. citri control. The pyriproxyfen insecticide provided high mortality of B. yothersi even at low concentrations. Furthermore, this insecticide negatively interfered with the reproduction of this mite. Beta-cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, buprofezin, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, and thiamethoxam, in the tested concentrations, showed low impact on citrus leprosis mite. Regarding the reproduction of the mite, no significant increase in fecundity was observed on B. yothersi females exposed to insecticide residues, regardless of the concentration tested. Therefore, the application of these insecticides in the management of pest insects is unlikely to promote an increase in the citrus leprosis mite population.

Compatibility and Efficacy of Isaria fumosorosea with Horticultural Oils for Mitigation of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Horticultural oils are an important component of integrated management programs of several phytophagous arthropods and pathogens affecting fruit, ornamentals and vegetables in greenhouse and field production systems. Although effective against the target pest, their incompatibility with biological control agents can compromise efforts to develop eco-friendly management programs for important agricultural pests. In this study, we assessed the in vitro effect of selected refined petroleum oils used in citrus and other horticultural crops with a biopesticide containing the entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea (PFR-97) under laboratory conditions. Further, we used leaf disk bioassays to evaluate the combined efficacy of petroleum oils and I. fumosorosea against the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), a major pest of citrus in the United States. All five petroleum oil treatments (Orchex, Sun Pure, Conoco Blend -1, Conoco Blend -2, and JMS) were compatible with I. fumosorosea blastospores, as none of them were found to affect I. fumosorosea colony-forming units and radial fungal growth measured at 3, 6, 9, and 12 days post-inoculation. All mixed treatments performed better than I. fumosorosea alone against D. citri, where the highest mean survival time of D. citri was 12.5 ± 0.7 days. No significant differences in D. citri survival time and I. fumosorosea growth (fungal development index) on dead cadavers, which is important for determining their horizontal transmission, were observed when mixed with Orchex, Sun Pure, Conoco Blend -2, and JMS. Results indicated that horticultural oils in combination with I. fumosorosea could offer citrus growers an alternative treatment for integrating into their current management programs while battling against D. citri in citrus production systems. Due to their eco-friendly, broad-spectrum effect, it could provide control against various citrus pests, while also encouraging the retention of effective chemistries for a longer period in the marketplace. However promising, these combination treatments need to be tested further with I. fumosorosea under grove conditions to confirm their field efficacy.

Effect of Temperature on the Fecundity and Longevity of Ascotis selenaria (Lepidoptera: Geometridae): Developing an Oviposition Model.

The fecundity and longevity of Ascotis selenaria (Denis & Schiffermüller 1775) female adults were examined at constant temperatures ranging from 13-35°C. Adult longevity decreased as the temperature increased and ranged from 26.2 d at 13.1°C to 5.2 d at 34.3°C. The maximum observed fecundity of A. selenaria was 2,420 eggs per female at 19.4°C, which decreased to ca 100 eggs per female at 34.3°C. Female adult aging rates (one per median longevity) were well described by a sigmoid equation in the range of 13-35°C used to calculate the physiological age of adults. The relationship between total fecundity and temperature was well described by an extreme value function. Age-specific cumulative oviposition rate and age-specific survival rate curve were fitted to a three-parameter Weibull function. An oviposition model for A. selenaria was developed using the estimated three temperature-dependent submodels: total fecundity, age-specific cumulative oviposition, and age-specific survival rate models. The oviposition model was simulated using pheromone catches of A. selenaria females as input value. Simulated egg populations were subjected to egg stage emergence model to project first-instar populations. Overall, the output of our simulation described the field occurrence pattern of A. selenaria first-instar populations in 2009 and 2010.

The mitochondrial genome of Papilio demoleus Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of Papilio demoleus (GenBank accession number KR024009) by long PCR and primer walking methods. The total length of mitochondrial DNA is 15,249 bp containing 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a control region. The overall base composition of the genome is A (39.31%), T (41.57%), C (11.33%) and G (7.78%) with an A + T-rich region, similar to other invertebrate mitochondrial genomes. The start codon was mainly ATG in most of the mitochondrial protein-coding genes such as COII, ATP6, COIII, ND4, ND4L, Cob and ND1, while ATA for ND2, COI, ATP8, ND3, ND5 and ND6 genes. The stop codon was mainly TAA in most of the mitochondrial protein-coding genes, whereas TAG was found in ND1 gene only. The A + T region is located between 12S rRNA and tRNA(M)(et) with a length of 403 bp.

First Report of Citrus Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in the State of Paraná, Brazil

The citrus blackfly Aleroucanthus woglumi Ashby, (Hemiptera Aleyrodidae) is an important pest that occurs in citrus groves, native to south-east Asia. In Brazil, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, this is a quarantine pest (A2) under official control IN 52, 2007 (MAPA) and is not widespread in the country. The insect can infest more than 300 host plants, including cultivated plants, ornamentals and weeds, but mostly occurs in the plants of the genus citrus. This paper is the first report of citrus blackfly in the State of Paraná.

Biologia da mosca-megra-dos-citros, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), em três plantas hospedeiras / Biology of the citrus blackfloy, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), in three host plants

A mosca-negra-dos-citros, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, foi detectada no Brasil em 2001. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a biologia, a biometria e a preferência hospedeira de A. woglumi em três plantas hospedeiras (laranja doce, lima ácida Tahiti e manga). Para isso, foram montados experimentos em laboratório, de janeiro a junho de 2006, com insetos coletados em plantas de limão-cravo, C. limonia na área de produção da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias - UFAM. No estudo da preferência hospedeira, foram avaliados: número de espirais (posturas) e de ovos por planta, número de ovos por espiral por planta, sobrevivência dos imaturos (ovos, ninfas de 1º, 2º, 3º e 4º estádios), enquanto no experimento de biologia foram avaliadas a duração e sobrevivência da fase imatura. O período embrionário foi de 15 dias em média para os três hospedeiros. O estádio de ninfa 4 (pupário) foi o mais longo quando comparado com as outras fases de desenvolvimento. A sobrevivência foi maior nas fases de ninfa 3, ovo e ninfa 2. A duração média do ciclo ovo-adulto foi de 70 dias para os três hospedeiros avaliados. Os ovos são colocados em forma de espiral na face inferior das folhas. As ninfas de 1º estádio locomovem-se a pequenas distâncias da espiral, enquanto as de 2º, 3º e 4º são sésseis e têm cerdas em todo o corpo. Com base na maior oviposição e sobrevivência da fase imatura da mosca-negra em lima ácida Tahiti, esta planta pode ser considerada o hospedeiro mais favorável para A. woglumi.

The citrus blackfloy, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, was detected in Brazil in 2001. The aim of this research was to evaluate the biology, biometry and host preference of A. woglumi in sweet orange, acid lime Tahiti and mango. Experiments were set in laboratory conditions with insects collected in rangpur lime plants in Manaus, State of Amazonas, from January to June of 2006. The following parameters were evaluated: number of spirals (ovopositions) and eggs per plant, number of eggs by spiral per plant, survival of the immatures (eggs, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th instars), and length and survival of the immature stage. The mean embrionary period was 15 days for the three hosts. The 4th nymph (puparium) was the longest during nymph development. Second and third instars had the highest survival. The mean length of the egg-adult cycle was 70 days for the three hosts evaluated. The eggs were laid in a spiral shape on the adaxial leaf surface. The 1st instars moved to short distances from the spiral, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th are sessile and have bristles on the whole body. Based on the highest oviposition and the highest survival of the immature stage of the citrus blackfloy in acid lime Tahiti, this plant can be considered the most suitable host to A. woglumi.

Observações sobre a ocorrência de Mosca-Negra-dos-Citros, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, 1915 (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) no estado do Amazonas / Observation on the occurrence of the citrus blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, 1915 (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae) in the Amazonas state

A mosca-negra-dos-citros (Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby) é uma importante praga dos citros de origem asiática. Foi detectada no Brasil pela primeira vez em Belém-PA em 2001. Este trabalho tem como objetivo registrar a ocorrência de mosca-negra-dos-citros no estado do Amazonas, sua distribuição geográfica e estudos de biologia em condições de laboratório. A mosca-negra encontra-se atualmente disseminada em mais da metade dos municípios paraenses. No Amazonas foi detectada em junho de 2004 em Manaus e atualmente encontra-se disseminada em toda a área urbana deste município, ocorrendo também em Itacoatiara, Rio Preto da Eva e Iranduba. Em observações feitas em condições de laboratório em Manaus-AM, foi verificado que o ciclo de ovo-adulto foi de 71,76±2,07 dias, caracterizando como uma espécie multivoltina.

The citrus blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, pest of citrus in Asian is considered important pest. It was detected for the first time in Belém, PA in 2001. The objective of this work was to report occurrence of the citrus blackfly in Amazon state. Nowadays is found in the majority of the oriental amazon counties. In Manaus, Amazonas was detected in June 2004, actually disseminated in the urban area and in Itacoatiara, Rio Preto da Eva and Iranduba counties. In observations in laboratory in Manaus-AM, was verified that the egg-adult cycle belonged to 71,76±2,07 days, characterizing as a multivoltin species.

Biologia comparada de Selenaspidus articulatus (Morgan) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) em cultivares de Citrus sinensis e em Citrullus silvestris / Compared biology of Selenaspidus articulatus (Morgan) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in Citrus sinensis varieties and in Citrullus silvestris

The biology of Selenaspidus articulatus (Morgan) was studied in four Citrus sinensis varieties (Hamlin, Natal, Pêra and Valencia) in comparison with factitious host Citrullus silvestris, acucurbit used for the species maintenance in other countries and recently introduced into Brazil. Thescale was better developed in ‘Hamlin’, with a high fixing capacity, making the cycle shorter and providing high survival in the period. Both for males and females, ‘Natal’ and ‘Pêra’ behaved asintermediaries, and ‘Valencia’ was less adequate to the insect’s development. Although C. silvestris provided an extension of the cycle regarding the citrus varieties, comparable only to ‘Valencia’ as to female development, this cucurbit can be recommended for the maintenance of the species in laboratory, because it is long lasting (three months to one year), it is easily handled, with a wide surface to be scaleinfested, and the survival is comparable to that achieved in the four studied citrus varieties.

Estudou-se a biologia de Selenaspidus articulatus (Morgan) em quatro cultivares de Citrus sinensis (Hamlin, Natal, Pêra e Valência), em comparação ao hospedeiro alternativo Citrullus silvestris, cucurbitácea utilizada para manutenção da espécie em outros países e recém-introduzida no Brasil. Acochonilha pardinha desenvolveu-se melhor em ‘Hamlin’, com alta capacidade de fixação, encurtando ociclo e propiciando alta sobrevivência no período. Tanto para machos como para fêmeas, ‘Natal’ e ‘Pêra’ comportaram-se como intermediárias e ‘Valência’, como a menos adequada ao desenvolvimento do inseto. Embora C. silvestris tenha proporcionado um alongamento do ciclo em relação às cultivares cítricas, sendocomparável apenas à ‘Valência’ com relação ao desenvolvimento das fêmeas, esta cucurbitácea pode ser recomendada para manutenção da espécie em laboratório, pois conserva-se em boas condições por longo período (três meses a um ano), é de fácil manipulação com uma grande superfície para ser infestada pela cochonilha, além de possibilitar sobrevivência comparável àquela obtida nas quatro cultivares cítricas estudadas.