Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase Contributes to Rapid Cold Hardening in the Invasive Insect Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) by Regulating Trehalose Metabolism.

Rapid cold hardening (RCH) is known to rapidly enhance the cold tolerance of insects. Trehalose has been demonstrated to be a cryoprotectant in Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, an important invasive pest of rice in China. Trehalose synthesis mainly occurs through the Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS)/trehalose-6-phosphate phosphatase (TPP) pathway in insects. In this study, the TPS gene from L. oryzophilus (LoTPS) was cloned and characterized for the first time. Its expression and trehalose content changes elicited by RCH were investigated. Our results revealed that RCH not only increased the survival rate of adults but also upregulated the expression level of LoTPS and increased the trehalose content under low temperature. We hypothesized that upregulated LoTPS promoted trehalose synthesis and accumulation to protect adults from low-temperature damage. To further verify the function of the LoTPS gene, we employed RNA interference (RNAi) technology. Our findings showed that RCH efficiency disappeared and the survival rate did not increase when the adults were fed dsRNA of LoTPS. Additionally, inhibiting LoTPS expression resulted in no significant difference in trehalose content between the RCH and non-RCH treatments. Furthermore, the expression patterns of trehalose transporter (TRET) and trehalase (TRE) were also affected. Collectively, these results indicate the critical role of LoTPS in L. oryzophilus cold resistance after RCH induction. LoTPS can enhance survival ability by regulating trehalose metabolism. These findings contribute to further understanding the role of TPS in insect cold resistance and the invasiveness of L. oryzophilus. Moreover, RNAi of LoTPS opens up possibilities for novel control strategies against L. oryzophilus in the future.

Field Assessment of Oryzophagus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Preference and Performance on Selected Rice Cultivars.

Plant resistance is a key strategy for the management of Oryzophagus oryzae (Costa Lima) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an important pest in South American rice paddies. The present study investigated the resistance of rice cultivars in terms of feeding and oviposition preference, growth, development, and biological performance of O. oryzae under natural conditions of field infestation during two consecutive rice seasons. There were no effects of the six cultivars on the feeding and oviposition preferences of O. oryzae as evaluated 5, 8, and 11 d After Flooding (DAF) of the plots, indicating the absence of antixenosis. Cultivars did not differ in terms of egg viability and larval density of first instars on the roots at 15 DAF. Significant differences were found 25 and 35 DAF when larval density per sample was high on 'BRS Pampa CL' (up to 24.5), intermediate on 'BRS Querência' and 'BRS Ligeirinho' (up to 16.1), and low on 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn' (up to 8.8). The cultivars 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn' caused malnutrition and inhibition of larval growth. These effects, typical of antibiosis, resulted in delayed pupation and emergence of adults; in addition, emerged females had body weight decreased strongly. The cultivars BRS Pampa CL, BRS Querência, and BRS Ligeirinho are susceptible, resulting in high larval populations and more suitable development of O. oryzae; antibiosis, as indicated for 'BRS Atalanta', 'BRS Firmeza', and 'Dawn', probably is the key mechanism of rice resistance to O. oryzae.

Spatial Distribution of Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Rice.

Rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a destructive insect pest of rice in the United States. The pruning of rice roots by L. oryzophilus larvae can cause up to 25% yield loss. Currently, insecticidal seed treatments are used in the Louisiana rice industry as a pre-emptive means of controlling this weevil species. Our objective was to gain a better understanding of the spatial distribution of L. oryzophilus in Louisiana rice fields. Thirteen untreated commercial rice fields in Louisiana were mapped using GPS software, and surveyed for L. oryzophilus larvae over two years (2017 and 2018). An ANOVA, spatial interpolation, hotspot analysis, and multiple linear regression were used to determine where populations of L. oryzophilus were concentrated and whether distributions of the pest were related to edge effects. The results showed that L. oryzophilus larvae are typically aggregated along the edges of rice fields, with populations decreasing toward the center of rice fields. Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus densities were 3.3- and 2.2- fold greater along field edges than in field centers in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Hotspot spatial analysis revealed 59% and 32% of low-density clusters occurred at or near field centers, respectively. Multiple linear regression revealed larval densities decline with increasing distance from overwintering sites and alternative habitats (such as tree lines and levees containing bunch grasses and other alternative noncrop plants). These results suggest potential for insecticidal seed treatments to be applied selectively within rice fields to control this pest.

Seed Treatment With Jasmonic Acid and Methyl Jasmonate Induces Resistance to Insects but Reduces Plant Growth and Yield in Rice, Oryza sativa.

When applied exogenously to plants, jasmonates [i.e., jasmonic acid (JA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA)] increase plant resistance against herbivores, and their use in pest management has been suggested. For integration into pest management programs, the benefits of the resistance induced by jasmonates must outweigh the costs of jasmonates on plant growth and yield. A previous field study in rice found that seed treatment with MeJA reduced densities of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, but also reduced plant growth. Yields from MeJA plots were similar to yields from control plots. Because this study was conducted under field conditions with natural levels of pest populations, it was unclear whether effects on growth and yield were due to direct effects of MeJA treatment on the plant or due to lower reductions in rice water weevil densities. Therefore, the present study was designed to characterize the effects of JA and MeJA seed treatment on rice plant growth and yield in a pest-free environment under greenhouse conditions. Seed treatment with 2.5 mM JA and 2.5 mM MeJA enhanced resistance in rice plants to rice water weevils when plants were exposed to weevils 30 days after planting. Seed treatment with MeJA reduced seedling emergence and plant height at 4 and 14 days after planting, respectively, compared to JA and control treatments. However, numbers of tillers per plant at 45 days after planting and days to heading were unaffected by jasmonate seed treatment. Of four yield components (panicles per plant, filled grains per panicle, percent unfilled grains, and filled grain mass) that were measured, only filled grain mass was reduced by seed treatment. Plants grown from MeJA-treated seeds showed 31% lower grain masses compared to plants grown from control-treated seeds. Thus, the effects of seed treatment with MeJA on plant growth were stronger immediately post-treatment and subsided over time, such that plant growth mostly recovered 6 weeks after treatment. At maturity, MeJA may reduce one but not all components of yield. Despite similar effects on rice water weevil resistance, the negative effects of JA seed treatment on plant growth and yield were smaller compared to MeJA seed treatment.

Evaluation of Flood Removal in Combination with Insecticide Seed Treatment for Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Larval Management in Rice.

An experiment was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS during 2017 and 2018 to determine whether removal of the flood is an economical method of control for rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel. This experiment compared a continuous flood production system to draining a rice field completely and reestablishing a flood for the remainder of the growing season. In addition, two insecticide seed treatments, thiamethoxam and chlorantraniliprole, were compared with an untreated control within each system. Rice water weevil densities were measured prior to draining at 3 wk after flood and again after the flood was reestablished in drained plots. Rice water weevil densities were greater in 2017 than 2018. Chlorantraniliprole at the predrainage and postdrainage sample timing reduced larval numbers compared with the untreated control. The plots where water was removed until soil cracking then re-flooded had significantly lower weevil populations than plots that were continuously flooded during 2018 only. Draining of plots resulted in lower yields in 2018, but not in 2017. Additionally, both of the insecticide seed treatments resulted in greater yields and economic returns than the untreated control. Draining of flooded rice when rice water weevil larvae were present did not provide a consistent benefit, and may result in yield and economic penalties. Insecticide seed treatments consistently provided greater yield benefits in flooded rice. Based on these results, draining of flooded rice is not recommended to manage rice water weevil and insecticide seed treatments should be used to minimize economic losses.

Efficacy of reduced rates of chlorantraniliprole seed treatment on insect pests of irrigated drill-seeded rice.

BACKGROUND: For the past decade, insecticidal seed treatment has been the most widely used control tactic against insect pests of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the USA. Seed treatments are used primarily to control the most economically important early-season pest of rice, the rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel). This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of reduced rates of chlorantraniliprole seed treatment against the rice water weevil, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith), and sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis F.) under field and laboratory conditions. Concentrations of chlorantraniliprole in plant tissues were determined at vegetative and reproductive developmental stages of rice plants. RESULTS: Chlorantraniliprole seed treatment reduced the densities of rice water weevil larvae relative to non-treated controls even at rates 75% lower than the label rate. Increased mortality of fall armyworm larvae was observed at reduced seed treatment rates relative to a non-treated control. Chlorantraniliprole seed treatment increased the mortality of sugarcane borer larvae at all rates relative to controls and the mortality was consistently higher in larvae that were fed stems from treated plants at the vegetative developmental stage than larvae that were fed stems from plants at the reproductive stage. Concentrations of chlorantraniliprole in plant tissues increased with seed treatment rate and decreased with plant age. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that reduced chlorantraniliprole seed treatment rates can provide adequate control against the rice water weevil, fall armyworm, and sugarcane borer, particularly at early developmental stages of rice plants. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Belowground Inoculation With Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Increases Local and Systemic Susceptibility of Rice Plants to Different Pest Organisms.

Plants face numerous challenges from both aboveground and belowground stressors, and defend themselves against harmful insects and microorganisms in many ways. Because plant responses to biotic stresses are not only local but also systemic, belowground interactions can influence aboveground interactions in both natural and agricultural ecosystems. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are soilborne organisms that form symbiotic associations with many plant roots and are thought to play a central role in plant nutrition, growth, and fitness. In the present study, we focused on the influence of AMF on rice defense against pests. We inoculated rice plants with AMF in several field and greenhouse experiments to test whether the interaction of AMF with rice roots changes the resistance of rice against two chewing insects, the rice water weevil (Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, RWW) and the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, FAW), and against infection by sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani, ShB). Both in field and greenhouse experiments, the performance of insects and the pathogen on rice was enhanced when plants were inoculated with AMF. In the field, inoculating rice plants with AMF resulted in higher numbers of RWW larvae on rice roots. In the greenhouse, more RWW first instars emerged from AMF-colonized rice plants than from non-colonized control plants. Weight gains of FAW larvae were higher on rice plants treated with AMF inoculum. Lesion lengths and susceptibility to ShB infection were higher in rice plants colonized by AMF. Although AMF inoculation enhanced the growth of rice plants, the nutritional analyses of root and shoot tissues indicated no major increases in the concentrations of nutrients in rice plants colonized by AMF. The large effects on rice susceptibility to pests in the absence of large effects on plant nutrition suggest that AMF colonization influences other mechanisms of susceptibility (e.g., defense signaling processes). This study represents the first study conducted in the U.S. in rice showing AMF-induced plant susceptibility to several antagonists that specialize on different plant tissues. Given the widespread occurrence of AMF, our findings will help to provide a different perspective into the causal basis of rice systemic resistance/susceptibility to insects and pathogens.

Integrating Soil Silicon Amendment into Management Programs for Insect Pests of Drill-Seeded Rice.

Silicon soil amendment has been shown to enhance plant defenses against insect pests. Rice is a silicon-accumulating graminaceous plant. In the southern United States, the rice water weevil and stem borers are important pests of rice. Current management tactics for these pests rely heavily on the use of insecticides. This study evaluated the effects of silicon amendment when combined with current management tactics for these rice insect pests in the field. Field experiments were conducted from 2013 to 2015. Rice was drill-planted in plots subjected to factorial combinations of variety (conventional and hybrid), chlorantraniliprole seed treatment (treated and untreated), and silicon amendment (treated and untreated). Silicon amendment reduced densities of weevil larvae on a single sampling date in 2014, but did not affect densities of whiteheads caused by stem borers. In contrast, insecticidal seed treatment strongly reduced densities of both weevil larvae and whiteheads. Higher densities of weevil larvae were also observed in the hybrid variety in 2014, while higher incidences of whiteheads were observed in the conventional variety in 2014 and 2015. Silicon amendment improved rice yields, as did chlorantraniliprole seed treatment and use of the hybrid variety.

Impact of Thiamethoxam Seed Treatment on Growth and Yield of Rice, Oryza sativa.

Neonicotinoid seed treatments are widely used in agriculture. In rice, Oryza sativa L., in the southern United States, neonicotinoid seed treatments are used to manage early-season populations of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel. In addition to their effects on pests, neonicotinoid seed treatments may benefit crop plants directly by increasing plant growth or altering plant responses to stresses. As part of an effort to assess the overall benefits of thiamethoxam seed treatment in rice, rice emergence, growth, and yield were evaluated. In a growth chamber, rice emergence from the soil was 1-2 d more rapid from treated than untreated seeds. These laboratory results were supported by field experiments that revealed higher stand counts from thiamethoxam-treated plots than from untreated plots. Yields from thiamethoxam treatments were no higher than those from untreated plots under conditions in which weevil larvae were absent, a result inconsistent with the hypothesis that thiamethoxam imparts direct yield benefits. In a series of field experiments conducted to compare the relationship between weevil larval densities and rice yields in plots treated with several rates of thiamethoxam or chlorantraniliprole (another widely used seed treatment insecticide), the relationship between weevil density and yield did not differ markedly among both seed treatments. Overall yields from both seed treatments did not differ significantly, despite more effective control in chlorantraniliprole-treated plots. These results provide strong support for effect of thiamethoxam on early-season growth of rice, but only weak support for its direct effect on rice yields.

Identification and profiling of miRNAs in overwintering Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus via next-generation sequencing.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of various biological processes in organisms. Insects subjected to abiotic stress can regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally through the use of microRNAs. However, the role of miRNAs in response to cold stress in Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel remains unknown. The rice water weevil, L. oryzophilus, is an invasive insect that is able to survive cold winters. To characterize changes in miRNAs in response to overwintering in L. oryzophilus, a comprehensive comparative analysis of microRNAs was performed involving an overwintering and a normal adult. High-throughput Illumina sequencing and bioinformatics analyses revealed 121 conserved and 14 potential novel microRNAs in two small libraries. The novel miRNAs exhibit low expression levels in both libraries. After the expression profiles of the miRNAs in the two libraries were normalized, 36 miRNAs in L. oryzophilus were found to be differentially expressed in response to overwintering. In particular, 14 conserved miRNAs and 6 novel miRNAs were up-regulated, while 15 conserved miRNAs and 1 novel miRNA were down-regulated. In addition, the expression patterns of 11 conserved and potentially novel miRNAs were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Most importantly, this work provides a unique resource of characterized miRNAs for overwintering L. oryzophilus and contributes to studies of the functions of cold-related and other L. oryzophilus miRNAs.

Aerobic versus Anaerobic Microbial Degradation of Clothianidin under Simulated California Rice Field Conditions.

Microbial degradation of clothianidin was characterized under aerobic and anaerobic California rice field conditions. Rate constants (k) and half-lives (DT50) were determined for aerobic and anaerobic microcosms, and an enrichment experiment was performed at various nutrient conditions and pesticide concentrations. Temperature effects on anaerobic degradation rates were determined at 22 ± 2 and 35 ± 2 °C. Microbial growth was assessed in the presence of various pesticide concentrations, and distinct colonies were isolated and identified. Slow aerobic degradation was observed, but anaerobic degradation occurred rapidly at both 25 and 35 °C. Transformation rates and DT50 values in flooded soil at 35 ± 2 °C (k = -7.16 × 10(-2) ± 3.08 × 10(-3) day(-1), DT50 = 9.7 days) were significantly faster than in 25 ± 2 °C microcosms (k= -2.45 × 10(-2) ± 1.59 × 10(-3) day(-1), DT50 = 28.3 days). At the field scale, biodegradation of clothianidin will vary with extent of oxygenation.

Odorant-Binding Proteins and Chemosensory Proteins from an Invasive Pest Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a serious pest species both in its original distribution region of northern America and its invaded regions of eastern Asia and southern Europe. The odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and the chemosensory proteins (CSPs) play important roles in host and mate locating, thus might play a significant role in the success of the species as an invader, which has not been characterized yet. We identified 10 OBPs and 5 CSPs in L. oryzophilus and investigated the expression profiles of these genes in various tissues by quantitative real-time PCR. Five classic OBPs were predominantly expressed in the antennae. CSPs were expressed ubiquitously with particularly high transcript levels in antennae, legs, and wings. Three antenna-specific OBPs (LoOBP1, 8, 11) were up-regulated following 1-3 d of food deprivation and down-regulated afterward. These findings suggest most classic OBPs are likely involved in chemoreception whereas CSPs as well as the minus-C OBPs may have broader physiological functions, which in turn may help to understand the molecular aspects of chemical communication in this invasive insect.

A fungal endophyte helps plants to tolerate root herbivory through changes in gibberellin and jasmonate signaling.

Plant-microbe mutualisms can improve plant defense, but the impact of root endophytes on below-ground herbivore interactions remains unknown. We investigated the effects of the root endophyte Piriformospora indica on interactions between rice (Oryza sativa) plants and its root herbivore rice water weevil (RWW; Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus), and how plant jasmonic acid (JA) and GA regulate this tripartite interaction. Glasshouse experiments with wild-type rice and coi1-18 and Eui1-OX mutants combined with nutrient, jasmonate and gene expression analyses were used to test: whether RWW adult herbivory above ground influences subsequent damage caused by larval herbivory below ground; whether P. indica protects plants against RWW; and whether GA and JA signaling mediate these interactions. The endophyte induced plant tolerance to root herbivory. RWW adults and larvae acted synergistically via JA signaling to reduce root growth, while endophyte-elicited GA biosynthesis suppressed the herbivore-induced JA in roots and recovered plant growth. Our study shows for the first time the impact of a root endophyte on plant defense against below-ground herbivores, adds to growing evidence that induced tolerance may be an important root defense, and implicates GA as a signal component of inducible plant tolerance against biotic stress.

Integrating flood depth and plant resistance with chlorantraniliprole seed treatments for management of rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Chlorantraniliprole seed treatments in rice provide effective suppression of rice water weevil populations in the United States; however, heavy reliance on prophylactic insecticide treatments as a sole strategy could destabilize management programs for this insect. The present research evaluated the compatibility of seed treatments with two other potential management tactics-plant resistance and shallow flooding-by conducting two split-plot experiments in 2009 and 2011. In both experiments, no substantial antagonism was found among the 3 different tactics. Statistical interactions in these experiments arose from the strong and persistent effects of chlorantraniliprole on larval densities rather than incompatibility of tactics. In 2009, weevil densities differed among varieties and were significantly lower on the cultivar "Jefferson." In 2011, weevil densities were reduced significantly in shallow-flooded plots compared to deep-flooded plots. Significant reductions in weevil numbers by chlorantraniliprole seed treatments, even at application rates 5 fold lower than commercially recommended rates, demonstrated the potential to reduce application rates of this highly potent larvicide. These latter results suggest that future studies on the relationship between chlorantraniliprole seed treatment rate and weevil fitness are warranted.

A novel approach: Beauveria bassiana granules applied to nursery soil for management of rice water weevils in paddy fields.

BACKGROUND: Spraying of entomopathogenic fungi formulated as wettable powders and suspension concentrates based on oils or water has been used for the management of crop pests. However, the use of fungal granules to control paddy field pests has not been fully explored. Herein, several Beauveria bassiana isolates (ERL1170, ERL1578 and ERL836) were produced as granules using a millet-based solid culture. The granules were applied to the rice nursery 3 days before transplanting, and their control efficacy against rice water weevils was determined in paddy fields. RESULTS: The solid cultures produced ∼1 × 10(8) conidia g(-1) of millet grains 10 days after the inoculation. The granules were applied to the soil in the rice nursery 3 days before the rice seedlings were transplanted in the paddy fields. Rice in plots with granules of ERL1578 had 17.3% leaf damage (74% control efficacy) 14 days post-application, whereas rice plants in the untreated control had 66.5% damage. Rice plants treated in the nursery with ERL1170 and ERL836 had 52-54% damage. In the rice plots previously treated with ERL1578, the smallest numbers of larvae and adults were observed 38 days post-application. In laboratory conditions, ERL1578-treated larvae turned pink and were covered with mycelial mass. CONCLUSION: Applications of millet-based B. bassiana granules on rice nursery soil can be an effective and efficient biological control strategy for the management of rice water weevils. This method can be relatively inexpensive and requires less labor than practices involving the spraying of fungi directly on rice in paddy fields.

Influence of Rice Seeding Rate on Efficacies of Neonicotinoid and Anthranilic Diamide Seed Treatments against Rice Water Weevil.

Rice in the U.S. is frequently seeded at low rates and treated before sowing with neonicotinoid or anthranilic diamide insecticides to target the rice water weevil. A previous study of the influence of seeding rate on rice water weevil densities showed an inverse relationship between seeding rates and immature weevil densities. This study investigated interactive effects of seeding rate and seed treatment on weevil densities and rice yields; in particular, experiments were designed to determine whether seed treatments were less effective at low seeding rates. Four experiments were conducted over three years by varying seeding rates of rice treated at constant per seed rates of insecticide. Larval suppression by chlorantraniliprole was superior to thiamethoxam or clothianidin, and infestations at low seeding rates were up to 47% higher than at high seeding rates. Little evidence was found for the hypothesis that seed treatments are less effective at low seeding rates; in only one of four experiments was the reduction in weevil densities by thiamethoxam greater at high than at low seeding rates. However, suppression of larvae by neonicotinoid seed treatments in plots seeded at low rates was generally poor, and caution must be exercised when using the neonicotioids at low seeding rates.

Activity of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam seed treatments on life stages of the rice water weevil as affected by the distribution of insecticides in rice plants.

BACKGROUND: The systemic insecticides chlorantraniliprole (CAP) and thiamethoxam (TMX), applied to rice as seed treatments, may affect multiple life stages of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus. Effects of CAP and TMX on adult survival, egg-laying and first- and late-instar survivals were determined by infesting plants treated as seeds with different rates of insecticides. The biological activity was related to insecticidal concentrations in leaves, shoots and roots. RESULTS: CAP did not affect adult survival but decreased egg numbers and reduced the survival of the first and late instars. The greatest reduction in weevil population occurred in late instars feeding on roots. In contrast, TMX reduced adult survival and egg and larval numbers. The high biological activity of CAP on root-feeding stages was consistent with the accumulation of CAP in roots, whereas in TMX-treated plants the high activity on adults correlated with high concentrations of TMX in leaves and stems. CONCLUSIONS: The differential activity of insecticides on adults suggests poor inherent potency of CAP as an adulticide and/or its limited systemicity in foliage. The distribution of insecticide in specific plant parts can be attributed to the different physicochemical properties of CAP and TMX. The field implications of this research on management of L. oryzophilus are discussed.

Profundidade da amostragem de solo e de raízes e índice de infestação de Oryzophagus oryzae (Costa Lima, 1936) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) em cultivares de arroz / Sampling depth of soil and roots and Oryzophagus oryzae (Costa Lima, 1936) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infestation index in rice cultivars

Oryzophagus oryzae é o inseto-praga chave da cultura do arroz irrigado por inundação na Região Sul do Brasil. Suas larvas, conhecidas por bicheira-da-raiz, causam perdas significativas de produtividade quando danificam o sistema radicular das plantas de arroz. No monitoramento da população larval de O. oryzae em arrozais, ou em levantamentos em experimentos, atualmente são empregadas amostras padrão de solo e raízes, com 8,5cm de profundidade e 10cm de largura, desintegradas por submersão e agitamento em peneira com água, para a contagem de larvas. A visualização de larvas, principalmente de 1o e 2o instar, torna-se difícil na suspensão formada pelo solo das amostras com tais dimensões e a água do interior das peneiras. Assim sendo, foi realizado um experimento para determinar uma profundidade de amostragem que viabilize a captura e a visualização de um maior número possível de larvas, num menor volume possível de solo, em diferentes cultivares de arroz. O experimento foi instalado num Planossolo Háplico, no delineamento de quadrado latino, e incluiu como tratamentos seis cultivares de arroz ('BRS Atalanta'; 'BRS Firmeza'; 'BRS Ligeirinho'; 'BRS Querência'; 'BRS Sinuelo CL'; 'IRGA 417') e três profundidades (3, 6 e 9cm) de retirada de amostras de solo e raízes, todas com 10cm de diâmetro. De imediato à retirada de amostras, foi registrado o número de larvas. Posteriormente, em avaliações periódicas, foi registrado o número de adultos emergidos de amostras mantidas intactas em baldes plásticos com lâmina de água de 13, 16 e 19cm, cobertos por tecido telado. Ocorreu interação significativa entre profundidades de amostragem e as cultivares 'BRS Sinuelo CL' e 'BRS Querência' quanto ao índice de infestação larval e de adultos de O. oryzae, respectivamente. No caso de ambas as variáveis, o índice na profundidade de 6cm foi significativamente maior do que na de 3cm, mantendo-se intermediário na de 9cm. Concluiu-se que, num Planossolo Háplico, amostras de solo e de raízes de arroz retiradas à profundidade de 6cm são mais apropriadas à captura e à visualização de larvas de O. oryzae, na suspensão (solo e água) formada nas peneiras usadas para a sua contagem, e à obtenção de adultos desse inseto.

Oryzophagus oryzae is the key insect pest in flooded rice fields in southern Brazil. Their larvae, known as rice water weevil cause significant yield losses when they cut the roots of rice plants. For the monitoring and survey of the larval population of O. oryzae, on rice fields and rice trials, respectively, are currently used standard samples of soil and roots, with 8.5cm deep and 10cm wide, blown away by submersion and shaking in a sieve with water for the counting of larvae. The visualization of larvae, especially the 1st and 2nd instars, becomes difficult in the suspension formed by the soil samples with these dimensions and the water inside the sieves. Thus, an experiment was conducted in a Typic Albaqualf soil according to the Latin square design to determine a sampling depth of soil and roots that makes possible the capture and display a larger number of larvae in a smallest possible volume of soil, in different rice cultivars. The treatments consisted of six rice cultivars ('BRS Atalanta'; 'BRS Firmeza'; 'BRS Ligeirinho'; 'BRS Querência'; 'BRS Sinuelo CL'; 'IRGA 417') and three depths (3, 6 and 9cm) for removing samples of soil and roots, every 10cm diameter. In the immediate withdrawal of samples, it was announced the number of larvae. Subsequently, in periodic evaluations, it was announced the number of adults emerged from samples kept intact in plastic buckets with water depth of 13, 16 and 19cm, covered by screened mesh fabric. It was detected a significant interaction between sampling depths and the rice cultivars 'BRS Sinuelo CL' and 'BRS Querência' in the rate of infestation of larvae and adults of O. oryzae, respectively. In the case of both variables the number of insects per sample was significantly higher at 6 cm depth than at 3cm, an intermediate in 9cm. It was concluded that in Typic Albaqualf soil, samples (soil and rice roots) taken from a depth of 6cm are more effective to capture and visualize larvae of O. oryzae in suspension (soil and water) formed in the sieves used for counting larvae, and also for the collection of adults of this insect.

Viabilidade da antecipação do tratamento de sementes de arroz com inseticidas em relação à data de semeadura no controle de Oryzophagus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) / Viability of the advance rice seed treatment with insecticides in relation to sowing date in the control of Oryzophagus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Oryzophagus oryzae (Costa Lima, 1936) é uma das pragas mais prejudiciais da cultura do arroz irrigado, sendo seu controle efetuado tradicionalmente com inseticidas granulados aplicados na água de irrigação. No entanto, o uso de inseticidas aplicados às sementes tem sido considerado promissor. Embora existam máquinas adequadas para aplicação de inseticidas às sementes, há dificuldade de assegurar a qualidade das sementes tratadas, em poucos dias ou mesmo horas antes da semeadura. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade do tratamento de sementes de arroz com inseticidas aplicados com antecedência à data de semeadura para o controle de O. oryzae. Dois experimentos foram instalados na Estação Experimental de Terras Baixas da Embrapa Clima Temperado, localizada no município de Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), em duas épocas (1997/1998 e 2004/2005). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados os inseticidas carbosulfano e fipronil aplicados manualmente às sementes de arroz em diferentes épocas que antecederam a semeadura e foram avaliadas as variáveis poder germinativo e vigor das sementes, plantas emergidas, população larval e produtividade de grãos. O tratamento das sementes de arroz com inseticidas, antecipadamente à data de semeadura, visando ao controle de O. oryzae, demonstrou ser viável. Os inseticidas carbosulfano e fipronil são adequados ao tratamento antecipado das sementes, se aplicados até 75 dias antes da semeadura.

Oryzophagus oryzae (Costa Lima, 1936) is one of the most important pests of irrigated rice, whose control is made traditionally with granulated insecticides on the irrigation water. However, the use of insecticides on the seeds has been considered a promising method. Although there are adequate implements to apply insecticides on the seeds, it’s hard to make this treatment with quality and in a big quantity, few days or hours before sowing. In this context, the viability of treat the rice seeds in an advance of sowing date has been evaluated. Two experiments were performed at Embrapa Clima Temperado, Capão do Leão, RS, Brazil in 1997/98 and 2004/05. The experimental design was in blocks at random with four repetitions, being evaluated the insecticides carbosulfan and fipronil applied manually to the seeds of rice in different times that preceded the sowing. Germination power and vigour, emerged plants, larval population and grains productivity were considered. The rice seeds treatment with insecticides in advance of sowing date trying to achieve the control of O. oryzae, demonstrate viability. The insecticides carbosulfan and fipronil are adequate to advance seeds treatment, if applied until 75 days before sowing.