Toxicity of insecticides on Neotropical stingless bees Plebeia emerina (Friese) and Tetragonisca fiebrigi (Schwarz) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini).

Use of pesticides in agroecosystems is considered a major cause of bees diversity losses in the Neotropics, where Plebeia emerina (Friese) and Tetragonisca fiebrigi (Schwarz) (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) are wild pollinators of native and crop plants. The aim of this study was to know the acute lethal toxicity of acetamiprid, malathion, phosmet and spinosad insecticides on P. emerina and T. fiebrigi. We obtained the mean concentration and mean lethal dose (LC50 and LD50) and the mean survival of workers after oral and topical exposure to insecticides, respectively. The LC50 values (ng a.i./µl of diet) and the decreasing order of toxicity for P. emerina was spinosad (4.96) > malathion (18.75) > phosmet (97.33) > acetamiprid (4204.06), and for T. fiebrigi also was spinosad (5.65) > malathion (8.39) > phosmet (53.91) > acetamiprid (9841.32), when orally exposed. The LD50 values (ng a.i./bee) and the decreasing order of toxicity for P. emerina was spinosad (1.90) > malathion (10.90) > phosmet (19.54) > acetamiprid (6216.55) and for T. fiebrigi was malathion (29.29) ≥ spinosad (29.79) > phosmet (41.95) > acetamiprid (1421.23), when topically exposed. The mean survival (hours) of contaminated bees by malathion, phosmet, and spinosad, was 11.81, 7.20, and 12.32 for P. emerina and 8.55, 7.20, and 13.34 for T. fiebrigi when orally exposed; and was 4.87, 9.87 and 11.17 for P. emerina, and 4.87, 4.76, and 19.05 for T. fiebrigi when topically exposed. Malathion, phosmet, and spinosad were highly toxic, while acetamiprid was moderately toxic. Our results indicated that the insecticides tested, mainly malathion, phosmet, and spinosad may be harmful to P. emerina and T. fiebrigi, making it essential to propose measures to minimize their impact on wild pollinators.

Acute Toxicity and Sublethal Effects of Terpenoids and Essential Oils on the Predator Chrysoperla externa (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

The search for new safer insecticides has increased in recent agriculture. Botanical compounds such as terpenoids and plant essential oils with insecticidal activity could represent important tools in pest management, and their risk assessment against non-target organisms is necessary since they may serve as a precursor for the synthesis of new insecticide active ingredients. For this study, the acute toxicity and sublethal effects of seven terpenoids and three essential oils with recognized insecticidal activity were evaluated on the predator Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in laboratory bioassays. Results indicate that these compounds feature relative selectivity to the predator C. externa; however, sublethal effects on reproduction were recorded for some compounds. The phenolic monoterpenoids carvacrol and thymol were more acutely toxic than other terpenoids screened, with LD50 <20,000 µg/g; however, they were less toxic than natural pyrethrins (toxicity standard) in these bioassays. Sublethal effects on fecundity and fertility were observed for R-(+)-limonene, while oregano oil only affected fecundity. The compounds evaluated here have potential to be used as insecticides and can serve as backbone for future synthesis of selective active ingredients; however, a complete risk assessment to C. externa and other non-target organisms is necessary for their incorporation in future crop protection paradigms.

Toxicity of Pesticide Tank Mixtures from Rice Crops Against Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae).

The use of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides commonly occurs in mixtures in tanks in order to control phytosanitary problems in crops. However, there is no information regarding the effects of these mixtures on non-target organisms associated to the rice agroecosystem. The aim of this study was to know the toxicity of pesticide tank mixtures from rice crops against Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae). Based on the methods adapted from the International Organisation for Biological and Integrated Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (IOBC), adults of T. podisi were exposed to residues of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, individually or in mixture commonly used by growers, in laboratory and on rice plants in a greenhouse. The mixture between fungicides tebuconazole, triclyclazole, and azoxystrobin and the mixture between herbicides cyhalofop-butyl, imazethapyr, imazapyr/imazapic, and penoxsulam are harmless to T. podisi and can be used in irrigated rice crops without harming the natural biological control. The insecticides cypermethin, thiamethoxam, and bifenthrin/carbosulfan increase the toxicity of the mixtures in tank with herbicides and fungicides, being more toxic to T. podisi and less preferred for use in phytosanitary treatments in the rice crop protection.

Basis for the Development of a Rearing Technique of Aganaspis pelleranoi (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) in Anastrepha fraterculus (Tephritidae: Diptera).

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is among the most important pests of fruit trees in South America, where it can cause losses of up to 100% in fruit orchards. The endoparasitoid Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) is one of the main natural enemies of A. fraterculus in Neotropical countries and can be used as a biological control agent against this pest. This study aimed to provide background biological information for the development of a method for mass rearing of A. pelleranoi in larvae of A. fraterculus . We determined the effects of diet on the longevity and parasitism capacity of A. pelleranoi adults, the optimal instar of A. fraterculus for parasitism, the ideal exposure time of the larvae to the parasitoid, and the parasitism capacity of females of A. pelleranoi . The results showed that a 30% honey:water solution maximized parasitoid longevity. Third-instar larvae of A. fraterculus should be used in parasitoid multiplication. An exposure time of 4 h of A. fraterculus larvae produced a larger number of parasitoid offspring, with the highest proportion of females. In addition, the estimated mean parasitism capacity of females of A. pelleranoi was 10 larvae per day. This information can help to develop a mass-rearing method for A. pelleranoi in larvae of A. fraterculus .

Assessment of Injuries Caused by Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) (Diptera: Tephritidae) on the Incidence of Bunch Rot Diseases in Table Grape.

Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) is the main insect pest of table grapes (Vitis vinifera) in the Southern Region of Brazil. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of fruit puncturing by adult females and larval infestation by A. fraterculus on the occurrence of bunch rot disease in the grape (cultivar "Itália") by evaluating grapes (a) punctured for oviposition by females of A. fraterculus, sterilized in laboratory with novaluron (40 mg L(-1)) and further spray-inoculated separately with Botrytis cinerea (1 × 10(6) conidia mL(-1)), Glomerella cingulata (1 × 10(6) conidia mL(-1)), and bacteria and yeast that cause sour rot (1 × 10(5) cells mL(-1)), (b) grapes punctured for oviposition by non-sterilized females with pathogen spraying, (c) grapes with mechanical wounds and pathogen spraying, (d) grapes with no wounds and with pathogen spraying, (e) grapes punctured for oviposition by A. fraterculus chemically sterilized in laboratory with novaluron, (f) grapes punctured for oviposition by A. fraterculus non-sterilized in laboratory with novaluron, (g) grapes with mechanical wounds, and (h) grapes with no sterilization or pathogen spraying. Our data indicated that the mechanical and oviposition wounds caused by A. fraterculus increased the percentage of grapes infected by B. cinerea, G. cingulata, and microorganisms of acid rot. The grape puncturing by A. fraterculus and the mechanical wound allows the penetration of B. cinerea and microorganisms leading to acid rot. We conclude that the fruit fly A. fraterculus may facilitate phytopathogens penetration leading to bunch rots in the table grape Itália.

Effect of constant temperatures on the biology, life table, and thermal requirements of Aganaspis pelleranoi (Hymenoptera: Figitidae), a parasitoid of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes, 1924) (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) is a koinobiont endoparasitoid of larvae of species of the genus Anastrepha and of Ceratitis capitata. It is a candidate for use as a biological control agent, as under field conditions, it may reach a parasitism rate of 62%. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different constant temperatures on biological parameters of A. pelleranoi when parasitizing the larva of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae), as well as to determine its thermal requirements. The study was conducted in environmental chambers at 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, and 30 ± 1°C; 70 ± 10% relative humidity; and a 12-h photophase. Females maintained at 18 and 20°C produced more progeny than females at other temperatures tested. The longevity of males and females was inversely proportional to temperature, ranging from 49.1 to 3.73 d for females and from 32.1 to 3.8 d for males at temperatures of 18-30°C, respectively. The duration of the biological cycle (egg-to-adult) was influenced by temperature, and ranged from 69.1 d at 18°C to 30 d at 25°C. No preimaginal development of A. pelleranoi occurred at 28 and 30°C. The relationship between temperature and the demographic parameters of A. pelleranoi showed a linear effect over the temperature range of 18-25°C. The lower temperature threshold and thermal constant were 11.69°C and 391.70 degree days, respectively.

Structural changes under low evolutionary constraint may decrease the affinity of dibenzoylhydrazine insecticides for the ecdysone receptor in non-lepidopteran insects.

Understanding how variations in genetic sequences are conveyed into structural and biochemical properties is of increasing interest in the field of molecular evolution. In order to gain insight into this process, we studied the ecdysone receptor (EcR), a transcription factor that controls moulting and metamorphosis in arthropods. Using an in silico homology model, we identified a region in the lepidopteran EcR that has no direct interaction with the natural hormone but is under strong evolutionary constraint. This region causes a small indentation in the three-dimensional structure of the protein which facilitates the binding of tebufenozide. Non-Mecopterida are considered much older, evolutionarily, than Lepidoptera and they do not have this extended cavity. This location shows differences in evolutionary constraint between Lepidoptera and other insects, where a much lower constraint is observed compared with the Lepidoptera. It is possible that the higher flexibility seen in the EcR of Lepidoptera is an entirely new trait and the higher constraint could then be an indication that this region does have another important function. Finally, we suggest that Try123, which is evolutionarily constrained and is up to now exclusively present in Lepidoptera EcRs, could play a critical role in discriminating between steroidal and non-steroidal ligands.

Seletividade de inseticidas usados na cultura do milho para adultos de Doru lineare (Eschscholtz, 1822) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) / Selectivity of insecticides used in the corn crop to adults of Doru lineare (Eschscholtz, 1822) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a seletividade dos inseticidas utilizados na cultura do milho sobre Doru lineare. Foi avaliada a seletividade de inseticidas utilizados na cultura do milho para D. lineare, seguindo metodologia proposta pela IOBC/WPRS em condições de laboratório. Adultos foram expostos aos resíduos dos inseticidas por meio de contato com placas de vidros e pelo consumo de ovos de Spodoptera frugiperda contaminados com os inseticidas. A porcentagem de mortalidade dos insetos em contato residual foi utilizada para classificar os inseticidas como inócuo (< 30%), levemente nocivo (30-79%), moderadamente nocivo (80-99%) e nocivo (> 99%). A mortalidade de adultos após consumo de ovos contaminados foi comparada com a testemunha. Para adultos deD. lineare mediante contato residual, nas 360 HAIE (horas após o início da exposição), os inseticidas Decis 25 EC, Dimilin, Engeo Pleno, Karate Zeon 250 CS, Lorsban 480 BR, Match EC, Neem Azal e Sevin 480 SC foram nocivos ao predador. Certero, Fastac 100 SC e Tracer foram moderadamente nocivos. Intrepid 240 SC e Mimic 240 SC foram inócuos. A mortalidade de adultos após o consumo de ovos contaminados foi significativa para os inseticidas Certero, Dimilin, Tracer, Engeo Pleno, Lorsban 480 BR, Sevin 480 SC.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of insecticides used in the corn crop to Doru lineare (Eschscholtz, 1822) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae), following methodology suggested by IOBC/WPRS, under laboratory conditions. Adult insects were placed on glass plates or fed on Spodoptera frugiperda eggs, both containing previously sprayed insecticide residues. The adult mortality by the residual contact was used to classify insecticides as harmless (< 30%), slightly harmful (30-79%), moderately harmful (80-99%) and harmful (> 99%). The adult mortality due to consumption of the contaminated eggs was compared to the control. For adults ofD. linearein residual contact after 360 HASE (hours after start of exposure) the insecticides Decis 25 EC, Dimilin, Engeo Pleno, Karate Zeon 250 CS, Lorsban 480 BR, Match EC, Neem Azal and Sevin 480 SC were harmful. Certero, Fastac 100 SC and Tracer were moderately harmful. Intrepid 240 SC and Mimic 240 SC were slightly harmful. The mortality of adults after consumption of contaminated eggs was noteworthy for the insecticides Certero, Dimilin, Tracer, Engeo Pleno, Lorsban 480 BR and Sevin 480 SC.

Seletividade de inseticidas usados na cultura do milho para ovos e ninfas do predador Doru lineare (Eschscholtz, 1822) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) / Selectivity of insecticides used in corn crops to eggs and nymphs of the earwing Doru lineare (Eschscholtz, 1822) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a seletividade de inseticidas usados na cultura do milho para o controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) sobre ninfas de primeiro ínstar e ovos do predador Doru lineare (Scudder, 1876) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). Para os bioensaios foi utilizada a metodologia padronizada da IOBC/WPRS, em condições de laboratório, com temperatura de 25 ± 1º C, umidade relativa de 70 ± 10% e fotofase de 14 horas. No bioensaio com ninfas para contato residual, a aplicação dos inseticidas foi realizada com um equipamento pressurizado a CO2, pressão de 50 psi. Para aplicação dos inseticidas sobre os ovos foi utilizada torre de Potter, com pressão de 10 psi. Em ambas as formas de aplicação o depósito foi de 1,75 ± 0,25 mg de calda cm-2 conforme metodologia da IOBC/WPRS. A mortalidade de ninfas foi utilizada para classificar os inseticidas como inócuo (< 30%), levemente nocivo (30-79%), moderadamente nocivo (80-99%) e nocivo (> 99%). Os dados de viabilidade de ovos e sobrevivência de ninfas que eclodiram deles foram comparados com os dados das testemunhas positiva (Sevin 480 SC) e negativa (água). Certero, Dimilin, Engeo Pleno, Karate Zeon 250 SC, Lorsban 480 BR, Match EC e Sevin 480 SC reduziram a viabilidade de ovos. A sobrevivência de ninfas provenientes dos ovos tratados teve redução para os inseticidas: Decis 25 EC, Dimilin, Engeo Pleno, Karate Zeon 250 CS, Lorsban 480 BR e Sevin 480 SC. Para ninfas de D. lineare em contato residual, todos os inseticidas foram nocivos em 96 horas após a exposição.

The goal of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of insecticides used in corn crops for the control of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on first-instar nymphs and eggs of the earwig Doru lineare. For the bioassays the standardized methodology of IOBC/WPRS was used in terms of temperature (25 ± 1º C), relative humidity (70 ± 15%) and photophase (14 hours). In the bioassay with nymphs for residual contact, the applications of insecticides was conducted with equipment pressurized by CO2 to 50 psi. For applications of insecticides on eggs, a Potter's tower was used, with pressure of 10 psi. In both forms of spraying the deposit was 1.75±0.25 mg cm-2 of aqueous solution in accordance with the IOBC/WPRS methodology. The mortality of nymphs was used to classify insecticides as harmless (< 30%), slightly harmful (30-79%), moderately harmful (80-99%) and harmful (> 99%). Viability of eggs and survival of hatched nymphs were both evaluated by comparing with the positive (Sevin 480 SC) and negative (water) controls. The viability of eggs was reduced by Certero, Dimilin, Engeo Pleno, Karate Zeon 250 SC, Lorsban 480 BR, Match EC and Sevin 480 SC. The survival of nymphs from treated eggs was reduced by the insecticides Decis EC, Dimilin, Engeo Pleno, Karate Zeon 250 CS, Lorsban 480 BR and Sevin 480 SC. For nymphs of D. lineare in residual contact, all the insecticides were harmful.