Phenological development of fruits in cultivars of feijoa (Acca sellowiana) and its relationship with south american fruit fly infestation / Desenvolvimento fenológico de frutos em cultivares de goiabeira-serrana (Acca sellowiana) e sua relação com infestação da mosca-das-frutas sul americana

The present study aimed to evaluate the developmental phases of feijoa fruits associated with infestation by Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the nonpreference of fruit flies for ripe fruits of feijoa. Two tests were carried out. In the first trial, we evaluated the association between the developmental stages of feijoa fruits and infestation by A. fraterculus. To accomplish this, fruits at five different stages of development, from green to ripe, were examined from the Alcântara cultivar. In the second trial, we evaluated the nonpreference of A. fraterculus for ripe fruits of Alcântara, Helena, Mattos and access 2316 cultivars. Physicochemical analyses were performed on the fruits of both trials. In the second test, analyses of polyphenol index and tannin concentration were also performed. Feijoa fruits in stage I are the likely targets of attack by A. fraterculus. The fruits of Alcântara cultivar from stage II, with 39 mm of transversal diameter and soluble solids, presented four puparium / fruit. The fruits of Alcântara and access 2316 cultivars showed greater and lesser infestation, respectively. The fruits of access 2316 also showed a higher concentration of tannins compared to the three commercial cultivars tested, which may have conferred the greatest protection against infestation by A. fraterculus. Feijoa fruits from Alcântara and Mattos cultivars showed high susceptibility to infestation by A. fraterculus, requiring management practices to guarantee commercial production.

O presente estudo teve como objetivos avaliar as fases de desenvolvimento de frutos de feijoa associadas à infestação por Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) e a não preferência por frutos maduros. No primeiro ensaio, foi avaliado a influência dos cinco estágios de desenvolvimento dos frutos de feijoa na infestação por A. fraterculus na cultivar Alcântara. No segundo ensaio, foi avaliado a não preferência de A. fraterculus por frutos maduros das cultivares Alcântara, Helena, Mattos e acesso 2316. Foram realizadas análises físico-químicas nos frutos de ambos os ensaios. No segundo ensaio, também foram realizadas análises do índice de polifenóis e concentração de taninos. Frutos de feijoa no estágio I são os prováveis alvos de ataque por A fraterculus. Os frutos do cultivar Alcântara, a partir do estádio II, quando apresentavam 39 mm de diâmetro transversal e sólidos solúveis, apresentaram quatro pupários/fruto. Os frutos da cultivar Alcântara e do acesso 2316 apresentaram maior e menor infestação, respectivamente. Os frutos do acesso 2316 também apresentaram a maior concentração de taninos do que nas três cultivares comerciais testadas, o que pode ter conferido a maior proteção contra infestação por A. fraterculus. Frutos de feijoa das cultivares Alcântara e Mattos apresentaram alta suscetibilidade à infestação por A. fraterculus, o que requer práticas de manejo para garantir a produção comercial.

Production of Honeydew by Scale Insects Associated with Bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Benth) in Serra Catarinense, Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Scale insects Stigmacoccus paranaensis (Foldi, 2006) associated with bracatinga trees (Mimosa scabrella) in Santa Catarina, Brazil, can play an important economic role and guarantee the production of "bracatinga honeydew honey". This scale insect has the ability to excrete large amounts of honeydew, of economic importance for beekeepers, especially due to the natural occurrence of host plants at high density, known as "bracatingais". In this sense, the objective of this study was to evaluate the honeydew produced by scale insects associated with M. scabrella in the Bom Retiro, Santa Catarina, Brazil. We determined the density of the host plant in the studied area, the intensity of infestation by scale insects, and the volume and sugar concentration of excreted honeydew. The average density of bracatinga was 437.5 individuals ha-1, and the average density of scale insects per plant was 8,287. During 10 minutes, the average rate of honeydew excretion by scale insects was 0.45 µl and 0.34 µl, respectively, in 2002 and 2004. The estimated volume of honeydew production was 0.54 L in 2002 and 0.41 L in 2004 tree-1 day-1. The highest sugar concentration was observed in 2004 (28.13%). The excretion rate was affected by climatological factors and the size of the insects. This is the first study presenting a systematic evaluation of honeydew production by scale insects in Southern Brazil. The results of the present study support production of honeydew honey in the Serra Catarinense region as an important sustainable economic and traditional activity.

Reproductive Biology of Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Boraginaceae)

ABSTRACT Varronia curassavica, a subshrubby medicinal species associated with restinga in the Atlantic Forest, has been exploited by local people and the pharmaceutical industry. Indeed, restingas have experienced a continuous process of degradation, and thus, with species and ecosystem both at risk, efforts to support conservation actions are required. The present study aimed to evaluate aspects of V. curassavica reproductive biology. To accomplish this, morphological characterization was performed by monitoring flowering events. The availability of nectar and pollen, as well as the frequency and behavior of floral visitors and dispersers, was also evaluated. This species exhibits both heterostyly and protogyny. Anthesis is diurnal, and flowers last less than a day. The high number of flower and fruit abortions suggests that mechanisms, such as self-incompatibility intra-morphs and easily detached flowers, contribute to reduced fruit production. The high diversity of floral visitors indicate a generalist pollination syndrome. Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera were the main pollinators, and nectar was the main resource sought by these insects. Fruits were dispersed by birds and ants. It can be concluded that the interaction of V. curassavica with several species is a key factor in its own survival and for maintaining the biological diversity of restinga.

Reproductive Biology of Varronia curassavica Jacq. (Boraginaceae).

Varronia curassavica, a subshrubby medicinal species associated with restinga in the Atlantic Forest, has been exploited by local people and the pharmaceutical industry. Indeed, restingas have experienced a continuous process of degradation, and thus, with species and ecosystem both at risk, efforts to support conservation actions are required. The present study aimed to evaluate aspects of V. curassavica reproductive biology. To accomplish this, morphological characterization was performed by monitoring flowering events. The availability of nectar and pollen, as well as the frequency and behavior of floral visitors and dispersers, was also evaluated. This species exhibits both heterostyly and protogyny. Anthesis is diurnal, and flowers last less than a day. The high number of flower and fruit abortions suggests that mechanisms, such as self-incompatibility intra-morphs and easily detached flowers, contribute to reduced fruit production. The high diversity of floral visitors indicate a generalist pollination syndrome. Diptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera were the main pollinators, and nectar was the main resource sought by these insects. Fruits were dispersed by birds and ants. It can be concluded that the interaction of V. curassavica with several species is a key factor in its own survival and for maintaining the biological diversity of restinga.

Chronic Responses of Daphnia magna Under Dietary Exposure to Leaves of a Transgenic (Event MON810) Bt-Maize Hybrid and its Conventional Near-Isoline.

Insect resistance is the second most common trait globally in cultivated genetically modified (GM) plants. Resistance is usually obtained by introducing into the plant's genome genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) coding for insecticidal proteins (Cry proteins or toxins) that target insect pests. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that a chronic, high-dose dietary exposure to leaves of a Bt-maize hybrid (GM event MON810, expressing a transgenic or recombinant Cry1Ab toxin), exerted no adverse effects on fitness parameters of the aquatic nontarget organism Daphnia magna (water flea) when compared to an identical control diet based on leaves of the non-GM near-isoline. Cry1Ab was immunologically detected and quantified in GM maize leaf material used for Daphnia feed. A 69-kD protein near Bt's active core-toxin size and a 34-kD protein were identified. The D. magna bioassay showed a resource allocation to production of resting eggs and early fecundity in D. magna fed GM maize, with adverse effects for body size and fecundity later in life. This is the first study to examine GM-plant leaf material in the D. magna model, and provides of negative fitness effects of a MON810 maize hybrid in a nontarget model organism under chronic, high dietary exposure. Based upon these results, it is postulated that the observed transgenic proteins exert a nontarget effect in D. magna and/or unintended changes were produced in the maize genome/metabolome by the transformation process, producing a nutritional difference between GM-maize and non-GM near-isoline.

Comportamento higiênico em colônias de abelhas africanizadas submetidas à ingestão de pólens de milho transgênico e convencional / Behavior hygienic in colony of bees africanized submitted to ingestion of transgenic and conventional cornpollens

Em Apis mellifera as próprias abelhas realizam um controle biológico da colônia contra agentes infecciosos causadores de doenças de crias, evitando assim a necessidade do uso de produtos químicos, e que a doença seja transmitida para toda a colônia. Fatores externos, como a qualidade do alimento podem influenciar a frequência do comportamento higiênico (CH). O pólen é um alimento importante para as larvas e abelhas jovens após a emergência. Enquanto são alimentados com pólen, ocorre o desenvolvimento de estruturas fisiológicas envolvidas no olfato e performances de aprendizagem, portanto, os efeitos do pólen contendo proteínas transgênicas (PTs) merecem atenção. Objetivou-se avaliar o CH em colmeias submetidas à ingestão de pólens de milho transgênico e convencional. As dietas fornecidas as abelhas constituíram-se dos tratamentos: pólen de milho convencional; pólen de milho transgênico expressando as PTs Cry1A.105 e Cry2Ab2; pólen de milho transgênico expressando as PTs Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 e CP4-EPSPS; dieta sem pólen de milho e dieta controle. Perfurou-se uma área com 100 células, e uma área vizinha foi delimitada para constituir o controle. Após após24 h foi realizada a contagem de células vazias. Os resultados demonstraram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram média superior a 80% de CH. Porém, ao longo das avaliações ocorreu uma diminuição gradativa da taxa de CH para os tratamentos que continham PTs. Ainda que os dois tratamentos tenham confirmado CH, esta diminuição pode ser indicativo de efeitos subletais do pólen de milho transgênico sobre o CH das colmeias(AU)

Apis mellifera in the bees themselves perform a biological control colony against infectious agents causing diseases of pups, thus avoiding the need of using chemicals, and the disease to be transmitted to the entire colony. External factors such as the quality of food can influence the frequency of hygienic behavior(CH). Pollen is an important food for the larvae and young bees after emergence. While are fed with pollen, the development occurs physiological structures involved in olfactory learning and performance, so the effects of pollen containing transgenic proteins (PTs) deserve attention. Aimed to evaluate the CH in hives who ingested transgenic and conventional maize pollen. The diets provided the bees were constituted the treatments:conventional corn pollen; GM maize pollen expressing PTs Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2; GM maize pollen expressing PTs Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and CP4-EPSPS; diet without corn pollen and diet control. An area 100 cells are pierced, and a neighboring area was defined to be the control. After 24 h was performed empty cell count. The results demonstrated significant differences between treatments. All treatments showed average of more than 80% of CH. But along the evaluations occurred a gradual decrease in the CH rate for treatments containing PTs. Although both treatments have confirmed CH, this decrease may be indicative of sub-lethal effects of transgenic corn pollen on the CH hive(AU)

Comportamento higiênico em colônias de abelhas africanizadas submetidas à ingestão de pólens de milho transgênico e convencional / Behavior hygienic in colony of bees africanized submitted to ingestion of transgenic and conventional cornpollens

Em Apis mellifera as próprias abelhas realizam um controle biológico da colônia contra agentes infecciosos causadores de doenças de crias, evitando assim a necessidade do uso de produtos químicos, e que a doença seja transmitida para toda a colônia. Fatores externos, como a qualidade do alimento podem influenciar a frequência do comportamento higiênico (CH). O pólen é um alimento importante para as larvas e abelhas jovens após a emergência. Enquanto são alimentados com pólen, ocorre o desenvolvimento de estruturas fisiológicas envolvidas no olfato e performances de aprendizagem, portanto, os efeitos do pólen contendo proteínas transgênicas (PTs) merecem atenção. Objetivou-se avaliar o CH em colmeias submetidas à ingestão de pólens de milho transgênico e convencional. As dietas fornecidas as abelhas constituíram-se dos tratamentos: pólen de milho convencional; pólen de milho transgênico expressando as PTs Cry1A.105 e Cry2Ab2; pólen de milho transgênico expressando as PTs Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 e CP4-EPSPS; dieta sem pólen de milho e dieta controle. Perfurou-se uma área com 100 células, e uma área vizinha foi delimitada para constituir o controle. Após após24 h foi realizada a contagem de células vazias. Os resultados demonstraram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram média superior a 80% de CH. Porém, ao longo das avaliações ocorreu uma diminuição gradativa da taxa de CH para os tratamentos que continham PTs. Ainda que os dois tratamentos tenham confirmado CH, esta diminuição pode ser indicativo de efeitos subletais do pólen de milho transgênico sobre o CH das colmeias

Apis mellifera in the bees themselves perform a biological control colony against infectious agents causing diseases of pups, thus avoiding the need of using chemicals, and the disease to be transmitted to the entire colony. External factors such as the quality of food can influence the frequency of hygienic behavior(CH). Pollen is an important food for the larvae and young bees after emergence. While are fed with pollen, the development occurs physiological structures involved in olfactory learning and performance, so the effects of pollen containing transgenic proteins (PTs) deserve attention. Aimed to evaluate the CH in hives who ingested transgenic and conventional maize pollen. The diets provided the bees were constituted the treatments:conventional corn pollen; GM maize pollen expressing PTs Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2; GM maize pollen expressing PTs Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and CP4-EPSPS; diet without corn pollen and diet control. An area 100 cells are pierced, and a neighboring area was defined to be the control. After 24 h was performed empty cell count. The results demonstrated significant differences between treatments. All treatments showed average of more than 80% of CH. But along the evaluations occurred a gradual decrease in the CH rate for treatments containing PTs. Although both treatments have confirmed CH, this decrease may be indicative of sub-lethal effects of transgenic corn pollen on the CH hive