Differential response to the South American rice water weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) damage of rice cultivars with contrasting levels of resistance: implications for field management.

BACKGROUND: Oryzophagus oryzae (Costa Lima) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major pest of flooded rice paddies throughout South America, and species with very similar life histories are present in many rice-producing regions of the world (collectively rice water weevils, RWWs). The damage caused by RWW larvae on rice cultivars with contrasting levels of resistance ('BRS Pampa CL'= 'Pamp': susceptible, 'BRS Atalanta' = 'Atal': resistant-antibiosis) was evaluated in two consecutive years in the field under seven infestation levels: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 20 adult couples per cage with plants. RESULTS: Higher densities of adults increased the number of leaf-feeding scars and larvae on roots, respectively, at the rate ≤2.14 and 2.75 in Pamp and 2.23 and 2.48 in Atal, with the total number of larvae generated being lower in Atal. Grain yield was negatively impacted with increasing larval density on the roots, mainly by decreasing root volume and the number of grains per panicle. Root injury intensity and yield loss showed a nonlinear relationship. It was found that significant yield losses occurred with 8.37 larvae per plant in Pamp and 9.80 larvae per plant in Atal CONCLUSION: The results provided the first evidence of a tolerance limit for RWW larval damage that, even though similar between cultivars of contrasting resistance, corresponds to twice the current conventional level for larval control in Brazil. We also discuss here the potential of applying tolerance limits to manage the RWW adult population in rice fields. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pathogenic Assessment of SfMNPV-Based Biopesticide on Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Developing on Transgenic Soybean Expressing Cry1Ac Insecticidal Protein.

Pathogenic assessment of a baculovirus-based biopesticide containing Spodoptera frugiperda multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV: Baculoviridae: Alphabaculovirus) infecting fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is reported. In the bioassays, neonates were infected with different doses of SfMNPV applied on Cry1Ac Bt soybean and non-Bt soybean. Our findings indicated that S. frugiperda neonates did not survive at 10 d post infection or develop into adults on Bt and non-Bt soybean sprayed with the field recommended dose of SfMNPV. In contrast, a proportion of the infected neonates developed into adults when infected with lower doses of SfMNPV (50%, 25%, and 10% of field dose) in both Bt and non-Bt soybean. However, S. frugiperda neonates surviving infection at the lowest virus doses on both soybean varieties showed longer neonate-to-pupa and neonate-to-adult periods, lower larval and pupal weights, reduced fecundity, and increased population suppression. Nevertheless, more pronounced pathogenicity of SfMNPV infecting neonates of S. frugiperda were verified on larvae that developed on Bt soybean. These findings revealed that, beyond mortality, the biopesticide containing SfMNPV also causes significant sublethal pathogenic effects on neonates of S. frugiperda developing on Bt and non-Bt soybean and suggested an additive effect among SfMNPV and Cry1Ac insecticidal protein expressed in Bt soybean.

The diversity of Odonata adults's at Pampa Biome from Brazil / Diversidad de adultos de Odonata en el Bioma Pampa brasileño

Abstract The growth of humankind has brought with it several environmental problems that have worsened over time, including the loss of insect biodiversity. The Odonata order have been indicated by several authors as relevant bioindicators for assessing and monitoring environmental conditions of specific locations. The main objective of this study was to conduct an inventory of the Odonata diversity in the Pampa Biome, of the Southern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The species survey was conducted between November 2014 and October 2015. Adult insects were collected in Capão do Leão, Pelotas and Rio Grande cities. Each location was visited nine times, totalizing 54 samplings. Entomological nets were used for capturing adult insects, which were then kept in entomological envelopes. The identification of the specimens was carried out with taxonomic keys of Lencioni and Heckman. In addition, Chao-1, the Shannon-Wiener and Jackknife indexes were associated with the sampling areas. During the species survey a total of 2 680 Odonata specimens were collected, representing 45 species encompassed in 22 genera and six families. The Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae families were registered in 60 and 30 % of the specimens sampled, followed of the Aeshnidae, Calopterygidae, Gomphidae and Lestidae, of reduced occurrence. The genera Erythrodiplax, Micrathyria and Ischnura were found at least once in all the visited sites. The study resulted in the registration for the first time of the following species: Progomphus complicatus Selys, Lestes minutus Selys, Homeoura ambigua Ris, and Tauriphila xiphea Ris. These species were not previously reported in any Odonata study of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. In regard to Odonata diversity in the Southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Libellulidae and Coenagrionidae are the families more abundants. Erythrodiplax and Micrathyria are the most common genera. Miathyria marcella represented 9.6 % of all collected libellulidae and was the most abundant specie. Capão do Leão has the largest species diversity (wealth), the largest number of collected specimens and more diversity than Pelotas and Rio Grande. However, the results showed that the Odonatofauna in the State are still little known, and new studies are needed to better describe this group in other regions.(AU)

Resumen El crecimiento de la humanidad ha traído consigo varios problemas ambientales que han empeorado con el tiempo, incluida la pérdida de biodiversidad de insectos. Varios autores han mencionado especies del orden Odonata como bioindicadores relevantes para evaluar y controlar las condiciones ambientales de lugares específicos. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue realizar un inventario de la diversidad de Odonata en el Bioma Pampa, en la región sur del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. El censo de especies se realizó entre noviembre 2014 y octubre 2015. Se recolectaron insectos adultos en las ciudades de Capão do Leão, Pelotas y Rio Grande. Cada área fue visitada nueve veces, totalizando 54 muestreos. Se usaron redes entomológicas para capturar insectos adultos, que luego se mantuvieron en sobres entomológicos. La identificación de los ejemplares se realizó con claves taxonómicas de Lencioni y Heckman. Además, Chao-1, los índices de Shannon-Wiener y Jackknife se asociaron con las áreas de muestreo. Durante el censo de especies se recolectó un total de 2 680 especímenes de Odonata, que representan 45 especies comprendidas en 22 géneros y seis familias. Las familias Libellulidae y Coenagrionidae se registraron en 60 y 30 % de los especímenes muestreados, seguidos de los Aeshnidae, Calopterygidae, Gomphidae y Lestidae, de presencia reducida. Los géneros Erythrodiplax, Micrathyria e Ischnura se encontraron al menos una vez en todos los sitios visitados. El estudio resultó en el registro por primera vez de las siguientes especies: Progomphus complicatus Selys, Lestes minutus Selys, Homeoura ambigua Ris y Tauriphila xiphea Ris. Estas especies no se informaron previamente en ningún estudio de Odonata en el estado brasileño de Rio Grande do Sul. Con respecto a la diversidad de Odonata en la región sur de Rio Grande do Sul, Libellulidae y Coenagrionidae son las familias más abundantes. Erythrodiplax y Micrathyria son los géneros más comunes. Miathyria marcella representó el 9.6 % de todos los libellulidae recolectados y fue la especie más abundante. La ciudad de Capão do Leão tiene la mayor diversidad de especies (riqueza), la mayor cantidad de especímenes recolectados y la mayor diversidad que Pelotas y Río Grande. Sin embargo, los resultados mostraron que la Odonatofauna en el estado aún es poco conocida, y se necesitan nuevos estudios para describir mejor este grupo en otras regiones.(AU)