Selectivity of Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana to adults of Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) / Seletividade de Metarhizium anisopliae e Beauveria bassiana para adultos de Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

The selectivity of entomopathogenic fungi to non-target organisms needs to be considered in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), because even though they are biological control agents, if used incorrectly, they can negatively alter the functioning of agroecosystems. Therefore, studies that assess the selectivity of these fungi to beneficial organisms are extremely important. The objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metarril®) and Beauveria bassiana (Boveril®) to adults of Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), under laboratory conditions. The products were evaluated on adult females of T. podisi, at the concentrations recommended by the manufacturer. To this, 0.2 mL of suspensions of each product and control (treatments) were applied to the inner surface of glass tubes, and then a female T. podisi was placed in it (≤ 48 h of emergence). After 24 h of contact, cards with 25 eggs of Euschistus heros Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were offered for 24 h (COF24). After this period, the COF24 were withdrawn. After 72 h of contact of the female with the tube surface, new E. heros egg cards were made available (COF72) for 24 h for T. podisi ovipositioning. The mortality of T. podisi females was evaluated daily to determine longevity, percentage of parasitism and emergence, sex ratio, and egg-adult period of the T. podisi offspring. Metarril® and Boveril®, considered selective for adult females of T. podisi, did not negatively affect most of the parameters evaluated.(AU)

A seletividade de fungos entomopatogênicos a organismos não-alvo deve ser considerada no Manejo Integrado de Pragas (MIP), pois mesmo sendo agentes de controle biológico, se utilizados de forma incorreta, podem alterar negativamente o funcionamento dos agroecossistemas. Portanto, estudos que avaliam a seletividade desses fungos a organismos benéficos são extremamente importantes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a seletividade de Metarhizium anisopliae (Metarril®) e Beauveria bassiana (Boveril®) a adultos de Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), em condições de laboratório. Os produtos foram avaliados em fêmeas adultas de T. podisi, nas concentrações recomendadas pelo fabricante. Para tanto, 0,2 mL das suspensões de cada produto e controle (tratamentos) foram aplicados na superfície interna dos tubos de vidro, sendo então colocada uma fêmea de T. podisi (≤ 48 h de emergência). Após 24 h de contato, cartões com 25 ovos de Euschistus heros Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) foram oferecidos por 24 h (COF24). Após esse período, o COF24 foi retirado. Após 72 h de contato da fêmea com a superfície do tubo, foram disponibilizadas novas cartelas de ovos de E. heros (COF72) por 24 h para oviposição de T. podisi. A mortalidade de fêmeas de T. podisi foi avaliada diariamente para determinar longevidade, porcentagem de parasitismo e emergência, proporção sexual e período de ovo-adulto da prole de T. podisi. Metarril® e Boveril® foram considerados seletivos para fêmeas adultas de T. podisi, não afetaram negativamente a maioria dos parâmetros avaliados.(AU)

Propolis in the control of bacterial bovine mastitis: a tool for the production of organic milk / Própolis no controle de mastite bovina bacteriana: uma ferramenta para a produção de leite orgânico

Bovine mastitis is one of the main causes of economic damage in dairy farms. Therefore, the control and prevention of microorganisms involved in this disease, mainly Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae, are essential. One of the most important steps for the prevention of the disease is the use of antiseptic products before and after the milking process to avoid bacteria from infecting the udder of the animal. Currently, the most used antiseptic product in dairy farms is iodine-based, and organic dairy farms, which follow several strict regulations, including the use of natural products whenever possible, are often forced to adopt non-natural antiseptic products, such as iodine-based ones, because of the lack of natural alternatives. Propolis, a natural substance produced by honeybees, has been extensively studied for its various properties, one of which is antimicrobial activity. Therefore, a new natural antiseptic product containing 1% propolis in 10% hydroalcoholic solution for the pre-dipping, and 10% glycerol solution added with 0.2% citronella oil for the post-dipping was analyzed for its capacity to reduce bacteria in vivo in order to prevent bovine mastitis, allowing its use on organic dairy farms. A total of 128 samples were analyzed in terms of bacterial growth for Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus spp. using the spreadplate technique. The reduction in the bacterial concentration after the application of the products was compared between two antiseptic solutions, an iodine-based solution as the control and a propolis-based one as the natural alternative. The results obtained show a similar efficiency for both products in terms of total bacterial reduction, indicating considerable antimicrobial activity against bacteria most commonly associated with bovine mastitis. Molecular analysis was carried out for the identification of Streptococcus agalactiae; the PCR results were negative for the presence of S. agalactiae in all samples, indicating that the animals most likely did not have any form of the disease. The efficiency of the natural antiseptic was satisfactory, indicating an important find facilitating organic milk production worldwide, showcasing a natural antiseptic solution with efficient antimicrobial activity.(AU)

A mastite bovina é uma das principais causas de prejuízo econômico na indústria leiteira, portanto o controle e prevenção de microrganismos envolvidos nessa doença, principalmente Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus e Streptococcus agalactiae é essencial. Uma das principais etapas na prevenção dessa doença é o uso de produtos antissépticos antes e depois do processo de ordenha, a fim de evitar contaminação bacteriana no úbere do animal. Atualmente, o produto antisséptico mais utilizado na indústria leiteira é a base de iodo, e fazendas produtoras de leite orgânico, que precisam seguir uma série de regulações estritas, incluindo o uso de produtos naturais sempre que possível, são frequentemente forçadas a adotar antissépticos não-naturais, como os a base de iodo por falta de alternativas naturais. Própolis, uma substância natural produzidas por abelhas, tem sido extensivamente estudada por suas várias propriedades, sendo uma delas antimicrobiana. Portanto, um novo produto antisséptico natural contendo própolis à 1% em solução hidroalcóolica 10% para o pré-dipping, e glicerinada 10% adicionada de óleo de citronela à 0,2% para o pós-dipping, foi avaliada quanto a sua capacidade de reduzir bactérias in vivo e prevenir a mastite bovina, além de poder ser utilizado na indústria leiteira orgânica. Um total de 128 amostras foram analisadas em termos de crescimento bacteriano para Enterobacteriaceae e Staphylococcus spp. utilizando a técnica de plaqueamento em superfície, a redução da concentração bacteriana após a aplicação dos produtos foi comparada entre duas soluções antissépticas, uma solução a base de iodo servindo como controle, e uma solução a base de própolis como a alternativa natural. Os resultados obtidos mostraram uma eficiência similar entre os produtos à base de iodo e própolis em termos de redução bacteriana total, indicando uma grande atividade antibacteriana contra as bactérias mais comumente associadas com a mastite bovina. Realizou-se análise molecular para a identificação de Streptococcus agalactiae, os resultados da PCR foram negativos para a presença de S. agalactiae em todas as amostras, indicando que os animais provavelmente não possuíam nenhuma forma da doença. A eficiência do antisséptico natural foi satisfatória, indicando um achado importante para auxiliar o crescimento da indústria de leite orgânico de forma mundial, mostrando uma solução antisséptica natural com atividade antimicrobiana eficiente.(AU)

Silenciamiento génico en insectos plaga que afectan la industria agrícola usando ARN de interferencia / Gene silencing in pest insects that affect the agricultural industry using interference RNA

Resumen Los insectos plaga, son especies de organismos vivos que en forma constante se encuentran en poblaciones altas, ocasionando daños económicos en los cultivos. Generalmente, suele tratarse de especies puntuales, por lo general, sólo una o dos, que pueden causar gran afectación económica en el sector de la agricultura. En las últimas 3 décadas se ha venido desarrollando el concepto de un proceso biológico, detectado en eucariotas ampliamente, mediante el que se pueden silenciar genes, a partir de ARN de doble cadena (ARNdc). Esta maquinaria se ha investigado para conocer su funcionamiento y buscar potenciales aplicaciones que podrían tener en el campo de la biotecnología. En varios estudios se encontró que el silenciamiento de genes se debe a las interacciones enzimáticas intracelulares citoplasmáticas con moléculas de ARN pequeñas (ARNsi), que actúan sobre el ARN mensajero (ARNm) intracelular, impidiendo que este se traduzca a proteína. Mediante este mecanismo se busca silenciar genes específicos en insectos plaga, que sean esenciales para que el insecto pueda vivir y de esa manera evitar la proliferación de la plaga. Este artículo recopila los estudios realizados acerca del ARN de interferencia, referidos al mecanismo genético de los insectos, como alternativa para su control.

AbstractPest insects are species of living organisms that are constantly found in high populations,causing economic crops damage. Generally, it tends to be specific species, usually onlyone or two, which can cause great economic damage in the agricultural sector. In thelast 3 decades, the concept of a biological process has been developed, widely detected in eukaryotes, by which genes can be silenced, from double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). This machinery has been investigated to understand its operation and to look for potential applications that it could have in the field of biotechnology. In several studies it was found that gene silencing is due to cytoplasmic intracellular enzymatic interactions with small RNA molecules (siRNA), which act on intracellular messenger RNA (mRNA), preventing it from translating a protein. Through this mechanism, the aim is to silence specific genes in pest insects, which are essential for the insect to live and thus prevent the proliferation of the pest. This article compiles the studies carried out on RNA interference, referring to the genetic mechanism of insects, as an alternative for its control.

New geographical records and key to the species of Eumerus Meigen, 1823 (Diptera, Syrphidae) introduced into the Americas and Hawaii

Abstract Eumerus Meigen, 1823 is a very speciose genus of flower flies from the Eastern Hemisphere. Several reports of introduced species of this genus in the Americas have been recorded since early in the twentieth century, with a present list of six species recorded to date from the Americas and the US territory of Hawaii. In this paper we give new geographical records for the African-native species Eumerus obliquus (Fabricius, 1805), which reflect the expansion of this fly through Brazil and Paraguay along the last twenty years. At the same time, we report a second species from Paraguay, Eumerus aurifrons (Wiedemann, 1824), being this the first Western Hemisphere record for this Asian-native species. We finally provide an identification key to all of the species of Eumerus presently known from the Americas and Hawaii.

Management of Pest Insects and Plant Diseases by Non-Transformative RNAi.

Since the discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), scientists have made significant progress towards the development of this unique technology for crop protection. The RNAi mechanism works at the mRNA level by exploiting a sequence-dependent mode of action with high target specificity due to the design of complementary dsRNA molecules, allowing growers to target pests more precisely compared to conventional agrochemicals. The delivery of RNAi through transgenic plants is now a reality with some products currently in the market. Conversely, it is also expected that more RNA-based products reach the market as non-transformative alternatives. For instance, topically applied dsRNA/siRNA (SIGS - Spray Induced Gene Silencing) has attracted attention due to its feasibility and low cost compared to transgenic plants. Once on the leaf surface, dsRNAs can move directly to target pest cells (e.g., insects or pathogens) or can be taken up indirectly by plant cells to then be transferred into the pest cells. Water-soluble formulations containing pesticidal dsRNA provide alternatives, especially in some cases where plant transformation is not possible or takes years and cost millions to be developed (e.g., perennial crops). The ever-growing understanding of the RNAi mechanism and its limitations has allowed scientists to develop non-transgenic approaches such as trunk injection, soaking, and irrigation. While the technology has been considered promising for pest management, some issues such as RNAi efficiency, dsRNA degradation, environmental risk assessments, and resistance evolution still need to be addressed. Here, our main goal is to review some possible strategies for non-transgenic delivery systems, addressing important issues related to the use of this technology.

Tools for detecting insect semiochemicals: a review.

Semiochemicals are chemical compounds that are released by many species as a means of intra- and interspecific communication. Insects have extremely advanced olfactory systems; indeed, they rely on smell when performing many of their main behaviors, such as oviposition, breeding, prey location, and defense. This characteristic of insects implies that semiochemicals could be used for various applications, including in agriculture, where they could be employed along with other tools to control pest insects. The aim of this review is to present the main techniques used and the state of the art in the detection of semiochemicals, focusing on pheromones. In addition to the traditional methods of identifying semiochemicals, such as gas chromatography coupled to a high-resolution detection mode (e.g., flame ionization (FID), electron capture (ECD), photoionization (PID), or mass spectrometry (MS)), other tools are addressed in this review, including sensors and biosensors. While these new technologies may be used under laboratory conditions to improve or complement technologies that are already being used, they are mainly intended for use as new agricultural tools for detecting and controlling pest insects in the field.

RNA interference technology in crop protection against arthropod pests, pathogens and nematodes.

Scientists have made significant progress in understanding and unraveling several aspects of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-mediated gene silencing during the last two decades. Now that the RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism is well understood, it is time to consider how to apply the acquired knowledge to agriculture and crop protection. Some RNAi-based products are already available for farmers and more are expected to reach the market soon. Tailor-made dsRNA as an active ingredient for biopesticide formulations is considered a raw material that can be used for diverse purposes, from pest control and bee protection against viruses to pesticide resistance management. The RNAi mechanism works at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level, exploiting a sequence-dependent mode of action, which makes it unique in potency and selectivity compared with conventional agrochemicals. Furthermore, the use of RNAi in crop protection can be achieved by employing plant-incorporated protectants through plant transformation, but also by non-transformative strategies such as the use of formulations of sprayable RNAs as direct control agents, resistance factor repressors or developmental disruptors. In this review, RNAi is presented in an agricultural context (discussing products that have been launched on the market or will soon be available), and we go beyond the classical presentation of successful examples of RNAi in pest-insect control and comprehensively explore its potential for the control of plant pathogens, nematodes and mites, and to fight against diseases and parasites in beneficial insects. Moreover, we also discuss its use as a repressor for the management of pesticide-resistant weeds and insects. Finally, this review reports on the advances in non-transformative dsRNA delivery and the production costs of dsRNA, and discusses environmental considerations. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.