A MaxEnt Model of Citrus Black Fly Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) under Different Climate Change Scenarios.

The citrus blackfly (CBF), Ashby, is an exotic pest native to Southeast Asia that has spread rapidly to the world's main centers of citrus production, having been recently introduced to Brazil. In this study, a maximum entropy niche model (MaxEnt) was used to predict the potential worldwide distribution of CBF under current and future climate change scenarios for 2030 and 2050. These future scenarios came from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), SSP1-2.

Production of Escovopsis conidia and the potential use of this parasitic fungus as a biological control agent of leaf-cutting ant fungus gardens.

This study was carried out to investigate the use of different substrates for the production of Escovopsis conidia and verify the virulence of four different isolates cultured on four types of substrates using a novel bioassay. Escovopsis isolates were molecularly identified, based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) nucleotide sequences. To evaluate conidial production, suspensions (1 × 10 conidia mL) of each Escovopsis isolate were inoculated onto four substrates (parboiled rice, white rice, rolled oats, and corn grits).

The stingless bee Trigona spinipes (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is at risk from a range of insecticides via direct ingestion and trophallactic exchanges.

Background: The stingless bee, Trigona spinipes, is an important pollinator of numerous native and cultivated plants. Trigona spinipes populations can be negatively impacted by insecticides commonly used for pest control in crops. However, this species has been neglected in toxicological studies.

The Potential of Blastospores to Control Larvae in the Field.

Entomopathogenic fungi are promising as an environmentally benign alternative to chemical pesticides for mosquito control. The current study investigated the virulence of blastospores against under both laboratory and field conditions. Virulence bioassays of conidia and blastospores were conducted in the laboratory, while field simulation bioassays were conducted under two conditions: totally shaded (TS) or partially shaded (PS).

Mapping Brazilian Expansion Risk Levels of Mango Weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae Fabricius) Based on MaxEnt.

The mango weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricius) (Curculionidae), pest present in Brazil and is restricted to some municipalities in the Rio de Janeiro State. This curculionid attacks the mango crop exclusively and puts mango production globally at risk, especially those destined for export. Using ecological modeling tools, this study is the first to map the potential risk of S.

Production of (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) Mycelial Pellets and Their Effects on Leaf-Cutting Ant Fungal Gardens.

The maintenance of the symbiosis between leaf-cutting ants and their mutualistic fungus Singer (Moller) is vital for the survival of both species. The specialist fungal parasite Muchovej & Della Lucia is a threat to this symbiosis, causing severe damage to the fungal garden. Mycelial pellets are resistant fungal structures that can be produced under laboratory conditions.

Host Size Preference of the Leafcutter Ant Parasitoid Eibesfeldtphora tonhascai (Diptera: Phoridae).

Eibesfeldtphora tonhascai Brown (Diptera: Phoridae) is a natural enemy of Atta sexdens Linnaeus and Atta laevigata Smith and is considered a promising candidate for the biological control of these ants. The aim of this study was to verify if E. tonhascai has a preference for specific sizes of A.

Lethal and sublethal effects of insecticides used in the management of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on the predator Cycloneda sanguinea L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Background: The application of synthetic insecticides is the main strategy used to reduce the damage caused by the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella in commercial Brassica crops. However, incorrect insecticide use can cause biological and ecological disturbances in agroecosystems. Cycloneda sanguinea is a generalist voracious predator and is distributed widely in cultivated and noncultivated ecosystems.

Metarhizium anisopliae blastospores are highly virulent to adult Aedes aegypti, an important arbovirus vector.

Background: The use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) for the control of adult mosquitoes is a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides. Previous studies have only evaluated conidiospores against adult mosquitoes. However, blastospores, which are highly virulent against mosquito larvae and pupae, could also be effective against adults.

Citrus Mealybug Performance and Plant Strata Preference on Different Coffee Varieties.

The optimal defense theory stipulates that a plant prioritizes the defense of young tissue against herbivory, which may affect the spatial distribution of the attacking insect and its impact on plant performance. In this study, we evaluated the feeding and oviposition site preferences of the citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso, 1813) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), when comparing different parts of the canopy of two coffee varieties as well as its fertility and life history parameters. We evaluated the feeding preference, oviposition site choice, and the distribution of different development stages of P.

Biological performance and oviposition preference of tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta when offered a range of Solanaceous host plants.

The tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechuidae) is native to South America and has now become the main tomato pest in Europe, Africa and Asia. The wide range of host plants attacked by this pest has been reported as one of the main reasons for the success of this important insect species. However, the information currently available on the biological performance of T.

Geostatistical Assessment of Frankliniella schultzei (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Spatial Distribution in Commercial Watermelon Crops.

Spatial distribution studies of insect pests make it possible to determine their colonization and dispersal patterns. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum.

Natural mortality factors of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta in open-field tomato crops in South America.

Background: Little importance has been given to the role of natural mortality factors (biotic and abiotic) in the regulation of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) populations. The present study determined the action of mortality factors on T. absoluta populations infesting cultivated tomato crops.

Spatial distribution and losses by grain destroying insects in transgenic corn expressing the toxin Cry1Ab.

Insect pests are one of the factors that most impact plant yield. The magnitude of the losses and the spatiotemporal pest distribution in crops is a result of their interactions with the environment. Therefore, the understanding of the causes of production losses and the pest spatial patterns is important for the development of suitable sampling plans and pest management programs.

Yield Losses in Transgenic Cry1Ab and Non-Bt Corn as Assessed Using a Crop-Life-Table Approach.

In this study, we constructed crop life tables for Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) Cry1Ab and non-Bt corn hybrids, in which yield-loss factors and abundance of predaceous arthropods were recorded during 2 yr at two locations. Corn kernel/grain was the yield component that had the heaviest losses and that determined the overall yield loss in the corn hybrids across years and locations. Yield losses in both corn hybrids were primarily caused by kernel-destroying insects.

New Pyrethroids for Use Against Tuta Absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): Their Toxicity and Control Speed.

Insect pests are responsible for major losses in crop productivity, and insecticides are the main tools used to control these organisms. There is increasing demand for new products for pest management. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the toxicity of pyrethroids with acid moiety modifications to measure the insecticidal activity of these compounds on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Toxicity and residual effects of insecticides on Ascia monuste and predator Solenopsis saevissima.

Background: Investigating the impact of pesticides on non-target organisms is essential for sustainable integrated pest management programs. We therefore assessed the toxicity of ten insecticides to the brassica caterpillar Ascia monuste and its ant predator Solenopsis saevissima and examined the effect that the insecticide synergists had on toxicity to the predator. We also assessed the residual period of control and impact of the insecticides during the brassica growing cycle.

Is the Performance of a Specialist Herbivore Affected by Female Choices and the Adaptability of the Offspring?

The performance of herbivorous insects is related to the locations of defenses and nutrients found in the different plant organs on which they feed. In this context, the females of herbivorous insect species select certain parts of the plant where their offspring can develop well. In addition, their offspring can adapt to plant defenses.

Physiological selectivity and activity reduction of insecticides by rainfall to predatory wasps of Tuta absoluta.

In this study, we carried out three bioassays with nine used insecticides in tomato crops to identify their efficiency against tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta, the physiological selectivity and the activity reduction of insecticides by three rain regimes to predatory wasps Protonectarina sylveirae and Polybia scutellaris. We assessed the mortality caused by the recommended doses of abamectin, beta-cyfluthrin, cartap, chlorfenapyr, etofenprox, methamidophos, permethrin, phenthoate and spinosad to T. absoluta and wasps at the moment of application.

Concentration-mortality responses of Myzus persicae and natural enemies to selected insecticides.

The toxicity of six insecticides was determined for the peach-potato aphid, Myzus persicae (Hemiptera: Aphididae), and some of its natural enemies - the predatory beetles Cycloneda sanguinea (Coccinellidae) and Acanthinus sp. (Anthicidae), and the wasp parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (Aphidiidae). Natural enemies from these groups are important natural biological control agents in a number of agroecosystems, and insecticides potentially safe to these non-target organisms should be identified using standardized tests.

Control failure likelihood and spatial dependence of insecticide resistance in the tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta.

Background: Insecticide resistance is a likely cause of field control failures of Tuta absoluta, but the subject has been little studied. Therefore, resistance to ten insecticides was surveyed in seven representative field populations of this species. The likelihood of control failures was assessed, as well as weather influence and the spatial dependence of insecticide resistance.

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of new 3-benzylfuran-2-yl N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate derivatives.

Background: A series of 3-benzylfuran-2-yl N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate derivatives were synthesized as potential new agents to control insects. Their structures were confirmed on the basis of IR, NMR and MS analyses.

Results: Ten 3-benzylfuran-2-ylN,N,N',N'-tetraethyl derivatives were prepared from the compound furan-2-yl N' (N,N,N',N'-tetraethyldiamidophosphate).

Toxicity of insecticides to the sweetpotato whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and its natural enemies.

Efficient chemical control is achieved when insecticides are active against insect pests and safe to natural enemies. In this study, the toxicity of 17 insecticides to the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), and the selectivity of seven insecticides to natural enemies of this insect pest were evaluated. To determine the insecticide toxicity, B.