Reproductive response of the predator (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to temperatures outside their ideal thermal range.

Global warming has driven changes in the biology and fitness of organisms that need to adapt to temperatures outside of their optimal range to survive. This study investigated aspects of reproduction and survival of the lady beetle (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) subjected to temperatures that varied from its optimal (28°C) to a gradual decrease (12, 14, 16, and 18°C) and increase (32, 34, 35, and 36°C) over time at a rate of 1°C/day. Fertility, fecundity, oviposition period, and survival were determined.

Long-term suitability of an alternative host for rearing the sugarcane stalk borer parasitoid .

The continuous utilisation of an alternative host may influence parasitoid performance across successive generations due to conditioning in natal hosts. (Olliff) has successfully been reared using L. pupae as a feasible alternative host.

Olfaction Response and Fertility Life Table Parameters of Tetrastichus howardi (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) Parasitizing Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and the factitious host Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) parasitizes the diamond back moth Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), but not much is known about its potential as a biocontrol agent. A rearing protocol has been established for this parasitoid on pupae of the factitious host Tenebrio molitor (L.

Sexual maturity, lack of partner choice and sperm precedence in the promiscuous ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa (Germar): Who is my father?

Ladybird beetles present as key predator of many agricultural pests. Among them, Eriopis connexa stands out due some important traits for pest management programs such as common occurrence, population selected for resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, and possibility to be commercially available by rearing using alternative prey. Despite that, little is known about the role of polyandry and its effect on paternity in this species.

Potential displacement of the native by the invasive in South America suggested by differences in climate suitability.

Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) (Coccinellidae) is a predatory ladybird beetle native to South America. It specializes in mealybugs prey (Pseudococcidae), but relatively little is known about its ecology. In contrast, the ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coccinellidae) is indigenous to Australia and has been introduced to many countries worldwide including Brazil for biological control of mealybugs.

Dispersal of boll weevil toward and within the cotton plant and implications for insecticide exposure.

Background: Immature stages of boll weevil complete development endophytically leaving only the adult stage accessible for chemical control. We tested the hypothesis that boll weevil colonization of the cotton plants significantly affects their exposure to sprayed insecticides. We determined the adult dispersal toward and within cotton plants, lethal time (LT), and residual control by recommended insecticides (malathion, carbosulfan, thiamethoxam, fipronil, beta-cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin) through dried residue exposure and residual control regarding the leaf position in the upper and the lower thirds of the treated plant canopy.

Mealybug species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) on soursop and sugar apple (Annonaceae) in North-East Brazil, with description of a new species of Pseudococcus Westwood.

Several species of Annonaceae are economically important fruit-tree crops in North-East Brazil, including Pernambuco state. However, in several regions within the state, the fruits are commonly infested by mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae). There is a lack of information about the mealybug species damaging this produce, so a survey of mealybug species associated with commercial sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.

Selective insecticides secure natural enemies action in cotton pest management.

Cotton hosts a variety of arthropod pests requiring intensive control mostly with insecticides, which in turn may impact beneficial insects and the environment. Therefore, insect control in cotton fields preconizes the use of selective insecticides that offer pest control but conserve natural enemies. In this work, we measured the impact of recommended insecticides on the abundance of predatory insects and predation upon sentinel preys in the field.

[Behavioral response and adaptive cost in resistant and susceptible to Chlorantraniliprole].

Diamides have been used worldwide to manage the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), however some strains showed resistance to these molecules. Also, pheromone traps could be used to manage this pest, hence reducing the use of insecticides in the field.

Predation and behavioral changes in the neotropical lacewing Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin.

Pyrethroid insecticides are widely recommended against various defoliating pest species, but usually lack efficacy against sucking pests such as aphids, which are preferred prey of lacewing larvae. Interaction of pyrethroids and lacewings are likely to occur in fields infested by both defoliating and sap-sucking pests and should provide a complementary control. Therefore, our study aimed to estimate dose-mortality curves and behavioral changes by Chrysoperla externa exposed to lambda-cyhalothrin.

Mating system, age, and reproductive performance in Tenuisvalvae notata, a long-lived ladybird beetle.

The long-lived polygynandrous ladybird beetle Tenuisvalvae notata (Mulsant) found in Brazil was evaluated in the laboratory for the effects of multiple mating and aging on its reproductive performance. This species is native to South America and is an important predator of mealybugs. Specifically studied were partner choice, female reproductive success, adult longevity, male virility, and offspring development.

Sexual behavior in ladybird beetles: Sex with lights on and a twist for Tenuisvalvae notata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

The ladybird beetle Tenuisvalvae notata is an important predator of mealybugs (Pseudococcidae); however, little is known about its reproductive behavior. Thus, in order to improve methods of its rearing, this work studied several aspects regarding the sexual behavior of T. notata.

Performance of the Striped Mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) under Variable Conditions of Temperature and Mating.

Mealybugs have strong associations with their host plants due to their limitations for dispersal. Thus, environmental conditions and host quality may impact the biological traits of mealybugs. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report on the biology of a Brazilian population of the striped mealybug Ferrisia virgata Cockerell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), which has recently been reported to infest cotton in Brazil.

Survival and behavioural responses of the predatory ladybird beetle, Eriopis connexa populations susceptible and resistant to a pyrethroid insecticide.

The ladybird beetle, Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is one of the commonest predators of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in the cotton agroecosystem and in many other row and fruit crops in Brazil, and has been introduced into other countries such as the USA for purposes of aphid control. In addition, the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the most serious cotton pest where it occurs, including Brazil. Controlling boll weevils and other pests such as cotton defoliators still tends to involve the intense application of insecticides to secure cotton production.

New records of natural enemies of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) in Pernambuco, Brazil.

We report the occurrence of natural enemies of Plutella xylostela (L.) in organically farmed kale in Pernambuco, Brazil. Seven natural enemies were observed parasitizing or preying on larvae and pupae of P.

[Effect of age, photoperiod and host availability on the parasitism behavior of Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)].

The high reproduction rate, potential to cause damage, wide geographic distribution and resistance to insecticides of Plutella xylostella (L.) makes difficult its efficient control. However, larvae and pupae of this pest are naturally parasitized by Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov), providing opportunities to improve the natural parasitism.

Relative effects of the insecticide thiamethoxam on the predator Podisus nigrispinus and the tobacco whitefly Bemisia tabaci in nectaried and nectariless cotton.

The predaceous stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) feeds on plants as well as on arthropod prey. The question arises whether feeding on plants might expose the predator to systemic insecticide via ingestion of the active ingredient or its metabolites through plant sap of treated plants. This interaction was investigated with nectaried and nectariless cotton plants cropped in pots and treated with the systemic insecticide thiamethoxam at 0.