Accurate identification of hybrids using genome admixture analysis: implications for genomic surveillance.

, the cotton bollworm moth, is one of the world's most important crop pests, and is spreading throughout the New World from its original range in the Old World. In Brazil, invasive has been reported to hybridize with local populations of . The correct identification of hybrids is important in understanding the origin, spread and future outlook for New World regions that are affected by outbreaks, given that hybridization can potentially facilitate pesticide resistance and host plant range via introgression of genes.

Fungal identification in peanuts seeds through multispectral images: Technological advances to enhance sanitary quality.

The sanitary quality of seed is essential in agriculture. This is because pathogenic fungi compromise seed physiological quality and prevent the formation of plants in the field, which causes losses to farmers. Multispectral images technologies coupled with machine learning algorithms can optimize the identification of healthy peanut seeds, greatly improving the sanitary quality.

Improvement of the Mass-Rearing Protocols for the South American Fruit Fly for Application of the Sterile Insect Technique.

The existing rearing protocols for must be reviewed to make economically viable the production of sterile flies for their area-wide application. Additionally, evidence of sexual incompatibility between a long-term mass-reared Brazilian strain and wild populations has been found. To address these issues, this study aimed to refine rearing protocols and to assess the suitability of an strain for the mass production of sterile flies.

Convolutional Neural Networks Using Enhanced Radiographs for Real-Time Detection of in Maize Grain.

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) such as deep learning in the quality control of grains has the potential to assist analysts in decision making and improving procedures. Advanced technologies based on X-ray imaging provide markedly easier ways to control insect infestation of stored products, regardless of whether the quality features are visible on the surface of the grains. Here, we applied contrast enhancement algorithms based on peripheral equalization and calcification emphasis on X-ray images to improve the detection of in maize grains.

Determining the Sterilization Doses under Hypoxia for the Novel Black Pupae Genetic Sexing Strain of (Diptera, Tephritidae).

A common strategy used to maintain sterile fly quality without sacrificing sterility is to irradiate the insects under an oxygen-reduced atmosphere. So far, sterilizing doses for the South American fruit fly have only been determined under normoxia. Our study reports for the first time the dose-sterility response under hypoxia for two different strains.

Cafeteria-Type Feeding of Chickens Indicates a Preference for Insect () Larvae Meal.

This study aimed to determine whether broiler chickens display a preference for larvae (TM) meal by evaluating ingredient acceptability and birds' performance. Sixty 14-day-old male chickens were assigned into two treatment groups (5 birds/pen, = 6) in a cafeteria-type study: the control (C) group, and the TM group. Each pen was equipped with one bell drinker and four through feeders allocated side by side; all feeders of the C group contained a complete standard diet whereas each feeder of the TM group contained one of the following ingredients: ground corn, extruded semi-whole soybean, vitamin-mineral supplement mixture, and TM meal.

Invasion origin, rapid population expansion, and the lack of genetic structure of cotton bollworm () in the Americas.

In 2013, (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) was officially declared as present in Brazil and, after two years, the species was detected in the Caribbean and North America. Information on genetic features and accurate distribution of pests is the basis for agricultural protection policies. Furthermore, such knowledge is imperative to develop control strategies, understand the geographical range, and genetic patterns of this species in the Americas.

Can stable isotope markers be used to distinguish wild and mass-reared Anastrepha fraterculus flies?

The availability of accurate techniques to discriminate between marked laboratory-reared flies and unmarked wild flies captured in monitoring traps is essential for programs that integrate the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to manage fruit flies. In this study, the feasibility of using a stable isotope marking technique for the South American fruit fly, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann), was assessed. Wild flies were collected from apple orchards, which are a target of a SIT project in southern Brazil.

Optimization of the sterilizing doses and overflooding ratios for the South American fruit fly.

The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is an autocidal control method that relies on inundative releases of sterilized mass-reared insects. This technology has been used in several area-wide programmes for the suppression/eradication of fruit fly populations. Choosing the optimum sterilizing dose and the sterile release density is an essential step of the SIT.

Applying spatial analysis of genetic and environmental data to predict connection corridors to the New World screwworm populations in South America.

The myiasis causing New World screwworm (NWS) fly is responsible for substantial losses to livestock breeders in the Americas. Due to the negative impact of the NWS fly in animal health, expansion of successful NWS fly eradication programmes is under discussion. However, the effects of geography and environmental diversity on NWS population structure and migration patterns need to be assessed before any political decision is made to implement such a programme.

Genetic diversity and population structure of the New World screwworm fly from the Amazon region of Brazil.

Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) is a myiasis fly that causes economic losses to livestock farmers in warmer American regions. Previous studies of this pest had found population structure at north and south of the Amazon Basin, which was considered to be a barrier to dispersal. The present study analyzed three mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers and eight nuclear microsatellite loci to investigate for the first time the genetic diversity and population structure across the Brazilian Amazon region (Amazonia).

An Overview of the Components of AW-IPM Campaigns against the New World Screwworm.

The New World Screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel), is one of the most damaging parasites of livestock, causing millions of dollars in annual losses to producers. The fly is an obligate parasite of warm-blooded animals, including humans. After a successful 50-year eradication campaign, C.