Reproduction of most insects depend on nutrients accumulated during the larval stage, but many lepidopteran species will also depend on nutrients obtained at the adult stage. Feeding at the adult stage allows the intake of carbohydrate and amino acid rich solutions, which may have an effect on the species reproduction and population growth. The objectives of the current study were to characterize the effects of sugar consumption by adults of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), on its reproduction. To initially test the food intake by adults, a 10% honey solution or water (control), both containing a liquid dye were offered to adult insects 24h after emergence, and the presence of the dye was observed by analysis of their digestive system. The effects of adult feeding on a 10% honey solution on the reproductive performance of P. operculella were evaluated by assessing the oviposition rate, fecundity and fertility. Adult feeding was proved by the presence of the dye within the digestive system of adults of P. operculella. Although the oviposition rate and fertility were not affected by adult feeding, female fecundity was higher in honey-fed females as compared to the water-fed females.

Visando o controle das pragas dos frutos Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) e Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), pencas de tomates, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., foram ensacadas com papel-manteiga. Além do efeito do ensacamento testaram-se dois repelentes, pastilhas desodorizantes e dentes de alho em pedaços de aproximadamente 90 mm³, colados no interior dos saquinhos. Foram realizados três ensaios com delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso. O primeiro e o segundo ensaios foram realizados em campo experimental, utilizando-se tomateiros da variedade Santa Clara. O terceiro ensaio foi realizado em campo comercial, utilizando-se o híbrido Carmen. Cada ensaio foi constituído por cinco tratamentos: saquinhos contendo pastilha desodorizante, saquinhos contendo dente de alho, saquinhos vazios, testemunha e controle químico com o inseticida metamidofós. A eficiência do ensacamento e dos repelentes foi verificada por meio do número médio de lagartas encontradas por tratamento. Os resultados demonstraram que o ensacamento, associado ou não aos repelentes de insetos, reduz o ataque das lagartas N. elegantalis e H. zea aos frutos. Entretanto, o ensacamento dos frutos não foi suficiente para protegê-los dos danos causados por T. absoluta, sendo necessária a integração do método com controle químico na época de maior infestação.

The present experiment aimed to reduce the application of insecticides during the cultivation of tomatoes, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., by protecting the fruits with paper bags. The efficiency of the use of paper bags was evaluated in combination with insect repellents effective against Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) and Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). Paper bags made of wax paper were chosen, due to their specific characteristics, like resistance, permeability, flexibility, availability in the market and low cost. Two types of repellents were used: deodorant tablets and garlic cloves, which were cut in approximately 90 mm³ pieces. Three assays of the experiment were run, designed in blocks at random. In the first and second assays tomato plants belonged to the commercial variety Santa Clara and in the third to the hybrid Carmen. Five treatments were tested: paper bags containing deodorant tablets, paper bags with garlic cloves, empty paper bags, control without repellent and control with the insecticide metamidophos. Efficiency of the use of wax-paper bags was evaluated by the average number of caterpillars found per treatment. The use of paper bags decreased the number of both species of caterpillars per fruit whether or not associated with repellents. However, the method was not efficient to protect from losses caused by T. absoluta. Therefore, some applications of insecticides will be required for periods of high infestation, even when the fruits are protected inside the bags.