ABSTRACT The Mexican bean weevil Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) has become one of the main pests of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (Fabaceae) worldwide. The association of resistant bean varieties with botanical insecticides has a great potential for controlling the pest, but it has been little studied so far. Therefore, the present study aimed at selecting a botanical insecticide and evaluating its combined effect with an arcelin-bearing common bean resistant genotype against Z. subfasciatus. We evaluated three botanical insecticides, the rotenone-based Roteline® and the neem-based NeemSeto® and NeemPro®, on the development of the insect. NeemPro® was the most effective, presenting ovicidal effect and prolonging egg-to-adult period, being selected for the following bioassay. Then we evaluated the effect of NeemPro® combined with the resistant common bean genotype IAC 818 (RAZ-59) on some biological parameters of the pest. The most severe effects on Z. subfasciatus were caused by the resistant genotype. However, significant effects in some parameters of the pest were also verified for the botanical insecticide and for its combination with this resistance type/trait in the conditions of the experiment.

ABSTRACT Corn, Zea mays (L.), is one of the most expressive crops in Brazil, due to its wide-ranging uses as animal feeding, biofuel production or used for human consumption. However, there is a huge gap between the actual yield and the natural yield potential of the crop, due to insects’ attack. Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is a key corn pest in seed producing regions, due to its attack on corn ears. Plant resistance is a valuable tool for Integrated Pest Management systems and may maintain insect populations at a level that is below an economic or damage threshold. This study aimed to evaluate the biological performance of L. zonatus in different corn genotypes, under laboratory conditions, searching for possible characterization of antibiosis/antixenosis. To achieve this goal, ten nymphs (1st instar) were transferred to polyvinylchloride (PVC) ring containing a corn ear (R6) of each genotype. Each ring corresponded to one replicate, for a total of five replicates per genotype in a completely randomized design. The parameters assessed included the duration of each instar, nymphal period, nymphal survival (%), percentage of mortality of each nymphal stage, adult longevity, and adult weight. The results demonstrate that XB 8018 Bt, 30F53, IAC Airan, XB 8030 and 30F53 YHR genotypes reduced the mean survival and caused high mortality of L. zonatus nymphs at the second instar (above 75.00%) indicating the occurrence of antibiosis/antixenosis. The higher mortality rates were observed at the second nymphal instar.

ABSTRACT Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae), also known as the cotton aphid, is a notable pest of several crops. Its damage can be direct and indirect. The direct damage is due to its feeding, which causes leaf shriveling, deformation of shoots, and loss of plant vigor. The pest’s indirect damage is through virus transmission to cotton. In Brazil, A. gossypii is considered as a pest to several crops, but there are no references to infestations of this aphid in soybeans. The objectives of this manuscript were to report the presence of A. gossypii infesting and colonizing soybean crops in São Paulo state, Brazil, and to alert the scientific community and farmers about this possible new pest in Brazilian soybean fields.

ABSTRACT Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) comprise a group of phytophagous insects, with worldwide distribution. This group has 1,556 described species, with members concentrated in the tropics. In Brazil, as the literature on species of Aleyrodidae and associated plants is limited, our study presents species of whiteflies and their host plants collected in some Brazilian regions. New host plants or new occurrence locations for species already known in the country are presented, in addition to the record of Aleurotulus laneus Martin, a species not yet reported in Brazil.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to select forage grasses with potential resistance to Mahanarva fimbriolata by assessing effects on insect. No-choice assays were conducted with 12 genotypes and laboratory-reared insects. The following parameters were assessed: mortality and duration of the nymphal stage; adult weight and longevity; pre-oviposition period; number of eggs/female; viability and duration of the embryonic period. As main result it was verified that the mortality of nymphs reared on Panicum maximum cv. Paredão is almost complete and that this forage grass may be characterized as resistant to this insect by antibiosis. Further, the grasses can be divided into three groups following a cluster analysis: P. maximum cv. Aries, Setaria sphacelata cv. Kazungula, Brachiaria humidicola, A. gayanus and P. maximum cv. Aruana, which are insect-resistant grasses; Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, B. dictyoneura, B. brizantha cv. MG-4 and B. ruziziensis, which are moderately resistant grasses; and B. brizantha MG-5 and B. brizantha ecotype BB185, which are susceptible grasses.

ABSTRACT The soybean looper Chrysodeixis includens is one of the main defoliating pests of soybean cultures in Brazil. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of offering different soybean genotypes to this insect to verify the occurrence of antixenosis. In a greenhouse, assays were carried out to determine the attractiveness of C. includens adults given free-choice tests. This experiment used a randomized block design with five replicates. A second experiment assessed oviposition preference using no-choice tests, employing a completely randomized design with five replicates. Seventeen soybean cultivars were used; several of these had previously been reported as carriers of resistance to more than one species of insect. In the laboratory, a morphological analysis was carried out by quantifying the number of trichomes on leaf surfaces and evaluating the color of the leaf blade of the germplasm. In the attractiveness assay, genotypes ‘IAC 19’, ‘IAC 18’, ‘IAC 23’, L1-1-01, PI 274453, PI 229358, PI 171451, ‘IAC 100’, ‘IAC 24’, ‘IAC 17’ and IAC 74-2832 were classified as repellents. In the oviposition preference experiment, PI 171451, PI 274453, ‘IAC 18’, L1-1-01 and ‘IAC 23’ showed the fewest eggs. The high density of trichomes presented by the genotypes PI 227687 and PI 274453 stand out as a possible C. includens resistance factor. The genotype L1-1-01 presented intermediate luminosity (L*) and more intense green (a*) and yellow (b*) colors compared to other genotypes. There was no correlation between oviposition and trichome density or leaf coloration.

ABSTRACT Some species of pentatomids stink bugs have global economic importance, damaging various plant species during the vegetative and reproductive phases. Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), known as the green-belly stink bug, is part of the soybean stink bug complex in Brazil and has increasing importance in crops,with potential to reduce crop yield. This polyphagous stink bug has been registered in 29 plant species belonging to 10 plant families which include cultivated and non-cultivated plants. Plant resistance is a valuable tool in integrated pest management and may reduce insect populations below economic injury level. This study characterized the resistance of 17 soybean genotypes to the green-belly stink bug. All of the materials affected the biological performance of the green-belly stink bug, but PI 227687; ‘IAC 100’; PI 171451; IAC 78-2318; D 75-10169; IAC 74-2832; ‘IAC 23’ and ‘IAC 24’ caused mortality above 80% in the second instar. ‘IAC 17’; ‘IAC 18’; PI 171451; PI 274454; ‘Conquista’ and ‘IAC 19’ decreased the longevity of adults of D. melacanthus, showing the same mechanism of resistance. PI 227687 did not allow any insects to complete the immature stage. These results are unprecedented for the species D. melacanthus and can assist breeding programs that focus on resistance to members of the stink bug complex in soybean.

Abstract The aim of this study was to gather data on the incidence of fungi associated with peanut seeds stored in their pods, before being processed by the State of São Paulo seed-producing companies, and the relation of the fungi to the seed damage caused by insects and to the quality of the stored seeds. Samples were taken from seed lots of cultivars IAC 886 and IAC 503 stored by these companies at the beginning and end of a six-month storage period. The peanut seeds were shelled and half of each sample was treated with fludioxonil + metalaxyl. Untreated and treated seeds were analyzed for moisture content, germination, vigor and health. The following insects were found to damage the peanut seeds: Cyrtomenus mirabilis (Perty) (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) and Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Both species reduced seed quality. When present, fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Rhizopus infected seeds and seedlings during the germination process and were considered the main limiting factor for obtaining normal seedlings. Nevertheless, despite their presence, peanut seeds maintained their germination capacity and vigor after six months of storage in their pods.

Endogenous mechanisms of plant resistance to herbivorous insects could be adapted to enable the development of alternative strategies for pest control. Activation of the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway by jasmonic acid, the hormone responsible for activating genes encoding protease inhibitors (PI), is one of the main direct defenses of plants against insects. In this study, soybean cultivars at the V3 stage that were either susceptible or resistant to herbivorous insects were used to investigate changes in the activity of LOX and concentration of PIs in response to 24- or 48-h feeding by fourth and fifth instar Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae. LOX activity (0.0-0.007 nm s-1/mg) and the PI concentration (60 to 125 mg of trypsin inhibitor / mg of protein and 90 to 120 mg of trypsin inhibitor / mg protein after 24 and 48 h after attack, respectively) both increased in response to damage caused by A. gemmatalis. Proteolytic activity decreased by approximately 50% in cultivars with different degrees of resistance. Raised enzyme profiles in the midgut of A. gemmatalis may be related to tryptic enzymes that increased, compensating for the inhibition of proteases by entomotoxic substances of the soybean cultivars.

Los mecanismos de resistencia endógenos de las plantas contra insectos herbívoros pueden permitir el desarrollo de estrategias alternativas para el control de plagas. La activación de la vía de las lipoxigenasas con la producción de ácido jasmónico, hormona responsable por la activación de los genes inhibidores de proteasa, es una de las principales formas de defensa directa de las plantas contra los insectos. En el presente estudio, cultivares de soya en estadio V3, susceptibles y resistentes a insectos herbívoros fueron utilizadas para investigar las alteraciones en la actividad de LOX y la concentración de PIs, en respuesta al ataque de orugas en cuarto y quinto instar de Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidóptera: Noctuidae) por 24 y 48 horas. La actividad de LOX (0,00 a 0,007 nm s-1/mg) y la concentración de inhibidores de proteasa (60 a 125 mg de inhibidor de tripsina/ mg de proteína y 90 a 120 mg de inhibidor de tripsina/mg de proteína después de 24 y 48 horas del ataque respectivamente) aumenta en respuesta a los daños ocasionados por A. gemmatalis. La actividad proteolítica disminuyó aproximadamente en 50% en los cultivares con diferentes grados de resistencia. El aumento del perfil enzimático del intestino medio de A. gemmatalis puede estar relacionado al aumento de las enzimas trípticas para compensar la inhibición de proteasas por sustancias entomotóxicas de los cultivares de soya.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar genótipos de feijoeiro quanto à resistência a lagarta-falsa-medideira (Chrysodeixis includens). Inicialmente, foram realizados testes com chance de escolha com 59 genótipos, divididos em três grupos, de acordo com a intensidade de coloração das folhas (verde-escura, verde-clara e verde-médio), para avaliar a preferência quanto à oviposição. Em seguida, selecionaram-se 12 genótipos com grande potencial de resistência, assim como dois padrões comerciais suscetíveis. Com estes genótipos, realizaram-se novos ensaios de oviposição, em casa de vegetação, além de testes de atratividade e consumo, em condições de laboratório (26±2ºC, 65±10% UR e fotófase de 14 h luz: 10 h escuro). No teste sem chance de escolha, com adultos, em casa de vegetação, os genótipos 'IAC Jabola', Arcelina 1, 'IAC Boreal', 'Flor de Mayo' e 'IAC Formoso' foram os menos ovipositados, tendo apresentado resistência do tipo antixenose à oviposição. No teste com chance de escolha, com larvas, Arcelina 4, 'BRS Horizonte', 'Pérola', H96A102-1-1-1-52, 'IAC Boreal', 'IAC Harmonia' e 'IAC Formoso' foram os genótipos menos consumidos, o que indica antixenose à alimentação. No teste sem chance de escolha, todos os genótipos (exceto 'IAPAR 57') expressaram níveis moderados de antixenose à alimentação de larvas de C. includens.

The objective of this work was to evaluate bean genotypes for resistance to soybean looper (Chrysodeixis includens). Initially, free-choice tests were carried out with 59 genotypes, divided into three groups according to leaf color intensity (dark green, light green, and medium green), in order to evaluate oviposition preference. Subsequently, 12 genotypes with high potential for resistance were selected, as well as two susceptible commercial standards. With these genotypes, new tests were performed for oviposition in a greenhouse, besides tests for attractiveness and consumption under laboratory conditions (26±2ºC, 65±10% RH, and 14 h light: 10 h dark photophase). In the no-choice test with adults, in the greenhouse, the 'IAC Jabola', Arcelina 1, 'IAC Boreal', 'Flor de Mayo', and 'IAC Formoso' genotypes were the least oviposited, showing antixenosis-type resistance for oviposition. In the free-choice test with larvae, Arcelina 4, 'BRS Horizonte', 'Pérola', H96A102-1-1-1-52, 'IAC Boreal', 'IAC Harmonia', and 'IAC Formoso' were the less consumed genotypes, which indicates antixenosis to feeding. In the no-choice test, all genotypes (except for 'IAPAR 57') expressed moderate levels of antixenosis to feeding against C. includens larvae.

Avaliou-se o efeito dos danos ocasionados por S. frugiperda na produtividade de híbridos de milho convencionais e suas versões isogênicas transgênicas com diferentes toxinas Bt, em condições de campo. Experimentos foram instalados nas localidades de Campinas e Mococa, nas safras 2010/2011 e 2011/2012, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com 12 tratamentos e quatro repetições. As variáveis avaliadas foram: produtividade de grãos, massa de cem grãos e rendimento de grãos. Para a avaliação dos danos ocasionados por S. frugiperda, verificou-se a intensidade das injúrias foliares por meio de escala visual de notas, com variação de 0 a 9, dos 15 dias até os 60 dias após a semeadura. Menores notas de danos causados por S. frugiperda são verificadas em híbridos transgênicos. A maioria dos híbridos convencionais não difere em produtividade de grãos de pelo menos uma de suas versões isogênicas transgênicas. Os mesmos híbridos de milho com toxinas Bt diferentes podem apresentar comportamentos produtivos diferentes em condições de campo. Toxinas Bt diferentes respondem de forma distinta em relação aos danos ocasionados por S. frugiperda.

This study evaluated the effect of damage caused by S. frugiperda on yield of maize hybrids and their conventional and isogenic transgenic versions, with different Bt toxins, in field conditions. Experiments were conducted in the municipalities of Campinas and Mococa, São Paulo State, Brazil, in the growing seasons of 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, in a randomized complete block design, with 12 treatments and four replications. The variables evaluated were: grain productivity, one hundred grain weight and grain yield. For the assessment of damage caused by S. frugiperda was verified the intensity of leaf injuries through visual scale of notes, with variation of 0 and 9, from 15 to 60 days after sowing. Lower scores of damage caused by S. frugiperda were found in transgenic hybrids. Most conventional hybrids do not differ in grain productivity from at least one of isogenic transgenic versions. The same maize hybrid with different Bt toxins may have different productive behavior in field conditions. Different Bt toxins respond differently to damage caused by S. frugiperda.

Desde 2009, populações crescentes de Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) vêm sendo observadas em lavouras de feijoeiro comum (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) e mamoneira (Ricinus communis L.), na Fazenda Experimental Lageado, pertencente à FCA/UNESP, Campus de Botucatu, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Desfolhas ao redor de 80% e 50% foram constatadas em feijoeiro Pérola e em mamoneira IAC-2028, respectivamente. Amostras de indivíduos (lagartas e pupas) foram coletadas a campo e mantidas em laboratório até a emergência dos adultos para confirmação da espécie. Essas observações em feijoeiro são inéditas para o estado de São Paulo e, no caso da mamoneira, inéditas no Brasil, sugerindo que o inseto vem se adaptando e atacando outras culturas de interesse agrícola, exigindo maior atenção por parte dos produtores de feijão e mamona.

Since 2009, increasing populations of Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) have been observed in cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) at the Lageado Experimental Farm, belonging to the FCA/UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Defoliations around 80% and 50% were observed in the common bean cv. Pérola and castor bean cv. IAC-2028, respectively. Samples of individuals (caterpillars and pupae) were collected in the field, and kept in laboratory until adult emergence aiming to confirm the species. These are new observations for common bean in São Paulo State and, in the case of castor bean, unpublished in Brazil. It suggests that C. includens has adapted to attack other agricultural crops, demanding attention of common bean and castor bean producers.

Parasitismo em ninfas de Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biótipo B em folhas de algodão foi observado durante pesquisa sobre resistência de genótipos de algodoeiro a essa mosca-branca. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação no Centro Experimental do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC). Amostras das ninfas parasitadas foram mantidas em laboratório para acompanhamento do parasitismo e obtenção dos adultos dos parasitoides. Foram coletados 129 adultos, sendo um espécime de Encarsia inaron (Walker), 13 de En. lutea (Masi) e 115 de Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). Este é o primeiro registro de Er. mundus no Brasil.

The parasitism of Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B nymphs on cotton plants was observed during a research on resistance of cotton genotypes to this whitefly. The experiment was set in a greenhouse at the Experimental Station of the Instituto Agronômico (IAC), in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. Samples of the parasitized nymphs were collected and maintained in laboratory to monitor the parasitism and obtain the adult parasitoids. A total of 129 adult parasitoids were obtained, including one Encarsia inaron (Walker), 13 En. lutea (Masi), and 115 Eretmocerus mundus Mercet (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). This is the first report of Er. mundus in Brazil.

Estudou-se a biologia de Mahanarva fimbriolata nas gramíneas Setaria anceps cv. 'Kazungula', Brachiaria brizantha cv. 'Marandu', ecótipos BB 33, BB 39, seleções IAC-BBS 5 e IAC-BBS 8, e cana-de-açúcar. 'SP-80-1842' (testemunha) em laboratório, visando a avaliar a resistência desses genótipos a essa praga. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: mortalidade e duração da fase de ninfa, razão sexual, período de pré-oviposição, número de ovos por fêmea, longevidade, duração e viabilidade da fase embrionária. Constatou-se maior mortalidade e prolongamento na fase de ninfa em IAC-BBS 8, B. brizantha cv. 'Marandu' e S. anceps cv. 'Kazungula'. Os menores valores de longevidade e fecundidade foram verificados em IAC-BBS 8 e IAC-BBS 5 e os maiores em cana-de-açúcar. A menor viabilidade da fase embrionária foi obtida em IAC-BBS 5 e a maior em IAC-BBS 8. Segundo os resultados da tabela de vida, a taxa líquida de reprodução (Ro) e a taxa finita de crescimento (λ) foram menores em IAC-BBS 8. Concluiu-se que IAC-BBS 8 é o genótipo mais resistente a M. fimbriolata, sendo a resistência do tipo antibiose e/ou não-preferência para alimentação.

Under controlled conditions, six forage grasses (Setaria anceps cv. 'Kazungula' and Brachiaria brizantha cv. 'Marandu'; and codified genotypes BB33, BB39; BBS 5 and BBS8), along with a control check (sugarcane cv. 'SP80-1842') were evaluated as to Mahanarva fimbriolata resistance. The following parameters have been evaluated: nymphal phase duration and mortality, sex ratio, pre-oviposition period, number of eggs per female, longevity, viability and embryonic period. The highest mortalities and longer nymphal periods occurred on BBS 8, cv. 'Marandu' and cv. 'Kazungula'. BBS5 also caused high nymph mortality, however with the shortest nymphal period. The lowest longevity and fecundity values were detected for BBS5 and BBS8, whereas the sugarcane control check revealed the highest one. As to embryonic phase viability, BBS 8 originated the highest values and BBS 5, the lowest ones. Among the tested plants, BBS 8 along with the cv. 'Marandu', proved to be the most resistant genetic material, both through antibiosis and/or nonpreference for feeding mechanism.

No Brasil, é restrito o conhecimento sobre distribuição geográfica e plantas hospedeiras de moscas-brancas (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), principalmente em plantas cultivadas. Nesta comunicação, é registrada a ocorrência de Aleurodicus mirabilis (Cockerell, 1898) em altas infestações em fruta-do-conde (Annona squamosa Linnaeus, 1753) no estado de São Paulo, Brasil.

In Brazil the knowledge about the geographical distribution and host plants of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is limited, mainly on crops. In this communication, the occurrence of Aleurodicus mirabilis (Cockerell, 1898) in high infestations in custard apple (Annona squamosa Linnaeus, 1753) is recorded in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.