Abstract The vegetable leaf miner (Liriomyza sativae) is considered one of the main melon pests, causing serious problems for producers in all growing regions. A promising type of pest control has been use of resistant cultivars, in isolation or associated with other types of control. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of melon genotypes to L. sativae. Twenty-one melon genotypes and one commercial “Goldex” hybrid (susceptibility pattern) were evaluated in two experiments. In the first experiment, we observed the non-preference of L. sativae for oviposition and feeding by quantifying the number of eggs and feeding punctures, both on the adaxial side and on the abaxial face of the leaves. In the second experiment, we observed the antibiosis effect through L. sativae larval and pupal viability. Genotype CNPH 06-1047-341 showed the lowest preference for oviposition (high resistance), with low egg values on both leaf sides (0.3 eggs/plant). In genotypes CNPH 06-1047-313, CNPH 06-1047-346, CNPH 11-1071-27, CNPH 11-1071-39, CNPH 11-1071-43, and CNPH 11-1071-53, we observed a higher preference for the adaxial side, whereas for the other genotypes and the commercial hybrid there was no discrimination between leaf sides. In relation to antibiosis, genotypes CNPH 06-1047-339, CNPH 06-1047-333, CNPH 06-1047-330, CNPH 06-1047-334, CNPH 06-1047-331, CNPH 06-1047-343, CNPH 10-1056-313, CNPH 06-1047-346, and CNPH 06-1047-341 presented lower larval and pupal viability. Genotype CNPH 06-1047-341 was the least preferred for oviposition and feeding and the most promising as a source of resistance to L. sativae.

Metabolomics, together with analytical methods and chemometric tools, point to new paths for selecting species that are resistant to pests and diseases. In this work, the forage palm species' metabolomic profile was investigated, and the relation between the chemical composition and resistance to Dactylopius opuntiae (carmine cochineal). The study was performed in cladodes of different non-susceptible cultivars (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck, Opuntia stricta (Haw.), Nopalea cochenillifera and susceptible cultivar (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.)). Metabolic profile showed 28 metabolites detected in the four species. From these total, 18 metabolites were annotated using UPLC-QTOF-MSE (ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry operating in MSE mode). By comparing the chemical profiles of non-susceptible and susceptible species through the application of chemometric tools, it was possible to obtain biomarkers (quercetin-3-O-2',6'-dirhamnosylglucoside, quercetin rhamnosyl dihexoside, and isorhamnetin-3-sophoroside-7-rhamnoside) that may be associated with resistance to carmine cochineal. Metabolomics based on UPLC-QTOF-MSE and chemometric allowed to establish the biomarkers knowledge of the resistance present in forage palm species. These results contribute to developing the initial understanding of flavonoids' role in the defense mechanisms of cactaceans and can be useful for application in breeding programs; it can increase the chances of success in creating new varieties of plants not susceptible to carmine cochineal.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the Holopothrips fulvus Morgan (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) population dynamics and to identify dwarf cashew genotypes less infested by the pest in 2015 and 2016, under field conditions. H. fulvus population evaluations were carried out by monthly observations in the plants and using a score scale varying from 0 to 4. H. fulvus infestation occurred from October to December, and in the cashew genotypes CAP 112/8, CAP 121/1, CAP 131/2, CAP 145/2, CAP 145/7, CAP 128/2, CAP 120/4, CAP 123/6, CAP 130/1, and CAP 157/2 was dependent on the flowering period of the crop in 2015. In 2016, there was dependence in all evaluated genotypes between H. fulvus infestation and the cashew flowering period. In 2015, no significant differences were observed between the evaluated genotypes regarding H. fulvus infestation. In 2016, genotypes CAP 105/5, CAP 143/7, CAP 150/3, CAP 155/2, CAP 158/8, CAP 161/7, CAP 163/8, CAP 31, CAP 71, CAP 92, CAP 113, CAP 120, CAP 155, CAP 165, CAP 106/1, CAP 111/2, CAP 127/3, CAP 157/2, and BRS 226 were less infested. H. fulvus occurs from October to December and we could identify the dwarf cashew genotypes less infested by the pest.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to identify Aleurodicus cocois resistant genotypes among five dwarf cashew clones available in the germplasm bank of Embrapa/Centro Nacional de Pesquisa Agroindústria Tropical. Free-choice and no-choice tests were applied in order to evaluate the relative attractiveness of the clones and the oviposition preferences, egg-to-adult development times and adult emergence rates of the pest. In comparison with other clones, PRO143/7 exhibited the lowest attraction to the whitefly and was least preferred for oviposition in the free-choice test. Conversely, CCP76 attracted the highest number of A. cocois and was preferred for oviposition. In the no-choice test, the rates of emergence of adults from clones BRS274, CCP76 and PRO143/7 varied between 53.0 and 56.8%, values that were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of clones BRS226 and EMBRAPA51, which were 72.34 and 75.16%, respectively. Some of the cashew clones tested showed antibiotic (CCP76, PRO143/7 and BRS274) and antixenotic (PRO143/7 and BRS226) resistance to A. cocois. These clones are good candidates for use in breeding programs of cashew.

Abstract: We have identified specimens of the leafhopper Gypona cerea DeLong & Freytag (Cicadellidae: Iassinae: Gyponini) collected from a crop of dwarf cashew (Anacardium occidentale Linnaeus 1753) located in Canto do Buriti, Piauí, Northeastern Brazil. The damage caused to the crop included inflorescences covered with sticky exudates, presence of sooty mold, and yellowing and drying of new shoots and inflorescences. Such documentation serves as a warning about possible outbreaks of infestation in the region and the likelihood of its expansion to other cashew producing areas.

ABSTRACT Coenosia attenuata Stein (1903) is a predatory fly that is commonly found in greenhouses and open fields preying on whiteflies, leafminers, psocopterans and other insects. The species is widespread in the Old World and its distribution has expanded in recent times to Neotropical countries including Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. We report here for the first time the presence of C. attenuata in Brazil, occurring in different sites in the State of Ceará (Northeastern Brazil). Expansion of the distribution range of this muscid to the eastern parts of South America opens up the possibility of applying the beneficial predator as a biological control agent for protected crops of the region.