Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and Trichogrammatoidea annulata De Santis are commonly found in avocado and persimmon orchards in northern Parana state. However, their abundance depends on whether insecticides are used or not to control the key lepidopteran pests Stenoma catenifer (Wals.) (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) and Hypocala andremona (Stoll) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), respectively. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of an aqueous neem seed extract (ANSE) at 15, 3 and 1.5%, and of an emulsifiable concentrate neem oil (ECNO) at 2.5, 0.5 and 0.25% on lifetime parameters of these trichogrammatids as a way of testing the feasibility of integrating the biological and chemical control methods. Chemicals were applied on Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs before or after parasitization (one, three or five days). ANSE was more deleterious to both parasitoid species than ECNO, regardless of the concentration and the time of application. The chemicals acted on a concentration and time dependent manner. Treating the host with neem before parasitism was less deleterious to wasp emergence, especially for T. annulata. Pre-treatments (24h) of the host eggs with ECNO at concentrations varying from 0.5% to 0.25% did not affect T. pretiosum longevity, but 2.5% reduced T. annulata survival. Feeding wasps with honey mixed with 0.25% ECNO negatively affected T. annulata survival.

Um vírus foi isolado de plantas de soja (Glycine max) cultivadas em Wenceslau Braz, Estado do Paraná, com sintomas de nanismo e queima do broto. O vírus foi caracterizado por meio de hospedeiros diferenciais e propriedades biológicas como sendo um isolado do Tobacco streak virus (TSV). O vírus purificado apresentou três picos em gradiente de sacarose congelado. Anti-soro produzido contra o vírus foi sorologicamente relacionado ao TSV. Microscopia eletrônica detectou partículas esféricas com 28 nm de diâmetro. A proteína do capsídio (PC) apresentou massa molecular de 29.880 Da. Um fragmento de 1028 nt foi amplificado, clonado e seqüenciado. Uma ORF com 717 nt foi identificada e associada com a PC, a qual compartilha 83% de identidade com a seqüência da PC do isolado de TSV de trevo branco (Trifolium repens) (GenBak CAA25133). Este é o primeiro relato da caracterização biológica e molecular de um isolado de TSV de soja. Propõe-se que o isolado seja considerado uma estirpe do TSV denominada TSV-BR.

A virus was isolated from soybean (Glycine max) plants with symptoms of dwarfing and bud blight in Wenceslau Braz County, Paraná, Brazil. The host range and properties resembled those of Tobacco streak virus (TSV). The purified virus showed three peaks in a frozen sucrose gradient. Antiserum was produced and the virus was serologically related to TSV. Electron microscopy detected 28 nm spherical particles. Coat protein (CP) had a Mr of 29.880 Da. A fragment of 1028 nt was amplified, cloned and sequenced. One open reading frame with 717 nt was identified and associated to the CP. The CP gene shared 83% identity with the sequence of TSV CP from white clover (Trifolium repens) (GenBank CAA25133). This is the first report of the biological and molecular characterization of TSV isolated from soybeans. It is proposed that this isolate be considered a strain of TSV named TSV-BR.