Abstract In phytophagous insects, adaptation to a new host is a dynamic process, in which early and later steps may be underpinned by different features of the insect genome. Here, we tested the hypothesis that early steps of this process are underpinned by a shift in gene expression patterns. We set up a short-term artificial selection experiment (10 generations) for the use of an alternative host (Cicer arietinum) on populations of the bean beetle Zabrotes subfasciatus. Using Illumina sequencing on young adult females, we show the selected populations differ in the expression of genes associated to stimuli, signalling, and developmental processes. Particularly, the “C. arietinum” population shows upregulation of histone methylation genes, which may constitute a strategy for fine-tuning the insect global gene expression network. Using qPCR on body regions, we demonstrated that the “Phaseolus vulgaris” population upregulates the genes polygalacturonase and egalitarian and that the expression of an odorant receptor transcript variant changes over generations. Moreover, in this population we detected the existence of vitellogenin (Vg) variants in both males and females, possibly harbouring canonical reproductive function in females and extracellular unknown functions in males. This study provides the basis for future genomic investigations seeking to shed light on the nature of the proximate mechanisms involved in promoting differential gene expression associated to insect development and adaptation to new hosts. insects genome Here patterns shortterm short term 10 (1 generations Cicer arietinum subfasciatus stimuli signalling processes Particularly C. C “C finetuning fine tuning network regions Phaseolus vulgaris Moreover Vg (Vg hosts 1 (

Resumen Sitophilus granarius, es un pequeño insecto el cual bajo condiciones favorable llega a afectar al trigo almacenado hasta en un 85 %. Los esfuerzos investigativos están siendo orientados hacia el desarrollo de bioproductos a base de hongos o bacterias con acción entomopatógena, con utilidad potencial como bioinsecticidas. Estudios relacionados con Trichoderma harzianum y espinosina en el control del coleópteros-plaga de granos almacenados son mínimos y es en este contexto, el objetivo del presente trabajo consistió en evaluar el efecto de Trichoderma y la espinosina en el control de Sitophilus granarius en trigo almacenado. Para el desarrollo del estudio, el grano de todos los tratamientos fue impregnado primeramente con espinosina; tres concentraciones (tres tratamientos) de conidias de T. harzianum fueron asperjadas (T1:103, T2:106 y T3:109 conidias.mL-1), con cinco repeticiones cada tratamiento. En el estudio fueron considerados controles sin tratamientos. Los resultados muestran que, Trichoderma harzianum presenta un efecto biorregulador sobre S. granarius, el cual es significativo cuando se combina con la espinosina. Este efecto bioregulador se enfatiza cuando se inoculan concentraciones superiores de 109 condias/mL. Se deben realizar estudios relacionados con la coinoculación y el uso de la espinosina, asimismo, evaluar la viabilidad de la semilla y propiedades organolépticos del grano.

Abstract Sitophilus granarius, is a small insect which, under favorable conditions, affects up to 85 % of stored wheat. Research efforts are being directed towards the development of bioproducts based on fungi or bacteria with entomopathogenic action, with potential utility as bioinsecticides. Studies related to Trichoderma harzianum and spinosyn in the control of the beetle pest of stored grains are minimal and it is in this context, that the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of Trichoderma and spinosyn in the control of Sitophilus granarius in stored wheat. For the development of the study, the grain of all treatments was first impregnated with spinosyn; three concentrations (three treatments) of T. harzianum conidia were sprayed (T1:103, T2:106 y T3:109 conidias.mL-1), with five repetitions for each treatment. In the study they were considered controls without treatments. The results show that Trichoderma harzianum has a bioregulatory effect on S. granarius, which is significant when combined with spinosyn. This bioregulatory effect is emphasized when higher concentrations than 109 condia/mL are inoculated. Studies related to coinoculation and the use of spinosyn should be carried out, as well as evaluating the viability of the seed and the organoleptic properties of the grain.

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. Boheman (Boheman Coleoptera, Coleoptera (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae Bruchinae Phaseolus L. L Fabaceae (Fabaceae worldwide far Therefore arcelinbearing arcelin bearing Z rotenonebased rotenone based Roteline neembased neem NeemSeto NeemPro insect effective eggtoadult egg to adult period bioassay 81 RAZ59 RAZ 59 (RAZ-59 However typetrait type trait experiment 8 RAZ5 5 (RAZ-5 (RAZ- (RAZ

Resumo ×Butyagrus nabonnandii (Prosch.) Vorster é conhecida como palmeira-mula por ser considerada estéril, apesar de ter sido utilizada com sucesso em retrocruzamentos. O híbrido resulta do cruzamento entre Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman e Butia odorata (Barb.Rodr.) Noblick, é tido como raro e possui morfologia pouco estudada. Objetivou-se estudar a morfologia de ×B. nabonnandii e verificar sua esterilidade através da germinação de suas sementes a partir de diferentes populações naturais. O híbrido foi registrado em quatro municípios sendo, em três desses, de ocorrência inédita. Em um dos municípios visitados, foram contabilizados 20 espécimes. A morfologia vegetativa apresentou menor variação do que a reprodutiva. Entretanto, parte dos caracteres morfológicos vegetativos diferem do descrito na literatura para espécimes cultivados. Nossos dados indicam que além de não ser raro, o híbrido é fértil. As taxas de germinação das sementes de ×B. nabonnandii são baixas devido à predação das sementes por larvas de besouros, além da produção de frutos sem sementes, o que também ocorre nos gêneros das espécies progenitoras. Além disso, assim como em seus parentais, a morfologia do híbrido é complexa, sendo importantes futuros estudos anatômicos e moleculares para uma melhor delimitação e compreensão da biologia de ×B. nabonnandii. Butyagrus Prosch. Prosch (Prosch. palmeiramula palmeira mula estéril retrocruzamentos Cham. Cham (Cham. Barb.Rodr. BarbRodr Barb Rodr (Barb.Rodr. Noblick estudada Objetivouse Objetivou se B ×B naturais desses inédita visitados 2 reprodutiva Entretanto cultivados fértil besouros progenitoras disso parentais complexa (Prosch (Cham Barb.Rodr (Barb.Rodr

Abstract ×Butyagrus nabonnandii (Prosch.) Vorster is known as mule palm due to sterility, but recently, its pollen has been successfully used in backcrosses. It was first described as an artificial cross between Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman and Butia odorata (Barb.Rodr.) Noblick in 1890. It has been considered rare in nature, and its morphology has been little studied. Thus, we aimed to verify if ×B. nabonnandii is sterile by studying its morphology and seed germination from different natural populations. The hybrid was sampled in four municipalities and is new to three of these. In one of the visited cities, 20 specimens were counted. The vegetative morphology showed less variation than the reproductive. However, part of the vegetative characters differed from previous descriptions relying solely on cultivated specimens. Contrary to previous reports, our data indicate that ×Butyagrus nabonnandii is neither rare nor infertile. Seed germination rates of ×B. nabonnandii are low due to seed predation by beetle larvae and seedless fruit production, which is also observed in the genera of the parental species. Furthermore, as in its parents, the morphology of the hybrid is complex, and future anatomical and molecular approaches are important for a better delimitation and understanding of the biology of ×B. nabonnandii. Butyagrus Prosch. Prosch (Prosch. sterility recently backcrosses Cham. Cham (Cham. Barb.Rodr. BarbRodr Barb Rodr (Barb.Rodr. 1890 nature studied Thus B ×B populations these cities 2 counted reproductive However reports infertile production species Furthermore parents complex (Prosch (Cham Barb.Rodr (Barb.Rodr 189 18 1

Resumo O Pantanal é a maior área úmida sazonal de água doce Neotropical da Terra, caracterizada pelas inundações sazonais e pela complexa vegetação em mosaico, que determina sua biodiversidade. Dentre essa biodiversidade, os besouros rola-bosta (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) são um grupo de insetos que desempenham importantes funções ecológicas, tais como: ciclagem de nutrientes, dispersão de sementes e controle de parasitas. A fim de mitigar a falta de informações sobre a fauna de besouros rola-bosta do Pantanal brasileiro, realizamos uma pesquisa bibliográfica de praticamente toda a literatura publicada até novembro de 2020 sobre besouros rola-bosta amostrados no Pantanal. Além disso, acessamos os registros da maior coleção da espécie de rola-bosta do Pantanal brasileiro. Registramos 68 espécies de besouros rola-bosta de 30 gêneros. O gênero Canthon Holffmanseg 1847 é o mais diverso com 13 espécies registradas. Embora nosso conhecimento sobre a fauna de rola-bostas neste ecossistema ainda seja incipiente, nossos resultados demonstraram uma alta riqueza de besouros rola-bosta no Pantanal brasileiro. Além disso, nosso estudo fornece a primeira lista de espécies de besouros rola-bosta e uma chave de dicotomia ilustrada para identificar gêneros e algumas espécies encontrados no Pantanal brasileiro. Assim, a utilização deste guia para identificação das espécies de besouros rola-bostas e uma lista de espécies podem ser ferramentas importantes para auxiliar pesquisadores e incentivar novos inventários sobre a fauna de besouros rola-bostas no Pantanal brasileiro. Terra mosaico biodiversidade rolabosta rola bosta Coleoptera (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae ecológicas como nutrientes parasitas brasileiro 202 disso 6 3 184 1 registradas rolabostas bostas incipiente Assim 20 18 2

Abstract The Pantanal is the largest seasonal freshwater wetland on Earth, characterized by the seasonal flooding and complex mosaic vegetation, which determines its biodiversity. Among this biodiversity, dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) are a group of insects that perform important ecological functions, such as: nutrient cycling, seed dispersion and parasite control. In order to mitigate the lack of information on dung beetle fauna of the Brazilian Pantanal, we conducted a bibliographic search of virtually all literature published until november-2020 on dung beetles sampled in the Pantanal. In addition, we had accessed to the records the largest collection of the dung beetle species from Brazilian Pantanal. We recorded 68 dung beetle species of 30 genera. The genera Canthon Holffmanseg 1847 is the most diverse with 13 species recorded. Although our knowledge about the dung beetle fauna in this ecosystem is still incipient, our results demonstrated a high richness of dung beetles in the Brazilian Pantanal. In addition, our study provides first list of dung beetle species and an illustrated dichotomy key to identify genera and some species occurring in the Brazilian Pantanal. Thus, the use of this guide for identification of dung beetle species and a list of species can be important tools to help researchers and provide incentive for new inventories on dung beetle fauna in the Brazilian Pantanal. Earth vegetation biodiversity Coleoptera (Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Scarabaeinae functions as cycling control november2020 november 2020 november-202 addition 6 3 184 1 incipient Thus november202 202 november-20 18 november20 20 november-2 november2 2 november-

Honey locust, Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to North America. The tree has been introduced worldwide and has become invasive in South Africa. In 2017, it was listed as one of the nine fastest-spreading weeds in South Africa. Once established, it competes with and displaces indigenous species and dense stands can significantly reduce stream flow. The Asian seed-feeding bruchid, Megabruchidius tonkineus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) was introduced into South Africa and has subsequently taken honey locust as a host plant. The beetle damages honey locust seeds and is therefore considered a biological control agent, despite no host-specificity or impact studies having been conducted. This study shows that M. tonkineus has established across the entire G. triacanthos population range in South Africa, damaging approximately 9% of seeds. Laboratory studies show that M. tonkineus completes its larval development in the seeds of G. triacanthos in about 66.80 ± 0.69 SE days before emerging. This study is the first to describe the distribution and impact of this alien insect in South Africa.

Resumen Introducción: Los escarabajos coprófagos cumplen funciones importantes en los ecosistemas terrestres, pero las presiones antrópicas los afectan negativamente. Estos efectos están bien documentados en los bosques neotropicales de tierras bajas, pero se han estudiado poco en los bosques andinos. Objetivo: Evaluar cómo los atributos de los ensambles de escarabajos coprófagos y tres de sus funciones ecológicas difieren en tres tipos de cobertura vegetal, y determinar las relaciones entre atributos y funciones, y entre funciones. Métodos: Los escarabajos coprófagos se capturaron con trampas pitfall y se midieron las funciones ecológicas a través de un experimento de campo en la hacienda “El Ocaso” (Colombia), en tres tipos de cobertura vegetal: bosque secundario, bosque mixto y pastos para ganado (tres sitios independientes por cobertura). Los atributos del ensamble que se evaluaron fueron: abundancia, número de especies, biomasa y longitud corporal media ponderada; las funciones medidas fueron: remoción de estiércol, excavación del suelo y dispersión secundaria de semillas. Resultados: Se encontró que tanto los atributos del ensamble como las funciones ecológicas se vieron afectados negativamente en las coberturas vegetales más alteradas, particularmente en los pastos ganaderos. La mayoría de los atributos de ensamblaje se correlacionaron positivamente con las funciones; la excavación del suelo y la dispersión secundaria de semillas tuvieron una fuerte correlación positiva con la remoción de estiércol. Conclusiones: Los ensambles de escarabajos coprófagos juegan importantes funciones ecológicas y son sensibles a las alteraciones del ecosistema. Este estudio muestra cómo los escarabajos coprófagos y sus funciones se ven afectados negativamente cuando el bosque se transforma en pastizales para ganado en los ecosistemas forestales andinos poco estudiados y altamente fragmentados.

Abstract Introduction: Dung beetles perform important functions in terrestrial ecosystems, but anthropic pressures affect them negatively. These effects are well documented in neotropical lowland forests but have been studied little in Andean forests. Objective: To evaluate how the attributes of the dung beetle assemblages and three of their ecological functions differ in three types of vegetation cover, and to determine the relationships between attributes and functions, and among functions. Methods: Dung beetles were captured with pitfall traps, and ecological functions were measured through a field experiment in the farm “El Ocaso” (Colombia), in three types of vegetation cover: secondary forest, mixed forest and cattle pasture (three independent sites per cover). The assemblage attributes that were evaluated were abundance, number of species, biomass, and weighted mean body length; functions measured were dung removal, soil excavation, and secondary seed dispersal. Results: It was found that both the assemblage attributes and the ecological functions were negatively affected in the more disturbed vegetation covers, particularly in cattle pastures. Most of the assemblage attributes correlated positively with functions; soil excavation and secondary seed dispersal had a strong positive correlation with dung removal. Conclusions: Dung beetle assemblages play important ecological functions and they are sensitive to ecosystem disturbances. This study shows how dung beetles and their functions are affected negatively when forest is transformed to cattle pasture in the understudied and highly fragmented Andean forest ecosystems.

ABSTRACT Botanical pesticides are a new trend for pest management because they are an environmentally safe alternative for synthetic chemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the insecticidal activity of desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca %#91;L.%#93; Delile) seed oils against the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst) and determine the oil chemical compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Oils were extracted by chloroform, hexane, and ethanol, and they were tested on the pest by the film residue method at doses of 1.131, 0.566, 0.283, and 0.142 mg cm-2 after 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Results showed that chloroform achieved a 100% mortality rate at 1.131 and 0.566 mg cm-2 after 12 and 36 h exposure, respectively. Meanwhile, the hexane extract caused a similar effect after 24 and 48 h at the same doses, respectively. The chloroform extract scored the lowest median lethal dose (LD50, 0.134 mg cm-2) against the pest after 48 h of exposure. This finding indicated that chloroform extract was the most toxic for T. castaneum compared with the other extracts. The results of the oil analysis revealed that (9Z,12Z)-octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, (Z)-octadec-9-enoic acid, and (E)-octadec-6- enoic acid were the main components, but the concentration differed from one extract to another. These results suggest that chloroform and hexane extracts have potent insecticidal activity and could be used in grain storage to control pests.

RESUMEN Se registra por primera vez la asociación del escarabajo consumidor de semillas Merobruchus paquetae con el hospedero de leguminosa invasivo Leucaena leucocephala. Esta especie de escarabajo está asociada en Colombia con la leguminosa nativa Pseusosamanea guachapele.

ABSTRACT We record for the first time the host association of the seed beetle Merobruchus paquetae with the invasive legume tree Leucaena leucocephala. This species of beetle was associated in Colombia to the native legume tree Pseudosamanea guachapele.

Abstract To assess the effect of beetles (Bruchidae) that consume seeds on the establishment of Prosopis laevigata in the Mezquital Valley, Hidalgo, the damage they cause in the seeds of 20 trees was quantified. We assessed if the damage affects seed viability, if the beetles have preference for some seed size and if beetle size is related to the size of the seed from which it emerges. Twenty-two percent of the seeds presented damage by beetles in the pre-dispersion stage, and 2, 4 and 6 months after they had fallen to the ground, the damage was 32.0, 54.4 and 66.3%, respectively. The seeds damaged by beetles did not germinate because they damaged the embryo. Bruchids use larger sized seeds for oviposition and beetle size was positively and significantly related with the size of the seeds from which they emerged. The loss of seeds by bruchids and their preference for larger seeds to oviposit may limit the establishment of P. laevigata, although the potential ecological implications of this seed predation still needs to be assessed.

Resumen Para evaluar el efecto que pueden tener los escarabajos (Bruchidae) que consumen semillas durante el establecimiento del mezquite Prosopis laevigata en el valle del Mezquital, Hidalgo, se cuantificó el daño en las semillas de 20 árboles. Se determinó si el daño afecta la viabilidad de las semillas, si los escarabajos tienen preferencia por algún tamaño de semilla y si el tamaño del escarabajo y el tamaño de la semilla de la cual emergen están relacionados. El 22% de las semillas presentó daño por escarabajos en la etapa de predispersión y el daño después de 2, 4 y 6 meses de que éstas caen al suelo fue de 32.0, 54.4 y 66.3%, respectivamente. Las semillas dañadas por los escarabajos no germinaron porque éstos dañan el embrión. Los brúquidos utilizan semillas de mayor tamaño para ovipositar y el tamaño de los escarabajos tuvo una relación positiva y significativa con el tamaño de las semillas de las cuales emergieron. La pérdida de semillas por brúquidos y su preferencia por semillas de mayor tamaño para ovipositar pueden limitar el establecimiento de P. laevigata, aunque aun quedan por evaluar las posibles implicaciones ecológicas de esta depredación de semillas en las poblaciones de mezquite.

RESUMO O feijão-caupi é uma leguminosa, alvo de vários insetos e doenças, sendo a principal praga que causa perdas diretas o caruncho Callosobruchus maculatus. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relacionar as características físicas e bromatológicas das variedades de feijão-caupi Bico de Ouro, BRS Novaera, BRS Guariba e BRS Tumucumaque à preferência do caruncho C. maculatus. Os indivíduos adultos de C. maculatus foram obtidos em unidade armazenadora de sementes de feijão-caupi. Realizou-se em laboratório a caracterização física e bromatológica das sementes e, teste de atratividade dos insetos. A preferência de oviposição e atratividade de C. maculatus aos genótipos de feijão-caupi não estão associadas à atratividade por altos teores de proteína ou às características físicas do tegumento, neste caso espessura e teores de fibra, uma vez que os insetos tiveram maior atratividade pela variedade Bico de Ouro, que apresentou teores reduzidos de proteína bruta, maior espessura do tegumento e maiores teores de fibras em relação às demais variedades.

ABSTRACT Cowpea is an herbaceous legume susceptible to several insects and diseases; and the beetle Callosobruchus maculatus is the main pest causing direct losses in the production of this crop. The objective of this work was to assess the physical and bromatological characteristics of beans of cowpea varieties (Bico-de-Ouro, BRS-Novaera, BRS-Guariba and BRS-Tumucumaque) preferred by C. maculatus. Adults of C. maculatus were obtained from a storage unit of cowpea beans. The physical and bromatological characteristics and attractiveness of cowpea beans to insects were evaluated in laboratory. The preferences for oviposition with no choice and attraction to cowpea beans by C. maculatus are not related to the high protein content or physical characteristics of the bean seed coat (thickness and fiber content), since the insects were more attracted to beans of the variety Bico-de-Ouro, which had low crude protein content, the thickest seed coat and high NDF content.

Resumen Se evaluó el efecto insecticida de cinco extractos etanólicos producidos a partir de tres especies del género Maytenus: hojas (HMB), corteza de (CMB) y semillas (SMB) de M. boaria, hojas de M. disticha (HMD) y hojas de M. magellanica sobre el escarabajo Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) y en la plaga de la zarzamora Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). También se evaluó el efecto anti-alimentario de los extractos sobre este último. Se utilizó aplicación residual, con cinco concentraciones para cada especie de insecto y diez repeticiones en cada ensayo. Para evaluar la acción anti-alimentaria sobre adultos de A. superciliosus, se establecieron experimentos de elección (E) y sin elección (NE) para determinar el porcentaje de área foliar consumida. Los ensayos duraron 120 horas, con la mortalidad y el efecto anti-alimentario monitoreados cada 24 horas. El mayor porcentaje de mortalidad en las dos especies de insectos se registró con el extracto etanólico de SMB: H. convergens presentó 82 % con una LC50: 32 mg/ml, mientras que A. superciliosus presentó 85 % en el ensayo de elección y 86 % en el ensayo de no elección, con una LC50: 23 mg/ml. En ambos ensayos, la mortalidad aumentó con el tiempo de exposición, alcanzando su máximo a las 120 horas. La menor mortalidad se obtuvo con el extracto de CMB en el ensayo de elección (C) y con el extracto de HMM en el ensayo de no elección (NE). En el ensayo de elección, el mayor porcentaje de área foliar consumida se registró con extracto de CMB, mientras que en el ensayo de no elección el mayor porcentaje de consumo fue con el extracto de HMM, que presentó valores más altos incluso que el control sin aplicación. El menor porcentaje de hojas consumido, en ambos ensayos, se registró con el extracto de SMB en las concentraciones más altas (20 y 30 % p/v).

Abstract The insecticidal effects of five ethanolic extracts produced from three species of the genus Maytenus: M. boaria leaf (MBL), M. boaria bark (MBB), M. boaria seed (MBS), M. disticha leaf (MDL) and M. magellanica leaf (MML) were evaluated on the lady beetle Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and on the pest of berry Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The anti-feeding effects of the extracts on the latter were also evaluated. Residual application was used, with five concentrations for each species of insect and ten replications of each assay. To evaluate anti-feeding action in adult A. superciliosus, choice (C) and no-choice (NC) experiments were established to determine the percentage of leaf area consumed. The assays lasted for 120 hours, with the mortality and anti-feeding effect monitored every 24 hours. The highest percentage of mortality in the two insect species was recorded with the MBS ethanolic extract: H. convergens presented 82 %, with LC50: 32 mg/ml; while A. superciliosus presented 85 % in the choice assay and 86 % in the no-choice assay, with LC50: 23 mg/ml. In both assays, the mortality increased with exposure time, reaching its highest at 120 hours. The lowest mortality was obtained with MBB extract in choice (C) and with MML extract in no-choice (NC) assays. In the choice assay, the highest percentage of leaf area consumed was recorded with MBB extract, while in the no-choice assay the highest percentage of consumed was with MML extract, which presented higher values even than the control with no application. The lowest leaf percentage consumed, in both assays, was recorded with MBS extract at the highest concentrations (20 and 30 % w/v).

Essential oil terpenes are secondary metabolites produced in different biological pathways as pollinator attraction signals, but also as defense mechanisms against insect pests, herbivores, microorganisms, competing plants, etc. In this context, we have evaluated a total of 24 terpenes commonly found in Mediterranean aromatic plants, including 8 monoterpene hydrocarbons, 9 oxygenated monoterpenes, 2 esterified monoterpenes, 3 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and 2 oxygenated sesquiterpenes in order to determine their antifeedant effects on the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say), a major pest of potato crops. Terpene hydrocarbons showed low antifeedant activity, whereas the oxygenated sesquiterpene (-)-α-bisabolol with an inhibition activity of 96.3% was the most active, followed by carvacrol (90.9%), (+)-Terpinen-4-ol (87.1%) and thymol (81.5%). Other terpenes like (1S)-(-)-verbenone (72.9%), (+/-)-camphor (63.4%) and linalyl acetate (60.7%) showed moderate activity. Subsequently, terpenes showing antifeedant activity against this insect were also tested in allelopathic assays to determine potential damage to the crops. Results showed phytotoxic effects for (1S)-(-)-verbenone on Lactuca sativa germination, and for carvacrol on both the seed germination and the leaf and root growth of Lolium perenne. In conclusion, (-)-α-bisabolol is the best option to develop natural antifeedant formulations against L. decemlineata on the basis of its high antifeedant and low phytotoxic activities.

RESUMO: O deficiente desenvolvimento de sementes férteis de espécies florestais nativas no Brasil limita a propagação dessas plantas em diversas condições. Entre os fatores bióticos limitantes da qualidade e quantidade das sementes florestais, destacam-se os insetos broqueadores, antes e depois da sua dispersão. Este estudo relata pela primeira vez um hospedeiro do besouro buprestídeo Lius conicus (Gory & Laporte, 1840). O desenvolvimento larval de L. conicus ocorre em cápsulas com sementes de Vochysia haenkeana Mart. (Vochysiaceae), uma típica árvore do bioma cerrado brasileiro. Em duas regiões do cerrado, no Estado de Goiás, no Brasil, frutos quase maduros de V. haenkeana foram coletados diretamente das plantas. Após secagem natural e beneficiamento de frutos e sementes em laboratório, os danos causados pelas larvas de L. conicus foram quantificados e qualificados. Frutos maiores foram os preferidas como hospedeiros desse inseto. Os frutos produzidos pela planta, voltados para ponto o cardeal leste, foram os mais infestados por L. conicus. Lotes de sementes provenientes de frutos maiores apresentaram infestação por L. conicus de até 37,5%. Observou-se que houve apenas uma larva desse inseto por fruto, que danificou todas as sementes da cápsula (três ou quatro) e consumiu geralmente cerca de 26% da massa seca da semente.

ABSTRACT: The deficient development of fertile seeds of native forest plant species in Brazil limits the reproduction of these plants in various conditions. Among the limiting biotic factors in quality and quantity of the forest seeds, borer insects are quite prominent, before and after their dispersion. This study reports for the first time a host of the buprestid beetle Lius conicus (Gory & Laporte, 1840). The larval development of L. conicus takes place in the seed capsules of Vochysia haenkeana Mart. (Vochysiaceae), a typical tree species in the Brazilian cerrado biome. In two regions of the cerrado in Goiás State, Brazil, almost ripe fruits of V. haenkeana were collected directly from the plants. After natural drying, and fruit and seed processing in laboratory, damage caused by the L. conicus larvae was quantified and qualified. Bigger fruits were preferred as hosts. Fruits developing on the eastern side of the plant were most frequently occupied by L. conicus. Seed lots of bigger fruits showed damage up to 37.5% from the infestation by L. conicus larvae. There was only one larva per fruit, which damaged all the seeds of the capsule (three or four) and generally consumed around 26% of the seed dry mass.

Scarabaeus spretus zur Strassen was observed to roll and bury Ceratocaryum argenteum (Restionaceae) seeds in the sandplain fynbos of the Potberg area of the De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa. This species is the second dung beetle species found to be deceived by the faecal mimicry of C. argenteum seeds - the first species being Epirinus flagellatus. An isotopic analysis suggests that both these dung beetle species most likely feed on eland (Taurotragus oryx), not bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus), dung. Thus the model in this mimicry is eland dung; this interaction suggests large herbivores are an integral part of this fynbos.