Abstract Cultivation of species of the genus Eucalyptus is important for the Brazilian economy, with 6.97 million hectares planted. Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Aphalaridae), detected in Brazil in 2003, has dispersed and now damages Eucalyptus crops in all regions of this country. The location and identification of entomopathogenic fungi isolates may increase the options for integrated pest management. The objective of this research was to evaluate the pathogenicity of Cordyceps cateniannulata and Cordyceps javanica isolates to G. brimblecombei. Ten nymphs of G. brimblecombei, with or without lerps, were placed per Eucalyptus leaf cut with one of its edges on hydroretentive gel inside Petri dishes. The fungi isolates were suspended in a solution of Tween 80 (0.1%) at the concentration of 1.0 x 108 conidia mL-1 and sprayed on the G. brimblecombei nymphs. The mortality of this insect was evaluated daily for seven days, and the dead individuals were transferred to humid chambers. The conidia viability of the isolates was greater than 93%. The mortality of G. brimblecombei nymphs, seven days after the application of the fungi, was 100%. This is the first report of the pathogenicity of C. cateniannulata and C. javanica isolates, occurring naturally in the field, to G. brimblecombei.

Abstract Abstract: The dispersion capacity is fundamental to establish a biological control program with parasitoids. This information is used to determine the efficiency and the number of release points. Thus, the objective of this work was to determine the dispersion and to estimate the number of release points of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), in sweet corn, cucumber and cabbage in the Ceará State. The experiments were carried out in areas of maize with four leaf pairs (V4) and eight leaves pair (V8), stacked and cabbage. Unviable eggs of an alternative host were distributed in concentric circles of radius 2.5; 5.0; 9.0 and 12.0 m. Mean dispersal distance in the V4 stage maize was 4.7 m with a dispersion area of 48.6 m2, parasitism index of 18.4%, requiring 206 points/ha. In the V8 stage maize, the mean distance was 5.9 m, dispersion area of 60.3 m², mean parasitism index of 22.7% and 166 release points/ha. For the cucumber culture the mean distance was 6.0 m, dispersion area 62.2 m², mean parasitism index of 21.1% and 161 release points/ha. For cabbage the mean distance was 5.6 m, dispersion area of 56.8 m², mean parasitism index of 22.1% and 176 release points/ha.

Considerando a importância econômica de Crambe abyssinica, o presente estudo é o primeiro relato das abelhas ocorrentes na espécie representando contribuição para a Ciência, pois permite adequar métodos alternativos de controle para outros insetos daninhos com menor impacto aos polinizadores. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi responder as seguintes questões: (1) qual é a espécie polinizadora potencial em C. abyssinica? (2) como as condições ambientais interferem na flutuação populacional dos polinizadores? Os insetos foram amostrados semanalmente, com rede entomológica, das 8 às 16 horas durante cinco semanas de florescimento. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 5 x 5 (horário x semanas de florescimento). Havendo significância na análise de variância, os dados foram ajustados por equações de regressão à 5% de probabilidade e para as variáveis ambientais por correlação de Pearson. Foram observados Apis mellifera, Geotrigona mombuca, Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) fulvofasciata, Plebeia sp. e Dialictus sp. Observou-se que o polinizador potencial é A. melliferaapresentando pico máximo de visitas na II e IV semana de florescimento as 12:00 e 8:00 horas respectivamente e G. mombucanas semanas III e IV as 12:00 e 10:00 horas respectivamente. Os fatores ambientais como temperatura, umidade relativa e velocidade do vento interferem de forma diferenciada na atividade das abelhas.

Despite the economic importance of Crambe abyssinica, the present study is the first report on bees that occur with this species, and could aid in developing alternative methods for controlling insect pests without seriously impacting pollinators. The present study examined the following questions: (1) Which species are potential pollinators of C. abyssinica? (2) How do environmental conditions influence pollinator visitation fluctuations? Insects were sampled on a weekly basis between 08:00 and 16:00 during five weeks of flowering. When the results of analyses of variance were significant, the data was adjusted using regression equations at a 5% level of probability; the environmental variables were examined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Apis mellifera, Geotrigona mombuca, Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) fulvofasciata, Plebeia sp. and Dialictus sp. were observed visiting C. abyssinica flowers. A. melliferaand G. mombucawere observed to be potential pollinators, with the former demonstrating visitation peaks during flowering weeks II and IV at 12:00 and 08:00, respectively and the latter visiting during weeks III and IV at 12:00 and 10:00, respectively. Environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed have different effect on the activity of bees.

Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare e LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) é um parasitóide polífago, que inviabiliza, principalmente, pupas de lepidópteros. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar o desenvolvimento do parasitóide em pupas de Bobyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) expostas a uma, nove, 18, 27, 36, 45 ou 54 fêmeas de P. elaeisis, respectivamente. As fêmeas do parasitóide permaneceram em contato com as pupas por 24 horas em tubos de vidro (14,0 x 2,2 cm), acondicionadas em câmara climatizada regulada a 25 ± 2°C, 70 ± 10% de UR e fotofase de 12 horas. Com exceção da densidade 1:1 (72,72%), nas demais densidades o parasitismo foi 100%. Adultos de P. elaeisis não emergiram nas densidades de 1:1 e 9:1, mas observou-se 100% de emergência do parasitóide na densidade 45:1 e 54,54% em 54:1. A duração do ciclo de vida desse parasitóide variou de 20 a 28 dias. P. elaeisis produziu de 49 a 589 descendentes por pupa de B. mori. A razão sexual de P. elaeisis variou de 0,93 ± 0,01 a 0,97 ± 0,01 sem diferenças nas densidades de 18, 27, 36, 45 e 54 fêmeas/hospedeiro. Esse parasitóide deve ser criado na densidade de 45 fêmeas por pupa de B. mori.

Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare and LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a gregarious and polyphagous parasitoid mainly of Lepidoptera pupae. The objective of this paper as to study the developent of parasitoid on Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) pupae exposed to one, nine, 18, 27, 36, 45 or 54 female P. elaeisis, respectively. The females of the parasitoid remained in contact with pupae for 24 hours in glass tubes (14.0 x 2.2 cm), packed in a climatic chamber regulated at 25 ± 2°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and photo phase of 12 hours. With the exception of density 1:1 (72.72%), in other densities parasitism was 100%. Adults of P. elaeisis did not emerge from pupae at densities of 1:1 and 9:1, but 100.0% of parasitoid emergence was observed at the density of 45:1 and 54.54% at 54:1. The duration of the life cycle of this parasitoid ranged from 20 to 28 days. P. elaeisis produced 49 to 589 descendants per pupa of B. mori. The sex ratio of P. elaeisis ranged from 0.93 ± 0.01 to 0.97 ± 0.01 without differences with 18, 27, 36, 45 and 54 females/host. This parasitoid should be reared with the density of 45 females per pupa of B. mori.

Mass rearing of parasitoids depends on choosing appropriate alternative hosts. The objective of this study was to select alternative hosts to rear the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Pupae of the lepidopterans Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, 1818 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Bombyx mori Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) and Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) were exposed to parasitism by females of P. elaeisis. The duration of the life cycle of P. elaeisis was 21.60 ± 0.16 and 24.15 ± 0.65 days on pupae of A. gemmatalis and B. mori, respectively, with 100.0% parasitism of the pupae and 71.4 and 100.0% emergence of parasitoids from the first and second hosts, respectively. The offspring number of P. elaeisis was 511.00 ± 49.70 and 110.20 ± 19.37 individuals per pupa of B. mori and A. gemmatalis, respectively. The reproduction of P. elaeisis from pupae of T. arnobia after six generations was similar to the other hosts.

Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle é um parasitóide pupal natural de pupas de lepidópteros desfolhadores de eucalipto e é considerado um promissor agente de controle biológico. No entanto, o desenvolvimento de técnicas de criação eficientes desse inimigo natural é inicialmente necessário para que ele possa ser utilizado em programas de controle biológico. Pupas de Bombyx mori L. são hospedeiras alternativas em potencial para criação massal de P. elaeisis. Por isto, nós avaliamos a idade mais suscetível do hospedeiro e os efeitos da idade do parasitóide na produção de progênie de P. elaeisis. Pupas de B. mori com 24, 48, 72 ou 96h de idade foram expostas a fêmeas de P. elaeisis de mesmas idades. A duração do ciclo de vida (ovo-adulto) de P. elaeisis não foi afetada pela idade das fêmeas, entretanto, a idade do hospedeiro afetou o desenvolvimento do parasitóide. O melhor parasitismo foi obtido com fêmeas do parasitóide com 72h a 96h e pupas de B. mori com 48h a 72h de idade, que permitiram a elevação da progênie de P. elaeisis.

Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle is a natural pupal parasitoid of eucalyptus defoliator lepidopterans and is considered a promising biocontrol agent. However, the development of efficient rearing techniques for this natural enemy are first required before it can be used in biocontrol programs. Bombyx mori L. pupae are potential alternative hosts for this parasitoid mass rearing, and they are easy to rear. Therefore, we investigated the most suitable host age and the effects of parasitoid age on progeny production of P. elaeisis. B. mori pupae, 24h-, 48h-, 72h- or 96h-old were exposed to P. elaeisis females of similar age. The duration of the life cycle (egg-adult) of P. elaeisis was not affected by the age of the parasitizing female; however, the host age affected parasitoid development. The best parasitization was obtained for 72h- to 96h-old parasitoid females when offered to 48h- to 72h-old host pupae, allowing the synchronized rearing of a large number of P. elaeisis offspring.

Euselasia eucerus (Hewitson, 1872) (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) é uma espécie brasileira nativa, comumente encontrada em plantios de Eucalyptus. Um estudo da mortalidade por fatores bióticos desse desfolhador foi feito em um plantio de Eucalyptus urophylla no Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, com o objetivo de identificar os inimigos naturais e seu impacto sobre esse lepidóptero. Euselasia eucerus possui fatores bióticos de mortalidade durante todas as suas fases de desenvolvimento. Os mais importantes foram Trichogramma maxacalii Voegelé e Pointel, 1980 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) durante a fase de ovo (48,9%), um Diptera: Tachinidae durante a fase de larva (10%) e Itoplectis sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) durante a fase pupal (52,2%). A taxa de parasitismo foi mais elevada na parte basal de plantas de eucalipto (37,8%).

Euselasia eucerus (Hewitson, 1872) (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) is a Brazilian native species commonly found in Eucalyptus plantations. Biotic mortality factors of this defoliator were studied in a Eucalyptus urophylla plantation in Minas Gerais State, Brazil aiming to identify natural enemies and their impact on this insect. Euselasia eucerus had biotic mortality factors during all development stages. The most important were Trichogramma maxacalii Voegelé and Pointel, 1980 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) during egg stage (48.9%), a tachinid fly (Diptera: Tachinidae) during larval stages (10%) and Itoplectis sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) during pupal stage (52.2%). The parasitism rate was higher in the basal part of the plant canopy (37.8%).

Estudou-se a capacidade de parasitismo de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), em ovos de Plutella xylostella (L.)(Leptoptera: Plutellidae) nas temperaturas de 18; 20; 22; 25; 28; 30 e 32ºC, avaliando-se número de ovos parasitados diariamente, porcentagem acumulada de parasitismo, número total de ovos parasitados por fêmea e longevidade de fêmeas. O ritmo de parasitismo durante as primeiras 24 horas, oscilou de 1,6 a 16 ovos parasitados por fêmea de T. pretiosum nas temperaturas entre 18 e 32ºC. O parasitismo acumulado de ovos de P. xylostella, nas temperaturas de 18; 20; 22; 25; 28; 30 e 32ºC, atingiu 80%, aos 2; 16; 11; 3; 5; 4 e 7 dias, por T. pretiosum. As maiores taxas de parasitismo ocorreram nas faixas térmicas de 25; 28 e 30ºC. A longevidade média de fêmeas de T. pretiosum nas faixas térmicas compreendidas entre 18 e 32ºC, variaram de 2,3 a 13,3 dias.

The parasitism capacity of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on eggs of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) was studied, under temperatures of 18; 20; 22; 25; 28; 30 and 32°C aiming to evaluate the number of days with parasitism, cumulated parasitism, total number of eggs parasitized per female and their longevity. Parasitism during the first 24 hours ranged from 1.6 to 16 eggs of P. xylostella per T. pretiosum female in the range of 18 to 32°C. Cumulated egg parasitism of P. xylostella by T. pretiosum reached 80% after 2; 16; 11; 3; 5; 4 and 7 days at 18; 20; 22; 25; 28; 30 and 32°C. Higher parasitism rates were recorded at 25; 28 and 30°C while longevity of T. pretiosum females varied from 2.3 to 13.3 days under temperatures of 18 to 32°C.

Comparou-se a biologia de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley e T. exiguum Pinto & Platner criadas em ovos de Plutella xylostella (L.) em sete temperaturas, e determinaram-se as exigências térmicas e o número de gerações dos parasitóides para algumas localidades produtoras de crucíferas dos estados do Espírito Santo e Pernambuco. Ovos de P. xylostella foram submetidos ao parasitismo por T. pretiosum e T. exiguum, durante 5h, sendo então transferidos para câmaras climatizadas reguladas a 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30 e 32ºC. A duração do ciclo (ovo-adulto) variou de 6,8 a 23,1 dias para T. pretiosum e 6,9 a 22,0 dias para T. exiguum a 32 e 18°C, respectivamente. A porcentagem de emergência foi mais elevada a 28ºC, sendo aproximadamente 86% para ambas as espécies. A razão sexual de T. pretiosum foi sempre igual a 1, e variou de 0,6 a 0,9 para T. exiguum. A constante térmica (K) e temperatura base (Tb) foram maiores para T. exiguum (129,99 graus dias e 13,13ºC) quando comparadas a T. pretiosum (123,03 graus dias e 12,52ºC). O número estimado de gerações anuais de T. pretiosum e T. exiguum para o município de Gravatá, PE foi de 36,9 e 36,7 gerações/ano, respectivamente. Em Muniz Freire, ES, foi de 24,1 e 24, 5 gerações, e para o município de Alegre, ES, 26,72 e 27,01 gerações para T. pretiosum e T. exiguum respectivamente.

This biology of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley and T. exiguum Pinto & Platner in Plutella xylostella (L.) eggs was studied at seven constant temperatures, and the thermal requirements and number of generations of both parasitoids was determined for some crucifers producers of the states of Espírito Santo and Pernambuco. Eggs of P. xylostella were submitted to parasitism by T. pretiosum and T. exiguum for 5h, and transferred to climatic chambers regulated to 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30 and 32ºC. The developmental time was influenced by the temperature varying from 6.8 to 23.1 days for T. pretiosum and 6.9 to 22.0 days for T. exiguum at 32 and 18°C, respectively. The percentage of emergence was higher at 28ºC, reaching 86% for both species. The sex ratio was always 1 for T. pretiosum and varied from 0.6 to 0.9 for T. exiguum. The thermal constant (K) and base temperature (Tb) were higher for T. exiguum (129.99 days degrees and 13.13ºC) when compared with T. pretiosum (123.03 days degrees and 12.52ºC). The estimated number of annual generations of T. pretiosum and T. exiguum for Gravatá district was 36.9 and 36.7 generations respectively. The same number, however for Muniz Freire, ES, was 24.1 and 24.5, and for Alegre, ES, 26.7 and 27.0 generations for T. pretiosum and T. exiguum respectively.