RESUMO: Com a crescente importância de Elaphria agrotina (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em cultivos de milho, especialmente no Bioma Cerrado, o presente trabalho objetivou comparar o seu desenvolvimento e sobrevivência em dieta artificial de Greene e Poitout & Bues (25±1ºC, 70±10% umidade relativa [UR] e fotofase de 12h). A dieta de Poitout & Bues foi mais adequada que a dieta de Grenne, proporcionando maior sobrevivência (77.51% e 5.57%), menor tempo de desenvolvimento (49.81 dias e 55.24 dias) e maior fecundidade (167.65 ovos e 84.9 ovos), respectivamente. Todas as lagartas alimentadas com dieta de Poitout & Bues passaram por seis instares, enquanto que praticamente metade das provenientes da dieta de Greene passou por um instar a menos. Lagartas alimentadas com dieta de Greene, apresentaram maior valor do tempo médio de cada geração (T) e menores valores das taxas líquida de reprodução (Ro), intrínseca de aumento (rm) e razão finita diária de aumento (λ). Os resultados deste estudo indicam a recomendação da dieta de Poitout & Bues para manutenção de colônias e criação massal de E. agrotina quando comparada com a dieta de Greene.

ABSTRACT: Given the increasing importance of Elaphria agrotina (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in corn crops, especially in the Brazilian Savannah biome, the present research aimed to study its development and survival on Greene’s and Poitout & Bues’s artificial diets (25±1°C, 70±10% relative humidity [RH] and 12h photophase). Poitout & Bues’s diet was more suitable than Greene’s diet, providing higher survival percent (77.51% vs. 5.57%), lower development time (49.81 days vs. 55.24 days) and higher fecundity (167.65 vs. 84.9 eggs), respectively. All the caterpillars reared on Poitout & Bues’s diet passed through six instars, while almost half of the larvae reared on Greene’s diet went through one less instar stage. Regarding the main reproductive parameters, higher average time of generation (T) and lower values of net rates of reproduction (Ro), and increased (rm) intrinsic and finite reason of increase (λ), were observed for larvae reared on Greene’s diet. Results presented in this study indicated that Poitout & Bues’s diet is more suitable for maintenance of colonies of E. agrotina as compared to Greene’s diet.

RESUMO: O controle biológico natural é um dos principais componentes responsáveis pela redução populacional de pragas em agroecossistemas. Entretanto, a importância do controle biológico natural, usualmente, é minimizada devido não ser estimada. Este estudo documenta a ocorrência de Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Archytas marmoratus (Townsend, 1915) e Archytas incertus (Macquart, 1851) (Diptera: Tachinidae) associados a Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1809) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). A taxa de parasitismo larval foi superior a 41% em áreas de refúgio estruturado de algodão, sem uso de inseticidas químicos. Este estudo fortalece o conhecimento relacionado com os parasitoides associados ao controle natural de H. armigera no Continente Americano. Adicionalmente, documenta o efeito que áreas de refúgio estruturado podem desempenhar como fonte de inimigos naturais, além da sua contribuição para produzir insetos não expostos à tecnologia Bt.

ABSTRACT: Natural biological control is one of the major causes responsible for reduction of pest population in agricultural ecosystem. However, natural biological control importance is usually minimized by not being estimated. This study reports the occurrence of Campoletis sonorensis (Cameron, 1886) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Archytas marmoratus (Townsend, 1915) and Archytas incertus (Macquart, 1851) (Diptera: Tachinidae) associated with Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1809) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The rate of larval parasitism was up to 41% in structured refuge areas of cotton, without chemical control with insecticides. This study strengthens our knowledge relating to parasitoids associated with natural control of H. armigera in the American continent. In addition, it documents the rule that structured refuge areas could play as a source of natural enemies, besides their contribution to production of non-selective populations to Bt technology.

Abstract Chrysodeixis includens (Walker, [1858]) is currently the main plusiine pest in the Americas, not only because of the damage caused to soybean, but also with several crop species in a broad geographical range. However, its population dynamics is still poorly understood, despite outbreak records that are common across different locations in the Americas. The current study aimed at identifying phenological patterns of C. includens emphasizing its differences among the three years of sampling effort in an intercropping area of the Brazilian Savanna. Thereafter, we tested whether the El Niño size effect, meteorological factors, or soybean, corn and wheat cycles, are better predictors of its monthly abundance. The insects were collected with a light trap during five consecutive nights (repetitions) during 35 new moons. In total, 2026 specimens were collected in all months of the year although not consecutively. Across each year, monthly abundance of C. includens was non-uniform, characterized by sharp population peaks concentrated in the rainy season. These peaks varied from January until March, depending on the year sampled. We found that the local soybean cycle and El Niño effect to significantly influence the species abundance across the entire period of study. These results aid in understanding the species population dynamics and its status as a pest, providing evidence of factors that determine its phenological patterns. Although it presents a very defined phenology, the population dynamics of C. includens varies significantly between years and locations, which demonstrates the importance and need to monitor local populations of larvae and adults for its management.

RESUMO: O presente estudo atualiza a posição sistemática e a nomenclatura dos lepidópteros associados com a cultura da soja na Argentina, Brasil, Chile e Uruguai. A literatura científica relaciona 69 espécies de Lepidoptera cujas larvas se alimentam de soja. As espécies incluem representantes das Superfamílias Noctuoidea (31), Pyraloidea (13), Hesperioidea (12), Tortricoidea (5), Geometroidea (5), and Bombycoidea (3). A diversidade dos lepidópteros associados com a cultura, as injúrias em diferentes partes da planta e alterações na composição das espécies são discutidas considerando mudanças no manejo de doenças da cultura, a introdução de plantas expressando proteínas Bt e a recente introdução de Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) como uma nova praga da soja.

ABSTRACT: The present research updates the systematic position and nomenclature of Lepidoptera associated with soybean crops in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. Scientific literature lists 69 species of Lepidoptera feeding on soybean plants. These species are representatives of the Superfamilies Noctuoidea (31), Pyraloidea (13), Hesperioidea (12), Tortricoidea (5), Geometroidea (5), and Bombycoidea (3). Diversity of Lepidoptera associated to crop, injury in different parts of the plant, and changes in species composition are discussed considering the changes in plant disease management, introduction of plants expressing Bt proteins, and the recent introduction of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) as a new crop pest.

ABSTRACT This work has the objective to catalogue the information of Chrysodeixis includens (Walker, [1858]) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Plusiinae) host plants. The list of plants comprehends new reports of host plants in Brazil and information from literature review around the world. It is listed 174 plants which are from 39 botanic families. The higher number of host plants of C. includens are in Asteraceae (29), Solanaceae (21), Fabaceae (18) and Lamiaceae (12).

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever métodos para a caracterização morfológica e molecular de Helicoverpa armigera e ampliar o registro de ocorrência da praga no Brasil. As mariposas foram obtidas de lagartas coletadas nas culturas de algodão, milho e soja, com uso de armadilhas luminosas. As coletas foram realizadas na Bahia, no Distrito Federal, no Mato Grosso e no Paraná. A identificação foi baseada na genitália masculina e nas análises das sequências dos genes mitocondriais do citocromo B e da região cox1-tRNALeu-cox2. A genitália masculina foi comparada com as descrições morfológicas na literatura, e as sequências de genes, com as depositadas no GenBank. Ambas as análises confirmaram a presença de H. armigera nos locais de coleta. Ampliou-se o registro de ocorrência da praga para a região Sul do país.

The objective of this work was to describe methods for molecular and morphological characterization of Helicoverpa armigera and to extend the pest occurrence record in Brazil. Moths were obtained from larvae collected in cotton, corn, and soybean crops, using light traps. Collections were done in the states of Bahia, Distrito Federal, Mato Grosso, and Paraná, Brazil. Identification was based on male genitalia and on the analyses of mitochondrial gene sequences of cytochrome B and of the cox1-tRNALeu-cox2 region. The male genitalia were compared with the morphological descriptions in the literature, and the gene sequences with the ones deposited at GenBank. Both analyses confirmed the presence of H. armigera in the collecting locations. The pest geographic range was expanded to the South region of the country.

O objetivo desse estudo foi estimar a divergência genética entre acessos de mandioca de mesa por meio de marcadores moleculares e de caracteres quantitativos e qualitativos, bem como determinar a correlação entre essas estimativas. Foram avaliados dezesseis acessos de mandioca de mesa integrantes do Banco Regional de Germoplasma de Mandioca do Cerrado. Os acessos foram avaliados a campo quanto a 13 caracteres quantitativos e 33 caracteres qualitativos e em laboratório usando marcadores RAPD. Foram estimadas as matrizes de dissimilaridade/distância genética entre os acessos por meio dos caracteres qualitativos e quantitativos e a significância da correlação entre as matrizes. Os resultados revelaram a existência de elevada divergência entre os acessos quanto a marcadores RAPD, caracteres qualitativos e quantitativos. A divergência estimada por meio de marcadores moleculares e caracteres quantitativos revelaram reduzida associação entre si e moderada com a estimada por meio de caracteres qualitativos.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the genetic divergence in sweet cassava accessions by molecular markers and quantitative and qualitative characters, as well as determine the correlation between these estimates. Sixteen sweet cassava accessions of the Regional Cassava Germplasm Bank of the Cerrado were evaluated under field conditions, for 13 quantitative and 33 qualitative characters. In the laboratory, the accessions were evaluated with RAPD markers. Subsequently, matrixes of genetic dissimilarity/distance among the accessions were estimated based on molecular markers and quantitative and qualitative characters. Besides, the significance of the correlation between the matrixes was estimated. The RAPD, qualitative and quantitative data indicated the existence of high divergence among the accessions. The divergences estimated by molecular markers and by quantitative traits were weakly associated with each other and moderately with the divergence estimated by qualitative characters.

A cultivar de mandioca de mesa BRS Japonesa foi selecionada pelo programa de melhoramento de mandioca da Embrapa Cerrados em 25 provas participativas conduzidas na região do Distrito Federal. A cultivar revelou elevada aceitação pelos produtores, apresentando 80 % de probabilidade de ser classificada entre as quatro melhores cultivares.

The sweet cassava cultivar BRS Japonesa was selected by the cassava breeding program of Embrapa Cerrados in 25 participatory evaluations conducted in the region of the Distrito Federal, Brazil. The cultivar was well-accepted by producers, and the probability of being ranked among the top four cultivars is 80 %.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a divergência genética entre acessos de mandioca açucarados e não açucarados, por meio de marcadores moleculares, caracteres quantitativos e qualitativos, bem como determinar a correlação entre essas estimativas. Foram utilizados quatro acessos de mandioca açucarados e quatro não açucarados, com duas variedades locais e duas comerciais. Os acessos foram avaliados em campo, em laboratório, com marcadores RAPD, quanto a 12 caracteres quantitativos e 33 morfológicos. Foram estimadas as matrizes de dissimilaridade/distância genética entre os acessos, por meio dos caracteres qualitativos e quantitativos e da significância da correlação entre as matrizes. A divergência genética entre os acessos foi elevada e os acessos açucarados foram diferenciados das variedades não açucaradas locais e comerciais. As distâncias estimadas, por meio de marcadores moleculares e caracteres qualitativos, evidenciaram elevada associação entre si e associação moderada com a estimada por meio de caracteres quantitativos.

The objective of this work was to estimate the genetic divergence among sugary and nonsugary cassava accessions, through molecular markers, and quantitative and qualitative characters, as well as to determine the correlation among these estimates. Four sugary cassava accessions and four nonsugary ones were used, including two landraces and two nonsugary improved varieties. The accessions were evaluated in field conditions and in laboratories, with RAPD markers, in 12 quantitative and 33 qualitative characters. Matrixes of genetic dissimilarity/distance among accessions were estimated, based on qualitative and quantitative characters, molecular markers, and on the correlation significance among matrixes. High genetic divergence among the evaluated accessions was observed, the sugary accessions were differentiated from the landraces and improved nonsugary varieties. The distances estimated through molecular markers and qualitative characters showed the high association among each other and moderate association with the distance estimated through quantitative characters.