Navegando por Autor "Serrão, José E."

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Antrocephalus mitys (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) in laboratory cultures of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and possible role in biological control of Ephestia cautella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
(Florida Entomologist, 2013) Pikart, Tiago G.; Pereira, Alexandre I. A.; Ramalho, Francisco S.; Manickavasagam, Sagadai; Serrão, José E.; Zanuncio, José C.
Ephestia cautella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a cosmopolitan pest of stored products. It was found abundantly in a yellow mealworm mass rearing facility in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil feeding on wheat flour and associated with a chalcid parasitoid. This wasp was identified as Antrocephalus mitys (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae), a pupal parasitoid of moth stored products pests. In the laboratory, E. cautella pupae were successfully parasitized by A. mitys and fertile offspring were obtained. The presence of A. mitys in the mealworm colony suggests that this chalcid is adapted to artificial environments and has the potential to be deployed as a biological control agent in postharvest stored product facilities.
Bioactivity of six plant extracts on adults of Demotispa neivai (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
(Journal of Insect Science, 2015-03-02) Martínez, Luis C.; Plata-Rueda, Angelica; Zanuncio, José C.; Serrão, José E.
Demotispa neivai Bondar (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) damage oil palm fruits, which makes it necessary to develop products to control this insect. The mortality, repellency, and antifeeding effects on adults of D. neivai of six plant extracts of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Sapindales: Meliaceae), Ricinus communis (L.) (Malpighiaes: Euphorbiaceae), Citrus sinensis Oesbek (Sapindales: Rutaceae), Nicotiana tabacum (L.) (Slanales: Solanaceae), Capsicum annuum (L.) (Solanales: Solanaceae), and Artemisia absinthium (L.) (Asterales: Asteraceae) were determined: 1) the lethal concentration LC 50-90 , lethal time of D. neivai was evaluated after spraying the fruits of oil palm; 2) repellent effects of each ingredient were evaluated by calculating the index of repellency; 3) antifeeding effects with the rate of inhibition calculated between doses of 20 and 24 g/liter. The mortality of D. neivai was higher with the extracts Ci. sinensis, R. communis, N. tabacum, and Ca. annuum. The mortality of D. neivai increased in the first 72 hr in all treatments. The extracts of N. tabacum, Ca. annuum, and A. indica were more repellent to D. neivai that those of Ci. sinensis, Ar. Absinthium, and R. communis. Antifeeding effect was higher with Ci. sinensis and R. communis. The increased mortality of D. neivai by Ci. sinensis can be explained by the effect of this compound on the respiratory system of insects. Extracts of Ci. sinensis, R. communis, N. tabacum, and Ca. annuum repelled and caused mortality of D. neivai and, thus, can be used in integrate pest management programs of this pest in oil palm plantations.
Comparative toxicity of six insecticides on the Rhinoceros Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
(Florida Entomologist, 2014-09) Martínez, Luis C.; Plata- Rueda, Angelica; Zanuncio, José C.; Serrão, José E.
Strategus aloeus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is a dangerous pest of oil palms in the Americas, because the adults cause several kinds of damage and kill palm trees. Effective methods for pest management are needed urgently. Bioassays were conducted to compare the toxicity to S. aloeus of the insecticides: fipronil, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin, spinosad, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam. The toxicity of each insecticide to the adults of S. aloeus was determined as: (1) the LC50 and LC90 under laboratory conditions, after exposure of six concentrations of each insecticide applied in a semi-solid diet and used to feed each insect and (2) the mortality under semi-controlled field conditions after applications of insecticides into the beetle galleries in the oil palm tree. The mortality of S. aloeus was higher with fipronil, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin and thiamethoxam, while spinosad and thiacloprid were less effective. Higher mortalities were obtained with concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50 µL mL-1 for determining LC50 values and 50, 100 µL mL-1 for determining LC90 values during 72 h. The mortalities of S. aloeus had similar tendencies under laboratory and semi-controlled field conditions. Fipronil, imidacloprid, lambdacyhalothrin and thiamethoxam caused substantial mortality in S. aloeus and, thus, can be used rotationally in integrated pest management programs (IPM) against this pest in the oil palm plantations.
Deleterious activity of natural products on postures of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
(Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, 2010-06-01) Tavares, Wagner S.; Cruz, Ivan; Fonseca, G.; Gouveia, Natalia L.; Serrão, José E.; Zanuncio, José C.
The control of Lepidoptera pests should be carried out before hatching of their caterpillars to avoid damage to the crops. The aim of this work was to assess the activity of neem (trade name: Natuneem®, producer: Base Fértil, Chapadão do Sul, Brazil) and pyroligneous extracts (trade name: Biopirol 7M®, producer: Biocarbo, Itabirito, Brazil) at 10 mL/L (1%) and 20 mL/L (2%) contents on egg masses of different ages of Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and of Diatraea saccharalis F. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) at Embrapa Corn and Sorghum in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The tests took place in an unbiased casualized design with 12 treatments and four replications. The insecticides were diluted in water, and 0.04 mL of the solution was applied to recently laid and one- and two-day-old eggs of S. frugiperda and D. saccharalis. Caterpillars hatching from recently laid egg masses of S. frugiperda was lower with 2% pyroligneous extract [(0.02 ± 0.00)%]. Recently laid eggs and one- or two-day-old eggs of D. saccharalis presented lower caterpillar hatching with 1% neem extract [(0.00 ± 0.00)%, (0.00 ± 0.00)%, and (1.00 ± 0.01)%] and 2% neem extract [(0.00 ± 0.00)%], compared to 1% pyroligneous extract [(27.30 ± 3.22)%, (28.40 ± 3.32)%, and (37.80 ± 4.14)%] and 2% pyroligneous extract [(42.20 ± 4.49)%, (48.70 ± 4.97)%, and (56.60 ± 5.52)%], respectively. Neem and pyroligneous extracts had impact on hatching of S. frugiperda and D. saccharalis caterpillars.
Demographic parameters of the insecticide-exposed predator Podisus nigrispinus: implications for IPM
(BioControl, 2015-04) Castro, Ancidériton A. de; Poderoso, Júlio César M.; Ribeiro, Rafael C.; Legaspi, Jesusa C.; Serrão, José E.; Zanuncio, José C.
The predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera:Pentatomidae) shows potential for Integrated Pest Management programs of defoliating caterpillars in agricultural and forestry systems. Insecticides can indirectly affect caterpillar predators through consumption of treated prey. We examined the survival, reproductive and demographic parameters of the predator P. nigrispinus fed on caterpillars of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) fed on soybean leaves previously exposed to four insecticides widely used in this crop, chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, methamidophos and spinosad. Caterpillars of A. gemmatalis were fed for 12 h with treated soybean leaves and offered to adults of P. nigrispinus over five consecutive days. Spinosad and methamidophos were proved not compatible with P. nigrispinus in IPM programs in the soybean agro-ecosystem. Deltamethrin showed low toxicity to P. nigrispinus. However, further data may be necessary to recommend it for IPM. Chlorantraniliprole can be considered the most promising because of low toxicity to this predator.
The density of females of Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare and LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) affects their reproductive performance on pupae of Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)
(Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 2010-06) Zanuncio, José C.; Pereira, Fabricio F.; Serrão, José E.; Zanuncio, Teresinha V.; Pratissoli, Dirceu; Pastori, Patrik L.
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.
Digestive and regenerative cells in the midgut of haploid and diploid males of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
(Zoologia (Curitiba), 2012-10) Fernandes, Kenner M.; Martins, Gustavo F.; Serrão, José E.; Neves, Clóvis A.
In eusocial bees, workers and queens are diploid (2n), whereas males are haploid (n). However, in some species, including the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lepeletier, 1836, 2n males arise from fertilized eggs resulting from the crossing between a queen and her brother. In the present study, we provide a comparative analysis of the digestive and regenerative cells in n and 2n pupae and adult males of M. quadrifasciata anthidioides. In n and 2n pupae and adult males, the number of regenerative cells/nest was similar. In n and 2n pupae, the mean number of digestive cells/midgut area was 2076 ± 0.60, whereas in adults it was 1234 ± 1.42 digestive cells/midgut area. The nuclear area of the digestive cells was also similar in both n and 2n adult males (~154 µm2) and smaller in pupae (~91 µm2); this variation might be a result of DNA amplification in digestive cells during bee development. The results from our current study provide further understanding of the morphological and physiological aspects of the digestive tract of bees and show that the ploidy difference between n and 2n male stages does not affect the number of digestive and regenerative cells in the midgut of M. quadrifasciata anthidioides.
First report and population changes of Bradysia difformis (Diptera: Sciaridae) on Eucalyptus nurseries in Brazil
(Florida Entomologist, 2012-09) Santos, Alexandre; Zanetti, Ronald; Almado, Roosevelt P.; Serrão, José E.; Zanuncio, José C.
The clonal propagation of Eucalyptus in plastic tube containers with growing media substrate without direct contact of seedlings with soil floor in nurseries, changed the status of insects such as fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae), especially the genus Bradysia. This study monitored populations of adults within a Eucalyptus spp. tree nursery in the municipality of Bom Despacho, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Adult samples were collected monthly, during seven months with 58 yellow sticker card traps, including 21 in a mini garden, 16 in a greenhouse, and 21 in a shaded house. All individuals collected were identified as Bradysia difforrais Frey, 1948 (= Bradysia paupera Tuomikoski, 1960) (Diptera: Sciaridae). The population dynamics of B. difformis were not correlated with environmental variables (temperature and relative humidity), but varied between the three sectors of the nursery. This work is the first report associated with the population dynamics of B. difformis of nursery seedlings of Eucalyptus spp. in Brazil.
Glyphosate-based herbicides toxicity on life history parameters of zoophytophagous Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)
(Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2017-09-14) Serrão, José E.; Zanuncio, José C.; Lacerda, Mabio C.; Cruz, Ricardo Alcántara-de la; Brügger, Bruno P.; Pereira, Alexandre I.A.; Wilcken, Carlos F.; Sediyama, Carlos S.
The increase of agricultural areas with glyphosate-resistant (GR) crops, and use of this herbicide in Brazil, makes necessary to assess its impacts on non-target organisms. The objective was to evaluate the development, reproduction and life table parameters of Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) reared on GR-soybean plants treated with glyphosate formulations (Zapp-Qi, Roundup-Transorb-R and Roundup-Original) at the recommended field dose (720 g acid equivalent ha−1). Glyphosate formulations had no affect on nymph and adult weight of this predator. Fourth instar stage was shortest with Zapp Qi. Egg-adult period was similar between treatments (26 days) with a survival over 90%. Zapp-Qi and Roundup-Transorb-R (potassium-salt: K-salt) reduced the egg, posture and nymph number per female, and the longevity and oviposition periods of this predator. Podisus nigrispinus net reproductive rate was highest in GR-soybean plants treated with Roundup-Original (isopropylamine-salt: IPA-salt). However, the duration of one generation, intrinsic and finite increase rates, and time to duplicate the population, were similar between treatments. Glyphosate toxicity on P. nigrispinus depends of the glyphosate salt type. IPA-salt was least harmless to this predator. Formulations based on K-salt altered its reproductive parameters, however, the development and population dynamic were not affect. Therefore, these glyphosate formulations are compatible with the predator P. nigrispinus with GR-soybean crop.
Harpactor angulosus (Reduviidae: Harpactorinae), a predator of Neotropical Saturniids, Hylesia spp. in Brazil
(Entomological News, 2009-04) Pereira, Alexandre I. A.; Zanuncio, José C.; Gil- Santana, Hélcio R.; Ramalho, Francisco S.; Leite, Germano L. D.; Serrão, José E.
Caterpillars of the genus Hylesia (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Hemileucinae) can cause agricultural damages and dermatological lesions by direct contact to its urticating bristles. The biological control can regulate populations of these insects, but their natural enemies are poorly known. The occurrence of Harpactor angulosus (Lepeletier and Serville, 1825) (Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) predating caterpillars of Hylesia spp. is described. Adults of this predator were captured in an area of secondary forest in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil and their pairs individualized in the field to obtain eggs. Adults of this predator presented sex dimorphism, with smaller males than females. They were found predating caterpillars of Hylesia spp., isolated from others to avoid the aposematic defense of this prey, when grouped. The presence of this predator, in the field, demonstrates its potential for the biological control of defoliating caterpillars. Studies on biological aspects and alimentary habits are important to understand the importance of H. angulosus in the biological control of defoliating caterpillars.
Insecticide toxicity to Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) females and effect on descendant generation
(Ecotoxicology, 2008-10-18) Vianna, Ulysses R.; Pratissoli, Dirceu; Zanuncio, José C.; Lima, Eraldo R.; Brunner, Jay; Pereira, Fabrı́cio F.; Serrão, José E.
The effect of nine insecticides used in tomato production was evaluated on adults of two Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) populations from Rive and Afonso Cláudio, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The experiment was developed in an acclimatized chamber at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 14 h photophase. Eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), previously immersed in insecticides solutions were offered to females of both T. pretiosum populations. Bacillus thuringiensis, lufenuron and triflumuron had lowest negative effects on parasitism and viability of individuals of these populations; however, abamectin and pyrethroids (betacyflurin 50 and 125 g/l and esfenvalerate) insecticides reduced parasitism rates. T. pretiosum emerged from A. kuehniella eggs treated with esfenvalerate but were not able to parasitize non treated eggs of this host. B. thuringiensis, lufenuron and triflumuron may be used in integrated pest management programs to control tomato pests, because they have moderated negative effect on parasitoid wasps.
Larvicidal activity of vegetable oils and esterified compounds against Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)
(Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2017-09) Serrão, José E.; Ribeiro-Neto, José A.; Pinto, Maria Eduarda A.; Ferreira, Vanessa V.; Tibúrcio, Jacqueline D.; Varotti, Fernando P.; Azevedo, Dihego O.; Siqueira-Filho, Ezequias P.; Lima, Luciana A. Santos; Alves, Stenio Nunes
Control of Culex quinquefasciatus using chemical insecticides may result in the selection of resistant mosquito strains. Thus, the use of plant-derived products has been studied as alternative for the mosquito control. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) obtained by transesterification of vegetable oils may result in compounds with larvicidal potential against C. quinquefasciatus. However, little is known about the morphological, physiological or biochemical effects that these FAMEs may have on mosquito larvae. The present study reports the effects of these FAMEs in mosquito larvae. The FAMEs were obtained by transesterification of canola, corn, sunflower, and soybean oils with acid catalysis and the determination of FAMEs composition was done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Larvae of C. quinquefasciatus were exposed to different concentrations of the vegetable oils and FAMEs. Thereby, different FAMEs showed LC50 values ranging from 42.32 to 196.27 mg/L against C. quinquefasciatus larvae. The methyl ester obtained from sunflower oil showed the lowest LC50. Histology of C. quinquefasciatus larvae exposed to LC50 of FAMEs was performed and changes in the midgut and fat body morphology were identified. Therefore, larval mortality and changes in the internal organs suggested that FAMEs might be a promising new class of larvicidalcompounds. Cytotoxicity of FAMEs compounds was assessed with the HeLa human cell line and no effect was observed.
Leucothyreus femoratus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): feeeding and behavioral activities as an oil palm defoliator
(Florida Entomologist, 2013-03) Martínez, Luis C.; Plata- Rueda, Angelica; Zanuncio, José C.; Serrão, José E.
Leucothyreus femoratus Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is an important insect pest of oil palm plantations, because larvae and adults feed on plant roots and leaves, respectively. This suggests the necessity of comprehending the pest's feeding and behavioral habits for pest management. Food consumption and injury to leaves of Elaeis guineensis Jacq. (Arecales: Arecaceae, African oil palm) by adults of L. femoratus in Colombia were studied. Locomotion of adults was evaluated with respect to 6 behaviors, i.e., emergence, hiding in the ground, walking, flying, feeding, and mating. In addition, larvae were collected from the roots of other plants found in the oil palm plantation in order to determine possible alternative hosts. Leaf consumption per adult L. femoratus was 13 mm2/day/insect (χ2 = 19.33, P < 0.0001). Leaf injury was in the form of squares or rectangles and cumulative defoliation reached 15.5% in 60 days. The insect showed predominantly nocturnal feeding and mating (χ2 = 95.53, P < 0.05; χ2 = 207.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Larvae of L. femoratus were found in abundance on the roots of Croton trinitatis Millsp. (Euphorbiaceae, road side croton) and Imperata cilindrica (L.) P. Beauv. (Poaceae, cogon grass). The feeding habits of larvae and adults of this insect may be main factors in their adaptation to oil palm plantations. The understanding of the feeding habits and behaviors of L. femoratus are important to define strategies for the management of their populations in oil palm plantations.
Morphology and morphometry of the Midgut in the Stingless Bee Friesella schrottkyi (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
(Insects, 2019-03) Oliveira, André H.; Gonçalves, Wagner G.; Fernandes, Kenner M.; Barcellos, Marcelo S.; Sampaio, Wagner M. S.; Lopes, Marcos P.; Martins, Gustavo F.; Serrão, José E.
Friesella schrottkyi is a small stingless bee (3-mm long) important for agricultural and native forest pollination. This study describes the morphology and morphometry of the midgut in F. schrottkyi forager workers. The F. schrottkyi midgut presents a single-layered epithelium with digestive, regenerative and endocrine cells. The digestive cells are similar along the entire midgut length with a spherical nucleus, apex with long striated border, cytoplasmic granules in the apical region and well-developed basal labyrinth associated with mitochondria, suggesting they are multifunctional, synthesizing digestive enzymes and peritrophic matrix compounds and absorbing nutrients. Regenerative cells are located around the basal region organized in nests with some cells with a spherical nucleus. Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 -amide (FMRFamide) positive endocrine cells are restricted to the posterior midgut region, suggesting a paracrine function in the midgut. This is the first morphological description of the F. schrottkyi midgut contributing to the comprehension of the digestive process of this bee.
Note on gynandromorphism in the eucalyptus defoliator Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
(Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 2007-02-21) Bernardino, Aline S.; Zanuncio, Teresinha V.; Zanuncio, José C.; Lima, Eraldo R.; Serrão, José E.
The brown moth Thyrinteina arnobia (Stoll, 1872) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is an important pest in Brazilian eucalyptus plantations. A gynandromorph individual of T. arnobia was found in a population of this pest in a laboratory rearing and it is described.
Oogenesis pattern and type of ovariole of the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)
(Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 2012-09) Andrade, Gilberto S.; Sousa, Adalberto H.; Santos, Juliana C.; Gama, Farah C.; Serrão, José E.; Zanuncio, José C.
The knowledge on ovigeny in parasitoids is important for basic studies on physiology and applied biological control. The ovigeny pattern and type of ovariole of the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) were studied in newly-emerged females at seven, 14, 24 and 48 h intervals after their emergence from Tenebrio molitor L. pupae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Females of P. elaeisis presented ovaries composed by four ovarioles of the meroistic polytrophic type. The yolk accumulation and chorionogenesis in P. elaeisis were concluded 24 h after the female emergence. The 48 h-old females show a high quantity of egg ready for oviposition. These findings can help to improve the mass production of P. elaeisis and the augmentative biological control by using this natural enemy.
Prey digestion in the midgut of the predatory bug Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
(Journal of Insect Physiology, 2012-06) Fialho, Maria C.Q.; Moreira, Nathalia R.; Zanuncio, José C.; Ribeiro, Alberto F.; Terra, Walter R.; Serrão, José E.
Pre-oral digestion is described as the liquefaction of the solid tissues of the prey by secretions of the predator. It is uncertain if pre-oral digestion means pre-oral dispersion of food or true digestion in the sense of the stepwise bond breaking of food polymers to release monomers to be absorbed. Collagenase is the only salivary proteinase, which activity is significant (10%) in relation to Podisus nigrispinus midgut activities. This suggests that pre-oral digestion in P. nigrispinus consists in prey tissue dispersion. This was confirmed by the finding of prey muscles fibers inside P. nigrispinus midguts. Soluble midgut hydrolases from P. nigrispinus were partially purified by ion-exchange chromatography, followed by gel filtration. Two cathepsin L-like proteinases (CAL1 and CAL2) were isolated with the properties: CAL1 (14.7 kDa, pH optimum (pHo) 5.5, km with carbobenzoxy-Phe-Arg-methylcoumarin, Z-FR-MCA, 32 μM); CAL2 (17 kDa, pHo 5.5, km 11 μM Z-FR-MCA). Only a single molecular species was found for the other enzymes with the following properties are: amylase (43 kDa, pHo 5.5, km 0.1% starch), aminopeptidase (125 kDa, pHo 5.5, km 0.11 mM l-Leucine-p-nitroanilide), α-glucosidase (90 kDa, pHo 5.0, km 5 mM with p-nitrophenyl α-d-glucoside). CAL molecular masses are probably underestimated due to interaction with the column. Taking into account the distribution of hydrolases along P. nigrispinus midguts, carbohydrate digestion takes place mainly at the anterior midgut, whereas protein digestion occurs mostly in middle and posterior midgut, as previously described in seed- sucker and blood-feeder hemipterans.
The relationship between queen execution and cuticular hydrocarbons in stingless bee Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Meliponini)
(Chemoecology, 2016-11-12) Santos, Douglas E.; Serrão, José E.; Souza, Edmilson Amaral de; Trigo, José R.; Vieira, Carlos U.
In queenright colonies of stingless bees of the genus Melipona, workers recognize, attack, and kill young virgin queens. For Melipona scutellaris, we observed that virgin queens were executed when they were between 5 and 9 days old, while newly emerged queens were not attacked. The faster movements of old virgin in relation to newly emerged might be responsible for attacks. It has been also hypothesized that cuticular hydrocarbons are the source of the signal used by workers to recognize virgin queens. We investigated whether newly emerged, 8 days old virgin and physogastric queens of M. scutellaris have different cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. Cuticular hydrocarbons of three ages were compared using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The cuticular hydrocarbon profiles varied by reproductive status and age. Changes in the cuticular hydrocarbons in virgin queens during aging suggest that these compounds, together with change in movement, may play a role in the recognition of virgin queens by workers prior to regicide.
Reproductive biology of Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) with alternative and natural hosts
(Zoologia (Curitiba), 2010-12) Pereira, Fabricio F.; Zanuncio, José C.; Pastori, Patrik L.; Chichera, Roberto A.; Andrade, Gilberto S.; Serrão, José E.
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 parasit- ism 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.
Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) eggs as alternative food for rearing of lady beetles Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
(Biological Control, 2013-02) Silva, Rafael B.; Cruz, Ivan; Zanuncio, José C.; Figueiredo, Maria de Lourdes C.; Zanuncio, Teresinha V.; Serrão, José E.
Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an important predator with potential for biological control of insect pests. This research evaluated the development of E. connexa larvae fed on fresh eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) without (T1) or with (T2) scales or one-day (T3) or six-month (T4) frozen, or newly-hatched larvae of S. frugiperda (T5). The percentage of E. connexa adults was higher when larvae feeding on fresh S. frugiperda eggs with or without scales, or one-day frozen eggs of this prey and lower with eggs of this Lepidoptera after frozen for six months or with newly-hatched larvae of S. frugiperda. Duration of the larval period of E. connexa was 15.7, 15.8, 16.0, 17.6, and 17.3 days, respectively, with these diets. The high survival of E. connexa fed with eggs of S. frugiperda shows the potential use of this prey in the laboratory to maintain this natural enemy.