HISTOPATOLOGIA DA INTERAÇÃO DE BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS E EXTRATOS VEGETAIS NO INTESTINO MÉDIO DE SPODOPTERA FRUGIPERDA (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

Leaf metabolic profiles of two soybean genotypes differentially affect the survival and the digestibility of Anticarsia gemmatalis caterpillars

Insect pests such as Anticarsia gemmatalis cause defoliation and yield losses. Soybean breeding has obtained resistant genotypes, however the mechanism remains unknown. Studies indicated the presence of deterrents compounds in the resistant genotype IAC17, and their leaf metabolite profiles were compared to the susceptible genotype UFV105, which was elicited or not by caterpillar infestation. Cluster analysis indicated a significative distinction between these profiles as well as differences in plant defense pathways. Methylquercetins were constitutively present in the largest concentrations, specifically in the IAC17. Relationship between the resistance and the levels of phytohormones jasmonic acid, abscisic acid and salicylic acid was not observed. However, 1-aminocyclopropane -1carboxylic acid levels indicated that the ethylene may be involved in the constitutive biosynthesis of bioactive compounds. Extracts were added to the diets at three different concentrations to evaluate the effect on caterpillar survival. Lowest survival rates were observed when extracts from the resistant IAC 17 were used, at the lowest concentrations. Survival rates were not higher when IAC 17 infested by caterpillars were used. On the other hand, when extracts from the susceptible were used, the survival reductions were only observed in the highest extract concentrations. These supplementations of the diet reduced the digestive capacity, agreeing with the proteolytic activities, whereas malformations of the intestinal cells were dose dependent. The inhibitory effects persisted in higher dilutions only for the IAC17. Constitutive resistance was also explained by higher levels of protease inhibition. These results can be useful to elucidate the genes and cascades controlling the resistance.

Evaluation of Piper marginatum (Piperales: Piperaceae) Oil and Geraniol on the Embryonic Development of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Comparison to Formulated Products

Essential oils and their isolated constituents are constantly being studied for the control of insect pests. In this context, the present research reports the chemical composition of Piper marginatum (Jacq.) oil aiming to: 1) establish lethal concentrations LC30 and LC50 for this oil and the compound geraniol, 2) histologically examine the embryonic development of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as 3) compare the efficacy of the P. marginatum oil with that of the botanical insecticide azadirachtin, the synthetic insecticide deltamethrin, and acetone as a negative control. Semithin sections of S. frugiperda eggs revealed that the oil, geraniol, azadirachtin, and deltamethrin affected embryonic development at both concentrations. However, geraniol and the oil were more efficient because they caused more significant damage, even at lower concentrations. SEM revealed that all products altered the morphology of the eggs, modifying the structure of the chorion and making the eggs nonviable. Thus, this work demonstrates that P. marginatum oil is effective in the control of S. frugiperda because it results in embryonic damage even at the lowest concentrations.

Morphological and immunohistochemical study of the midgut and fat body of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: noctuidae) treated with essential oils of the genus Piper

Essential oils are a promising alternative to insecticides. We investigated the LD₅₀ of oils extracted from Piper corcovadensis, P. marginatum, and P. arboreum after 48 h topical contact with Spodoptera frugiperda larvae using morphometry, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry of the midgut and fat body. Chromatography revealed that E-caryophyllene was the principal compound common to the Piper species. The essential oils of P. corcovadensis, P. marginatum and P. arboreum caused deleterious changes in the midgut of S. frugiperda larvae. P. corcovadensis oil produced the lowest LD₅₀ and significant histopathological alterations including elongation of the columnar cells, formation of cytoplasmic protrusions, reduction in carbohydrate, increased apoptotic index and decreased cell proliferation. P. arboreum oil caused histopathological alterations similar to P. corcovadensis, but caused the highest rate of cell proliferation and increased regenerative cells, which indicated rapid regeneration of the epithelium. Our findings demonstrated the insecticidal potential of P. corcovadensis for control of S. frugiperda owing to the significant damage it inflicted on S. frugiperda midgut.

Effects of citronella oil (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor) on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) midgut and fat body

The armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is the principal pest of corn in Brazil. Control is achieved primarily by synthetic insecticides, which cause problems for the agro-ecosystem. Alternative methods of control are under investigation and citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) essential oil appears to be a promising agent. We investigated the effects of citronella oil using histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The midgut of larvae treated with citronella exhibited altered epithelium including cytoplasmic protrusions, columnar cell extrusion, pyknotic nuclei, and increased periodic acid-Schiff positive granules. Regenerative cells in the epithelium of the midgut increased in number, which facilitated subsequent regeneration of this tissue. After exposure to citronella, trophocytes, the principal cell type of the fat body, possessed enlarged vacuoles and mitotic bodies, and contained reduced amounts of glycogen, lipid, and protein. Citronella oil caused morphological changes of the midgut and reduction of stored resources in the fat body, which may adversely affect insect reproduction and survival.

Larvicidal activity of vegetable oils and esterified compounds against Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

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 196.27mg/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.

Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner e Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) sob ação de extratos vegetais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de extratos vegetais aquosos de jambolão, Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Myrtaceae), mamona, Ricinus communis (L.) (Euphorbiaceae), uva-do-japão, Hovenia dulcis (Thumberg) (Rhamnaceae) e urucum (Bixa orellana (L.) (Bixaceae), na concentração de 10%, sobre Bacillus thuringiensis subesp. kurstaki(Btk) e sobre Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) e a associação destes sobre A. gemmatalis, em condições de laboratório. Os tratamentos constaram dos extratos aquosos e Btk isoladamente e a mistura de cada extrato com Btk. Estes foram incubados em agitador horizontal (30 ± 2°C, 150 rpm por 2 h) e, em seguida, aplicados sobre cubos de dieta artificial para A. gemmatalis, em placas de Petri. Como testemunha utilizou-se água destilada esterilizada. Cada tratamento constou de 4 placas de Petri (repetição), com 25 lagartas de segundo ínstar cada. Estas foram acondicionadas em câmara climatizada (27 ± 2°C umidade relativa 70 ± 10% e fotofase 14 h), avaliando-se a mortalidade após 24, 48 e 72 h. Também foram avaliados o percentual de empupamento e o peso das pupas dos insetos sobreviventes. Nenhum dos extratos apresentou efeito inseticida para A. gemmatalis e efeito negativo para os cristais de Btk. A mortalidade acumulada causada pelos extratos de uva-do-japão, jambolão, urucum e mamona foram, respectivamente, de 54,73; 46,09; 47,19 e 65,73%; diferindo significativamente da testemunha (95,74%). O peso médio das pupas não diferiu significativamente entre os tratamentos. A associação dos extratos de uva-do-japão, colorau e mamona com Btk provocou mortalidade acumulada de 100% em A. gemmatalis.