Population parameters as a way to evaluate the risk of attack of Aphis craccivora (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on cowpea

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to develop fertility life tables in order to estimate the population parameters of black aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch) in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties, aiming to propose a risk scale for its use. The experiment consisted of six treatments and six replicates (five varieties plus the cultivar VITA 7 as a susceptible control). A cohort was formed with six adult females distributed in six replicates of each genotype, and the insects were observed daily. Based on the data, fertility life tables were drawn for each variety and the population parameters were estimated. The different values of the finite growth rate (λ) were considered to propose a risk scale for the use of the genotypes. The results obtained give the dimension of the variability of V. unguiculata in respect to the character, resistance to A. craccivora, with antibiosis as the main mechanism of resistance. Considering all the results, the varieties studied can be classified according to their suitability as a plant favorable to the development of the black aphid as follows: VITA 7 > CE-13 > CE-51 > CE-08 = CE-07. The proposal of a risk scale for the use of V. unguiculata genotypes against the A. craccivora population, based on the finite growth rate (λ) values, was adequate to discriminate the varieties studied.

Aphid antixenosis in cotton is activated by the natural plant defence elicitor cis-jasmone

Upon insect herbivory, plants can release blends of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that modify herbivore and natural enemy behaviour. We have shown recently that cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, emits a blend of defence VOCs that repels the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, upon herbivory by this notorious crop pest, including (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), methyl salicylate and (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene (TMTT). In this study, we investigated changes in the defence VOC profile of G. hirsutum induced by the naturally-occurring plant elicitor cis-jasmone (CJ) and whether these changes modify the behaviour of A. gossypii. In four-arm olfactometer assays, VOCs from untreated plants were significantly attractive (P<0.05), whilst VOCs from CJ-treated plants were significantly repellent (P<0.05). The VOCs induced by CJ appeared to comprise (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, DMNT, methyl salicylate and TMTT. In quantitative VOC collection studies, sustained release of DMNT and TMTT was observed in CJ-treated plants over a period of five days, with levels becoming statistically significantly higher than for control treated plants on the fifth day in most cases. Despite earlier indications, no statistically significant differences were observed in levels of (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate or methyl salicylate between CJ and control treatments on any day. Furthermore, DMNT and TMTT emissions from CJ-treated plants were further enhanced by subsequent addition of A. gossypii. CJ treatment induced statistically significantly higher DMNT and TMTT expression levels as early as day three, when A. gossypii was present. The results in this study show that CJ can induce the production of A. gossypii-induced VOCs from G. hirsutum, with potential for deployment in novel crop protection strategies.

Identification of semiochemicals released by cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, upon infestation by the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii

The cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae), is increasing in importance as a pest worldwide since the introduction of Bt-cotton, which controls lepidopteran but not homopteran pests. The chemical ecology of interactions between cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (Malvaceae), A. gossypii, and the predatory lacewing Chrysoperla lucasina (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), was investigated with a view to providing new pest management strategies. Behavioral tests using a four-arm (Pettersson) olfactometer showed that alate A. gossypii spent significantly more time in the presence of odor from uninfested cotton seedlings compared to clean air, but significantly less time in the presence of odor from A. gossypii infested plants. A. gossypii also spent significantly more time in the presence of headspace samples of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) obtained from uninfested cotton seedlings, but significantly less time with those from A. gossypii infested plants. VOCs from uninfested and A. gossypii infested cotton seedlings were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and coupled GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), leading to the identification of (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), methyl salicylate, and (E,E)-4,8,12-trimethyl-1,3,7,11-tridecatetraene (TMTT), which were produced in larger amounts from A. gossypii infested plants compared to uninfested plants. In behavioral tests, A. gossypii spent significantly more time in the control (solvent) arms when presented with a synthetic blend of these four compounds, with and without the presence of VOCs from uninfested cotton. Coupled GC-electroantennogram (EAG) recordings with the lacewing C. lucasina showed significant antennal responses to VOCs from A. gossypii infested cotton, suggesting they have a role in indirect defense and indicating a likely behavioral role for these compounds for the predator as well as the aphid.

[Monitoring the susceptibility to insecticides in Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations from Brazil]

Monitoring the susceptibility of a pest population to pesticides is essential for resistance management programs. The objective of this research was to evaluate the genetic variability in pesticide susceptibility in populations of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) collected from different Brazilian agricultural regions through the use of two different tests. Four whitefly populations, two from Goiás state (GO-1 and GO-2) e two from Bahia state (BA-1 and BA-2), were tested against a susceptible reference one (SusIAC). A residual contact bioassay was used to evaluate the pesticide susceptibility of each population by using diagnostic concentration bioassays and by estimating the baseline susceptibility data to each one of the tested insecticides, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, chlorpyrifos and endosulfan. Adult insects of unknown age and sex were tested. Evaluations were performed after 24h for endosulfan and 48 h for the other chemicals. Both procedures showed significant differences in the susceptibility to the pesticides among B. tabaci populations. However, the discrimination among B. tabaci populations was more evident with the use of diagnosis tests. The population GO-2 was significantly less susceptible to the tested pesticides than SusIAC, mainly to neonicotinoids. The most critical resistance situation of B. tabaci was detected to thiamethoxam, followed by imidacloprid.

Efficacy of some pyrethroids against a strain of the rabbit ear mite (Psoroptes cuniculi): an unusual cross-resistance pattern

An in vitro immersion bioassay was used to compare the efficacy of selected pyrethroids against a deltamethrin-resistant strain of rabbit ear mite (Psoroptes cuniculi). A lack of cross-resistance between bromo (deltamethrin) and chloro analogues (cypermethrin) of alpha-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl-dihalovinyl-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate was detected. Whereas deltamethrin proved to be inactive (48-h mortality 21.9% at 1000 mg/kg), each cypermethrin isomer mixture tested, including alpha-cypermethrin [IR(cis) alpha S + 1 S (cis) alpha R] and theta-cypermethrin [1R(trans) alpha S + 1 S (trans) alpha R] and their mixture at a ratio of 4/6, beta-cypermethrin, showed high efficiency (48-h mortality > or = 95% at 1000 mg/kg).

Combate aos ninhos do cupim Syntermes sp. com inseticidas

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo combater o cupim semisubterrneo Syntermes sp., praga de pastagens. Foram usados 6 inseticidas: foxim, fentiom, endossulfam, protoato, aldrim e fenitrotiom. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com o fentioni e endossulfam. A aplicação das caldas inseticidas teve lugar em perfurações perpendiculares superfície do solo, feitas na parte superior dos cupinzeiros. Entre a aplicação e a escavação passaram-se 10 meses.