As plantas reconhecem e produzem substâncias voláteis específicas para a atração de parasitóides após o ataque de um herbívoro, num processo conhecido como defesa indireta. Contudo, a capacidade dessas plantas em processar e liberar novos compostos voláteis sob o ataque de um herbívoro não hospedeiro permanece ainda inexplorado. Em vista disso, o presente trabalho buscou investigar o efeito dos voláteis emitidos por planta de milho sob o ataque de uma praga até então não hospedeira (traça-das-crucíferas, Plutella xylostella) comparado ao daqueles emitidos por planta de milho sob ataque de um hospedeiro tradicional (lagarta-do-cartucho-domilho, Spodoptera frugiperda), sobre esses insetos e seus respectivos parasitóides, Apanteles piceotrichosus e Campoletis flavicincta. Os bioensaios com os parasitóides foram conduzidos em fotofase, sendo oferecidos a estes, voláteis de plantas de milho sadias, voláteis liberados nos intervalos de 0-1, 5-6 e 24-25h após tratamento em fotofase por dano mecânico ou herbivoria simulada, e voláteis liberados no intervalo de 5-6h após esses mesmos tratamentos em escotofase. Já os ensaios com as mariposas foram conduzidos em escotofase, sendo oferecidos a estas, voláteis de plantas de milho sadias, voláteis liberados nos intervalos de 5-6h após tratamento em fotofase por dano mecânico ou herbivoria simulada, e voláteis liberados no intervalo de 0-1 e 24- 25h após esses mesmos tratamentos em escotofase. Adicionalmente, foram testados, para P. xylostella, voláteis de plantas de couve-manteiga sadia, e para A. piceotrichosus, voláteis de couve-manteiga sadia, couve-manteiga danificada mecanicamente e couve-manteiga atacada por lagartas de P. xylostella. As fêmeas de C. flavicincta apresentaram atratividade para voláteis emitidos pelas plantas de milho no intervalo de 5 a 6 horas após tratamento com regurgito de S. frugiperda em escotofase. Curiosamente, não apresentou atratividade pelos voláteis liberados nesse mesmo intervalo de tempo após indução com regurgito em fotofase. As fêmeas acasaladas de S. frugiperda foram atraídas por voláteis de plantas de milho sadia e voláteis liberados nos intervalos de 5-6 e 24-25h após dano mecânico ou tratamento da planta com regurgito deste herbívoro. Porém, preferiu voláteis de plantas sadias aqueles de plantas tratadas com regurgito em fotofase. Esses resultados demonstraram que esses insetos são capazes de discriminar entre misturas de voláteis presentes em seu habitat natural, onde ocorre a relação tritrófica milho (planta hospedeira) S. frugiperda (herbívoro) C. flavicincta (parasitóide). Da mesma forma, na relação couve-manteiga (planta hospedeira) P. xylostella (herbívoro) A. piceotrichosus (parasitóide), as fêmeas de P. xylostella foram atraídas pelos voláteis de couve-manteiga sadia, assim como as fêmeas de A. piceotrichosus foram atraídas pelos voláteis de couve-manteiga atacadas por lagartas deste herbívoro. No caso da simulação de uma nova relação, milho (planta não-hospedeira) P. xylostella (herbívoro) C. flavicincta (parasitóide), tanto fêmeas de A. piceotrichosus, quanto de P. xylostella, não foram capazes de responder aos voláteis de plantas de milho sadias, danificadas mecanicamente e danificadas mecanicamente + regurgito de P. xylostella. A determinação desses mecanismos poderá ser útil para maior compreensão do contexto evolutivo entre plantas e insetos e obtenção de novos avanços no manejo e controle biológico de pragas. / Plants recognize and produce specific volatile substances that attract parasitoids after the herbivore attack, characterizing a process known as indirect defense. However, the ability of these plants in processing and releasing novel volatile compounds elicited by a non-host herbivore attack has been poorly explored. Regarding this, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of volatiles emitted by maize plants under the attack of a pest which is not a host so far, diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella compared to those emitted by a common host, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda on the behavior response of these insects and their respective parasitoids Apanteles piceotrichosus e Campoletis flavicincta. The bioassays with the parasitoids were conducted during photophase and they were exposed to volatiles from undamaged maize, volatiles released at the time intervals 0-1, 5-6 and 24-25h after the treatment of mechanical damage or simulated herbivory during photophase, and volatiles released at the time interval 5-6h after these same treatments in scotophase. The bioassays with the moths were carried out in scotophase and they were exposed to volatiles from undamaged maize, volatiles released at the time interval 5-6h after the treatment of mechanical damage or simulated herbivory during photophase, and volatiles released at time intervals 0-1 and 24-25h after these same treatments in scotophase. Additionally, for P. xylostella volatiles from undamaged kale were tested while for A. piceotrichosus it was tested volatiles from undamaged kale, mechanically damaged and P. xylostella caterpillar damaged kale. C. flavicincta females were attracted to volatiles emitted by the maize plants at the interval 5-6h after the treatment with the S. frugiperda regurgitate in scotophase. Curiously, they were not attracted to volatiles released at the same time interval after the induction elicited by the regurgitate in the photophase. S. frugiperda mated females were attracted by volatiles from undamaged plants and volatiles released at time intervals 5-6 and 24- 25h after the mechanical damage or treated with the regurgitate of this herbivore. Nevertheless, they preferred the volatiles from undamaged maize to the plants treated with the regurgitate during photophase. These results demonstrated that these insects are able to distinguish among the volatile blends present in their natural habitat where it occurs the tritrophic relationship maize (host plant) S. frugiperda (herbivore) C. flavicincta (parasitoid). In the same way, in the relationship kale (host plant)- P. xylostella (herbivore) A. piceotrichosus (parasitoid), P. xylostella females were attracted by the volatiles of undamaged kale as well as the A. piceotrichosus females were attracted to volatiles emited by caterpillar-damaged kale. In the case of simulating a new relationship, maize (non-host plant) P. xylostella (herbivore) C. flavicincta (parasitoid), A. piceotrichosus females and P. xylostella were not able to respond to undamaged maize, mechanically damaged and mechanically damaged+ P. xylostella regurgitate. The determination of these mechanisms can be useful for a better understanding of the evolution context between plants and insects and for obtaining new advances in the management and biological pest control.

Typewritten copy / Includes bibliographical references / 1 v. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, 1955

O presente estudo objetivou identificar as interações do Algodão Bt que expressa Cry1Ac (Bollgard®), com o predador Podisus nigrispinus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), no manejo da resistência de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) a lambda-cyhalothrin em duas condições: ausência e presença do inseticida imidacloprid. Foram utilizadas lagartas de S. frugiperda provenientes das seguintes condições: linhagens resistentes (1) e suscetíveis (2) a lambda-cyhalothrin alimentadas de folhas de algodoeiro Bollgard® (DP 404 BG); e linhagens resistentes (3) e suscetíveis (4) a lambda-cyhalothrin alimentadas de folhas de algodoeiro não transgênico (cultivar DP4049). Os resultados dessa pesquisa revelaram que na ausência de imidacloprid, independente do tratamento, o comportamento de predação foi melhor representado pelo tipo III de resposta funcional, pois a taxa de ataque aumentou linearmente em todas as condições estudadas (a= bN). Houve diferenças entre o tempo de manipulação (Th) de fêmeas do predador que receberam lagartas suscetíveis a lambda-cyhalothrin, previamente alimentadas de algodão não transgênico, em relação aos demais tratamentos. Na densidade de 16 lagartas/predador, o número de lagartas predadas por fêmeas de P. nigrispinus foi significativamente superior em lagartas resistentes a lambda-cyhalothrin, alimentadas de algodão Bt ou não Bt, em relação às lagartas suscetíveis alimentadas de algodão não Bt. Além do mais, se constatou que quando foram ofertadas 16 lagartas de S. frugiperda ao predador, o número de indivíduos predados foi significativamente inferior em lagartas suscetíveis a lambda-cyhalothrin que foram alimentadas de algodão não Bt, em relação as que receberam lagartas previamente alimentadas de algodão Bt. Na presença de imidacloprid, constatou-se que o comportamento de predação de P. nigrispinus foi afetado pelo neonicotinóide imidacloprid, sendo a curva assintótica do tipo II, a que melhor descreveu os dados da sua resposta funcional. Na presença de imadacloprid, o tempo de manipulação (Th) de fêmeas do predador não diferiu entre os tratamentos estudados. Todavia, a taxa de ataque foi representada por um decréscimo em função do aumento da densidade de lagartas ofertadas. Independente do tratamento (linhagem de S. frugiperda ou cultivar de algodão), o número de lagartas de S. frugiperda predadas por fêmeas de P. nigrispinus quando na exposição ao imidacloprid, foi significativamente inferior, especialmente na densidade de 16 lagartas/predador. Diante destes resultados, a pesquisa reforça que o custo adaptativo associado à resistência a lambda-cyhalothrin, assim como a cultivar de algodão Bt afetaram a taxa de predação de lagartas de S. frugiperda por fêmeas de P. nigrispinus, somente na maior densidade testada (16 lagartas/predador). O comportamento de predação de lagartas de S. frugiperda por fêmeas de P. nigrispinus foi negativamente afetado pelo inseticida imidacloprid. / This study aimed to identify the interactions of Bt cotton expressing Cry1Ac (Bollgard®), with the predator Podisus nigrispinus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in resistance management of Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to lambda-cyhalothrin in two conditions: absence and presence of the insecticide imidacloprid. Larvae of S. frugiperda were used from the following conditions: resistant (1) and susceptible (2) strains to lambda-cyhalothrin fed Bollgard® cotton leaves (DP 404 BG); and resistant (3) and susceptible (4) strains to lambda-cyhalothrin fed non-transgenic cotton leaves (cultivar DP4049). The results of this study revealed that in the absence of imidacloprid, independent of treatment, the behavior of predation was best represented by the type III of functional response, because the attack rate increased linearly in all conditions studied (a = bN). There were differences between the handling time (Th) of females of the predator who received larvae of S. frugiperda susceptible to insecticides previously fed non-transgenic cotton in relation to other treatments. The density of 16 larvae/predator, the number of larvae preyed by female of P. nigrispinus was significantly higher in larvae of S. frugiperda resistant to lambda-cyhalothrin, fed on Bt cotton or non-Bt compared to susceptible larvae fed non Bt cotton. Moreover, when we offered 16 larvae of S. frugiperda to the predator, the number of larvae predate were significantly lower in larvae susceptible to lambda-cyhalothrin that were fed non-Bt cotton, compared to larvae that were previously fed on transgenic cotton. In the presence of imidacloprid, the predatory behavior of P. nigrispinus was affected by the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, and the asymptotic curve type II was the one that best described the data of the functional response. In the presence of imadacloprid, handling time (Th) of females of the predator did not differ among treatments. However, the attack rate was represented by a decrease due to the increase of the density of larvae offered. Regardless of the treatment (strain of S. frugiperda or cultivar of cotton), the predation larvae of S. frugiperda by females of P. nigrispinus when exposed to imidacloprid was significantly lower, especially at density of 16 larvae/predator. Given these results, the research reinforces the fitness cost associated to lambda-cyhalothrin resistance as well as Bt cotton affected the rate of predation on larvae of S. frugiperda by females of P. nigrispinus, only at the highest density tested (16 larvae/predator). The behavior of predation on larvae of S. frugiperda by females of P. nigrispinus was affected by insecticide imidacloprid.

As plantas respondem ao ataque de insetos pela indução e acumulação de um conjunto grande de proteínas de defesa. Nesse trabalho foi feita uma investigação sobre as modificações transcricionais que ocorrem em plantas de cana-de-açúcar, em resposta ao ataque de lagartas de Diatraea saccharalis. A primeira abordagem foi o estudo detalhado da indução de duas isoformas do homólogo de cana-de-açúcar do gene de cevada induzido por dano barwin (barley woundinducible), chamado de sugarwin (sugarcane wound-inducible). A indução de transcritos de sugarwin ocorreu em resposta ao ferimento mecânico, dano provocado por D. saccharalis e tratamento com metil jasmonato. Além disso, sua expressão foi restrita ao local de dano. Sugarwins fazem parte do grupo de genes induzidos tardiamente por dano. A localização subcelular do peptídeo sinal fusionado à gfp (green fluorescent protein) mostra que essas proteínas são secretadas. Embora a função do domínio barwin não esteja completamente elucidada, atividades anti-patogênicas têm sido descritas para um grande número de homólogos. Alinhamentos múltiplos de seqüências do domínio barwin das proteínas de cana-de-açúcar e de outras proteínas de mono e dicotiledôneas revelaram altos índices de similaridade, sugerindo que sua função é conservada entre espécies. Esse é o primeiro relato da indução de uma proteína da família Barwin por herbivoria. A atividade dessas proteínas contra insetos nunca foi estudada. Os resultados apresentados aqui sugerem que as SUGARWINS fazem parte da estratégia de defesa de cana-de-açúcar. A segunda abordagem para estudar a resposta da cana-de-açúcar ao dano por D. saccharalis foi a análise em larga-escala, usando macroarranjos de DNA, de serino proteases e inibidores de serino proteases de cana-de-açúcar diferencialmente expressos em resposta a herbivoria. Enquanto que a função dos inibidores de proteases na defesa de plantas contra insetos e patógenos está bem estabelecida, o envolvimento de proteases na defesa tem sido proposto recentemente. O monitoramento de transcritos de serino proteases de cana-de-açúcar responsivos a herbivoria revelou vários genes cuja função precisa ser investigada. Uma das aplicações desses resultados é a identificação de genes para uso em estratégias biotecnológicas que visam aumentar a resistência de cana-de-açúcar a insetos. / Plants respond to insect damage by induction and accumulation of a large set of defense proteins. An investigation was undertaken to study the sugarcane transcriptional changes following Diatraea saccharalis damage. The first approach was a detailed study about the induction of two isoforms of a sugarcane homologue of a barley wound inducible gene, barwin, named sugarwin (sugarcane wound-inducible). Induction of sugarwin transcripts occurs in response to mechanical wounding, D. saccharalis feeding and methyl jasmonate treatment. Their expression is restricted to the site of damage. Sugarwins are members of the late wound-inducible genes. The subcellular localization of the signal peptide fused to the gfp (green fluorescent protein) shows that these proteins are secreted. Although the exact function of the barwin domain has not been completely elucidated, antipathogenic activities has been described for a number of homologues. Multiple sequence alignment of barwin domain-containing sugarcane proteins and of mono and dicotiledoneous proteins reveals high similarity, suggesting that their function is conserved among species. This is the first report of a barwin-like protein induced by herbivory. The activity of this type of proteins against insects has never been studied. Based on the results presented here, it can be concluded that SUGARWINS are part of the sugarcane defense response strategy. The second approach to study the sugarcane response to D. saccharalis damage was the large-scale analysis, using DNA macroarrays, of serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors differently expressed in response to herbivory. While the protease inhibitors function in defense is well-established, the involvement of proteases in defense has been recently proposed. The transcript monitoring of sugarcane serine proteases in response to herbivory revealed several candidate genes for further functional studies. One of the greatest applications of these results is the identification of genes for use in biotechnological strategies to improve sugarcane insect resistance.

O contato com as cerdas da lagarta de Premolis semirufa (Pararama) desperta sintomas da inflamação aguda e nos indivíduos poliacidentados pode causar deformidades comuns às sinovites crônicas (pararamose). No presente estudo foi mostrado que o extrato das cerdas da lagarta apresenta intensa atividade proteolítica, sendo capaz de ativar o Sistema Complemento, promover hidrólise de C3, C4 e C5 e a geração de anafilatoxinas. Análises cromatográficas do extrato permitiram o isolamento de uma serinoprotease de 82 kDa capaz de promover tais atividades. Em modelo murino, foi verificado que o extrato é capaz de induzir altos títulos de anticorpos, pronunciada reação inflamatória, ativação de linfócitos T e APCs, bem como produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias. Os dados obtidos demonstram a existência, no extrato das cerdas da pararama, de várias enzimas que podem atuar em conjunto na geração e desenvolvimento das manifestações clínicas da pararamose. / The contact with the Premolis semirufas caterpillar bristles (Pararama) causes symptoms of the acute inflammation and, in the individuals after multiple accidents, joint deformities common to chronic synovitis (pararamose) can occur. In the current study it was shown that caterpillar bristles extract has intense proteolytic activity, being able to activate the Complement System, induce cleavage of C3, C4 and C5, and the generation of anaphylatoxins. Chromatographic analysis of the extract allowed the isolation of a serine protease with Mr of 82 kDa able to promote such activities. In murine model, it was demonstrated that the extract is able to induce high antibody titers, a pronounced inflammatory reaction, activation of T lymphocytes and APCs, as well as the generation of proinflammatory cytokines. The data obtained demonstrate the existence, in the pararama bristles extract, of numerous enzymes that can act together in the generation and development of clinical manifestations of pararamose.

As plantas respondem ao ataque de insetos pela indução e acumulação de um conjunto grande de proteínas de defesa. Nesse trabalho foi feita uma investigação sobre as modificações transcricionais que ocorrem em plantas de cana-de-açúcar, em resposta ao ataque de lagartas de Diatraea saccharalis. A primeira abordagem foi o estudo detalhado da indução de duas isoformas do homólogo de cana-de-açúcar do gene de cevada induzido por dano barwin (barley woundinducible), chamado de sugarwin (sugarcane wound-inducible). A indução de transcritos de sugarwin ocorreu em resposta ao ferimento mecânico, dano provocado por D. saccharalis e tratamento com metil jasmonato. Além disso, sua expressão foi restrita ao local de dano. Sugarwins fazem parte do grupo de genes induzidos tardiamente por dano. A localização subcelular do peptídeo sinal fusionado à gfp (green fluorescent protein) mostra que essas proteínas são secretadas. Embora a função do domínio barwin não esteja completamente elucidada, atividades anti-patogênicas têm sido descritas para um grande número de homólogos. Alinhamentos múltiplos de seqüências do domínio barwin das proteínas de cana-de-açúcar e de outras proteínas de mono e dicotiledôneas revelaram altos índices de similaridade, sugerindo que sua função é conservada entre espécies. Esse é o primeiro relato da indução de uma proteína da família Barwin por herbivoria. A atividade dessas proteínas contra insetos nunca foi estudada. Os resultados apresentados aqui sugerem que as SUGARWINS fazem parte da estratégia de defesa de cana-de-açúcar. A segunda abordagem para estudar a resposta da cana-de-açúcar ao dano por D. saccharalis foi a análise em larga-escala, usando macroarranjos de DNA, de serino proteases e inibidores de serino proteases de cana-de-açúcar diferencialmente expressos em resposta a herbivoria. Enquanto que a função dos inibidores de proteases na defesa de plantas contra insetos e patógenos está bem estabelecida, o envolvimento de proteases na defesa tem sido proposto recentemente. O monitoramento de transcritos de serino proteases de cana-de-açúcar responsivos a herbivoria revelou vários genes cuja função precisa ser investigada. Uma das aplicações desses resultados é a identificação de genes para uso em estratégias biotecnológicas que visam aumentar a resistência de cana-de-açúcar a insetos. / Plants respond to insect damage by induction and accumulation of a large set of defense proteins. An investigation was undertaken to study the sugarcane transcriptional changes following Diatraea saccharalis damage. The first approach was a detailed study about the induction of two isoforms of a sugarcane homologue of a barley wound inducible gene, barwin, named sugarwin (sugarcane wound-inducible). Induction of sugarwin transcripts occurs in response to mechanical wounding, D. saccharalis feeding and methyl jasmonate treatment. Their expression is restricted to the site of damage. Sugarwins are members of the late wound-inducible genes. The subcellular localization of the signal peptide fused to the gfp (green fluorescent protein) shows that these proteins are secreted. Although the exact function of the barwin domain has not been completely elucidated, antipathogenic activities has been described for a number of homologues. Multiple sequence alignment of barwin domain-containing sugarcane proteins and of mono and dicotiledoneous proteins reveals high similarity, suggesting that their function is conserved among species. This is the first report of a barwin-like protein induced by herbivory. The activity of this type of proteins against insects has never been studied. Based on the results presented here, it can be concluded that SUGARWINS are part of the sugarcane defense response strategy. The second approach to study the sugarcane response to D. saccharalis damage was the large-scale analysis, using DNA macroarrays, of serine proteases and serine protease inhibitors differently expressed in response to herbivory. While the protease inhibitors function in defense is well-established, the involvement of proteases in defense has been recently proposed. The transcript monitoring of sugarcane serine proteases in response to herbivory revealed several candidate genes for further functional studies. One of the greatest applications of these results is the identification of genes for use in biotechnological strategies to improve sugarcane insect resistance.

Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) e Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) são importantes insetos-praga no algodoeiro (Gossypium hirsutum L.) devido às injúrias de desfolha e destruição de estruturas reprodutivas no caso de S. frugiperda. Os eventos de algodão Bt que expressam as proteínas Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 (Bollgard® II) e Cry1Ac/Cry1F (WideStrike(TM)) de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner são ferramentas disponíveis para o controle dessas espécies-praga. A fim de subsidiar o Manejo da Resistência de Insetos (MRI) foram conduzidos estudos em laboratório para avaliar a sobrevivência e desenvolvimento de S. frugiperda e P. includens nos eventos de algodão Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 e Cry1Ac/Cry1F. Em bioensaios com discos de folhas, a eficácia de controle de neonatas nos dois eventos de algodão Bt foi superior a 80% para S. frugiperda e de 100% para P. includens. Em bioensaios com brácteas com neonatas de S. frugiperda, a eficácia de controle de ambos os eventos de algodão Bt também foi superior a 80%. As lagartas de S. frugiperda sobreviventes em algodão Bt apresentaram severa inibição de desenvolvimento larval em folhas (> 75%) e brácteas (> 44%). Em bioensaios com simulações de alimentação larval, as quais consistiam em grupos de lagartas alimentadas com o algodão Bt aos 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 e 18 dias após a inoculação (DAI), S. frugiperda e P. includens demonstraram que a suscetibilidade dessas espécies diminuiu com o avançar do desenvolvimento larval. Para S. frugiperda, em todas as simulações de alimentação com o algodão Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 houve lagartas que atingiram as fases de pupa e adulto. Por outro lado, quando expostas ao algodão Cry1Ac/Cry1F, somente algumas das lagartas de 5º e 6º ínstares atingiram as fases de pupa e adulto. Para P. includens, somente lagartas no 6º ínstar atingiram as fases de pupa e adulto quando alimentadas com os dois eventos de algodão Bt. Os parâmetros biológicos de S. frugiperda sobreviventes em algodão Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 foram afetados negativamente com aumento da duração da fase larval (? 9 dias), baixa viabilidade larval (1,4%) e de insetos que completaram o ciclo biológico (0,9%), aumento no intervalo entre gerações (? 9 dias) e redução da taxa intrínseca de crescimento populacional (? 83%). Os eventos de algodão Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 e Cry1Ac/Cry1F são promissores no controle de S. frugiperda e P. includens. No entanto, a atividade inseticida dos dois eventos de algodão Bt em lagartas de S. frugiperda e P. includens diminui com o desenvolvimento larval e essa constatação deve ser considerada em programas de MRI, especialmente na disposição espacial do refúgio. / Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) and Pseudoplusia includens (Walker) are important insect pests in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) due to damage on leaves and reproductive structures in the case of S. frugiperda. The events of Bt cotton expressing proteins Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 (Bollgard® II) and Cry1Ac/Cry1F (WideStrike(TM)) from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner are tools available to control these pest species. To develop an Insect Resistance Management (IRM), we performed laboratory studies to evaluate the survival and development of S. frugiperda and P. includens. In fresh leaf discs bioassays, the control efficacy of neonates in both Bt cotton events was greater than 80% mortality for S. frugiperda and 100% for P. includens. In fresh bracts bioassays to neonates of S. frugiperda, the control efficacy of both Bt cotton events was over 80%. The surviving larvae of S. frugiperda in Bt cotton showed severe growth inhibition (weight and instar) in leaves (> 75%) and bracts (> 44%). In simulations feed bioassays with larvae, which consisted of groups of larvae fed on Bt cotton at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 days after inoculation (DAI), S. frugiperda and P. includens showed that the susceptibility of species decreases with advancing larval development. For S. frugiperda, in all feed simulations with cotton Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 had caterpillars that reached pupae and adult stages. Moreover, when exposed to cotton Cry1Ac/Cry1F, only some caterpillars of 5th and 6th instars reached pupae and adult stages. For P. includens, only some caterpillars of 6th instar reached pupae and adult stages when fed with two events of Bt cotton. The biological parameters of S. frugiperda fed on cotton Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 were negatively affected with increasing duration of the larval stage (? 9 days), reduced larval viability (1,4%) and insects that completed the life cycle (0,9%), increased the generation time (? 9 days) and decreased the intrinsic rate of increase (? 83%). The events of cotton Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab2 and Cry1Ac/Cry1F are promising for the control of S. frugiperda and P. includens. However, the insecticidal activity of both events of Bt cotton in larvae of S. frugiperda and P. includens decreases through larval development and this finding should be considered in programs of MRI, especially in the spatial arrangement of the refuge.

An outbreak of Deidamia inscriptum (Lettered Sphinx Moth) caterpillars was noted in northeast Tennessee where Oxydendrum arboreum (Sourwood) trees were defoliated. Nearly all published literature and online resources list only plants in the grape family (Vitaceae) as larval food plants. Food-plant preference trials using fresh leaves of 3 woody plant species showed that Deidamiacaterpillars from this region had a preference for Sourwood over Parthenocissus quinquefolia(Virginia Creeper), and rejected Acer rubrum (Red Maple), a non-host species. Ursus americanus(Black Bear) were feeding on the caterpillars as evidenced by bent and broken Sourwood saplings bearing claw marks and by abundant sphingid remains in bear scat.

The butterfly family Lycaenidae (including the Riodinidae) contains an estimated 30% of all butterfly species and exhibits a diverse array of life history strategies. The early stages of most lycaenids associate with ants to varying degrees, ranging from casual facultative coexistence through to obligate association where the long-term survival of the butterfly is dependent on the presence of its attendant ants. Attendant ants guard the butterflies against predators and parasites during their vulnerable period of larval growth and pupation. The caterpillars, in return, reward the ants by providing attractive secretions from specialized glands in their cuticle. The prevalence of caterpillar-ant associations in the species rich Lycaenidae is in contrast with other Lepidoptera, where ant association appears only as isolated cases in otherwise non ant-associated lineages. This has led to the proposal that ant association may have influenced lycaenid diversification or even enhanced the rates of speciation in the group. In contrast, facultative ant-associated butterflies exhibit high levels of host plant integrity, so it is reasonable to assume that host plants may have played a significant role in their diversification. Since the influence of ants (or plants) on diversification is independent of geographic speciation modes such as vicariance or peripheral isolates, there is an underlying inference of sympatric speciation. Certain prerequisites thought to be important for sympatric speciation, such as mating on the host plant (or in the presence of the appropriate ant) as well as ant dependent oviposition preferences are characteristic of many obligate myrmecophiles. Not surprisingly, it has been suggested that evidence for sympatric speciation is more likely to be found in the Insecta since this additional mode of diversification could account for the large numbers of insect species. This thesis tested the diversification processes in obligate and facultative ant associated lycaenids using comparative methodologies in hierarchical molecular phylogenetic analyses. First, several hypotheses relating to the influence of ants on diversification in obligately ant associated lycaenid butterflies were tested in a phylogeographic analysis of the Australian endemic Jalmenus evagoras. The phylogeographic analysis revealed that regional isolation of butterfly subpopulations coincident with locally adapted ant taxa could generate a phylogenetic pattern in which related lycaenids would be seen to associate with related or ecologically similar ants. Likewise, ecological shifts in habitat preferences by lycaenids could lead to co-diversification with habitat specialist ants, even though in both cases, the ants may play only an incidental role in the diversification process. A comparative methodology was then applied in a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Jalmenus to test for a signal of diversification consistent with shifts in ant partners, and to infer the processes by which ants could influence speciation. Several other specific hypotheses relating to monophyly and taxonomy were also examined. Comparative analysis of the Jalmenus phylogeny found that attendant ant shifts coincided with high levels of sympatry among sister species. This pattern could be explained by sympatric speciation; however, data suggested it was more likely that ant shifts occurred during butterfly population expansions as a result of vegetation and climate changes in the Pleistocene. Fragmentation of populations associating with novel ants could promote rapid ecological and behavioural changes and this could result in reproductive isolation of conspecifics when in secondary contact. Diversification would then continue in sympatry. In contrast, secondary contact of populations associating with the same ant species would result in homogenisation of the two lycaenid lineages or the extinction of one. A phylogeographic analysis of the facultative myrmecophiles, Theclinesthes albocincta/T. hesperia, was then undertaken to infer the evolutionary processes (such as the effects of host plant shifts) that could result in extant demographics. Species-specific questions of taxonomy, relative population ages and dispersal routes in arid Australia were also addressed. Results from the analysis suggested the two taxa were conspecific and had diversified in the late Pleistocene as a consequence of isolation in refugia in and around the arid areas of mainland Australia. However, as was the case in the J. evagoras population analysis in which attendant ant shifts were not detected, host plant shifts were not detected in the population analysis of T. albocincta/hesperia. Host plant or attendant ant shifts manifest more frequently at the species level, thus it was necessary to test the influence of host plant shifts at this higher level. The comparative methodology was then applied to a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the facultative ant-associated section Theclinesthes (comprising Theclinesthes, Sahulana and Neolucia) to test for modes of diversification consistent with host plant shifts. The relative importance of other influences on diversification was also assessed. Akin to the Jalmenus analysis, the prediction that sister species ranges should broadly overlap when a shift in host plants had taken place was upheld in the comparative analysis. Species in the genera Jalmenus and Theclinesthes were found to have diversified in the Pleistocene so were subject to the same climatic oscillations that influenced patterns of vegetation expansion and contraction across much of Australia. Thus, the similarity and predictability of relationships in the comparative analyses based on biological data suggested that host plant shifts have influenced diversification in facultative myrmecophiles by inhibiting gene flow in secondary contact in similar fashion to that of attendant ant shifts identified in the Jalmenus phylogeny. Interpretation of data in these analyses suggested that allopatric diversification was the most common mode of speciation. Isolation was inferred to be the result of fragmentation following long distance dispersal across wide expanses of marginal habitat, or vicariance following the closing of biogeographical barriers. However, attendant-ant and host-plant shifts clearly played an important role in the diversification process, and in the maintenance of species integrity among lycaenid butterflies. Furthermore, exceptions to the predicted patterns of range overlap and ecological shifts provided clues to additional modes of diversification including shifts in habitat preferences and an unusual temporal shift following changes in specific host plant phenology resulting in allochronic diversification. Inferring modes of diversification using comparative methods based on range overlap and biological traits in a phylogenetic context is not new; however, the interpretation presented in this thesis is in contrast with contemporary methods. It is clear that the patterns of species range overlap and the ecological preferences of sister taxa are intimately related among lycaenid species that diversified during the Pleistocene. As a result, different influences on diversification can be highlighted in phylogenies when applying existing comparative methodologies but without necessarily drawing the same conclusions about modes of diversification. A more inclusive explanation for patterns of range overlap among sister taxa is detailed, a consequence of which is a method for estimating rates of extinction in a phylogeny where comprehensive distributional, biological and taxonomic data are available. These patterns and predictions may be applicable to a range of taxa, especially those that have diversified in the Pleistocene. Plans for future studies are outlined.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The growing demand for forest products has enabled the increase in areas planted to trees in Brazil. Eucalyptus is a fast growing tree species being cultivated on a large scale, however, with increasing of Eucalyptus sp. plantation, entomological problems tend to increase. The defoliating caterpillars represent an important group of insects that are harmful to forest plantations. Thus, this study aims at characterize an outbreak of the Nystalea nyseus (Cramer, 1775) species, as well as its biology aspects and natural enemies. This study was conducted in a seminal plantation of Eucalyptus saligna Smith in the city of São Sepé, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. To evaluate the outbreak, a sampling was carried out by using the transect method. Defoliating caterpillars were collected from different instars and pupae of this species and they were sent to the laboratory under conditions at 25°C ± 1°C, 80% relative humidity and 12- hour photophase. The biological aspects evaluated were: color and morphology of eggs, duration of pre-pupal and pupae stage, sex ratio and lifespan adults. A visual inspection of eucalyptus plantation was conducted to catch potential natural enemies. The results showed the presence of attack on all the stands. The eggs are greenish, and after 24 hours, became light red. They have an average length of 1.17 (± 0.387) mm and a width of 1.20 (± 0.229) mm, and as an average incubation period of six days. Pre-pupal stage lasted 3.53± 0.53 days and pupal stage lasted 14.02 (±1.23) and 15.12 (±1.08) days for females and males, respectively. The length (mm), width (mm) and weight (g) of pupae were higher for females, however, with no significant difference. The adult sex ratio was 0.62 females per male and lifespan was 7.63 days for females and 5.47 for males. The following predatory species were registered: Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851), Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret, 1863) and Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas, 1851) all belonging to the Heteroptera order, Pentatomidae family. The present paper for this first time reports an outbreak of this species of eucalyptus to Rio Grande do Sul, State, Brazil and extends the range of information about the biology of Nystalea nyseus. For the first time, predatory species are registered as natural enemies. / A crescente demanda por produtos florestais tem propiciado o aumento das áreas plantadas no Brasil. O eucalipto é uma espécie florestal de rápido crescimento e é cultivado em larga escala, porém com o aumento das áreas de plantio com Eucalyptus sp., os problemas entomológicos tendem a aumentar. As lagartas desfolhadoras representam um grupo importante de insetos daninhos em plantios florestais. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar um surto da espécie Nystalea nyseus (Cramer, 1775), bem como aspectos da sua biologia e inimigos naturais. Este estudo foi realizado em um plantio seminal de Eucalyptus saligna Smith localizado no município de São Sepé, Rio Grande do Sul. Para avaliar o surto foi realizada uma amostragem utilizando o método do transecto. Foram coletadas lagartas de diferentes ínstares e pupas dessa espécie e encaminhadas para o laboratório, sob condições controladas temperatura de 25°C ± 1°C, umidade relativa de 80 % e fotofase de 12 horas. Os aspectos biológicos avaliados foram: coloração e morfologia dos ovos, duração do período de pré-pupa e pupa, razão sexual e longevidade de adultos. Realizou-se uma inspeção visual no plantio de eucalipto objetivando a captura de possíveis inimigos naturais. Como resultados constatou-se a presença de ataque em todos os talhões avaliados. Os ovos obtidos em laboratório apresentaram coloração esverdeada e após 24 horas, tornaram-se vermelho claro. Apresentam, em média, comprimento de 1,17 (± 0,387) mm e largura de 1,20 (± 0,229) mm, assim como um período médio de incubação de seis dias. A fase da pré-pupa teve duração de 3,53 (±0,53) dias e a de pupa 14,02 (±1,23) e 15,12 (±1,08) dias para fêmeas e machos, respectivamente. O comprimento (mm), largura (mm) e peso (g) das pupas foram maiores para fêmeas, porém sem diferença significativa. A razão sexual de adultos obtida em laboratório foi de 0,62 fêmeas para cada macho e a longevidade média foi de 7,63 dias para fêmeas e 5,47 para machos. Foram registradas a ocorrência das seguintes espécies predadoras: Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851), Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret, 1863) e Alcaeorrhynchus grandis (Dallas, 1851) todas pertencentes à ordem Heteroptera, família Pentatomidae. O presente trabalho registra pela primeira vez um surto dessa espécie em eucalipto para o Rio Grande do Sul e amplia o conjunto de informações a respeito da biologia de Nystalea nyseus. Registram-se pela primeira vez espécies predadoras como inimigos naturais.