Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle is a tree native to Asia that was intentionally introduced into the United States in the late eighteenth century. Ailanthus altissima has become an invasive species that has spread throughout most of North America. Lack of effective management tactics for suppression of A. altissima has lead to alternate control methods. Investigations into using biological control with the weevil Eucryptorrhynchus brandti were initiated in 2004. Studies were conducted to understand the general biology of E. brandti, rearing efficacy, and host specificity. Eucryptorrhynchus brandti is univoltine, has a life cycle similar to the closely related species Cryptorhynchus lapathi (L.), with 6 instars, and completes development in 126 ± 6.5 d at 25°C. Efficient egg to adult rearing was accomplished by caging 12 m and 12 f for 7 days on 23 – 92 cm long billets. Males and females can be differentiated by the structure of the metathoracic sternite and 1st abdominal segment. Host specificity experiments show that E. brandti preferentially feeds on North American A. altissima when tested against 29 species from 14 families. Larval development in the rare species Leitneria floridana Chapm. was apparent. Additional studies show that A. altissima does not occur across L. floridana distribution but may have the potential to invade L. floridana sites. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is well-known as a destructive pest of fruit worldwide. Various control methods have been used against this insect. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is used as an important and successful technological method for controlling or eradicating this pest in many countries. A key factor to successfully apply SIT is dependent on the availability of efficient and economical rearing methods. Artificial insect diets with low cost bulking agents have been of interest to many researchers. The present study investigated the use of locally available maize meal as a bulking agent in such diets. Maize meal is used for human consumption (in South Africa) and contains small amounts of protein. This makes the reduction of imported torula yeast as an ingredient of the diet and source of protein possible, thereby reducing the cost of the diet. The larval development of the Medfly reared on artificial diets was studied in small and large-scale tests. The effect of the diets on larval production was evaluated using pupal recovery, pupal weight, flight ability, sex ratio, fecundity and egg fertility. The results of the small-scale tests showed that the diet containing maize meal could be used to produce Medfly more economically than the standard Krige diet used by the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij Research Institute at Stellenbosch. However, in large-scale tests the ingredients quantities of the diets used were not the same as those of small scale-tests. The cost of the modified larval diet was not reduced in large-scale tests. This was ascribed to the number of eggs used in the tests to produce one million of fruit flies. The maize meal with reduced number of eggs require more diet to produce one million flies therefore, making it more expensive and less viable. When similar amounts of eggs were used, the diet appears to be a suitable alternative as the result obtained was almost similar to those of the Krige diet. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Mediterreens vrugtevlieg ("Medfly"), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is wêreldwyd 'n skadelike plaag. Die steriele insek tegniek (SIT) het in baie lande 'n belangrike en suksesvolle manier geword om die plaag te beheer en uit te roei. Die belangrikste voorvereiste vir die suksesvolle toepassing van SIT is die beskikbaarheid van doeltreffende en ekonomiese teelmetodes. Meeste navorsers is geïntereseerd in kunsmatige diëte met 'n goedkoop vulstof. Hierdie studie is ontwerp om die gebruik van plaaslik beskikbare mieliemeel as vulstof te ondersoek. In Suid-Afrika word dit vir menslike gebruik aangewend en bevat klein hoeveelhede proteïene wat 'n vermindering van die ingevoerde torula gis moontlik kan maak, en sodoende die koste van die dieët kan verminder. Die ontwikkeling van Medfly larwes op kunsmatige diëte is bestudeer In kleinskaalse en grootskaalse eksperimente. Die invloed van die diëte op larwale produksie is evalueer deur gebruik te maak van van papie-ontwikkeling, papie-gewig, vliegvermoë, geslagsverhouding, volwasse voortplantingsvermoë en eiervrugbaarheid. Die resultate van die kleinskaalse toetse het aangetoon dat die mieliemeel dieët gebruik kan word om Medfly meer ekonomies as met die standaard Krige dieët, wat in die ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij navorsings instituut by Stellenbosch gebruik word, te teel. By die grootskaalse toetse was die koste nie laer nie. Dit word toegeskryf aan die aantal eiers wat gebruik is om 'n miljoen vlieë te produseer. Die mieliemeel dieët met 'n verminderde aantal eiers benodig meer dieët om 'n miljoen vlieë te produseer, wat dit duurder en minder lewensvatbaar maak. Wanneer soortgelyke hoeveelhede eiers gebruik was, het dit geblyk dat die dieët 'n opsie is, want die resultaat was soortgelyk aan dié van die Krige dieët.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Aug. 26, 2005). Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Martin Frick. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-42).

Orientador: Sergio Antonio De Bortoli / Resumo: Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) e Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) são insetos cosmopolitas, polífagos e que causam danos tanto na fase vegetativa quanto na reprodutiva de vários cultivos. Entre os métodos disponíveis para controle, os mais utilizados são o químico e a utilização de plantas Bt, porém o uso incorreto resultou em diversos relatos de resistência a esses dois métodos. Deste modo, surgiu a necessidade de novas tecnologias e produtos para o controle desses insetos-praga, sendo que o controle biológico com bactérias e vírus, e extratos de plantas podem ser ferramentas importantes frente a esses problemas. Além da resistência, outro problema que o uso incorreto dos inseticidas pode causar é a toxicidade a organismos não alvo, como as abelhas Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae), que vem sofrendo com a mortalidade causada por esses produtos. Para a realização de pesquisas que auxiliem e aprimorem os programas de Manejo Integrado de H. armigera e S. frugiperda, é essencial uma metodologia de criação que permita a obtenção de uma grande quantidade de indivíduos, sendo que dietas artificiais adequadas auxiliam a criação em grande escala. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o efeito de diferentes níveis proteicos na dieta artificial para criação destas espécies, o efeito agudo das concentrações letais e os efeitos subletais de inseticidas químicos, biológicos e de extrato da planta Piper cubeba Linnae... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are cosmopolitan, polyphagous insects that cause damage both in the vegetative and in the reproductive phase of several crops. Among the methods available for its control, the most used are the chemical and the use of Bt plants, however the incorrect use has resulted in several reports of resistance to both methods. Thus, there was a need to development of new technologies and products for the control of these pest insect, and biological control with bacteria and viruses, and plant extracts can be important tools in the face of these problems. In addition to resistance, another problem that the incorrect use of pesticides can cause is toxicity to non-target organisms, such as honey bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae), which has been suffering from the mortality caused by these products. In order to carry out research that helps and improve the Integrated Management programs of H. armigera e S. frugiperda, a rearing methodology is essential that allows the obtaining of a large number of individuals, and adequate artificial diets assist the rearing on a large scale. In this sense, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of diferente protein levels in the artificial diet for the rearing of these species, the acute effect of lethal concentrations and the sublethal effects of chemical and biological pesticides, and plant extract from the pla... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Tanto as técnicas de controle biológico quanto a Técnica do inseto estéril (TIE), são utilizadas em vários países para o controle, supressão e até mesmo erradicação de moscas-das-frutas e outras pragas da agricultura, pecuária e saúde publica. O uso de tais técnicas minimiza o emprego contínuo de inseticidas, protege o ambiente e se adequa aos padrões de segurança alimentar. No entanto, é necessário para a implementação de tais programas, tecnologia para produzir milhões de parasitóides e a própria praga em laboratório com qualidade biológica similar aos insetos encontrados na natureza e com custo competitivo com o controle químico. Os objetivos deste trabalho foi estabelecer protocolos para criação artificial de A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus em dieta larval líquida que permita atingir níveis de criação massal, para uma possível diminuição no custo da criação e determinar a dose de radiação esterilizante para adultos de A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus atendendo os parâmetros de qualidade exigidos pela Técnica do Inseto Estéril com insetos provenientes da criação do Laboratório de Radioentomologia do CENA/USP. Foram testadas sete dietas em relação à dieta convencional utilizada no laboratório de Radioentomologia do CENA/USP, que foi usada como controle. Todas as sete dietas tiveram em comum a exclusão do ágar na sua formulação. Somente duas das dietas testadas foram adequadas para o desenvolvimento larval da mosca, estas quando comparadas com a dieta padrão, apresentaram resultados inferiores com relação ao volume de larvas recuperadas, emergência e o peso das pupas, porém, não apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto aos períodos de desenvolvimento, recuperação pupal, razão sexual e longevidade sob estresse. Concluí-se que é possível a substituição da dieta com ágar por dietas líquidas para criação artificial de A. sp.1 aff. fraterculus, de custo reduzido e com maior praticidade de manejo,porém devidos aos seus parâmetros de qualidade inferiores aos da dieta padrão, são necessários maiores testes principalmente quanto à adaptabilidade do inseto ao novo meio. Para determinar a dose esterilizante o presente trabalho analisou a fertilidade, fecundidade, emergência, habilidade de vôo e longevidade sob estresse de A. fraterculus irradiadas com doses de 40, 50, 60, 70 e 80 Gy. A fonte de radiação gama foi um irradiador de Co-60 (Gammabeam-650) localizado no mesmo laboratório. Os testes foram realizados sob as seguintes condições ambientais: 26 ± 1 ° C, 70 ± 5% RH, e fotofase de 12:12. A dose de r adiação gama esterilizante para machos de A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus foi determinada sendo 70 Gy. Fêmeas irradiadas, mesmo com a dose mais baixa de 40 Gy, não ovipositaram, possivelmente pela atrofia dos ovários causada pela radiação. A radiação não afetou os demais parâmetros de qualidade do inseto como emergência, longevidade e habilidade de vôo / Both the biological control techniques as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), are used in many countries to control, suppress and even eradicate fruit flies and other pests in agriculture and public health. The use of such techniques minimizes the continuous employment of insecticides, protects the environment and conforms to standards for food safety. However, it is necessary to implement such programs, technology to produce millions of parasitoids and the pest in its own laboratory with biological quality similar to the insects found in nature and cost competitive with chemical control. The objectives of this study was to establish protocols for artificial rearing of A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus in liquid larval diet that will achieve levels of mass production for a possible reduction in the cost of establishing and determining the dose of radiation sterilization of adult A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus meeting the quality parameters required by the Sterile Insect Technique with insects from the creation of Radioentomologia Laboratory of CENA / USP. Seven experimental diets compared to the conventional diet used in laboratory Radioentomologia of CENA / USP, which was used as control. All seven diets have in common the exclusion of agar in its formulation. Only two of the diets tested were suitable for larval development of the fly, they compared with the standard diet, showed inferior results with respect to the volume of recovered larvae, pupae and weight of emergency, however, no significant differences regarding the periods of development , pupal recovery, sex ratio and longevity under stress. It is possible to replace the diet with agar for liquid diets for artificial creation of A. sp.1 aff. fraterculus, reduced cost and greater convenience of handling, but due to their quality standards lower than the standard diet, more tests are needed especially regarding the adaptability of the insect to the new environment. To determine the sterilizing dose this study examined the fertility, fecundity, emergence, flight ability and longevity under stress in A. fraterculus irradiated with 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 Gy. The radiation source was a gamma irradiator with a Co-60 (Gammabeam-650) located in the same laboratory. The tests were performed under the following environmental conditions: 26 ± 1 ° C, 70 ± 5% RH and photoperiod of 12:12. The dose of gamma radiation sterilization for male A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus was determined with 70 Gy. Irradiates females, even with the lower dose of 40 Gy, layed no eggs, possibly due to atrophy of the ovaries caused by radiation. The radiation did not affect the other quality parameters such as insect emergence, longevity and ability to fly

Tanto as técnicas de controle biológico quanto a Técnica do inseto estéril (TIE), são utilizadas em vários países para o controle, supressão e até mesmo erradicação de moscas-das-frutas e outras pragas da agricultura, pecuária e saúde publica. O uso de tais técnicas minimiza o emprego contínuo de inseticidas, protege o ambiente e se adequa aos padrões de segurança alimentar. No entanto, é necessário para a implementação de tais programas, tecnologia para produzir milhões de parasitóides e a própria praga em laboratório com qualidade biológica similar aos insetos encontrados na natureza e com custo competitivo com o controle químico. Os objetivos deste trabalho foi estabelecer protocolos para criação artificial de A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus em dieta larval líquida que permita atingir níveis de criação massal, para uma possível diminuição no custo da criação e determinar a dose de radiação esterilizante para adultos de A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus atendendo os parâmetros de qualidade exigidos pela Técnica do Inseto Estéril com insetos provenientes da criação do Laboratório de Radioentomologia do CENA/USP. Foram testadas sete dietas em relação à dieta convencional utilizada no laboratório de Radioentomologia do CENA/USP, que foi usada como controle. Todas as sete dietas tiveram em comum a exclusão do ágar na sua formulação. Somente duas das dietas testadas foram adequadas para o desenvolvimento larval da mosca, estas quando comparadas com a dieta padrão, apresentaram resultados inferiores com relação ao volume de larvas recuperadas, emergência e o peso das pupas, porém, não apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto aos períodos de desenvolvimento, recuperação pupal, razão sexual e longevidade sob estresse. Concluí-se que é possível a substituição da dieta com ágar por dietas líquidas para criação artificial de A. sp.1 aff. fraterculus, de custo reduzido e com maior praticidade de manejo,porém devidos aos seus parâmetros de qualidade inferiores aos da dieta padrão, são necessários maiores testes principalmente quanto à adaptabilidade do inseto ao novo meio. Para determinar a dose esterilizante o presente trabalho analisou a fertilidade, fecundidade, emergência, habilidade de vôo e longevidade sob estresse de A. fraterculus irradiadas com doses de 40, 50, 60, 70 e 80 Gy. A fonte de radiação gama foi um irradiador de Co-60 (Gammabeam-650) localizado no mesmo laboratório. Os testes foram realizados sob as seguintes condições ambientais: 26 ± 1 ° C, 70 ± 5% RH, e fotofase de 12:12. A dose de r adiação gama esterilizante para machos de A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus foi determinada sendo 70 Gy. Fêmeas irradiadas, mesmo com a dose mais baixa de 40 Gy, não ovipositaram, possivelmente pela atrofia dos ovários causada pela radiação. A radiação não afetou os demais parâmetros de qualidade do inseto como emergência, longevidade e habilidade de vôo / Both the biological control techniques as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), are used in many countries to control, suppress and even eradicate fruit flies and other pests in agriculture and public health. The use of such techniques minimizes the continuous employment of insecticides, protects the environment and conforms to standards for food safety. However, it is necessary to implement such programs, technology to produce millions of parasitoids and the pest in its own laboratory with biological quality similar to the insects found in nature and cost competitive with chemical control. The objectives of this study was to establish protocols for artificial rearing of A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus in liquid larval diet that will achieve levels of mass production for a possible reduction in the cost of establishing and determining the dose of radiation sterilization of adult A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus meeting the quality parameters required by the Sterile Insect Technique with insects from the creation of Radioentomologia Laboratory of CENA / USP. Seven experimental diets compared to the conventional diet used in laboratory Radioentomologia of CENA / USP, which was used as control. All seven diets have in common the exclusion of agar in its formulation. Only two of the diets tested were suitable for larval development of the fly, they compared with the standard diet, showed inferior results with respect to the volume of recovered larvae, pupae and weight of emergency, however, no significant differences regarding the periods of development , pupal recovery, sex ratio and longevity under stress. It is possible to replace the diet with agar for liquid diets for artificial creation of A. sp.1 aff. fraterculus, reduced cost and greater convenience of handling, but due to their quality standards lower than the standard diet, more tests are needed especially regarding the adaptability of the insect to the new environment. To determine the sterilizing dose this study examined the fertility, fecundity, emergence, flight ability and longevity under stress in A. fraterculus irradiated with 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 Gy. The radiation source was a gamma irradiator with a Co-60 (Gammabeam-650) located in the same laboratory. The tests were performed under the following environmental conditions: 26 ± 1 ° C, 70 ± 5% RH and photoperiod of 12:12. The dose of gamma radiation sterilization for male A. sp. 1 aff. fraterculus was determined with 70 Gy. Irradiates females, even with the lower dose of 40 Gy, layed no eggs, possibly due to atrophy of the ovaries caused by radiation. The radiation did not affect the other quality parameters such as insect emergence, longevity and ability to fly