Orientador: Marineide Rosa Vieira / Resumo: A Helicoverpa armigera é uma praga importante no Brasil desde sua introdução em 2013. Pode provocar danos na cultura da soja desde a fase de emergência das plantas até o enchimento de grãos nas vagens. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar os danos causados pelas lagartas de H. armigera no estádio vegetativo e reprodutivo da cultura da soja, em casa de vegetação e campo e determinar o nível de controle para praga no período reprodutivo da cultura. Foram conduzidos experimentos na safra 2014/2015 e 2015/2016. Safra 2014/2015: Foi realizada a quantificação dos danos no período vegetativo e reprodutivo da cultura da soja. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em casa de vegetação, o delineamento adotado foi de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Cada parcela constou de um vaso retangular, com aproximadamente 50 cm de comprimento e volume aproximado de 13L de solo contendo sete plantas dispostas em linha. Os tratamentos constaram da infestação de uma, duas, três, cinco e nenhuma lagarta em 0,5m de linha da cultura. No período vegetativo, as plantas foram infestadas quando as lagartas atingiram o segundo instar e quando as plantas se encontravam no estádio de desenvolvimento V4. No período reprodutivo as plantas foram infestadas quando as lagartas atingiram o segundo ínstar e as plantas encontravam-se no estádio R4 de desenvolvimento. Para ambos os experimentos as avaliações foram realizadas a cada dois dias até o término do ciclo larva da praga. Ao término ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Helicoverpa armigera has been important pest in Brazil since its introduction in 2013. The H. armigera species can cause damage to the soybean crop from the emergence of the plants at the filling of grain in the pods. The objective of this study was to quantify the damage caused by H. armigera caterpillars in the vegetative and reproductive phase of soybean crop in a greenhouse and field and to establish the level of control for the pest in the reproductive phase of the crop. Experiments were conducted in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 harvests. Harvest 2014/2015: Was quantification of the damages in the vegetative and reproductive period of the soybean crop. The experiments were conducted in greenhouse, the experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments and four replications. Each plot consisted of a rectangular vase, approximately 50 cm long and with an approximate volume of 13L of soil containing seven plants in a row. Treatments consisted of infestation of one, two, three, five and no caterpillar on a half meter line of crop planted. In the vegetative period, the plants were infested with caterpillars of second instar and when the plants were in the V4 development stage. In the reproductive period the plants were infested with caterpillars of second instar and the plants were in the developmental stage R4. For both experiments the evaluations were carried every two days until the end of the pest larval cycle. At the end of the crop cycle, the yield was evalua... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Increasing pressure on food production and the concern over maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services is creating an urgent need to future-proof food production, while maintaining the natural environment for future generations. Within the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) biodiversity hotspot in the Western Cape of South Africa, deciduous fruit is widely grown, contributing significantly to the local economy. To ensure access is maintained to important export markets, this study reviews the current available pest control options with focus on techniques able to preserve the biodiversity of the CFR, while simultaneously providing effective control over arthropod pests in pome fruit. A scenario planning technique is then used to depict potential future scenarios and the options we have in dealing with them. Emphasis here is placed on economically important arthropod species, particularly Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.). Biological control (biocontrol) is discussed in detail, covering predators, parasitoids and pathogens. Biocontrol is an important, sustainable pest control measure. However, certain risks associated with releasing living organisms into the environment must not be ignored. Monitoring of release programmes is essential. The sterile insect technique (SIT) offers a species-specific approach to controlling pests. However, the technique is research and management intensive. Globally SIT has shown great success, but lack of financial support has limited SIT uptake locally. SIT has shown increased effectiveness as an integrated technique, particularly with parasitoid release and pheromone-based mating disruption. The management of orchards as agroecosystems shows that preservation of natural vegetation and beneficial plant species increases crop resilience, encourages conservation biological control and maintains crop health. The importance of area-wide control is discussed under each section, as a favourable strategy which deals with entire pest populations rather than isolated farm-by-farm approaches. Other techniques covered include pheromone-based mating disruption, attract-and-kill and physical barriers such as sticky tree-bands, which all show integration potential with biologically-based techniques while minimising insecticide application. The usefulness of insecticides as a curative approach is recognised, and ways of preserving insecticide life-spans by limiting insecticide resistance are discussed. Social, economic, political, environmental and technological driving forces are used to develop four realistic future scenarios for pome fruit production in the CFR. The scenarios are based on the extremes of two key uncertainties: development of resistance to chemical insecticides, and changes in legislation regulating insecticide usage. The options we face in dealing with each potential scenario, with the suite of arthropod pest control techniques currently developed, is discussed. It is hypothesised that a best-case scenario, in which environmentally-friendly techniques which support healthy, productive agroecosystems, can be reached. We should carefully assess our options, and begin to shift pest control from a predominantly chemical basis to one in which habitat management and biocontrol form the basis of control, with techniques such as SIT, mating disruption and physical barriers assisting in creating holistic arthropod pest control systems. In light of the uncertainty that the future holds, a scenario planning exercise such as this, can assist in decision making today that will best prepare us to deal with future threats such as climate change and new pest invasions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toenemende druk op voedselproduksie en kommer oor die handhawing van biodiversiteit en ekosisteemdienste lei tot „n dringende behoefte om voedselproduksie toekoms-bestand te maak, asook om tegelykertyd die natuurlike omgewing vir toekomstige generasies te bewaar. Binne die Kaap Floristiese Streek (KFS) „biodiversiteitskern‟ in die Wes-Kaap van Suid-Afrika word sagte vrugte algemeen verbou en lewer „n aansienlike bydrae tot die plaaslike ekonomie. Om toegang tot belangrike uitvoermarkte te verseker ondersoek hierdie studie die plaagbeheer opsies tans beskikbaar, met die fokus op tegnieke wat die biodiversiteit van die KFS kan bewaar en tegelykertyd effektiewe beheer oor geleedpotige plae van kernvrugte kan verskaf. „n Scenario-beplannings-tegniek word dan gebruik om moontlike toekomstige scenario‟s en die opsies tot ons beskikking om hulle te hanteer, uit te beeld. Klem word hier geplaas op geleedpotige spesies van ekonomiese belang, veral die Mediterreense vrugtevlieg, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) en die kodlingmot Cydia pomonella (L.). Biologiese-beheer (biobeheer) word in diepte bespreek, en dek predatore, parasiete en patogene. Biobeheer is „n belangrike, volhoubare plaagbeheer-middel; alhoewel sekere risiko‟s verbonde met die vrystelling van lewende organismes in die omgewing nie verontagsaam moet word nie. Dit is noodsaaklik dat vrystellingsprogramme gemoniteer word. Die steriele-insek-tegniek (SIT) bied „n spesies-spesifieke benadering tot die beheer van plae, alhoewel dit navorsings- en bestuursintensief is. SIT het wêreldwyd al groot suksesbehaal, maar „n tekort aan finansiële ondersteuning het die plaaslike toepassing van SIT beperk. SIT het verhoogde effektiwiteit as „n geïntegreerde tegniek vertoon, veral met die verlies van parasiete en feromoon gebaseerde parings-ontwrigting. Die bestuur van boorde as agro-ekosisteme wys dat die bewaring van natuurlike plantegroei en voordelige plant spesies oes-herstelvermoë verhoog, bewaring-biologiese-beheer aanmoedig en oes-welstand handhaaf. Die belang van streekswye beheer word bespreek onder elke afdeling as „n gunstige strategie wat te doen het met algehele plaagbevolkings, eerder as afsonderlike plaas-tot-plaas benaderings. Ander tegnieke wat gedek word sluit in feromoon gebaseerde parings-ontwrigting, lok-en-doodmaak en fisiese versperrings soos taai boom-bande, wat alles integrasie-potensiaal wys met biologies gebaseerde tegnieke en tegelykertyd insekdoder aanwending verminder. Die nuttigheid van insekdoders as „n herstel benadering word erken en maniere om die leffektiwiteit van insekdoders te behou deur insekdoder-weerstand te beperk, word bespreek. Sosiaal-, ekonomies-, polities-, omgewings- en tegnologies-gedrewe kragte word gebruik om vier realistiese toekomstige scenario‟s vir kernvrug-produksie in die KFS te ontwikkel. Die scenario‟s is baseer op die ekstreme van twee belangrike onsekerhede: ontwikkeling van weerstand teen chemiese insekdoders, en veranderinge in wetgewing wat die gebruik van insekdoders reguleer. Die opsies wat ons in die gesig staar om elke potensiële scenario te hanteer met die verskeidenheid van geleedpotige plaagbeheer-tegnieke tans ontwikkel is, word bespreek. Dit word veronderstel dat „n beste scenario, waar omgewings-vriendelike tegnieke wat gesonde, produktiewe agro-ekosisteme onderhou, bereik kan word. Ons moet ons opsies versigtig assesseer, en begin om plaagbeheer vanaf „n oorwegend chemiese basis te skuif na een waar habitat-bestuur en biobeheer die basis van beheer vorm, en waar tegnieke soos SIT, parings-ontwrigting en fisiese versperrings help om holistiese geleedpotige-plaagbeheer sisteme te vorm. In die lig van die onsekerheid wat die toekoms inhou, kan „n scenario-beplannings oefening soos hierdie besluitneming vandag aanhelp wat ons die beste sal voorberei vir die hantering van toekomstige bedreigings soos klimaats-verandering en nuwe en vreemde plaag-indringing.

Natural enemies provide critical population regulation of many pest species, though their effects are not commonly incorporated into agricultural management decisions. Conservation biological control is an important tool that can be implemented to minimize pest damage, but applying it requires appropriate understanding of pest and natural enemy relationships. Through experimental cotton field trials, I identified predator: prey ratios based on key arthropod predators as action thresholds of the whitefly pest Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Dinsdale et al. 2010; equivalent to Bemisia argentifolii Bellows et al. 1994 [Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae]), validated their efficacy, and promoted them to cotton pest managers. This dissertation begins with a multi-year field trial where whitefly and natural enemy populations were manipulated with a series of insecticidal treatments to identify key arthropod predators. The critical abundance of four key predators necessary to suppress whiteflies was estimated through predator: prey ratios. These ratios were refined for commercial pest management and developed to conform to the current whitefly IPM framework as a simple to use management-decision tool that would be readily adopted and used by pest managers. Predator: prey ratios were then validated in 1) a second field trial, 2) commercial fields in Arizona and northern Mexico and 3) historical field trials conducted from 1997-2010, where whitefly management decisions made with the standard threshold and ratios, were compared with the standard threshold alone. I found no difference in management outcomes when decisions were made with the standard threshold alone, or with predator: prey ratios in the field trial, but analysis of potential decisions on commercial farms and with historical trial data indicated that the majority of sprays could be delayed if control decisions incorporated ratio-based thresholds. Finally, an outreach program was developed and deployed to present ratios as decision-making tools for cotton pest managers that reduce uncertainty in control decisions and optimize spray outcomes. Pest managers indicated positive changes in knowledge and a gradual adoption of ratios for decision-making. The implementation of whitefly control decisions that incorporate predator: prey ratios may reduce pest managers' uncertainty in decision-making, as well as insecticide use and management costs.

Despite substantial consumer demand and willingness to pay premium prices for organically grown fruit, apple growers in Vermont and other New England states have been slow to adopt certified organic practices. Barriers cited in the past to increased adoption of organic apple production in the region include susceptibility of traditionally grown cultivars to apple scab, lack of effective insect pest management materials, and few available effective options for fruit thinning. Recent changes in apple cultivar plantings in the region, introduction of new insect pest management materials, and advances in crop thinning justified an evaluation of organic apple production systems containing cultivars identified as important to the future of the apple industry. In 2006, two apple orchards were established at the University of Vermont Horticulture Research and Education Center in South Burlington, VT to comprehensively evaluate the five commercially-important apple cultivars of `Ginger Gold', `Honeycrisp', `Liberty', `Macoun', and `Zestar!' over eight growing seasons in two organically-managed orchard production systems, including a newly-planted high-density orchard (Orchard 1) and in an existing, medium-density orchard which was top-grafted to the new cultivars (Orchard 2). Parameters for tree growth and survival, crop yield, disease and arthropod pest incidence on foliage and fruit, and long-term economic return, including a twenty-year projection of net present value (NPV) of each cultivar in the two systems were evaluated in this study. `Ginger Gold', despite high incidence of some diseases on foliage and fruit, performed the best in both orchard systems overall. The cultivar was among the cultivars with the highest measurements of tree growth. `Ginger Gold', along with `Honeycrisp', had the highest cumulative net crop yield per tree in Orchard 1 and the highest in Orchard 2. Notably, apple scab on `Honeycrisp' foliage and fruit and `Zestar!' fruit in both orchards was at a level that was not significantly different from `Liberty', a scab-resistant cultivar on which no scab was observed. However, `Honeycrisp' had the highest incidence of fruit rots in both orchards, but it was not significantly different than `Zestar!' in Orchard 1. Management of lepidopteran pests of fruit was a major challenge on all cultivars over the years of the study. For most of the tree growth parameters and cumulative net crop yield, `Liberty' was among the lowest group of cultivars in both orchards. Cumulative net crop yield of both `Macoun' and `Zestar!' were also among the lowest in both orchards with the top-grafted `Macoun' and `Zestar!' trees having significant tree death compared to the other cultivars in Orchard 2. Harvested fruit were graded to commercial standards and cumulative gross and net income calculated from grade distribution, crop yield, and fruit price data. In Orchard 1, `Ginger Gold' and `Liberty' had greater cumulative gross income per hectare from 2006-2013, in excess of US$40,000, compared to `Liberty'. However, after management costs were deducted, all cultivars in Orchard 1 had negative cumulative net income of $-77,892 or less. In Orchard 2, all cultivars had positive cumulative net income for 2006-2013, and `Ginger Gold' had the highest at $109,717/ha. The twenty-year projected NPV was negative for all cultivars in Orchard 1, but in Orchard 2, all cultivars had positive NPV with `Ginger Gold' having the highest among the cultivars.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Entomology / Thomas W. Phillips / Robert "Jeff" J. Whitworth / Dry-cured ham is protected from infestations of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) with the fumigant methyl bromide. Developing feasible alternatives to methyl bromide is necessary due to the phase out of methyl bromide. The effectiveness of food-safe compounds for preventing infestations of T. putrescentiae on dry-cured hams was evaluated by dipping ham pieces in solutions of various food additives. Propylene glycol (1, 2-propanediol), lard, ethoxyquin and butylated hydroxytoluene prevented or significantly reduced mite population growth. A combination of carrageenan + propylene glycol alginate + 40% propylene glycol was effective in reducing mite numbers on treated whole-aged hams compared with untreated hams. Dose/response tests with twelve registered residual insecticides were conducted to assess contact toxicity to T. putrescentiae. Three of these insecticides were evaluated for persistence over a 2-month period on different surfaces. Commercial formulations of deltamethrin plus chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorfenapyr, and malathion showed promising results for contact toxicity against T. putriscentiae. Chlorfenapyr applied to metal, concrete, and wood resulted in 100% mortality of treated ham mites for up to 8 weeks. The effect of high and low temperatures on mortality of T. putrescentiae was studied in the laboratory. Groups of 10 eggs and groups of a mixture of 40 adults and nymphs were separately exposed to several high and low temperatures, ranging from +35 to 45°C and from −20 to +5°C, for several time periods. Eggs were found to be more tolerant to both high and low temperatures compared with adults and nymphs. Results showed that high temperatures from 40-45°C killed all T. putrescentiae eggs, adults, and nymphs within 4-1 d, while −10°C or lower killed all the same stages in less than 1 d. Combinations of the fumigant sulfuryl fluoride (SF) applied under high temperatures ranging from 25-40ºC, were studied to determine the highest temperature, shortest exposure time, and the lowest value of a concentration-by-time product (CTP) of SF against T. putrescentiae. Results showed that complete control of all life stages of T. putrescentiae was achieved at 40ºC with SF. More than one day of exposure was required to kill adults and nymphs and eggs at 40ºC at a CTP close to the EPA labeled rate of 1500 gh.m⁻³. Results indicated that adults and nymphs were more susceptible to SF compared to eggs. This study focused on investigating different control methods for T. putrescentiae in dry-cured ham facilities and most of examined techniques are preventive, although some of them can be applied as remedial methods after mite infestations are noticed.

A espécie Helicoverpa armigera Hübner, 1809 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) vem atacando diversas culturas de importância econômica, e os prejuízos estimados nas safras de 2012/2013 no Brasil, foram de aproximadamente, 2 bilhões de reais. Com o uso intensivo de inseticidas sintéticos para controlar H. armigera, esta praga mostrou alta resistência em resposta a esses inseticidas. Visando diminuir o uso indiscriminado de inseticidas, uma alternativa à utilização de inseticidas sintéticos para o controle de pragas é o uso de parasitoides do gênero Trichogramma. Portanto, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar os locais de oviposição de H. armigera, otimização da criação de H. armigera em laboratório, selecionar a linhagem mais adequada de Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) para o controle de H. armigera na cultura de soja, determinação do número de parasitoides a ser liberado por ovo da praga para se atingir o máximo de parasitismo, e capacidade de parasitismo de T. pretiosum em ovos de H. armigera e de Chrysodeixis includens (Walker, 1857) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). A preferência de oviposição de H. armigera em plantas de soja foi pela parte superior das plantas e em folhas, em todos os estádios fenológicos observados. Os resultados, obtidos por meio dos experimentos para ajustar a criação de H. armigera em laboratório, apontaram que a cópula de casais emergidos no mesmo dia levaram a um aumento na produção de ovos por dia. Por meio da seleção de espécies/linhagens de Trichogramma e Trichogrammatoidea constatou-se que T. pretiosum, linhagem coletada em Rio Verde, GO (RV) e Sorriso, MT (SO) apresentaram melhor desempenho biológico. Em condições de semi-campo, determinou-se que o maior parasitismo foi obtido com uma proporção de 3,2 parasitoides por ovo da praga. Em um processo competitivo entre 2 espécies de lepidópteros em soja, T. pretiosum tem preferência por H. armigera em relação a C. includens. / The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera Hübner, 1809 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) attacks several economically important crop plants. In Brazil, the estimated damage to the 2012-2013 harvest was about 2 billion reals (currently equivalent to 600 million US dollars). In response to the intensive use of synthetic insecticides to control H. armigera, the pest developed a high degree of resistance. In order to reduce the indiscriminate use of insecticides, one alternative is to use parasitoid wasps of the genus Trichogramma. The present study had the objective of determining the oviposition sites of H. armigera, optimizing its rearing in the laboratory, selecting the most appropriate strain of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) to control H. armigera on a soybean crop, determining the number of parasitoids to be released per egg of the pest in order to attain the maximum parasitism, and the capacity of T. pretiosum to parasitize eggs of H. armigera and Chrysodeixis includens (Walker, 1857) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). On soybean plants, H. armigera prefers to oviposit on leaves on the superior part of the plants, in all the phenological stages observed. The results of the experiments to adjust the procedures for rearing H. armigera in the laboratory indicated that copulation of couples that had emerged on the same day led to an increase in daily egg production. Selection of species and strains of Trichogramma and Trichogrammatoidea established that T. pretiosum strains from specimens collected in Rio Verde, Goiás (RV) and Sorriso, Mato Grosso (SO) showed better biological performance than others. In semi-field conditions, the highest parasitism was obtained with a proportion of 3.2 parasitoids per pest egg. In a trial comparing its preference for two species of lepidopterans on soybean, T. pretiosum preferred H. armigera to C. includens.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar, em laboratório, a seletividade de produtos químicos, utilizados na citricultura, ao parasitóide de ovos Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), inimigo natural com maior potencial de uso para o controle biológico de Gymnandrosoma aurantianum Lima (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), uma das principais pragas dos citros. Os ensaios foram conduzidos seguindo as normas estabelecidas pela IOBC/WPRS para a avaliação dos efeitos nocivos de agroquímicos aos inimigos naturais de insetos. Utilizou-se água destilada como testemunha e foram selecionados cinco inseticidas (imidacloprid, deltametrina, Bacillus thuringiensis, óleo mineral e triflumuron), três acaricidas (abamectina, dicofol e espirodiclofeno) e quatro fungicidas (oxicloreto de cobre, piraclostrobina, difenoconazole e mancozebe) utilizados para o controle do bicho-furão-dos-citros e outras pragas e doenças de citros. Foram realizados ensaios relativos à exposição de adultos, forma mais suscetível do parasitóide, aos produtos; contato direto com formas imaturas (ovo-larva, pré-pupa e pupa) no interior dos ovos do hospedeiro natural G. aurantianum e do hospedeiro alternativo, Anagasta kuehniella e aceitação, pelas fêmeas do parasitóide, de ovos tratados com os produtos. Posteriormente, os produtos foram classificados, conforme a redução causada no parasitismo ou porcentagem de emergência em: 1, inócuo (<30%); 2, levemente nocivo (30 a 79%); 3, moderadamente nocivo (80 a 99%); 4, nocivo (>99%). Os inseticidas, acaricidas e fungicidas testados afetaram o parasitismo de T. atopovirilia. Não houve diferença no comportamento de T. atopovirilia fosse ele criado no hospedeiro natural ou no alternativo. Os produtos menos seletivos aos adultos do parasitóide foram deltametrina, abamectina, óleo mineral e imidacloprid. Em relação aos estágios imaturos do parasitóide, todos os produtos foram inócuos, exceto óleo mineral, que provocou redução de 100% na porcentagem de emergência; abamectina, triflumuron, imidacloprid foram levemente prejudiciais ao período ovo-larva. Abamectina e triflumuron tiveram maior efeito sobre a capacidade de parasitismo dos indivíduos emergidos quando o tratamento ocorreu durante a fase de pupa do parasitóide. Os produtos Bacillus thuringiensis, difenoconazole, oxicloreto de cobre, piraclostrobina, dicofol, espirodiclofeno, considerados inócuos ou levemente prejudiciais em todas as etapas dos ensaios em laboratório, podem ser utilizados em programas de Manejo Integrado de Pragas, em associação com o controle biológico, sem prejuízo para o parasitóide e contribuindo para a sustentabilidade da citricultura. / This study sought to evaluate in the laboratory the selectivity of chemical products used in citriculture to the egg parasitoid Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), the natural enemy with the greatest potential for use in the biological control of Gymnandrosoma aurantianum Lima (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), one of the main pests of citrus. Assays were conducted following the standards established by IOBC/WPRS to evaluate the harmful effects of agrochemicals to natural enemies of insects. Distilled water was used as a control and five insecticides (imidacloprid, deltamethrin, Bacillus thuringiensis, mineral oil, and triflumuron), three miticides (abamectin, dicofol, and spirodiclofen), and four fungicides (copper oxychloride, pyraclostrobin, difenoconazole, and mancozeb) used to control the citrus fruit borer and other pests and diseases of citrus were selected as treatments. Assays were conducted to study adult (the most susceptible stage of the parasitoid) exposure to the products; direct contact with immature forms (egg-larva, prepupa, and pupa) inside eggs of the natural host G. aurantianum and of the factitious host, Anagasta kuehniella; and acceptance, by females of the parasitoid, of eggs treated with the products. The products were then classified with regard to the reduction caused in parasitism or emergence percentage, into: 1, harmless (<30%); 2, slightly harmful (30 to 79%); 3, moderately harmful (80 to 99%); and 4, harmful (>99%). The insecticides, miticides, and fungicides tested affected T. atopovirilia parasitism. No differences were observed in T. atopovirilia behavior reared either on the natural or on the factitious host. The least selective products to parasitoid adults were deltamethrin, abamectin, mineral oil, and imidacloprid. As to the immature stages of the parasitoid, all products were harmless, except for mineral oil, which caused a 100% reduction in emergence percentage; abamectin, triflumuron, and imidacloprid were slightly harmful to the egg-larval period. Abamectin and triflumuron had the greatest effect on the parasitism capacity of individuals emerged when the treatment was applied during the parasitoid\'s pupal stage. The products Bacillus thuringiensis, difenoconazole, copper oxychloride, pyraclostrobin, dicofol, spirodiclofen, considered harmless or slightly harmful in all steps of the laboratory assays, can be used in Integrated Pest Management programs, in association with biological control, without being harmful to the parasitoid, and can contribute toward citriculture sustainability.

A traça das crucíferas, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), é uma das pragas mais importantes de Brassicaceae no Brasil e no mundo, causando sérios danos em repolho, couve-flor e couve comum, entre outras. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar os parâmetros populacionais e a resposta comportamental de P. xylostella criada por dezoito gerações, utilizando três variedades: Brassica oleracea var. acephala couve manteiga hibrida HS-20, B. oleracea var. italica couve brócolis Piracicaba e B. oleracea var. capitata repolho Bob Cat. Para condução dos experimentos foram separados três lotes de pupas de P. xylostella da criação mantida no laboratório, no qual foram utilizadas apenas folhas de couve para sua manutenção. Cada lote foi mantido em substrato diferente, ou seja, a criação inicial foi dividia em três populações tendo como variável o substrato alimentar e de oviposição utilizado na criação (couve, brócolis ou repolho). Com os dados biológicos de P. xylostella foram estimados os parâmetros populacionais de tabela de vida de fertilidade a cada três gerações, comparando-se as cultivares testadas em relação ao desenvolvimento, sobrevivência e reprodução da praga. Além disso, lotes de insetos oriundos de cada substrato de criação foram separados a cada três gerações para realização de testes de dupla e múltipla chance de escolha (preferência para alimentação e oviposição). Os parâmetros populacionais de P. xylostella indicam que as brassicáceas testadas permitem o crescimento populacional do inseto nos respectivos hospedeiros. O comportamento de seleção hospedeira na fase pré-imaginal e imaginal de P. xylostella não é afetado pela experiência alimentar e de oviposição nos substratos testados até a geração F18. / The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is one of the most important pests of Brassicaceae in Brazil and worldwide, causing serious damage to cabbage, cauliflower and kale common, among others. The aim of this research was to study the population parameters and the behavioral response of P. xylostella reared for eighteen generations, using three varieties: Brassica oleracea var. acephala - cabbage hybridizes HS-20, B. oleracea var. italica - Piracicaba broccoli and B. oleracea var. capitata - cabbage Bob Cat. To conduct the experiments were separate three batches of DBM from pupae held in the laboratory setting, in which only kale leaves were used for maintenance. Each batch was kept at different substrate, namely the initial rearing was divided into three populations having as variable the feeding and oviposition substrate used in rearing (kale, broccoli, and cabbage). With biological data of P. xylostella were estimated the population parameters of fertility life table every three generations, comparing the tested cultivars in relation to the development, survival and reproduction of the pest. Moreover, lots of insects derived from each rearing substrate were separated every three generations for performing dual choice and multiple-choice tests (preference for feeding and oviposition). The population parameters of P. xylostella indicate that brassicas tested allow the insect population growth in their hosts. The host selection behavior in pre-imaginal and imaginal stage of P. xylostella is not affected by food and oviposition experience on substrates up to F18 generation.

A introdução de uma cultura agrícola em uma nova região de cultivo requer o conhecimento prévio dos agentes bióticos e abióticos que podem interferir no desempenho da cultura neste novo local. O meloeiro, Cucumis melo L., vem expandindo sua área cultivada no cerrado do Tocantins, contudo não há relatos do impacto dos serviços de polinização efetuados pelas abelhas, da influência do controle fitossanitário e da época de cultivo no desempenho produtivo desta olerícola. Portanto, os estudos aqui realizados foram conduzidos com o objetivo de fornecer informações para a implementação do manejo sustentável de meloeiro cultivado no Cerrado com vistas à preservação dos polinizadores e sua interação com o manejo de fitopatógenos. As investigações aqui relatadas são divididas em três capítulos. No primeiro capítulo foi avaliada a diversidade de abelhas, seus comportamentos de forrageio e os períodos de visitação às flores, além de sua contribuição potencial no desempenho de seis cultivares de meloeiro. No segundo capítulo foi verificado se a qualidade da polinização é afetada após a aplicação de quatro tratamentos contendo pesticidas (inseticida, fungicida, mistura inseticida/fungicida e inseticida botânico). Por fim, o terceiro capítulo verificou qual a melhor época (seca, chuvosa ou transição) de cultivo do meloeiro baseada na incidência e severidade do crestamento gomoso (Didymella bryoniae), principal doença da cultura. Cinco espécies de abelhas (Apis mellifera, Halictus sp., Plebeia sp., Trigona pallens e T. spinipes) foram identificadas visitando as flores das cultivares estudadas no período da manhã. Todas as espécies de abelhas apresentaram potencial polinizador devido uma correlação moderada entre a intensidade da visitação de abelhas e peso dos frutos. A aplicação de inseticida sintético e botânico afetou negativamente a qualidade da polinização, com a produção de frutos de menor peso e menor número de frutos por planta, respectivamente. Os menores níveis de incidência e severidade do crestamento gomoso foram observados na estação seca. Para que a produção de melão no Cerrado brasileiro seja viável é necessário que as práticas agrícolas favoreçam a presença e manutenção das abelhas nas proximidades das áreas de cultivo e que a integração de táticas de manejo integrado de fitopatógenos sejam implementadas. / Phytosanitary issues for sustainable production of muskmelon in the Tocantins State The introduction of a crop in a new growing region requires prior knowledge of biotic and abiotic agents that can interfere with the performance of the culture in this new location. The muskmelon, Cucumis melo L., has been expanding its acreage in Cerrado areas of Tocantins State, however there are no reports of the impact of pollination services performed by bees, the influence of phytosanitary control and the growing season in the productive performance of this vegetable crop. This study was conducted in order to provide information for the implementation of sustainable management of melon grown in the Cerrado with a view to the preservation of pollinators and their interaction with the management of plant pathogens. The studies presented here are divided into three chapters. In the first chapter it evaluated the diversity of bees, their behavior and foraging periods of visitation to flowers, as well as their potential contribution in the performance of six cultivars of melon.In the second chapter it was verified that the quality of pollination is affected after application of four treatments containing pesticide (insecticide, fungicide, insecticide mixture / fungicide and botanical insecticide). Finally, the third section was found that the best time (dry, wet or transition) of melon cultivation based on the incidence and severity of gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae). Five species of bees (Apis mellifera, Halictus sp., Plebeia sp., Trigona pallens and T. spinipes) were identified visiting the flowers of cultivars in the morning. All species of bees showed potential pollinator because a moderate correlation between the intensity of visitation bees and fruit weight. The application of synthetic botanical insecticide and adversely affected the quality of pollination to fruit production of lighter weight and fewer fruits per plant, respectively. The lower levels of incidence and severity of gummy stem blight were observed in the dry season. For the melon production in the Brazilian Cerrado feasible it is necessary that agricultural practices favor the presence and maintenance of bees in the vicinity of crop areas and the integration of integrated pest management tactics are implemented.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T16:20:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 29 / Banco Santander / Banespa / Musca domestica é um inseto cosmopolita e conhecido pelo seu comportamento sinantrópico e endofílico. Estas características representam um grande risco para as indústrias de alimentos, uma vez que moscas são vetores mecânicos de diversas doenças gastrointestinais causadas por microrganismos patogênicos que são carregados por estas. A fim de verificar como os fatores ambientais (umidade relativa do ar, temperatura e índice pluviométrico) e fatores antrópicos (processos de higienização, gerenciamento de resíduos e controle químico de pragas) influenciam na ocorrência e proliferação de moscas, foram realizadas coletas de M. domestica em dois frigoríficos de abate de aves, localizados nas cidades de Montenegro e Passo Fundo, no Rio Grande do Sul. Nesses experimentos, foram utilizadas armadilhas luminosas para atrair as moscas, que foram capturadas em placas adesivas e contabilizadas quinzenalmente. As armadilhas foram instaladas em diversos setores do frigorífico, classificados em duas categorias: A – setores com / Musca domestica is a cosmopolitan insect and very known about its synanthropic and inner behavior. These characters represent a might risk to food industries, despite the fact that house flies are mechanical vectors of many microrganisms that cause intestinal diseases. Surveys were made to check how environmental factors (humidity, temperature and rainfall) and anthropic factors (hygienic process, waste management and chemical pest control) influence the remaining and occurrence of house flies in two chicken slaughter houses, in Montenegro and Passo Fundo, in Rio Grande do Sul. In this research, light traps were used to attract house flies which were captured on sticky board and summed fortnightly. The light traps were installed in many sectors of the slaughter houses, separated in two categories: A – sectors with solid and liquid organic waste and B – sectors without organic waste. Kruskal-Wallis 5% of probability showed that the difference between two categories is statistically significant, with three time