Ecosystem services are natural environmental functions and ecological process that humans benefit from. In the present study, it was highlighted one of the services provided by bats: agricultural pest control. In Brazil, studies with insectivorous bats as potential pest suppressors are still scarce, despite the country being one of the biggest agricultural producers in the world and concentrating a high diversity of those animals. The use of heterogeneous landscapes, formed by native vegetation and crop fields, optimize the investment applied in this search. For that, it was described, for the first time, the bat assemblage in heterogeneous landscape in Piracicaba, at the campus \"Luiz de Queiroz\" that comprehends urbanized and agricultural areas, which provides many food resources for bats. Further, it was tested if there is difference in isotopic values (?13C and ?15N) between bat species related to diet, spatial foraging behavior, sex or taxonomic classification and which specie is a better pest suppressor. Bats were captured by mist nets and stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen (?13C e ?15N, respectively) were used to access its food source. Through the analysis of ?13C and ?15N of insects, we determined the proportion of plants with photosynthetic cycles of C3 and C4 in bats\' diet and its trophic level. It was captured 90 bats of 11 species, three families and four dietary categories, corresponding to 66% of the total local richness estimated. From those, five are insectivorous species. Molossus molossus were the most abundant specie, followed by Artibeus lituratus and Glossophaga soricina. Carbon values showed that insectivores, frugivores and nectarivores consume insects, including pests, in different proportions per specie and diet group. Besides, ?15N values showed that bat trophic level were very similar, so bats are more generalist than usually assumed. This study points a need to quantify this important ecosystem service provided by bats that can reduce diseases and crop damages / Serviços ecossistêmicos são funções dos ambientes naturais e dos processos ecológicos dos quais humanos se beneficiam. Esses benefícios podem ser acessados por uma perspectiva econômica e ecológica. No presente estudo, nós destacamos um dos serviços ambientais fornecidos por morcegos: controle de pragas agrícolas. No Brasil, os estudos com morcegos insetívoros como potenciais supressores de pragas ainda são escassos, apesar de o país ser um dos maiores produtores agrícolas do mundo e abrigar uma alta diversidade desses animais. O uso de paisagens heterogêneas, formadas por vegetação nativa e lavouras agrícolas, otimiza o investimento aplicado nessa busca. Para tanto, descrevemos, pela primeira vez, a assembleia de morcegos em um ambiente heterogêneo de Piracicaba, o campus \"Luiz de Queiroz\", que possui desde áreas urbanizadas a agrícolas, disponibilizando diversos recursos alimentares para os morcegos. Ademais, testamos se há diferenças nos valores isotópicos (?13C e ?15N) entre as espécies de morcegos em relação à dieta, comportamento espacial de forrageamento, sexo ou classificação taxonômica para identificar quais grupos são os melhores supressores de pragas agrícolas. Utilizamos redes de neblina para a captura dos morcegos e análises de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio (?13C e ?15N, respectivamente) para acessar sua fonte de dieta. Por meio das análises, determinamos a proporção de plantas com ciclos fotossintéticos do tipo C3 e C4 na dieta dos morcegos, bem como seu nível trófico. Capturamos 90 morcegos de 11 espécies, três famílias e quatro classes de dieta, correspondendo a 66% da riqueza estimada para o local. Destas, cinco são espécies classificadas insetívoras. Molossus molossus foi a espécie mais abundante, seguida por Artibeus lituratus e Glossophaga soricina. Valores de ?13C mostraram que insetívoros, frugívoros e nectarívoros consomem insetos, inclusive pragas, em diferentes proporções por espécie e grupo de dieta. O grupo mais efetivo no controle de pragas agrícolas foi M. molossus, seguido por A. planirostris. Os valores de ?15N mostraram que o nível trófico dos diferentes grupos alimentares de morcegos foi similar, de modo que eles são mais generalistas que previsto na literatura. Nosso estudo aponta a necessidade de quantificação desse importante serviço ecossistêmico promovido por morcegos, que podem reduzir doenças e prejuízos nas lavouras, além de combater vetores de doenças

Ecosystem services are natural environmental functions and ecological process that humans benefit from. In the present study, it was highlighted one of the services provided by bats: agricultural pest control. In Brazil, studies with insectivorous bats as potential pest suppressors are still scarce, despite the country being one of the biggest agricultural producers in the world and concentrating a high diversity of those animals. The use of heterogeneous landscapes, formed by native vegetation and crop fields, optimize the investment applied in this search. For that, it was described, for the first time, the bat assemblage in heterogeneous landscape in Piracicaba, at the campus \"Luiz de Queiroz\" that comprehends urbanized and agricultural areas, which provides many food resources for bats. Further, it was tested if there is difference in isotopic values (?13C and ?15N) between bat species related to diet, spatial foraging behavior, sex or taxonomic classification and which specie is a better pest suppressor. Bats were captured by mist nets and stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen (?13C e ?15N, respectively) were used to access its food source. Through the analysis of ?13C and ?15N of insects, we determined the proportion of plants with photosynthetic cycles of C3 and C4 in bats\' diet and its trophic level. It was captured 90 bats of 11 species, three families and four dietary categories, corresponding to 66% of the total local richness estimated. From those, five are insectivorous species. Molossus molossus were the most abundant specie, followed by Artibeus lituratus and Glossophaga soricina. Carbon values showed that insectivores, frugivores and nectarivores consume insects, including pests, in different proportions per specie and diet group. Besides, ?15N values showed that bat trophic level were very similar, so bats are more generalist than usually assumed. This study points a need to quantify this important ecosystem service provided by bats that can reduce diseases and crop damages / Serviços ecossistêmicos são funções dos ambientes naturais e dos processos ecológicos dos quais humanos se beneficiam. Esses benefícios podem ser acessados por uma perspectiva econômica e ecológica. No presente estudo, nós destacamos um dos serviços ambientais fornecidos por morcegos: controle de pragas agrícolas. No Brasil, os estudos com morcegos insetívoros como potenciais supressores de pragas ainda são escassos, apesar de o país ser um dos maiores produtores agrícolas do mundo e abrigar uma alta diversidade desses animais. O uso de paisagens heterogêneas, formadas por vegetação nativa e lavouras agrícolas, otimiza o investimento aplicado nessa busca. Para tanto, descrevemos, pela primeira vez, a assembleia de morcegos em um ambiente heterogêneo de Piracicaba, o campus \"Luiz de Queiroz\", que possui desde áreas urbanizadas a agrícolas, disponibilizando diversos recursos alimentares para os morcegos. Ademais, testamos se há diferenças nos valores isotópicos (?13C e ?15N) entre as espécies de morcegos em relação à dieta, comportamento espacial de forrageamento, sexo ou classificação taxonômica para identificar quais grupos são os melhores supressores de pragas agrícolas. Utilizamos redes de neblina para a captura dos morcegos e análises de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio (?13C e ?15N, respectivamente) para acessar sua fonte de dieta. Por meio das análises, determinamos a proporção de plantas com ciclos fotossintéticos do tipo C3 e C4 na dieta dos morcegos, bem como seu nível trófico. Capturamos 90 morcegos de 11 espécies, três famílias e quatro classes de dieta, correspondendo a 66% da riqueza estimada para o local. Destas, cinco são espécies classificadas insetívoras. Molossus molossus foi a espécie mais abundante, seguida por Artibeus lituratus e Glossophaga soricina. Valores de ?13C mostraram que insetívoros, frugívoros e nectarívoros consomem insetos, inclusive pragas, em diferentes proporções por espécie e grupo de dieta. O grupo mais efetivo no controle de pragas agrícolas foi M. molossus, seguido por A. planirostris. Os valores de ?15N mostraram que o nível trófico dos diferentes grupos alimentares de morcegos foi similar, de modo que eles são mais generalistas que previsto na literatura. Nosso estudo aponta a necessidade de quantificação desse importante serviço ecossistêmico promovido por morcegos, que podem reduzir doenças e prejuízos nas lavouras, além de combater vetores de doenças

O morangueiro, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne, tem sido extensivamente cultivado no sul de Minas Gerais. O ataque de pragas e a incidência de doenças tem causado prejuízos aos produtores dessa região. O ácaro rajado, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), tem sido considerado a principal praga do morangueiro nessa região, onde é controlado principalmente com o uso de acaricidas sintéticos, que nem sempre apresentam resultados satisfatórios, aparentemente devido à seleção de populações resistentes. Ácaros da família Phytoseiidae são os predadores predominantes de outros ácaros em plantas cultivadas e da vegetação natural. São hoje conhecidas em todo mundo cerca de 2.700 espécies, quase 200 das quais tem sido encontradas no Brasil. Também são encontrados no cultivo do morangueiro no sul de Minas Gerais, porém nada se sabe sobre sua ocorrência em plantas da vegetação natural que circundam estes cultivos. Alguns estudos tem sido realizados nessa região para a implementação das práticas de controle biológico de ácaros em cultivos de morango. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: a) comparar os níveis populacionais do ácaro rajado em cultivos representativos dos sistemas de produção orgânico e convencional do sul de Minas Gerais; b) determinar a semelhança da fauna de fitoseídeos de morangueiro cultivados organicamente e da vegetação natural circundante c) demonstrar a possibilidade de produzir morangos sem a utilização de agrotóxicos nesta região. Para a primeira parte do estudo, foram selecionados dois produtores de morangueiro em cada um de três municípios, um deles adotando o sistema convencional e o outro, o sistema orgânico. Não houve diferença estatística entre as médias dos níveis populacionais do ácaro rajado nos cultivos orgânicos e convencionais. Neoseiulus califonicus (McGregor), Neoseiulus anonymus (Chant) e Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) foram encontrados em morangueiro e também em plantas da vegetação natural. Os resultados sugeriram que N. anonymus possa ser mais apropriado que N. californicus para o controle do ácaro rajado na região de Cambuí. Na segunda parte do trabalho, avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes tratamentos sobre a população do ácaro rajado em um plantio estabelecido em Inconfidentes, estado de Minas Gerais. Os tratamentos consistiram da aplicação dos fungos Isaria fumosorosea Wize e Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill, de N. anonymus, do adjuvante KBRAdj, de abamectina e de um tratamento controle. Apesar dos baixos níveis de ocorrência do ácaro rajado em todos tratamentos, o número de acaro rajado no tratamento correspondente à liberação de N. anonymus foi significativamente menor que no tratamento correspondente à aplicação de abamectina. A realização deste trabalho permitiu as seguintes conclusões: a) a densidade populacional do ácaro rajado é aproximadamente a mesma em cultivos orgânicos e convencionais; b) a diversidade de ácaros predadores no cultivo orgânico é maior que no cultivo convencional; c) a vegetação nas proximidades cultivos do morangueiro é importante como abrigo aos ácaros predadores encontrados naquele cultivo; d) é possível a produção de morangos no sul de Minas Gerais sem o uso de acaricidas sintéticos. / Strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne, has been extensively cultivated in southern Minas Gerais. Pest and disease outbreaks have caused losses to growers in this region. Two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), has been considered a major pest of strawberry in this region, where it is mainly controlled with the use of synthetic acaricides, producing results not always satisfactory, apparently due to the selection of resistant populations. Mites of the family Phytoseiidae are the predominant predators of other mites in crops and on plants of the natural vegetation. About 2,700 phytoseiid species are presently known, of which nearly 200 have been found in Brazil. These are also found on strawberry in southern Minas Gerais, but nothing is known about their occurrence in plants of the natural vegetation surrounding these crops. Some studies have been conducted in that region for the implementation of practical biological control of twospotted spider mite on strawberry. The objectives of this study were: a) to compare twospotted spider mite population levels on representative plantations of organic and conventional production systems; b) to determine the similarity of the phytoseiid fauna on strawberry crops grown organically and in the natural vegetation surrounding them; c) to demonstrate the ability to grow strawberry without the use of pesticides in this region. For the first part of the study, two strawberry growers were selected in each of three municipalities, one adopting the conventional growing system and the other the organic producing system. Difference between mean two-spotted spider mite population levels in those systems was not statistically significant. Neoseiulus califonicus (McGregor), Neoseiulus anonymus (Chant) and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) were found on strawberry plants and also in the natural vegetation. The results suggested that N. anonymus may be more appropriate than N. californicus for spider mite control in Cambuí. In the second part of the study, the effect of different treatments on spider mite population in were evaluated in crop established in Inconfidentes, state of Minas Gerais. The treatments consisted of the application of the fungi Isaria fumosorosea Wize and Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill , of N. anonymus , of the adjuvant KBRAdj , of abamectina and a control treatment. Despite the low levels of occurrence of mite in all treatments, the number of two-spotted spider mite in the plots where N. anonymus was released was significantly lower than in the plots treated with Abamectina. This work led to the following conclusions: a) the population density of the mite is approximately the same in plantations of organic and conventional production systems; b) the diversity of predatory mites in fields of organic cultivation is higher than in fields of conventional cultivation; c) the vegetation in the vicinity of strawberry fields is important as reservoir of the predatory mites found in strawberry fields; d) Strawberry production in southern Minas Gerais can be done without the use of synthetic acaricides.

A cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) é uma importante cultura na produção de alimentos e energia. Várias espécies de insetos podem causar sérios prejuízos econômicos à cultura da cana-de-açúcar. A broca da cana-de-açúcar (Diatraea saccharalis) é a praga de maior relevância por estar amplamente distribuída nas regiões canavieiras. O silenciamento gênico por RNA de interferência (RNAi) se tornou uma técnica amplamente estudada e utilizada nos mais diversos aspectos da biologia. Uma de suas aplicações é no controle de insetos-praga como uma alternativa de alta eficiência, especificidade e reduzido impacto ambiental. A ingestão de moléculas de RNA dupla fita (dsRNA) com identidade a regiões de genes essenciais de insetos-praga pode resultar no silenciamento destes genes, levando a fenótipos deficientes. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo buscar genes alvos para o silenciamento com potencial para impedir o desenvolvimento normal da D. saccharalis e estabelecer uma forma de entrega do dsRNA eficiente para o teste de genes, visando assim validar o uso da técnica para a espécie. Por meio da clonagem de regiões de genes ortólogos já utilizados como alvo de silencimento em outras espécies de insetos (V-ATPase A, Receptor de Ecdisona e Arginina Kinase), e de genes com função específica identificadas após a caracterização do transcritoma de D. saccharalis (Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase, Neverland e Quitina Sintase) foram conduzidos ensaios de RNAi. Foram realizados ensaios de dose resposta para o gene V-ATPaseem lagartas neonatas, onde a concentração selecionada por causar melhor redução na expressão do gene alvo foi de 2,5 µg µL-1. Esta concentração foi então utilizada em ensaios de alimentação para os outros genes. Os genes V-ATPase A, receptor de Ecdisona, Arginina Kinase, Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase e Quitina Sintase apresentaram redução significativa no número de transcritos em larvas, demonstrando a viabilidade do uso de RNAi em D. saccharalisneonatas. O gene Neverland não demonstrou redução no acúmulo de transcritos nas condições trabalhadas. O gene GFP inicialmente utilizado como controle negativo apresentou variação na expressão de genes alvo, sendo desconsiderado como bom controle para D. saccharalis. O silenciamento dos genes alvo requer quantidades elevadas de dsRNA, superiores aos obtidos por transcrição in vitro, o que limita a viabilidade de ensaios com maiores replicatas e para determinar efeitos biológico. Alternativas de produção de dsRNA devem ser avaliadas para viabilizar a seleção de genes alvo efetivos / Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is an important crop for the production of food and bioenergy. Many insect species can cause economic losses in sugarcane. The sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) is the most important sugarcane pest, because it occurs in all production regions. Gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi) rapidly became a widely investigated approach, adopted in various aspects of biology. One of the potential applications of RNAi is agricultural pest control, as an alternative with high efficiency, specificity and reduced environmental impact. The ingestion of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules with identity to regions of essential genes of the insect-pest can result in the target gene knock-down and, consequently, to deficient phenotypes. In the present work, target genes with the potential to affect the normal development of D. saccharaliswere searched, together with an efficient dsRNA delivery approach to test the target-genes to validate the use of the RNAi in D. saccharalis. Based on degenerated primers, expressed orthologous genes previously tested in other insect species (V-ATPase A, Ecdisone Receptor, and Arginine Kinase) were cloned,whilegenes with specific function (Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase, Neverland, and Chitin Synthase) were identified from an in-house assembled transcriptome of D. saccharalis and cloned. A dose-response assay was conducted using the V-ATPase gene region delivered by droplets to neonate larvae, and the 2.5 µg µL-1dsRNA concentration was selected for further tests. This concentration was then used to deliver the other genes. The dsRNA version from the genes V-ATPase A, Ecdisone Receptor, Arginine Kinase, Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase and Chitin Synthaseexhibited a significant reduction in the accumulation of transcripts, indicating the viability of RNAi to D. saccharalis in 1st instar larvae. The Neverland gene was not silenced by RNAi in the used conditions. The dsRNA of the Green Fluorescent Protein gene, used as negative control appeared to affectother gene targets. Target gene silencing require large amounts of dsRNA, more than what is achievable by in vitro transcription, which limits the viability to conduct large assays with more replicates and to determine biological effects. Alternatives to produce dsRNA need to be evaluated to enable the selection of effective target genes

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-12-19T16:24:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Sara Samanta da Silva Brito.pdf: 1260247 bytes, checksum: e63bfbf632359a609bd9f6a1377e762e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-19T16:24:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sara Samanta da Silva Brito.pdf: 1260247 bytes, checksum: e63bfbf632359a609bd9f6a1377e762e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-24 / With a big grain yield of beans in Brazil, proper storage is crucial to prevent pest attack. The main pests that attack stored beans noteworthy Zabrotes subfasciatus Boh and Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabr.) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), which develop within the grain causing direct and indirect damage. In this sense, the present work aimed to evaluate the use of essential oils for the control of these coleopteran pests of stored beans and verify the effects of these oils on seed vigor of cowpea. Oils of Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth, Croton pulegiodorus Baill., M. urundeuva Allemão extracted in the laboratory, and Ocimum basilicum L., purchased business company were used. Tests to evaluate the fumigant effect, repellent and residual oils on the two pests and tests on the germination of bean were performed. To C. maculatus observed that only the oil via spraying O. basilicum caused 100% mortality. In relation to the oil repellent effect C. pulegiodorus and O. basilicum showed only minor dosage classified as neutral and the other repellents, and these oils stood causing high mortality and therefore, fewer eggs and adults emerged. To be was observed that Z. subfasciatus oils of C. pulegiodorus and O. basilicum caused 100 % mortality via fumigation and were classified as repellent at all doses. To the residual effect was highlighted oil C. pulegiodorus. In germination experiments oil M. urundeuva in lower doses (5 μL) obtained the highest percentage of emerged plants (18, 75%), no significant differences for the other oils being observed. Also no significant differences for the variables index of germination speed, speed of emergence and emergence rate coefficient were observed. We conclude that the essential oils used do not affect the seed germination of beans, regardless of dosage, and C. pulegiodorus and O. basilicum are promising for the control of bruchid Z. subfasciatus and C. maculatus. / Com uma grande produção de grãos de feijão no Brasil, o armazenamento adequado é de fundamental importância para evitar o ataque de pragas. Dentre as principais pragas que atacam o feijão armazenado merecem destaque Zabrotes subfasciatus Boh. e Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabr.) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), que se desenvolvem dentro do grão provocando danos diretos e indiretos. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso de óleos essenciais para o controle destes coleópteros-praga de feijão armazenado e verificar os efeitos destes óleos sobre o potencial fisiológico das sementes de feijão caupi. Foram utilizados os óleos de Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth, Croton pulegiodorus Baill., Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, extraídos em laboratório, e Ocimum basilicum L., adquirido em empresa comercial. Foram realizados testes para avaliar o efeito fumigante, repelente e residual dos óleos sobre as duas pragas e testes sobre a germinação do feijão. Para C. maculatus observou-se que via fumigação apenas o óleo de O. basilicum provocou 100% de mortalidade. Em relação ao efeito repelente os óleos de C. pulegiodorus e O. basilicum apresentaram apenas a menor dosagem classificada como neutra e as demais repelentes, e esses óleos se destacaram ocasionando altas mortalidades e, consequentemente, menor número de ovos e adultos emergidos. Para Z. subfasciatus observou-se que os óleos de C. pulegiodorus e O. basilicum provocaram 100% de mortalidade via fumigação, sendo classificados como repelentes em todas as dosagens. Para o efeito residual teve destaque o óleo de C. pulegiodorus. Nos experimentos de germinação o óleo de M. urundeuva na menor dosagem (5 μL) obteve maior porcentagem de plantas emergidas (18,75 %), não sendo observadas diferenças significativas para os demais óleos. Também não foram observadas diferenças significativas para as variáveis índice de velocidade de emergência, velocidade de emergência e coeficiente de velocidade de emergência. Conclui-se que os óleos essenciais utilizados não afetam o potencial germinativo das sementes de feijão, independente da dosagem utilizada, e que C. pulegiodorus e O. basilicum são promissores para o controle de Z. subfasciatus e C. maculatus.

Orientador: Geraldo Papa / Banca: Fernando Juari Celoto / Banca: Luciana Claudia Toscano / Resumo: A traça-do-tomateiro, Tuta absoluta, é considerada uma das principais pragas da cultura do tomate. Entre os métodos de controle da praga, o químico é o mais utilizado pelos agricultores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a atividade da nova molécula química (spinetoram) de perfil toxicológico favorável, no controle da traça-do-tomateiro em cultivo protegido. O delineamento foi de blocos ao acaso, com nove tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos e doses foram: spinetoram, nas doses de 1,5; 2,0; 2,5 e 3,0 g i.a./100 L de água + espalhante adesivo (Break Thru) a 0,03% v/v; spinetoram, na dose de 2,0 g i.a./100 L de água; espinosade, na dose de 7,2 g i.a./100 L de água + espalhante adesivo (Break Thru) a 0,03% v/v; clorfenapir, na dose de 12,0 g i.a./100 L de água; indoxacarbe, na dose de 4,8 g i.a./100 L de água + óleo vegetal (Veget Oil) a 0,25% v/v e testemunha não aplicada. Foram realizadas quatro aplicações foliares, com intervalo de sete dias entre cada pulverização. As avaliações ocorreram aos três e sete dias após cada aplicação, contando-se o número de sintomas de ataque da traça em folíolos em cinco plantas por parcela. Aos sete dias após a quarta aplicação, foi determinada a porcentagem de frutos atacados pela traça, e avaliado o desenvolvimento da cultura pela a altura média das plantas. Nas avaliações em folíolos, os tratamentos com spinetoram, nas doses de 2,0; 2,5 e 3,0 g i.a./100 L de água + espalhante adesivo (Break Thru) a 0,03% v/v, alcançaram eficiências médias de controle da traça superiores a 80%. Na avaliação de frutos, os mesmos tratamentos com spinetoram, nas doses de 2,0; 2,5 e 3,0 g i.a./100 L de água + espalhante adesivo (Break Thru) a 0,03% v/v, diferiram significativamente da testemunha na proteção dos frutos contra o ataque da traça, alcançando ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta, is considered a major pest of tomato crop. Among the methods of pest control, the chemical is the most used by farmers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of the new chemical molecule (spinetoram) favorable toxicity profile, on the control of South American tomato pinworm in greenhouse. The design was randomized blocks with nine treatments and four replications. Treatments and doses were: spinetoram at doses of 1.5; 2.0; 2.5 and 3.0 g a.i./100 L water + adjuvant (Break Thru) to 0.03% v/v; spinetoram at a dose of 2.0 g a.i./100 L water; spinosad at a dose of 7.2 g a.i./100 L water + adjuvant (Break Thru) to 0.03% v/v; chlorfenapyr at a dose of 12.0 g a.i./100 L water; indoxacarb at a dose of 4.8 g a.i./100 L water + vegetable oil (Veget Oil) to 0.25% v/v; and untreated. Four foliar applications were carried out at an interval of seven days between each spray. Assessments were performed three and seven days after each application, by counting the number of leaves with symptoms of South American tomato pinworm in five plants per plot. Seven days after the fourth application was determined the percentage of fruits attacked by the South American tomato pinworm, and evaluated the crop development by the height plants average. In leaflets evaluations, treatments with spinetoram at doses of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 g a.i./100 L water + adjuvant (Break Thru) to 0.03% v/v, achieved efficiency over 80% of control in South American tomato pinworm. In the evaluation of fruit, the same treatments spinetoram at doses of 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 g a.i./100 L water + adjuvant (Break Thru) to 0.03% v/v, differed significantly from the untreated in protecting against the attack of fruit South American tomato pinworm, reaching percentages of infected fruits below... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The cinnabar moth, Tyria jacobaeae (L.) (Lepidoptera:Arctiidae), was released in 1959 to control the grassland weed tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaea L. (Asteraceae), despite evidence that caterpillars of this species can feed on native plants within the genera Senecio and Packera. Previous studies confirmed the moth's ability to develop on the native Senecio triangularis Hook., although no systematic study has been conducted to determine the extent of non-target impact on all potential host species. To address the lack of systematic studies we conducted a regional survey to determine the consequences of exposure of non-target plants to cinnabar moth caterpillars. We also conducted a local field experiment to determine the influence of habitat on the patterns of association of the moth and non-target plants. In the regional survey, we mapped the potential distribution of the cinnabar moth in Oregon to determine the extent of exposure of native Senecio and Packera species, and systematically sampled exposed species to assess the frequency and severity of feeding on these plants. We found that nine of the 20 native non-target species in Oregon were exposed to the cinnabar moth, three of the 10 native Senecio and six of the 10 native Packera. Ten of the native species escaped exposure because they occur east of the Cascade Mountain Range where the cinnabar moth does not occur. We found feeding damage on three of the nine exposed species: Packera cymbalarioides, P. pseudaurea, and S. triangularis were attacked at one of three (33%), two of six (33%), and seven of 15 (47%) sites that supported populations of each species, respectively. Within sites, attack frequency of stems was 33% (of six total stems sampled) for P. cymbalarioides, and ranged from 53% to 56% (of 20 to 108 total stems sampled) for P. pseudaurea and 7% to 64.5% (of 32 to 458 total stems sampled) for S. triangularis. Conditional median damage per site (median of attacked stems only) was 10% in P. cymbalarioides, 5% to 17.5% in P. pseudaurea, and 5% to 37.5% in S. triangularis. The attack rate on non-target plants (7.1 to 64.5 percent of stems attacked at a singe site) was equal to or greater than on the target weed (8.3 to 50.0 percent of stems attacked at a single site). At three sites, caterpillars attacked non-target plants but the target weed was absent, and at one site, the target was present but caterpillars fed on non-target plants only. We conclude that attack frequency and severity on the three species is not high, but equaled or exceeded the level of attack on the target weed. We also conducted a mark-release-recapture experiment to relate habitat preference to patterns of non-target host use in the field. We compared adult moth dispersal patterns and larval development between a meadow habitat and a forest habitat. We found that long-term dispersal distance (spanning days) was similar in both habitats but we recaptured a higher percentage of moths from the meadow (47%) compared to the forest (10%). Short-term displacements, based on direct observations of flights immediately after release, differed between habitats: moths in the meadow flew short distances (8.5m ± 1.5, n=13) at or below the herbaceous canopy (0.8 m ± 0.2, n=13) while moths in the forest flew longer horizontal (22.8 m ± 2.8, n=15) and vertical distances (5.9 m ± 0.9, n=15). We recovered seven fifth instar larvae (of 278 eggs) from the meadow habitat but no larvae beyond the second instar (of 119 eggs) were recovered from the forest habitat. We conclude that the cinnabar moth is limited to meadow habitats because adult moths display movement patterns that remove them from forest habitats (possibly due to disorientation) and larvae are unable to survive on plants growing in the forest. Taken together, the regional survey and the local field-experiment indicate that the cinnabar moth uses only a small proportion of available non-target host plant species. Other species are likely unused because of geographic isolation from the moth, habitat selection by the moth, or phenological differences between the moth and non-target plants. / Graduation date: 2003

The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is the most devastating foliage-feeding pest of potatoes in the United States. Potential biological control agents include the nematodes Heterorhabditis marelatus Liu & Berry and Steinernema riobrave Cabanillas, Poinar & Raulston, which provided nearly 100% CPB control in previous laboratory trials. In the present study, laboratory assays tested survival and infection by the two species under the soil temperatures CPB are exposed to, from 4-37°C. H. marelatus survived from 4-31°C, and S. riobrave from 4-37°C. Both species infected and developed in waxworm hosts from 13-31°C, but H. marelatus rarely infected hosts above 25°C, and S. riobrave rarely infected hosts below 19°C. H. marelatus infected an average of 5.8% of hosts from 13- 31°C, whereas S. riobrave infected 1.4%. Although H. marelatus could not survive at temperatures as high as S. riobrave. H. marelatus infected more hosts so is preferable for use in CPB control. Heterorhabditis marelatus rarely reproduced in CPB. Preliminary laboratory trials suggested the addition of nitrogen to CPB host plants improved nematode reproduction. Field studies testing nitrogen fertilizer effects on nematode reproduction in CPB indicated that increasing nitrogen from 226 kg/ha to 678 kg/ha produced 25% higher foliar levels of the alkaloids solanine and chaconine. However, the increased alkaloids did not affect nematode infection of, nor reproduction in, CPB prepupae. Nematodes applied to field plot soil at 50 infective juveniles/cm² reduced adult CPB by 50%, and increased numbers of dead prepupae in soil samples up to five times more than in non-nematode plots. Laboratory studies of H. marelatus and its symbiotic bacteria in CPB hemolymph indicated that immune responses did not limit nematode reproduction. A 58kD CPB hemolymph protein apparently caused the symbiotic bacteria to switch to the secondary form, which does not produce antibiotics and enzymes necessary for nematode growth and reproduction. Despite heat denaturation of the protein, the nematodes did not reproduce unless lipids were added to the hemolymph. Therefore, while H. marelatus may provide high levels of CPB control, nutritional constraints on the nematode and its bacteria inhibit reproduction in CPB and limit long-term multi-generation control. / Graduation date: 2003

During summer of 1998 and 1999, 34 and 10 vineyard sites, respectively, were sampled to assess spider mite pests and associated biological control by phytoseiid mites. Vineyards studied spanned five major valleys in western Oregon where grape production occurs. Leaf samples were taken from site perimeters and centers. One leaf was taken every ten meters of border length, five meters inward from the border to prevent wind-biased or extreme edge effects, while 20 leaves were taken at regular intervals from centers. Variables recorded at each site were: plant age, grape variety, chemical spray information and local vegetation occurring in proximity to vineyards. Sites were categorized as either agricultural or riparian based on what surrounding vegetation type was in the majority. Several parametric and non-parametric tests were used to analyze data, including multiple linear regressions using a computer-based genetic algorithm in conjunction with the AIC criterion to pre-select a subset of explanatory variables. Typhlodromus pyri was the predominant phytoseiid mite and Tetranychus urticae was the most abundant tetranychid mite sampled. High levels of T. urticae were found when predator densities were very low, and low levels of T. urticae occurred when predator densities were moderate or high. Phytoseiid densities were highest in June and July, while T. urticae densities were highest from August to September. The latter's densities were significantly higher in vineyards surrounded primarily by agriculture, while phytoseiid densities were not significantly different between the two categories. Predatory phytoseiids had significantly higher densities on vineyard edges, while T. urticae densities were higher in vineyard centers. Caneberry, cherry and grape habitats appeared to be sources of predator immigration, while no vegetation type consistently served as a short-range or nearby immigration source for spider mites. Due to insufficient data, pesticide information was not included in multiple linear regression models, although certain chemicals used in vineyards can potentially impact mite populations. Impacts of surrounding vegetation type, grape variety, regional location, plant age, and presence of other mites on phytoseiid and T. urticae densities are discussed. / Graduation date: 2001

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Montana, 2006. / Mode of access: Internet. Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Feb. 8, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-72).