Aside from few model organisms, little is known about early embryonic development or sex determination in insects, in particular mosquitoes which are major vectors of worldwide disease. The goals of this work were to investigate a mosquito-specific transcription factor and its intronic miRNA cluster and characterize a novel Y chromosome gene in An. stephensi. The aims of these experiments were to expand on the knowledge of genes involved in embryonic development and sex determination with potential application in vector control strategies. In Ae. aegypti a mosquito-specific bZIP1 transcription factor was demonstrated to be conserved among divergent mosquito species. It was maternally and zygotically-expressed and knock-down of bZIP1 mRNA via siRNA microinjection in the embryo resulted in embryonic death. The expression profile of this gene was determined through the use of RT-PCR and qRT-PCR. Additionally, this gene contains a miRNA cluster that is also relatively conserved amongst members of the Culicidae family suggesting its evolutionary importance. The miRNAs are also maternally and zygotically expressed and are the most abundant embryonic miRNAs as determined by small RNA sequencing and Northern analysis. Promoter activity for bZIP1 was characterized and the promoter was used to direct maternal and zygotic transgene expression in An. stephensi. Y chromosome genes were successfully identified in An. stephensi from Illumina sequencing data. This work focused on a gene unique to the Y 1 (GUY1). It was shown that GUY1 was male specific and linked to the Y chromosome. RT-PCR and single embryo analysis suggested that GUY1 was expressed during the maternal to zygotic transition and was only expressed in male embryos. It was shown in multiple transient and transgenic assays that the ectopic expression of GUY1 can influence the sex of subjected individuals and skew sex distribution to a male bias. There is still much to be investigated before a GUY1-based transgenic line can be tested and implemented for use in vector population control. However, the work in this dissertation represents a major step towards novel mosquito control strategies based on the manipulation of Y chromosome genes. / Ph. D.

No description available.

No description available.

The structure of a permanent magnet generator (PMG) connected with an active front-end rectifier is very popular in the AC-DC architecture. Especially for certain applications like aircraft and vehicles, power density and efficiency is critical. Since the generator and the rectifier can be controlled simultaneously, it would be very desirable to develop a unified control. With this unified control, the boost inductors between the PMG and rectifier is eliminated, which significantly reduce the volume and the weight of the whole system and improve the system power density. Also the system efficiency can be improved with appropriate control strategy. In this thesis, a unified control for the permanent magnet generator and rectifier system is presented. Firstly, the unified model of the PMG and rectifier system is given as the basis to design the control system. Secondly, a unified control method for PMG and rectifier system is introduced. The design procedure for each control loops are presented in detail, including current control loop, voltage control loop, reactive control loop and speed and rotor position estimator loop. Thirdly, the hardware is developed and the experiment is conducted to verify the control strategy. Fourthly, a method to optimize the overall system efficiency by appropriate reactive power distribution is proposed. The two cases when the DC link voltage is flexible and the DC link voltage is fixed are considered. / Master of Science

Cette thèse a été initiée de part le contexte de résurgence et d'expansion de la dengue à travers le monde et notamment en France. Les stratégies actuelles de lutte contre le virus et contre son vecteur Ae. aegypti se heurtent à de nombreuses limitations. Elles sont d'ordres économiques, sociologiques, législatifs, environnementaux et biologiques. Cette étude a visé à répondre scientifiquement à un certain nombre de ces limitations en s'appuyant sur le contexte Martiniquais, qui à une échelle micro-géographique présente tous les paramètres requis pour étudier les causes et les conséquences de l'extension des résistances aux insecticides sur l'efficacité de la lutte antivectorielle. Dans un premier temps ce travail a visé à mieux comprendre les mécanismes métaboliques et moléculaires impliqués dans la résistance. Nous avons ensuite étudié la répartition et les mécanismes de résistance intervenant dans les différentes populations de moustiques à un niveau macro-géographique. Ceci a permis et d'étudier les facteurs environnementaux contribuant à leur sélection sur le terrain. Enfin une étude de génétique des populations nous a permis d'étudier les niveaux de variabilité génétique et de structuration de ces populations de vecteurs. La seconde partie de l'étude a visé à comprendre l'impact de cette résistance sur les actions de lutte antivectorielle. L'expression phénotypique de ces résistances a été étudiée au laboratoire et sur le terrain en mesurant notamment les taux de survie de moustiques exposés à différents types de traitement insecticides (larvicide/adulticide). Enfin, la dernière partie a été consacrée à la recherche de stratégies alternatives ou innovantes de lutte antivectorielle dans l'objectif de contribuer à une meilleure gestion des résistances au sein des populations de vecteurs. L'évolution et le futur de la recherche concernant la lutte contre Ae. aegypti et la dengue sont discutés dans cette étude. / This thesis was conducted in the context of the resurgence and expansion of dengue fever throughout the world, particularly concerning France. Current strategies of control of the virus and its vector Ae. aegypti encounter many limitations. These involve economic, sociological, legal, environmental and biological dimensions. This study aimed to take into account some of these limitations in the setting of Martinique, which on a micro-geographical level presents all the necessary parameters to study the causes and consequences of the expansion of insecticide resistance on the effectiveness of vector control. Initial work aimed to increase our knowledge of the metabolic and molecular mechanisms implied in resistance. We then evaluated the distribution and mechanisms of resistance occurring in various populations of mosquitoes on a macro-geographical level. This allowed us to study the environmental factors contributing to selection of resistance mechanisms in the field. Finally a population genetic study enabled us to measure genetic variability and the structure of these vector populations. The second part of the study aimed at understanding the impact of resistance on vector control operations. The phenotypic expression of resistance was investigated in the laboratory and field by measuring the survival rates of mosquitoes exposed to various types of insecticide treatment (larvicide/adulticide). In the last part of this thesis we investigated alternative or innovative strategies of vector control with the objective of contributing towards improved management of resistance within vector populations. The evolution and future of research concerning the fight against Ae. aegypti and dengue is discussed in this study.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an essential enzyme with an evolutionary conserved function: to terminate nerve signaling by rapid hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. AChE is an important target for insecticides. Vector control by the use of insecticide-based interventions is today the main strategy for controlling mosquito-borne diseases that affect millions of people each year. However, the efficiency of many insecticides is challenged by resistant mosquito populations, lack of selectivity and off-target toxicity of currently used compounds. New selective and resistance-breaking insecticides are needed for an efficient vector control also in the future. In the work presented in this thesis, we have combined structural biology, biochemistry and medicinal chemistry to characterize mosquito AChEs and to develop selective and resistance-breaking inhibitors of this essential enzyme from two disease-transmitting mosquitoes.We have identified small but important structural and functional differences between AChE from mosquitoes and AChE from vertebrates. The significance of these differences was emphasized by a high throughput screening campaign, which made it evident that the evolutionary distant AChEs display significant differences in their molecular recognition. These findings were exploited in the design of new inhibitors. Rationally designed and developed thiourea- and phenoxyacetamide-based non-covalent inhibitors displayed high potency on both wild type and insecticide insensitive AChE from mosquitoes. The best inhibitors showed over 100-fold stronger inhibition of mosquito than human AChE, and proved insecticide potential as they killed both adult and larvae mosquitoes.We show that mosquito and human AChE have different molecular recognition and that non-covalent selective inhibition of AChE from mosquitoes is possible. We also demonstrate that inhibitors can combine selectivity with sub-micromolar potency for insecticide resistant AChE.

L'accroissement des résistances aux insecticides chez les anophèles vecteurs de Plasmodium sont mises en cause dans la baisse d'efficacité des principales stratégies de lutte antivectorielle (LAV) en Afrique. Des techniques de combinaisons d'insecticides, évaluées au Bénin, n'ont pas été plus efficaces pour réduire la morbidité palustre et limiter l'extension des résistances que la stratégie préconisée par le Programme National de Lutte contre le Paludisme (moustiquaires imprégnée seules). Dans cette thèse, nous avons cherché à identifier les facteurs opérationnels, biologiques et environnementaux pouvant expliquer cet échec. Nous avons modélisé le risque d'exposition de l'homme aux piqûres de vecteurs en fonction de variables environnementales afin (i) d'identifier les déterminants de la présence et de la densité des vecteurs et (ii) d'analyser l'impact des méthodes de LAV. Nos résultats ont montré à l'échelle des villages une forte hétérogénéité spatio-temporelle de la population vectorielle, caractérisée par des niches écologiques et comportementales différentes qui a ont pu moduler l'efficacité de la LAV. Nous avons mis en évidence le rôle vectoriel majeur de An. funestus qui assurait la transmission en saison sèche tandis que le taux d'utilisation des moustiquaires diminuait en raison des fortes températures et de la baisse de nuisance culicidenne. Nous avons observé des modifications comportementales chez les vecteurs suite à la mise en place de méthodes de LAV. Nous faisons des propositions pour l'amélioration des méthodes actuelles de LAV, pour définir les caractéristiques des futures méthodes et pour mieux choisir les méthodes à implémenter en fonction du faciès entomologique. / Insecticide resistance in malaria vector has increased in Africa. Implications for the effectiveness of the most widely implemented vector control (VC) techniques are questioned. To manage resistance, two VC strategies combining two different insecticides were evaluated during a randomised controlled trial in Benin. These strategies did not show a better efficacy than the baseline intervention recommended by the National Malaria Control Program (insecticidal nets alone). The aim of this thesis was to identify operational, biological and environmental factors that could explain this failure. We modelled the risk of exposure to malaria vectors according to environmental factors to (i) identify the determinants of the vectors' presence and density and to (ii) analyse the impact of VC strategies. Our results showed high spatial-temporal heterogeneities of vector populations at the village scale. The vector populations were characterized by different ecological and behavioural niches which could have impacted the effectiveness of VC. We highlighted the importance of An. funestus in malaria transmission during the dry season when people are less likely to use nets because of hot temperatures and low mosquito biting nuisances. We also observed changes in vectors biting behaviour following the implementation of VC. We therefore provide suggestions to improve actual VC tools, to define characteristics of new tools and to better select tools to implement in the field according to the entomological facies.

Programas brasileiros de controle populacional do mosquito Aedes aegypti são caracterizados por incluírem ações integradas entre população e poder público, compreendendo suplementarmente a aplicação de inseticidas nos potenciais criadouros do mosquito. Um dos compostos utilizados para o controle populacional de mosquitos é o Pyriproxyfen, um regulador de crescimento de insetos que age durante os estágios imaturos impedindo a emergência das larvas para a fase adulta. Muitas pesquisas, em condições laboratoriais controladas, encontraram resultados eficientes na aplicação desse larvicida, inferindo a confirmação de eficácia para uso nos programas de controle. Contudo, esses trabalhos disponíveis desconsideram a interferência por fatores ambientais (e.g. temperatura, luminosidade, pH) o que, como consequência, pode apresentar diferenças nos resultados em ambiente natural. Dentre esses fatores, é importante o destaque a temperatura, que apresenta o potencial de produzir diferenças na eficiência do composto, uma vez que há evidências de interferência tanto na velocidade e no sucesso de desenvolvimento das larvas quanto da composição química do larvicida. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho avaliou o efeito da variação da temperatura na eficiência do larvicida Pyriproxyfen para controle populacional de larvas de Aedes aegypti. Para isso, foram realizados experimentos avaliando o efeito combinado de três diferentes temperaturas (20°C, 25°C, 30°C) e cinco diferentes concentrações de Pyriproxyfen (0,0001; 0,001; 0,01; 0,1 e 1 mg.L-1), sendo as dosagens escolhidas em função da recomendação da Organização Mundial da Saúde (0,01 mg/L). Os testes foram realizados em incubadora BOD, com temperatura controlada desde a eclosão para evitar estresse térmico nas larvas. Também foi analisado o efeito sub letal do composto, nas respostas em longevidade dos mosquitos e do tamanho alar como indicador do tamanho das fêmeas provenientes dos tratamentos a 20°C e a 30°C. Quando aumentou-se a temperatura em 5°C (de 25°C para 30°C), houve redução em 30% da eficiência do larvicida na menor dosagem ,redução de 10% da eficácia na concentração de 0,001 mg/L e redução em 20% na concentração de 0,01 mg/L. Para todas as concentrações testadas, os mosquitos sobreviventes tiveram sua longevidade reduzida significativamente se comparados aos mosquitos desenvolvidos em um ambiente sem o composto. Ainda, as fêmeas emergentes do ambiente a 30°C foram significativamente maiores que as fêmeas que se desenvolveram a 20°C. No que se refere ao tamanho de fêmeas, entre a mesma temperatura não houve diferença significativa com relação ao tamanho das asas. Estes resultados indicam que, apesar da alta eficiência do Pyriproxyfen, deve-se considerar com cautela a influência que os fatores ambientais têm sobre o efeito de compostos inseticidas no controle de vetores, uma vez que estes são capazes de interferir no cenário epidemiológico. Ademais, considerar dosagens diferentes de acordo com os fatores ambientais em campo pode trazer benefícios no uso mais racional de compostos inseticidas bem como serem mais eficientes no controle efetivo do vetor alvo. / Surveillance brazilian programs for populational control of the Aedes aegypti mosquito are characterized for applying integrated actions between the government and the municipalities population, comprising as a supplementary measure the application of pesticides. One of these compounds is Pyriproxyfen, a insect growth regulator that acts during the imature stages of the organismo, therefore preventing its emmergence to the adult stage. Many researches, at laboratory conditions, found efficient outcomes by testing this larvicide, inferring its confirmation of efficacy of application during the surveillance programs. However, these studies disconsider the possibility of interference by evironmental factors, such as temperature, luminosity and pH variations. Among these factors, the environmental temperature is highlighted, considering the existing evidence of interference in the larval development and at the chemical composition of the larvicide. Thus, this study aims to assess the temperature effect over the efficiency outcomes of the Pyriproxyfen as a larvicide for Aedes aegypti control. Were executed experiments analyzing the combined effect of three different temperatures (20°C, 25°C, 30°C) and five concentrations of Pyriproxyfen (0,0001 mg/L, 0,001 mg/L, 0,01 mg/L, 0,1 mg/L and 1 mg/L). These tests were performed in a BOD incubator, with controlled and constant temperature, since the eclosion of the I instar larvae until the end of the test. Dead larvae were removed and registered daily. Were analyzed the sub lethal outcomes, by the longevity of the survivors and were calculated the wing size of the females from 20°C and 30°C as na indicator of body size of these female mosquitoes. When increased 5ºC in the temperature, from 25°C to 30°C, were observed an decrease in the efficiency of the larvicide by 30% at the lowest concentration, by 10% at a tem times higher concentration (0,001 mg/L) and a decrease by 20% at the concentration of 0,01 mg/L. For all concentrations assessed, the survivors lived less time than the mosquitoes which developed at na ambient without the Pyriproxyfen contamination. Yet, the females from the warmest environment, at 30ºC, were bigger than the females that developed in a cooler environment (20°C). The results indicate that, despite of the high efficiency of this larvicide, we must consider with caution the influence by environmental factors in field conditions, since that they present the possibility of interfering directly or indirectly at the epidemiologic scenario. Furthermore, considering different dosages according to the environmental factors in the field can bring benefits in the more rational use of insecticidal compounds as well as being more efficient in the effective control of the target vector.

Introdução A doença de Chagas (DC) ainda é considerada um importante problema de Saúde Pública em vários países da America Latina. Nessas áreas, pelo menos 12 a 14 milhões de pessoas estão infectadas por Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 e cerca de 28 milhões encontram-se expostas ao risco de contaminação. Sem vacina e tratamento, o controle da transmissão da DC depende do combate aos insetos vetores com inseticidas residuais. Atualmente, há registros de focos de populações de Triatoma infestans Klug, 1834 resistentes a deltametrina, - cipermetrina e -ciflutrina, no norte da Argentina e sul da Bolívia. No Brasil, populações de T. sordida Stål, 1859 já foram detectadas com resistência inicial a deltametrina, nos municípios de Bocaiúva e Coração de Jesus, Estado de Minas Gerais. Objetivos Analisar os níveis de resistência de Panstrongylus megistus Burmeister, 1835; T. brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 e T. sordida ao inseticida deltametrina. Descrever a interação desse composto na cutícula dorsal de ninfas de 1º estádio. Padronizar bioensaios de campo para estudo de resistência em populações de triatomíneos. Métodos Nesta tese foram feitos bioensaios dose resposta com colônias de referência, comparando-as com populações de campo procedentes de onze estados endêmicos do Brasil. Complementarmente, a Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) foi utilizada para estudar a cutícula das ninfas de 1º estádio tratadas com diferentes concentrações de deltametrina. Os bioensaios de campo foram realizados utilizando substratos de barro, tijolo e madeira. Os resultados obtidos dos bioensaios dose resposta foram estimados pela análise de Probitos. As diferenças entre as populações foram estabelecidas por Análise de Variância (ANOVA) e teste de Tukey. Resultados O nível de resistência a deltametrina de 38 populações de triatomíneos foi avaliado no biênio 2008-2009. Detectou-se pela primeira vez baixo nível de resistência para a população de P. megistus do município 8 de Serranópolis do Iguaçu/PR. Contudo, devido à ampla distribuição geográfica e às diferenças no comportamento de P. megistus, torna-se indispensável aumentar o número de amostras, principalmente da Região Nordeste do país. As populações de T. brasiliensis TbPIOeF (RR50=1,94) e TbPIOeS (RR50=2,17), do município de Oeiras/PI, apresentaram os maiores valores de RR50. Provavelmente, os valores obtidos sejam em função das aplicações sistemáticas de inseticidas químicos, desde a década de 70. No entanto, observa-se que as pequenas alterações de suscetibilidade a inseticidas, até agora, não contribuíram para a emergência de novos casos da DC. De modo geral, os níveis de resistência de T. brasiliensis encontram-se baixos para os municípios avaliados. A elevada mobilidade espacial de T. brasiliensis pode ser considerada como principal obstáculo para a seleção de indivíduos resistentes. A outra explicação seria a eficiente ação toxicológica dos inseticidas da classe dos piretróides. Os valores de RR50 para as populações de T. sordida foram menores que três permitindo classificá-las como suscetíveis a deltametrina. Em MEV a cutícula dorsal de ninfas de 1º estádio de três espécies estudadas apresenta-se constituída por um conjunto de cavidades intercomunicantes formada por linhas de contorno sinuoso. Essa arquitetura tegumentar, provavelmente favorece a penetração e distribuição de inseticidas. Em P. megistus nota-se a formação de extrusões solidificadas aderidas na superfície das suturas intersegmentares. Confirma-se que a aplicação de deltametrina, na concentração de 25 mg i.a./m2, nos substratos de barro, tijolo e madeira elimina de modo uniforme (100 por cento), mesmo as populações que apresentaram as maiores frequências de resistência. Conclusões Os ensaios conduzidos mostraram que não há necessidade de substituição do inseticida utilizado nas campanhas de controle de vetores da DC no Brasil. Contudo, as alterações temporais de suscetibilidade deverão ser rigorosas e continuamente acompanhadas para orientar adequadamente o planejamento das estratégias de controle. Para isso deverá ser instituída a Rede Nacional de Monitoramento de Resistência de Triatomíneos a inseticidas visando o fortalecimento do Programa Nacional de Controle da Doença de Chagas, no Brasil / Introduction Chagas disease (CD) is still considered an important public health problem in several Latin American countries. In these areas, at least 12 to 14 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, 1909 and approximately 28 million are at risk of contamination. Without vaccines and efficient treatment, control of CD relies mostly on vector-control with residual spraying of insecticides. Currently, there are records of outbreaks of resistant populations of Triatoma infestans Klug, 1834 to deltamethrin, -cypermethrin and -cyfluthrin in northern Argentina and southern Bolivia. In Brazil, populations of Triatoma sordida Stål, 1859 has been detected with initial resistance to deltamethrin in the municipalities of Bocaiúva and Coração de Jesus in the State of Minas Gerais. Objectives - Analyze the levels of resistance of Panstrongylus megistus Burmeister, 1835; Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 and T. sordida to deltamethrin. Describing the interaction of this compound in the dorsal cuticle of nymphs of the 1st stage. Standardize field bioassays for study of resistance in triatomine populations. Methods - In this thesis, dose-response bioassays were made with reference colony, comparing them with field populations originating from eleven endemic states of Brazil. In addition, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to study the cuticle of first instar nymphs treated with different concentrations of deltamethrin. Field bioassays were conducted using substrates of mud, brick and wood. The results of dose response bioassays were estimated by Probit analysis. Differences between populations were established by ANOVA and Tukey test. Results The level resitance to deltamethrin of 38 triatomines populations were evaluated in the biennium 2008-2009. It was detected for the first time, low-level resistance to the population of P. megistus, 10 municipality of Serranópolis Iguaçu/PR. However, due to the wide geographical distribution and differences in the behavior of P. megistus, it is essential to increase the number of samples, mainly in the Northeast region of the country. The populations of T. brasiliensis TbPIOeF (RR50=1.94) and TbPIOeS (RR50=2.17), the municipality of Oeiras / IP, showed the highest values of RR50. Probably, the values obtained are in line with the systematic application of chemical insecticides since the 70s. However, it is observed that small changes in susceptibility to insecticides, so far not contributed to the emergence of new cases of CD. In general, levels of resistance in T. brasiliensis are low for the counties studied. The high spacial mobility of T. brasiliensis can be considered as the main obstacle to the selection of resistant individuals. The other explanation would be the efficient action of the toxicological class of pyrethroid insecticides. RR50 values for the populations of T. sordida were smaller than three, allowing to classify them as susceptible to deltamethrin. In SEM the cuticle of the dorsal first instar nymphs of all species is presented consisting of a set of interconnecting cavities formed by sinuous contour lines. This architecture cutaneous probably favors the penetration and distribution of insecticides. In P. megistus notices the formation of wax blooms adhered to the surface of intersegmental sutures. It is confirmed that the application of deltamethrin, 25 mg a.i./m2 concentration, in substrates of mud, brick and wood eliminates uniformly (100 per cent), same populations with the highest frequency of resistance. Conclusions The tests conducted showed that no need to replace the insecticide used in campaigns for vector control of DC in Brazil. However, the temporal changes of susceptibility should be rigorouslys and continuously monitored to adequately guide the planning of control strategies. To this must be established the National Network for Monitoring Insecticide Resistance of Triatominae aiming to strengthen the National Program for Control of Chagas disease in Brazil

A caracterização operacional de um pulverizador pode contribuir para a otimização do trabalho em condições de campo e melhorar a eficiência da aplicação para o controle do vetor. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as vazões médias produzidas pelo pulverizador pneumático costal motorizado sob diferentes condições de aplicação. Os estudos foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Tecnologia de Aplicação de Defensivos Agrícolas do Departamento de Engenharia Rural, ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com esquema fatorial 2x7 (14 tratamentos) com 5 repetições e os seguintes fatores: dois diâmetros de orifício de disco dosador: 0,46 e 0,76 mm; sete ângulos da lança do pulverizador. Sensores foram instalados no pulverizador para monitoramento da rotação do motor, da pressão nos sistemas hidráulico e pneumático, da temperatura interna no reservatório de calda e conectados a um sistema de aquisição de dados. Foi determinada a velocidade do ar na saída do bocal através de um anemômetro. Os resultados permitem concluir que as vazões foram afetadas significativamente pela associação entre diâmetro dos orifícios dos discos e ângulo da lança. O disco dosador de maior diâmetro apresentou menor uniformidade de vazão. A variação na rotação não influenciam os resultados de vazão média. A pressão determinada próximo ao bocal mostrou alta correlação com a vazão média. Recomenda-se ao operador utilizar o disco restritor com orifício de menor diâmetro aumentando o tempo de aplicação nos ângulos maiores e diminuir o tempo nos ângulos menores, para uma mesma dosagem de defensivo. / The operational characterization of motorized knapsack mistblower can contribute for the optimization of the work in field conditions and improve the efficiency of the application for the control of the vector. The objetive of the work was to evaluate the average flow rate produced by the motorized knapsack mistblower under different application conditions. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Application of Defensive Techonology of Rural Engineering, ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba. The experimental design was entirely randomized with factorial 2x7 (14 handlings) with 5 repetitions and the following factors: two diameters of restrictor orifices: 0,46 mm and 0,76 mm; and seven angles of the air delivery tube. A CR10X data logger system was assembled with sensors in the atomizer for monitoring of the engine rotation, pressure in the hydraulic and pneumatic systems, internal temperature in the spray reservoir and of air. Air speed in the exit of the nozzle was determined. The results allowed to conclude that the average flow rate had been significantly affected by the association between the diameter of the restrictor orifices and the angles of the air delivery tube. The restrictor with the largest diameter presented less application uniformity in the tested angles. The fall in the rotation did not influence the results of the average flow rate. The pressure close to the restrictor with the largest diameter presented less application uniformity in the tested angles. The fall in the rotation did not influence the results of the average flow rate. The pressure close to the output showed high correlation with the average flow rate. The operator is advised to utilize the restrictor orifice with the lesser diameter increasing time application exposure in the wider angles in order to compensate the lower flow rate and to diminish the application exposure time in the lesser angles, when the same defensive dose is used.