Uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase (UGT) is a multigene family of enzymes responsible for catalyzing glycosylation of small hydrophobic molecules. Recently, a genomic analysis of the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) identified 45 different UGT genes. We discovered a UGT gene (UGT34) showing high levels of expression exclusively in the silk gland tissue. The expression levels of UGT34 were analyzed in different developmental stages and silk gland sub-segments, revealing that UGT34 is generally expressed at all larval instar stages and largely expressed in the middle and posterior subsegments of the silk glands. The soybean looper (Chrysodeixis includens), another noctuid moth species, was analyzed and found to have similar gene expression patterns. To determine UGT34 function RNA interference (RNAi) was used, but it revealed to be unsuccessful. Taken together, the present study implies that UGT34 plays an important role in silk glands, yet its molecular and physiological function needs to be determined by further study.

HearNPV was applied to a soybean field and evaluated for residual efficacy at different time intervals (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours) after application in laboratory bioassays with treated leaves. Larval mortality was rated at five, seven and twelve days after larval infestation. Larval mortality increased as the number of days after infestation increased. To evaluate the feeding habits of Helicoverpa zea at the 2nd and 3rd instar, HearNPV exposed larvae and untreated larvae were weighed at zero (before diet exposure), four, and seven days. At four days after exposure, larval weight gain of specimens exposed to HearNPV was reduced by 80% and 45% for 2nd and 3rd instar larvae, respectively. At seven days after exposure, larval weight gain of 3rd instar specimens exposed to HearNPV was reduced by 60%.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-12-01T15:40:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Hugo Jose Goncalves dos Santos Junior.pdf: 559829 bytes, checksum: ef023fd54c27d2757f1cfcc6eb367bf7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-01T15:40:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Hugo Jose Goncalves dos Santos Junior.pdf: 559829 bytes, checksum: ef023fd54c27d2757f1cfcc6eb367bf7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-01-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The combined use of the entomopathogenic Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner with other arthropod natural enemies is an approach to improve the management of insect pests. Among the natural enemies, the egg parasitoid Trichogramma (Westwood) is recognized by its efficacy against various pest species in different agroecosystems, and can be used combined with B. thuringiensis. However, although B. thuringiensis exhibit several advantages, studies are required to ascertain about its selectivity for beneficial insects. The selection of isolates of B. thuringiensis is a way to assess the virulence to target insect pests, and the discovery of new toxins with higher entomopathogenic activity. Populations of Trichogramma should also be selected to avoid failure of its use, since this parasitoid has large variation regarding host preference and environmental conditions. Thus, this study selected isolates of B. thuringiensis (Bt) and populations of Trichogramma spp. to control of Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The selection methodology identified the Bt isolates Bt 23 and Bt 26 as promissory to control of H.zea. Among populations of Trichogramma evaluated there was variability in relation to the parameters analyzed and the thermal conditions, and the population of T. atopovirilia (Tatp1) exhibited the best performance at 25°C, and the populations Tp13 and Tp16 of T. pretiosum in thethermal conditions of 18 and 30ºC respectively. Based on these results, the populations Tatp1 of T. atopovirilia and Tp13 and Tp16 of T. pretiosum have potential as biological control agent against H. zea as well as the isolates Bt 23 and Bt 26 of B. thuringiensis. / A utilização conjunta de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner com outros inimigos naturais é uma forma de incrementar o manejo de insetos-praga. Entre estes agentes, Trichogramma (Westwood) é reconhecido pela sua viabilidade e eficiência e, pode ser utilizado conjuntamente com B. thuringiensis. Porém, apesar de B. thuringiensis apresentar inúmeras vantagens, são necessários estudos que possibilitem comprovar sua seletividade a insetos benéficos. A seleção de isolados de B. thuringiensis é uma forma de avaliar a virulência a insetos-praga, além de possibilitar a descoberta de novas toxinas com maior atividade entomopatogênica. Populações de Trichogramma também devem ser selecionadas para evitar o insucesso da sua utilização, pois estes parasitóides apresentam grande variação, seja no comportamento de procura, preferência hospedeira e até mesmo às condições ambientais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo selecionar isolados de B. thuringiensis (B.t) e populações de Trichogramma spp. visando o controle de Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Os resultados apresentaram variabilidade emrelação à virulência dos isolados de B.t a H. zea, sendo que alguns não apresentaram índices satisfatórios de virulência, porém afetaram o desenvolvimento de H. zea. Foram identificados isolados promissores no controle de H. zea, a exemplo do B.t 23 e B.t 26. Entre as populações deTrichogramma avaliadas verificou-se variabilidade em relação aos parâmetros analisados e as condições térmicas, sendo que a população de T. atopovirilia (Tatp1) foi a que apresentou melhor desempenho a 25ºC e, as populações Tp13 e Tp16 de T. pretiosum nas condições térmicas de 18 e 30ºC respectivamente. Em virtude dos resultados encontrados, as populações de T. atopovirilia (Tatp1) e de T. pretiosum (Tp13 e Tp16) apresentam potencial para serem utilizadas em programas de controle biológico de H. zea.

During 2013 and 2014, studies were conducted to determine the effects of Helicoverpa zea and Spodoptera frugiperda on both damage and yield of Sorghum bicolor. Results from damage ratings suggest that the amount of damage per single larva decreases as population density increases. Also, yield results suggest that one H. zea and one S. frugiperda larva per panicle results in a 3.6 and 4 percent yield loss, respectively. Additionally, a dynamic EIL was determined using crop value along with various yield potentials and control costs. Other research studies were conducted to determine the efficacy of diamide and pyrethroid insecticides on headworms when applied at midge timing for different locations and planting dates. Results suggest that diamides provide longer and better control of headworms than do pyrethroids. However, applying diamides as a preventative application at midge timing may not be economically feasible when grain prices are low.