Daily Rhythm of Pollen Production by Apis mellifera L(Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Sorriso, Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Insect pollinators are important in reproduction of several plants species increasing the agricultural productivity and the quality of the food. Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is an important plant pollinator besides its fundamental role in the pollen based products often used in food and pharmaceutical industry. In the field of beekeeping, the palynology is important in botanical biodiversity studies, because pollen provides information about environmental quality. The understanding of the time frequency of pollen collection by A. mellifera can give additional information about the foraging behavior of this bee species in studies about daily and seasonal availability of pollen for plants, mainly during the periods of lower activity of the bee colony. The aim of this research was to study the time frequency of pollen production by A. mellifera in Sorriso, Mato Grosso State, Brazil and to observe the effect of the temperature, relative humidity and sunlight on this activity of this bee. The period with higher pollen production was between 10:00 AM until 01:00 PM and this period can be characterized by higher sunlight and temperature with lower relative humidity periods

Japanese beetle feeding and survival on apple fruits

Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Japanese beetle, is a polyphagous pest of many crops. In these crops, including apple, it acts primarily as a defoliator, causing economic damages. The objectives were to determine the ability of P. japonica to injury fruits of SweeTango variety apples and the suitability of apple fruits as a food source for this beetle. Popillia japonica was not able to injure the surface of intact fruits, which means that it is not a primary pest for apple fruits. The lifespan of the beetles when fed soybean leaves or apple with exposed endocarp was similar. Observations of the feces of the beetles suggest a potential physiological response due the change of food from soybean leaves to apple fruits. Therefore, we can conclude that the adults should not be considered as primary pests of apple fruits; however, they may act as secondary pests if the endocarp of the fruits is exposed by some other agent

Life stages, biological aspects and geographic distribution of Platyscytus decempunctatus (Heteroptera: Miridae: Phylinae)

Platyscytus decempunctatus is a small phytophagous mirid found only on Solanum cernuun (Solanaceae) plants. This species is characterized by the presence of two black marks on second anntenal segment and by dorsal spots on body. The authors present a taxonomic review of P. decempunctatus, with descriptions and illustrations of all stages, from egg to adult. Information about behavior and geographical distribution of the species are also presented.Platyscytus decempunctatus é um pequeno mirídeo fitófago encontrado somente em plantas de Solanum cernuun (Solanaceae). A espécie é caracterizada pela presença de duas máculas pretas no segundo segmento antenal e também por manchas dorsais no corpo. Os autores apresentam uma revisão de P. decempunctatus, com descrições e ilustrações de todos os estágios, de ovo a adulto. Informações sobre o comportamento e distribuição geográfica também são apresentadas

The psilid Glycaspis brimblecombei in transition areas Biomes Amazon and Brazilian Savanna

No estado de Mato Grosso, a silvicultura intensiva está na fase inicial cobrindo menos de 0,2% do território. O agronegócio impulsionou investimentos para o estabelecimento de populações com espécies florestais, especialmente o cultivo de Eucalyptus sp. Glycaspis brimblecombei (psilídeo-de-concha-do-eucalipto) tornou-se uma importante praga para o cultivo de eucalipto no Brasil. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi relatar a ocorrência de G. brimblecombei no estado de Mato Grosso, em região de transição dos Biomas Amazônia e Cerrado. Em junho de 2014, observou-se adultos, massas de ovos e ninfas de G. brimblecombei, nas áreas de cultivo atacando Eucalyptus sp. nas cidades de Sinop, Sorriso, Lucas do Rio Verde e Feliz Natal. O período que caracteriza a estação seca na região é entre maio a outubro e devido às altas temperaturas e baixas taxas de precipitação, o que favorece a ocorrência desta praga. Este é o primeiro registro de G. brimblecombei no norte de Mato Grosso.In the state of Mato Grosso, intensive forestry is in the initial phase covering less than 0.2% of the territory. Agribusiness boosted investments for the establishment of populations with forest species, especially the cultivation of Eucalyptus sp. Glycaspis brimblecombei (red gum lerp psillid) has become an important pest for eucalyptus cultivation in Brazil. The objective of this research was to report the occurrence of G. brimblecombei in the Mato Grosso State in transition areas Biomes Amazon and Brazilian Savanna. In June 2014, adults, egg masses and nymphs of redgum lerp psyllid were observed attacking these Myrtaceae in the cities of Sinop, Sorriso, Lucas do Rio Verde and Feliz Natal. The period that characterizes the dry season in the region is between May to October and due to the high temperatures and low precipitation rates favor the occurrence of this pest. This is the first record of G. brimblecombei in the North of Mato Grosso

Natural Occurrence and Ecology of Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in Cotton Plantations with Insecticides Spraying in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Pest damage is one of the greatest problems in cotton production in the world. The objective of this study was to assess the natural occurrence, parasitism rate, number of adults ofTrichogramma emerged and coexistence with predators species in cotton plantations with insecticide spraying in Brazil. Parasitoids were collected in two areas of two-hectares each with the Dp 4049 and Delta Opal cotton varieties, using 12.0 x 2.5 cm pieces of white cards with an average of 3.000 Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs each. The predation percentage of A. kuehniella eggs in the field and parasitism occurrence was estimated based on the cards with eggs of this prey brought from the field. All parasitoids obtained were identified as Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). The predators collected were identified as belonging to the families Chrysopidae (Neuroptera), Coccinelidae (Coleoptera) and Sirphidae (Diptera). The average number of eggs parasitized per cardboard, during the cycle of this culture was 16.34 ± 5.1 in the area with Dp-4049 and 23.38 ± 4.3 in that with Delta opal. The predation average during the cycle of this culture was 42.58 ± 3.8 e 35.58 ± 2.9% in these areas, respectively. It is necessary to preserve and to increase the performance of T. pretiosum in cotton plantations

O perfil social e a geração de renda em assentamentos rurais sob influência do Cinturão da soja e milho na Amazônia Matogrossense

Os aspectos socioeconômicos, legais e produtivos das propriedades rurais vinculadas aos programas de reforma agrária são pontos de grande relevância para a fixação das famílias e para a efetividade desta política pública, sobretudo na Amazônia. Assim, neste trabalho teve-se por objetivo avaliar a influência dos fatores sociais e produtivos sobre a geração de renda em assentamentos rurais da Amazônia mato-grossense. O estudo se baseou em uma pesquisa social aplicada, com a coleta de dados econômicos, sociais e produtivos de 48 propriedades rurais, através de um questionário estruturado, acrescido de observações de campo. As propriedades foram amostradas por tipicidade, considerando o uso da terra nas seguintes modalidades: extrativismo, lavoura e arrendamento da área a terceiros.  Os resultados demonstraram que há diferença no perfil social em função da atividade agrícola principal da propriedade e que a renda obtida em cada uma das atividades também sofre influência das atividades produtivas estudadas. Pode-se concluir que o tipo de atividade agrícola desenvolvida na propriedade leva o assentado rural a depender de rendas extras, fato este que deve impulsionar discussões sobre as políticas públicas que apoiem os beneficiários do programa de reforma agrária após o recebimento da terra

Pest potencial of Sitophilus zeamais on Brazil nut under storage conditions

The Brazil nut, fruit of Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K., a native plant of the Amazon region and may be considered one of the main extractivist products of countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil. In Brazil this plant can be found in the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins. Species of the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, have been classified as pest potentials of Brazil nut under storage conditions. Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the main insect pests attacking grain stores worldwide. This specie may be observed attacking grains in the field and in storage facilities (cross-infestation), presenting a wide variety of hosts. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of adults of this species feed on Brazil nuts, and also to identify the type of injury as well as the life span of this coleopteran exposed to the meat of the Brazil nut. No feeding injury was observed on the surface of Brazil nuts and the life span of the insects was similar in treatments both with and without this food source in all populations evaluated. Due to the fact that S. zeamais adults do not injure, or feed on the Brazil nut, this beetle is not able to colonize this product and therefore may be considered a non-pest insect for stored Bertholletia excelsa almonds stored

Preparation and characterization of steam and CO2 activated carbon from Brazil nut shell

Activated carbon is a porous material with several industrial applications. In this research, brazil nut shell was used to produce activated carbon, a promising raw material based on its low cost and high quality. Also, nut processing generates an extensive amount of waste, requiring proper disposal. The carbon was produced at temperatures of 600, 700, and 800 °C and activated by physical method using steam or CO2. Yield was calculated, and the activated carbon was analyzed according to the following physical-chemical parameters: water content, volatile material, fixed carbon, ash, apparent density, and pH. Infrared spectroscopy and BET adsorption isotherms were also performed. The fixed carbon contents of the carbons produced at 700 and 800 °C remained above 84%. The pH values characterized them as basic. The surface areas of the carbon obtained at 800 °C were 397 ± 8 m2 g–1 and 325 ± 7 m2 g–1 in those which were activated by steam and CO2, respectively

Quality control of Trichogramma atopovirilia and Trichogramma pretiosum (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae) adults reared under laboratory conditions

The objective of this work was to assess the flight capacity, parasitism and emergence of Trichogramma atopoviriliaand two strains of T. pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) (L1 and L2). The flight capacity of these species was assessed in test units consisting of a plastic PVC cylinder with a rigid transparent plastic circle on the upper part and an extruded polystyrene disk closing its bottom. A tube was placed in each test unit containing a card with 300 Anagasta kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs parasitised by Trichogramma. These cards were assessed to determine the parasitism rate and adult emergence of these natural enemies. T. atopovirilia and T. pretiosum L1 presented adequate flight capacity and parasitism, in addition to high percentages of adults emerged

Desenvolvimento, reprodução e performance predatória do percevejo zoofitófago Podisus distinctus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) alimentado com larvas de Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) imobilizadas ou soltas

Researches with predatory true bugs are crucial for biological control programs. Pairs of Podisus distinctus were fed with immobilized or free Musca domestica larvae, aiming to verify the influence of prey mobility on predatory capacity and biology of the predator, compared to the use of Tenebrio molitor pupae. Consumption of M. domestica larvae was also compared between adults of P. distinctus and Podisus nigrispinus. The number of larvae consumed and female reproductive parameters were similar between treatments. However, females fed with T. molitor laid more eggs and clutches per female, and showed shortest oviposition interval, confirming that M. domestica larvae may be not appropriate preys to rear P. distinctus, independently of their mobility. P. nigrispinus had higher predation on M. domestica larvae than P. distinctus, suggesting that the former species can properly use this alternative prey.Pesquisas com percevejos predadores são fundamentais para programas de controle de pragas. Casais de Podisus distinctus foram alimentados com larvas de Musca domestica imobilizadas ou soltas, para verificar a influência da mobilidade na predação e biologia desse predador e comparar o consumo dessas larvas entre P. distinctus e Podisus nigrispinus. O número de larvas consumidas e os parâmetros reprodutivos de fêmeas foram semelhantes entre tratamentos. Entretanto, fêmeas desse predador apresentaram maior número de ovos, de posturas e menor intervalo entre as posturas alimentadas com Tenebrio molitor, confirmando que M. domestica não é uma boa presa para a criação de P. distinctus. Podisus nigrispinus consumiu maior número de larvas de M. domestica que P. distinctus, o que pode estar relacionado ao melhor desenvolvimento desse predador a esse tipo de presa alternativa