Number of larvae in different thirds of the canopy over time.

<p>Number of larvae in the first (L1), second (L2), third (L3) and fourth (L4) instars of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> on the leaves in the apical, middle and basal thirds of the canopy and fruit of plants in the (A) vegetative (B) reproductive stages. All fitted models were significant by F test (p <0.05).</p

Females preferred leaf sites for oviposition.

<p>The number of the eggs (mean ± standard error) of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> in the petiole and on the sides of leaves (adaxial and abaxial) in the (A) apical, (B) middle and (C) basal thirds of the plant canopy in the vegetative and reproductive stages. Histograms followed by the same letter have means which do not differ among themselves by Tukey’s test (p <0.05).</p

Pupation sites of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> on plants in the vegetative and reproductive stages.

<p>Histograms followed by the same letter have means that do not differ among themselves by Tukey’s test (p <0.05).</p

Net reproductive rate in relation to the plant part where the larvae fed.

<p>Net reproductive rate in relation to the plant part where the larvae fed.</p

(A) Survival curves under starvation and (B) walking speed of the different larval instars.

<p>Fig A represents the survival curves of different <i>Tuta absoluta</i> instars with no food supply (non-parametric procedure LIFETEST). In Fig B, histograms followed by the same letter have means that do not differ among themselves by Tukey’s test (p <0.05).</p

Oviposition of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> in relation to the leaf position on the plant canopy.

<p>Plants in the (A) vegetative and (B) reproductive stages. On the x-axis: 0 = not expanded leaf at stem apex, 1 = apical-most leaf fully expanded and showing a higher number (12 in Fig 3A and 21 in Fig 3B) = most basal plant leaf.</p

Influence of the plant part on net reproductive rate.

<p>The net reproductive rate (R₀) of <i>Tuta absoluta</i> depends on the plant part on which the larvae fed. Histograms followed by the same letter have means that do not differ among themselves by Tukey’s test (p <0.05).</p

INSECTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF DIENAMIDES ON CABBAGE CATERPILLAR AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS

<div><p>The demand for new insecticides is increasing due to the appearance of insect populations that are resistant to currently used products. New insecticides should be efficient in controlling pests and present low toxicity to non-target organisms. Ascia monuste (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) is a destructive pest of cole vegetables, and the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is an important predator of these caterpillars in brassica crops. Tetragonisca angustula (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is very important in pollinating many plants and providing honey. Therefore, this study evaluated the toxicity of synthetic amides to A. monuste and its selectivity in favor of S. saevissima and T. angustula. The amides (2E,4E)-N-propylhexa-2,4-dienamide (3) and (2E, 4E)-N-butylhexa-2,4-dienamide (4) caused high (96 and 93%, respectively) and fast (48 h) mortality of A. monuste. The amides 3 and 4 were not harmful to the predator (mortality of 5.7% for amide 3 and 7.14% for amide 4) and were slightly harmful to the pollinator (mortality of 38.57% for amide 3 and 28.12% for amide 4). The amides 3 and 4 are promising, as insecticides, due to the high and rapid mortality of A. monuste with low and moderate toxicity to S. saevissima and T. angustula, respectively.</p></div