Evaluation of imidacloprid usage in control of Acromyrmex spp. in Pinus taeda planting

Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a utilização do ingrediente ativo imidacloprid, aplicado em diferentes dosagens, por meio de gel condicionador de solo, em mudas de Pinus taeda L. (Pinaceae) recém-plantadas. O experimento foi instalado em uma das áreas da Empresa Celulose Irani S.A., no município de Vargem Bonita, SC, com desenho experimental em blocos ao acaso com 5 tratamentos e 8 repetições. As avaliações foram realizadas aos 25, 56 e 81 dias após a instalação do experimento. A análise estatística mostrou não haver diferença significativa entre os tratamentos. A presença da APP próxima ao experimento influenciou significativamente nos resultados. A intensidade de dano após três avaliações (81 dias) foi de 4,06%, resultado este promissor para o controle de quenquéns (Acromyrmex spp.) com a metodologia proposta.Palavras-chave: Controle químico; formigas cortadeiras; avaliação de dano. AbstractEvaluation of imidacloprid usage in control of Acromyrmex spp. in Pinus taeda planting. This research aimed to evaluate usage of active ingredient imidacloprid in different dosages, applied as gel soil conditioner in seedlings of Pinus taeda L. (Pinaceae) newly planted. The experiment was installed in one area of the company Celulose Irani S. A., at Vargem Bonita city, Santa Catarina State. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments and 8 replicates. Evaluations were performed at 25, 56 and 81 days after the experiment beginning. The presence of Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) near the experimental area significantly influenced the outcome. The intensity of damage after three assessments (81 days) was 4.06%, a promising result for control leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex spp.) with the proposed methodology.Keywords: Chemical control; leaf-cutting ants; damage assessment.AbstractThis research aimed to evaluate usage of active ingredient imidacloprid in different dosages, applied as gel soil conditioner in seedlings of Pinus taeda L. (Pinaceae) newly planted. The experiment was installed in one area of the company Celulose Irani S. A., at Vargem Bonita city, Santa Catarina State. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments and 8 replicates. Evaluations were performed at 25, 56 and 81 days after the experiment beginning. The presence of Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) near the experimental area significantly influenced the outcome. The intensity of damage after three assessments (81 days) was 4.06%, a promising result for control leaf-cutting ants (Acromyrmex spp.) with the proposed methodology.Keywords: Chemical control; leaf-cutting ants; damage assessment

High prevalence of long-term olfactory dysfunction confirmed by olfactory testing after a community COVID-19 outbreak

Purpose!#!The prevalence of long-term olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in participants suffering from sudden chemosensory loss due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unknown. Furthermore, evaluations of the reliability of participants' self-reporting of olfactory function (SOF) and gustatory function (SGF) using extended objective psychophysical testing are missing.!##!Methods!#!In this population-based cohort study in a PCR-tested community in Thuringia, Germany, olfactory function was extensively examined 4 months after a COVID-19 outbreak using the 'Sniffin Sticks' test battery to determine the TDI!##!Results!#!Of 43 adult convalescents (median age: 68 years; 58% female) after SARS-CoV‑2 infection, 18 participants (42%) had olfactory complaints due to SOF, one participant (2%) complained of taste disturbance due to SGF. The TDI!##!Conclusion!#!The SOF was reliable, especially for participants who felt a sudden chemosensory dysfunction during the outbreak. At 4 months after SARS-CoV‑2 infection, a high proportion of participants were dysosmic, whereas nearly all of them had normal taste function