Action of Heterorhabditis indica (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) strain LPP1 on the reproductive biology of engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of the entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) Heterorhabditis indica, LPP1, on the reproductive biology of engorged females of Rhipicephalus microplus. For this purpose, 240 females were divided into eight groups with statistically similar weights (p>0.05). Each group was divided into six subgroups with five females distributed in Petri dishes and exposed to concentrations of 0, 375, 750, 1500, 3000, 6000, 12,000 and 24,000 EPNs/dish. The following biological parameters were evaluated: egg mass weight (mg), egg production index (%EPI), hatching percentage (%) and percentage of control. The action of the nematodes resulted in a significant reduction (p<0.05) in egg mass weight, hatching percentage and EPI in all treatments groups. The percentage of control in all groups was above 97%, reaching 100% at concentrations of 3000 and 12,000 EPNs/female. Comparison of these results with those reported in other articles evaluating the in vitro pathogenicity of different EPN species against R. microplus shows that under laboratory conditions H. indica LPP1 is the one of most virulent species

Insect pathogens as biological control agents: back to the future

The development and use of entomopathogens as classical, conservation and augmentative biological control agents have included a number of successes and some setbacks in the past 15 years. In this forum paper we present current information on development, use and future directions of insect-specific viruses, bacteria, fungi and nematodes as components of integrated pest management strategies for control of arthropod pests of crops, forests, urban habitats, and insects of medical and veterinary importance. Insect pathogenic viruses are a fruitful source of MCAs, particularly for the control of lepidopteran pests. Most research is focused on the baculoviruses, important pathogens of some globally important pests for which control has become difficult due to either pesticide resistance or pressure to reduce pesticide residues. Baculoviruses are accepted as safe, readily mass produced, highly pathogenic and easily formulated and applied control agents. New baculovirus products are appearing in many countries and gaining an increased market share. However, the absence of a practical in vitro mass production system, generally higher production costs, limited post application persistence, slow rate of kill and high host specificity currently contribute to restricted use in pest control. Overcoming these limitations are key research areas for which progress could open up use of insect viruses to much larger markets. A small number of entomopathogenic bacteria have been commercially developed for control of insect pests. These include several Bacillus thuringiensis sub-species, Lysinibacillus (Bacillus) sphaericus, Paenibacillus spp. and Serratia entomophila. B. thuringiensis sub-species kurstaki is the most widely used for control of pest insects of crops and forests, and B. thuringiensis sub-species israelensis and L. sphaericus are the primary pathogens used for medically important pests including dipteran vectors,. These pathogens combine the advantages of chemical pesticides and microbial control agents (MCAs): they are fast acting, easy to produce at a relatively low cost, easy to formulate, have a long shelf life and allow delivery using conventional application equipment and systemics (i.e. in transgenic plants). Unlike broad spectrum chemical pesticides, B. thuringiensis toxins are selective and negative environmental impact is very limited. Of the several commercially produced MCAs, B. thuringiensis (Bt) has more than 50% of market share. Extensive research, particularly on the molecular mode of action of Bt toxins, has been conducted over the past two decades. The Bt genes used in insect-resistant transgenic crops belong to the Cry and vegetative insecticidal protein families of toxins. Bt has been highly efficacious in pest management of corn and cotton, drastically reducing the amount of broad spectrum chemical insecticides used while being safe for consumers and non-target organisms. Despite successes, the adoption of Bt crops has not been without controversy. Although there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding their detrimental effects, this controversy has created the widespread perception in some quarters that Bt crops are dangerous for the environment. In addition to discovery of more efficacious isolates and toxins, an increase in the use of Bt products and transgenes will rely on innovations in formulation, better delivery systems and ultimately, wider public acceptance of transgenic plants expressing insect-specific Bt toxins. Fungi are ubiquitous natural entomopathogens that often cause epizootics in host insects and possess many desirable traits that favor their development as MCAs. Presently, commercialized microbial pesticides based on entomopathogenic fungi largely occupy niche markets. A variety of molecular tools and technologies have recently allowed reclassification of numerous species based on phylogeny, as well as matching anamorphs (asexual forms) and teleomorphs (sexual forms) of several entomopathogenic taxa in the Phylum Ascomycota. Although these fungi have been traditionally regarded exclusively as pathogens of arthropods, recent studies have demonstrated that they occupy a great diversity of ecological niches. Entomopathogenic fungi are now known to be plant endophytes, plant disease antagonists, rhizosphere colonizers, and plant growth promoters. These newly understood attributes provide possibilities to use fungi in multiple roles. In addition to arthropod pest control, some fungal species could simultaneously suppress plant pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes as well as promote plant growth. A greater understanding of fungal ecology is needed to define their roles in nature and evaluate their limitations in biological control. More efficient mass production, formulation and delivery systems must be devised to supply an ever increasing market. More testing under field conditions is required to identify effects of biotic and abiotic factors on efficacy and persistence. Lastly, greater attention must be paid to their use within integrated pest management programs; in particular, strategies that incorporate fungi in combination with arthropod predators and parasitoids need to be defined to ensure compatibility and maximize efficacy. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are potent MCAs. Substantial progress in research and application of EPNs has been made in the past decade. The number of target pests shown to be susceptible to EPNs has continued to increase. Advancements in this regard primarily have been made in soil habitats where EPNs are shielded from environmental extremes, but progress has also been made in use of nematodes in above-ground habitats owing to the development of improved protective formulations. Progress has also resulted from advancements in nematode production technology using both in vivo and in vitro systems; novel application methods such as distribution of infected host cadavers; and nematode strain improvement via enhancement and stabilization of beneficial traits. Innovative research has also yielded insights into the fundamentals of EPN biology including major advances in genomics, nematode-bacterial symbiont interactions, ecological relationships, and foraging behavior. Additional research is needed to leverage these basic findings toward direct improvements in microbial control

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Evaluation Of Insecticides Resistance In Blattella Germanica (l., 1757) (dictyoptera: Blatellidae) In Juiz De Fora Municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil [avaliação Da Resistência De Blattella Germanica (l., 1757) (dictyoptera: Blattellidae) A Inseticidas No Município De Juiz De Fora, Minas Gerais, Brasil]

Blattella germanica lives a long time in association with the man, near man's food and creating resistance to various insecticides. Thus, it is the species of cockroach more difficult to control, causing great disorder, affecting the economy and presenting medical importance. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of B. germanica to Diazinon® (organophosphate), Cipermetrine® (pyrethroid) and Propoxur® (carbamate) insecticides and the period of residual effect assessed until 15 days of application. In order to evaluate the acquired resistance by B. germanica to insecticide and for better characterization with the day by day of the companies that control pests, the dilution in water followed the instructions of the manufacturer and technique for the test was tarsal contact. The cockroaches were collected in many locations in commercial areas in Juiz de Fora municipality (Minas Gerais) and created in laboratory environment (temperature 28°C ± 1°C, 60% ± 5% relative air humidity), feeding with dog food, powdered milk and water, offered continuously. The specimens obtained from the 3 rd generation were used in the tests, eliminating any previous contact with insecticide or other chemical products. For evaluation of each insecticide were used 1800 specimens. The results showed resistance to Cipermetrine and Propoxur, while Diazinon was the most effective, proving to be the best recommendation for the control of this insect. The residual effect of the three insecticides showed similar results for the control of B. germanica and the most stable period was from the 1 st to the 10 th day.274642648Bergé, J., Feyerensen, R., Amichot, M., Cytochrome P450 monoxygenases and insecticide resistance in insects (1998) Philosophical Transactions Royal Society London Series B: Biological Sciences, 353, pp. 1701-1705. , LondonBracco, J.E., Dalbon, M., Marinotti, O., Barata, J.M.S., Resistência a inseticidas organofosforados e carbamatos em população de Culex quinquefasciatus (1997) Revista De Saúde Pública, 31 (2), pp. 182-183. , São PauloCochran, D.G., Monitoring for insecticide resistance in field-collected "strains" of the German cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) (1989) Journal of Economic Entomology, 82 (2), pp. 337-341. , ColumbiaCornwell, P.B., (1968) The Cockroach: A Laboratory Insect and An Industrial Pest, 1, p. 391. , London, The Rentokil Library, LondonDegrande, P., Manejo de Pragas: Realidade e Desafios (2000) Anais, pp. 229-244. , In. CONGRESSO INTERNACIONAL DO AGRONEGÓCIO DO ALGODÃO, 2000, Cuiabá, CuiabáDiaz, C., Alvarez, Y., de Armas, Y., Adaptation of methods for quantification of the effect of esterase, acetylcholinesterase and glutathione-S-transferase in Blatella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) (2006) Revista Cubana De Medicina Tropical, 58 (3), pp. 24-30. , HavanaHemingway, J., Small, G.J., Monro, A.G., Possible mechanisms of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticide resistance in German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) from different geographical areas (1993) Journal of Economic Entomology, 86 (6), pp. 1623-1630. , ColumbiaLee, C.Y., Yap, H.H., Chong;, N.L., Insecticide resistance and sinergism in field collected German cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) in Peninsular Malaysia (1996) Bulletin of Entomological Research, 86 (6), pp. 675-682. , CambridgeLima, E.P., Martins, A.O.F., Oliveira, J.W.L., Ramos, A.N.J., Cavalcanti, L.P.G., Pontes, R.J.S., Resistência do Aedes aegypti ao temefós em municípios do Estado do Ceará (2006) Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical, 39 (3), pp. 259-263. , São PauloLin, L.F., Lu, W.C., Cai, S.W., Monitoring for insecticide resistance in field-collected strains of the German cockroach in Guangdong (2000) Chinese Journal of Vector Biological Control, 11 (1), pp. 32-34. , HangzhouLuna, J.E.D., Martins, F.M., Anjos, A.F., Kuwabara, F.E., Silva, N.A.M., Susceptibilidade de Aedes aegypti aos inseticidas temephos e cipermetrina, Brasil (2004) Revista De Saúde Pública, 38 (6), pp. 842-843. , São PauloMilio, J.F., Koehler, P.G., Patterson, R.S., Evaluation of three methods for detecting chlorpyrifos resistance in German cockroach (OrthopteraBlattellidae) populations (1987) Journal of Economic Entomology, 80 (1), pp. 44-46. , ColumbiaPantoja, C.R., Perez, G., Calvo, E., Rodriguez, M.M., Bisset, A.J.A., Insecticide resistance studies on Blattella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) from Cuba (2000) Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 916, pp. 628-634. , New YorkParreira, R.S., Ferreira, M.C., Martinelli, N.M., Silva, I.C., Fernandes, A.P., Romani, G.N., Mortalidade de Blatella germanica (L., 1767) (Blattodea: Blattellidae) sob diferentes áreas e períodos de exposição a diferentes inseticidas (2010) Bioscience Journal, 26 (1), pp. 40-51. , UberlândiaRodriguez, M.M., Bisset, J.A., Mila, L.H., Niveles de resistencia a insecticidas y sus mecanismos en una cepa de Aedes aegypti de Santiago de Cuba (1999) Revista Cubana De Medicina Tropical, 51 (2), pp. 8-83. , HavanaSalmeron, E., Omoto, C., Monitoramento da susceptibilidade de população de Blattella germanica (LINNAEUS, 1767) (DICTYOPTERA: BLATTELLIDAE) a inseticida (2002) Neotropical Entomology, 32 (1), pp. 177-181Salmeron, E., Omoto, C., Caracterização da resistência de Blattella germanica (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) a deltametrina e clorpirifós e relações de resistência cruzada com fipronil (2003) Neotropical Entomology, 32 (1), pp. 177-181. , LondrinaSalmeron, E., Omoto, C., Mistura de deltametrina e clorpirifós no manejo da resistência de Blattella germanica (Linnaeus, 1757) (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) a deltametrina (2004) Entomotropica, 19 (2), pp. 85-89. , MaracayTaiariol, D.R., Vassena, C.V., Pocollo, M.I., Alzogaray, R.A., Zerba, E.N., Resistencia a insecticidas en Blattella germanica de Buenos Aires (2001) Acta Toxicológica Argentina, 9 (2), pp. 92-95. , Buenos AiresValles, M.V., Cyalothrin resistance detection in the German cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae) (1999) Journal of Economic Entomology, 92 (2), pp. 293-297. , Columbi

EVALUATION OF INSECTICIDES RESISTANCE IN Blattella germanica (L., 1757) (Dictyoptera: Blatellidae) IN JUIZ DE FORA MUNICIPALITY, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

Blattella germanica lives a long time in association with the man, near man's food and creating resistance to various insecticides. Thus, it is the species of cockroach more difficult to control, causing great disorder, affecting the economy and presenting medical importance. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of B. germanica to Diazinon (R) (organophosphate), Cipermetrine (R) (pyrethroid) and Propoxur (R) (carbamate) insecticides and the period of residual effect assessed until 15 days of application. In order to evaluate the acquired resistance by B. germanica to insecticide and for better characterization with the day by day of the companies that control pests, the dilution in water followed the instructions of the manufacturer and technique for the test was tarsal contact. The cockroaches were collected in many locations in commercial areas in Juiz de Fora municipality (Minas Gerais) and created in laboratory environment (temperature 28 degrees C +/- 1 degrees C, 60% +/- 5% relative air humidity), feeding with dog food, powdered milk and water, offered continuously. The specimens obtained from the 3(rd) generation were used in the tests, eliminating any previous contact with insecticide or other chemical products. For evaluation of each insecticide were used 1800 specimens. The results showed resistance to Cipermetrine and Propoxur, while Diazinon was the most effective, proving to be the best recommendation for the control of this insect. The residual effect of the three insecticides showed similar results for the control of B. germanica and the most stable period was from the 1(st) to the 10(th) day.27464264

Virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) to spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae).

<div><p>The spittlebug can seriously limit the production of forage, and the use of chemical products to control insect pests is costly and can harm the environment. Thus, there is a need to reduce the reliance on chemical agents by developing new strategies. The virulence of nine strains of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to spittlebugs was investigated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Fourth/fifth-instar nymphs of Mahanarva spectabilis were exposed to EPNs in the laboratory and the most virulent strains were applied on the nymphs in the greenhouse at concentrations of 2,000 and 4,000 EPNs/mL. The efficacy of the pathogenic agent was confirmed by the dissection of dead hosts. All the tested strains were pathogenic to the M. spectabilis nymphs in laboratory, particularly Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, S. riobraveand Heterorhabditis amazonensisRSC1, each of which caused nymph mortality higher than 80%. The concentration did not influence the efficiency of the strains, and those selected in the laboratory had similar efficiency in the greenhouse, except for S. carpocapsae, which was not as effective as the others. Entomopathogenic nematodes can be included in integrated pest management programs to M. spectabilis.</p></div

Evaluation in vitro of the infection times of engorged females of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus by the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema glaseri CCA strain Avaliação in vitro dos tempos de infecção de fêmeas ingurgitadas de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus pelo nematoide entomopatogênico Steinernema glaseri estirpe CCA

Studies have shown that ticks are susceptible to infection by entomopathogenic nematodes. These studies indicate different susceptibilities of ticks to infection by these fungi, depending on the tick species, development phase, entomopathogenic nematodes species and strains and the time the ticks are exposed to them. Usually this period ranges from 24 to 72 hours. The aim of this study was to evaluate the infection times in vitro of engorged Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus females by the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema glaseri CCA strain, by analysis of the ticks' biological parameters. The results show that a 2-hour exposure time was sufficient for the engorged R. microplus females to be infected by S. glaseri CCA, but that a minimum exposure time of 24 hours was necessary to generate treatment efficacy above 90%.<br>Os carrapatos são susceptíveis à infecção por nematoides entomopatogênicos. Essa susceptibilidade diverge quanto às espécies de carrapato estudadas, à fase evolutiva, às espécies e estirpes dos nematoides e ao tempo ao qual os carrapatos ficam expostos a estes. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os tempos de infecção in vitro de fêmeas ingurgitadas de Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus pelo nematoide entomopatogênico Steinernema glaseri estirpe CCA, pela análise dos parâmetros biológicos do carrapato. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que um período de duas horas de exposição foi suficiente para que fêmeas ingurgitadas de R. microplus fossem infectadas por S. glaseri CCA e que um período de exposição mínimo de 24h foi necessário para que houvesse infecção de fêmeas ingurgitadas de R. microplus por S. glaseri estirpe CCA, capaz de gerar, in vitro, eficácia no tratamento superior a 90%