Alcohol to control dark beetle in poultry litter

Brazil is the third largest producer of chicken meat in the world, resulting in the production of a large amount of waste called chicken litter. This residue generates favorable conditions for the development of the beetle Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), known as cascudinho, which is considered the main pest of poultry farming, affecting poultry production worldwide. Its control is considered difficult, and pyrethroid and organophosphorous substances are commonly used, although they are not efficient. In the search for alternative insect control, several natural insecticidal and insecticidal methods have been tested. However, in the entomological practice, substances with high vapor pressure in order to produce toxic gases are used for insect fixation. Thus, in October 2015, ethyl alcohol PA was tested with the aim of controlling A. diaperinus in chicken litter. The experimental units were represented by cut plastic pet bottles, where 100g of were poultry litter added, with 20 adult insects and 135 larvae each. The treatments were constituted by the application of alcohol in the volume of 1, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mL and its with dilution water (1:1) with equal volume applied. Two environments were simulated, one open (screens to contain the insects) and one closed (sample container closed with the portion previously cut). The plots were maintained at 28.5 ± 2° C and 51.0 ± 2% of relative humidity, with six replicates per treatment. The amount of 2.5 mL (2.5% v/p) alcohol generated 100% mortality in adults and larvae in the closed samples, requiring twice the volume in the open system. For the alcohol-water dilution (1:1) the 100% control was obtained with twice the amount reported previously in relation to the respective treatments.O Brasil é o maior exportador e o terceiro maior produtor mundial de carne de frango, sendo a atividade geradora de grande quantidade de resíduo chamado de cama de frango. Este resíduo gera condições favoráveis para o desenvolvimento do besouro Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), conhecido como cascudinho, sendo esse considerado a principal praga da avicultura, e afeta a produção avícola em todo o mundo. Seu controle é considerado difícil, sendo comumente empregadas substâncias piretróides e organofosforadas, apesar de não eficientes. Na busca pelo controle alternativo do inseto, vários métodos aditivos e inseticidas naturais vêm sendo testados. Contudo, na prática entomológica, substâncias com elevada pressão de vapor a fim de se produzir gases tóxicos são utilizadas para fixação dos insetos. Assim, em outubro de 2015, avaliou-se o álcool etílico PA para o controle de A. diaperinus em cama de frango. As unidades experimentais foram representadas por garrafas plásticas tipo “pet” cortadas, onde foram colocadas 100g de cama de frango, acrescidos de 20 insetos adultos e 135 larvas, cada uma. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pela aplicação de álcool no volume de 1, 2,5, 5, 7,5 e 10 mL e sua diluição com água (1:1) sendo aplicado igual volume. Simularam-se dois ambientes, sendo um aberto (com telas contendo os insetos) e um fechado (recipiente amostral fechado com a porção previamente cortada da garrafa “pet”). Nas parcelas foram mantidas a temperatura de 28,5 ± 2 ºC e UR de 51,0 ± 2%, feito seis repetições por tratamento. A quantidade de 2,5 mL (2,5% v/p) de álcool gerou 100% de mortalidade de adultos e larvas nas amostras fechadas, sendo necessário o dobro do volume no sistema aberto. Para a diluição álcool-água (1:1) o controle de 100% foi obtido com o dobro das quantidades relatadas anteriormente em relação aos respectivos tratamentos

Brachiaria spp. poisoning of ruminants in Brazil

Brachiaria species are the most important grasses for cattle production in Brazil. However, a limiting factor for the use of Brachiaria spp. is their toxicity. Most outbreaks of hepatogenous photosensitization are caused by B. decumbens; however B. brizantha, B. humidicola and B. ruziziensis can also cause poisoning. The poisoning affects cattle, sheep, goats and buffalo. Sheep are more susceptible than other animal species and the young are more susceptible than adults. There are differences in susceptibility among animals of the same species and it has been suggested that this resistance is genetic. Also has been suggested that buffalo and probably some sheep are resilient, i.e. when poisoned these animals have histologic lesions and high GGT serum concentrations, but do not show clinical signs. In general, saponin concentrations are higher in growing plants, but outbreaks occur all over the year, probably due to unexplained rise in saponin concentration in the plant. A clinical syndrome of progressive weight loss and death, without photosensitization, has been reported in cattle poisoned by B. decumbens. Main preventive measures are based on the selection of resistant or resilient animals and on the development of Brachiaria species or varieties with low saponin concentration