Perfil dos fruticultores e diagnóstico do uso de agrotóxicos no polo de fruticultura de Livramento de Nossa Senhora, Bahia

O Brasil é o terceiro produtor mundial de frutas, destacando-se a Região Nordeste como uma das principais produtoras. Na Bahia, dez polos de fruticultura são importantes na exportação de frutas frescas. O polo de Livramento de Nossa Senhora tem referência nos cultivos da manga, maracujá e banana. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar um diagnóstico sobre aspectos da produção de banana, manga e maracujá, voltados ao perfil do produtor, da propriedade e do uso de agrotóxicos, devolução de embalagens vazias e descarte de resíduos. Foram aplicados 610 questionários, abrangendo 20% dos produtores de cada frutífera. Os produtores têm baixo grau de escolaridade, dificultando a compreensão do uso de agrotóxicos de forma correta. A assistência técnica por meio de órgãos públicos é insuficiente e realizada pelos profissionais das casas comerciais. O uso de EPI não é prática persistente e a lavagem dos equipamentos é realizada em tanque de uso doméstico. Ações de educação sanitária devem ser desenvolvidas, com atenção aos produtores de maracujá, que, por serem mais jovens, podem se tornar multiplicadores dos conhecimentos necessários para uso de agrotóxicos

Occurrence of Leaf-Cutting and Grass-Cutting Ants of the Genus Atta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Geographic Regions of Brazil

Leaf-cutting ants are widely distributed in Brazil, particularly species of the genus Atta. We therefore described the occurrence of leaf-cutting and grass-cutting ant species of the genus Atta. Five routes comprising some of the main highways in the South, Southeast, Center-West, and North of Brazil were sampled, in addition to ants received from other 82 municipalities, composing 300 municipalities sampled. This is the first comprehensive study of Atta in Brazil. The following species were found: A. laevigata, A. capiguara, A. sexdens rubropilosa, A. sexdens piriventris, A. sexdens sexdens and A. cephalotes. Atta laevigata and A. capiguara were the species present in the largest number of the Brazilian municipalities sampled. Atta laevigata assumed the position of species of greatest occurrence in the Brazilian territory. Atta sexdens piriventris was only recorded in the southern region of Brazil. Atta bisphaerica presented lower expansion than A. capiguara. Atta cephalotes and Atta opaciceps are species of very restricted occurrence. Southeastern region was characterized by the occurrence of A. capiguara and A. laevigata. Atta laevigata exhibited a generalized pattern of occurrence in the Center-West and North. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the so far unknown occurrence of leaf-cutting and grass-cutting ants within Brazil

Comparison of diets for rearing the larvae of Mediterranean fruit fly: nutritional and economic aspects

The Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the main pest of fruit crops worldwide due to its broad distribution, direct damages, and adaptation to different hosts. Developing diets for the rearing fruit flies is essential for integrated management of this pest. Mass rearing of parasitoids, selection of preferred hosts, and mass rearing of genetically modified C. capitata strains subsidize methods of biological control, cultural control, and the sterile insect technique (SIT), respectively, depending directly on the mass rearing of the Mediterranean fruit fly. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of artificial diets for rearing C. capitata larvae considering the cost of those most appropriate diets. Nine diets containing different combinations of protein and energy sources (brewer’s yeast, yeast extract, pollen, soybean extract, oatmeal, corn meal, and wheat germ) were formulated. The parameters immature development time (hatching), pupal viability (emerged adults), size and weight of pupae, and adult size (wing length) were assessed. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory under controlled conditions of temperature (26 ± 1 °C) and relative humidity (70% ± 10%). Statistical analysis was performed by using ANOVA with the Tukey’s test for comparison of means. Diets based on oatmeal and soybean extract, both added with brewer’s yeast, yeast extract, or pollen satisfactorily meet the nutritional requirements of C. capitata. Moreover, diets enriched with brewer’s yeast or yeast extract presented the lowest costs; therefore, they could be used in a continuous mass-scale rearing of C. capitata. Diets based on corn meal and soybean extract, both associated with brewer’s yeast, yeast extract, or pollen are more economical, but they should not be used for rearing C. capitata because they decrease the percentage of hatching and extend life cycle. Diets based on wheat germ and oatmeal, both added with brewer’s yeast, yeast extract, or pollen are not adequate for rearing C. capitata

An analysis of spatial dispersal in Ceratitis capitata in an orchard of the ‘Palmer’ mango using McPhail traps1

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to analyse patterns of spatial dispersal in Ceratitis capitata using two types of attractive traps and propose a predictive model of pest dispersal with the aim of determining management zones for decision-making. The experiment was conducted in an orchard of the ‘Palmer’ mango in the district of Belo Campo, Bahia. Sampling was carried out using McPhail and Jackson traps. The pattern of spatial dispersal in C. capitata was determined using the Perry and Mead Index of Dispersion, the Morisita Index, and the Local Moran index (LISA). The spatial variability of the abundance of C. capitata was obtained by geostatistical analysis, with the indicator kriging method used to prepare the location and spatial distribution maps. The Perry and Mead Index of Dispersion and the Morisita Index showed an aggregated pattern of spatial dispersal, whereas the Moran Local index showed a random pattern from 7 DFSH (days from the start of the harvest) to 35 DFSH, and an aggregated pattern at 42 DFSH. The SDI was strong at 7 and 35 DFSH and moderate at 14, 28 and 42 DFSH. The dispersal patterns of C. capitata allow an exponential predictive model to be produced, outlining strategies for exponential management zones of C. capitata, and detecting which places have the highest risk of the pest occurring

FRUIT FLIES AND THEIR PARASITOIDS IN THE FRUIT GROWING REGION OF LIVRAMENTO DE NOSSA SENHORA, BAHIA, WITH RECORDS OF UNPRECEDENTED INTERACTIONS

ABSTRACT Several fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) assume the status of primary pests in fruit trees grown in Brazil, causing direct production losses. The aims of the study were to know aspects of diversity of fruit flies and their parasitoids in the fruit growing region of Livramento de Nossa Senhora, Bahia. Fruit samples were collected from 19 plant species during November/2011 and June/2014. Infestation rates were calculated in pupae.kg-1 of fruit and pupae.fruit-1. The results indicate the occurrence of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) and Neosilba pendula (Bezzi). Plant species Anacardium occidentale, Averrhoa carambola, Carica papaya, Eugenia uniflora, Malpighia emarginata, Mangifera indica var. “Haden”, “Rosa” and “Tommy Atkins”, Opuntia ficus indica, Pereskia bahiensis, Psidium guajava, Spondias lutea, Spondias purpurea and Spondias tuberosa are hosts of fruit flies in the region. Unprecedented bitrophic relationships between P. bahiensis and C. capitata and Anastrepha sp. and between Opuntia ficus indica and C. capitata and A. obliqua were recorded. Unprecedented tritrophic relationship for the state of Bahia Averrhoa carambola and C. capitata and parasitoid of the Pteromalidae Family were also recorded. Tritrophic associations between M. indica var. “Tommy Atkins” and S. purpurea and A. obliqua and Doryctobracon areolatus; and between S. purpurea and A. obliqua and Utetes anastrephae were observed

Oviposition preference and biological performance of Ceratitis capitata in Anacardiaceae, Cactaceae and Vitaceae fruit

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to compare the use of fruits of great economic and social importance for the northeast of Brazil by Ceratitis capitata Wied. (Diptera: Tephritidae) for oviposition, larval development, size and longevity of adults. Fruits of mango (Mangifera indica L.), quiabento (Pereskia bahiensis Gürke), forage palm [Opuntia fícus indica (L.) Mill] and grape (Vitis vinifera L.) were used, as well as flies from a hybrid laboratory population. Initially, four treatments (fruits) and six replications were used; the fruits were offered to 10 C. capitata couples, with later (96 hours) egg count. The second was conducted with six treatments and 10 replicates, offering two types of fruits simultaneously, combined two to two, to 10 C. capitata couples. The last bioassay comprised four treatments and six replicates, where 20 g of fruit were offered to 20 first-instar C. capitata larvae. After six days, the larvae were placed in plastic pots containing vermiculite until pupation, quantifying larval and pupal periods, viability and pupal mass, besides longevity and adult size. The data were submitted to ANOVA using the R Core Team software. Ceratitis capitata oviposits and completes its biological cycle in the four hosts studied, exhibiting no preference for oviposition and low biological performance in quiabento fruits. It yielded smaller adults and lower grape survival. Cactaceae palm and quiabento allow the survival of C. capitata in the laboratory, and this knowledge has been reported for the first time, proving that they can act as alternative hosts in the field

Influence of Mineral Particle Films and Biomaterials on Guava Fruits and Implications for the Oviposition of Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835) is an important pest of tropical fruits, especially Anacardiaceae and Myrtaceae, in the Americas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of mineral films and biomaterials on the coloring of guava fruits (Psidium guajava L.) and implications for the oviposition of A. obliqua. Before the bioassays, color, firmness characteristics, total soluble solids, pH, and titratable acidity were determined to characterize the maturation stage of the fruits. Pieces of guava fruit covered in aluminum foil were immersed in suspensions of mineral particles (Surround® WP kaolin; kaolins 605, 607, 608, and 611; and talc) and biomaterials (chitosan, cassava and potato starch, and guar gum) and distilled water (control). After drying, the fruits were exposed to two A. obliqua pairs for 48 h in choice and non-choice tests, and the numbers of eggs per fruit were counted. Mineral films (Surround® WP kaolin, and kaolins 605, 607, 608, and 611) and biomaterials (cassava and potato starch) interfered with the color of guava (luminosity, chroma, and hue angle), inhibiting the oviposition of A. obliqua. Talc, chitosan, and guar gum did not influence the oviposition of A. obliqua in guava