Bactérias isoladas do nim Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) sobre adultos de Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of bacteria isolated from the neem plant, Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae), on adults of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae). All evaluated bacterial suspensions were calibrated to a concentration of 5.0 x 108 cells / mL. The evaluated adults were the survivors of caterpillars that ingested corn leaves treated with bacterial suspensions. With these surviving adults, couples were formed and kept in cages. The longevity of males and females, the period of pre-oviposition and fertility, the total number of laying, fertility and fertility of the females were verified. Of the total isolates evaluated, 64.0% of them caused some adverse effect on adults, to the point of affecting one or more of the observed variables. The ingestion of bacteria by caterpillars reduced the longevity of adults, male and female. Females had a reduction in the fertile period, in the number of postures, in fertility and fertility. Only the pre-oviposition period was not affected. The Bacillus sp. Epi 9, Bacillus subtilis and Nim 10 isolates are highlighted because they affect the largest number of variables evaluated. The results obtained in this work are promising and important, as this is the first report of bacteria isolated from neem with pathogenic action to S. frugiperda.