Neotropical Entomology最新文献

Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) is considered an important pest in Neotropical countries. The laboratory rearing of this species should reproduce conditions in nature; thus, special attention is required to the nutritional quality of diets for larval development. Protein components (wheat germ) are costly and account for most production costs in lab insect rearing. In this sense, this work aimed to identify ingredients to replace wheat germ, without compromising diet quality for the lab rearing of A. fraterculus. We tested diets composed of whole rice flour, corn flour, and a mixture of whole wheat flour + soybean flour as substitutes for wheat germ as well as a raw wheat germ diet, considered the control. The protein sources used in the larval diet influenced the biological performance of both the larval and adult stages of A. fraterculus during six generations. The diet containing corn flour and wheat germ showed similar results in the different developmental parameters. The diet with rice flour also provided adequate biological development for A. fraterculus throughout its life cycle and was nutritionally similar to the control. As it is local product, rice flour can replace wheat germ (costly imported product) in artificial diets for A. fraterculus, reducing production costs by roughly 30% without compromising the biological and nutritional parameters of the insects. Faced with this, the rice flour can be considered suitable for the mass rearing of A. fraterculus in the laboratory.

World trade has facilitated the spread of non-native pest species, presenting new challenges for food production. In the Global South, linking worker social protection programs with invasive pest management can, at the same time, contribute to food security and empower workers. The spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) (SWD) recent invasion in the Global South case study illustrates how science-based policies integrated with agricultural worker-based social organizations can contribute toward economic and environmental sustainability.

We provide updated diagnoses for the senex-, burtoni- and dimorphus-groups of Camponotus (Myrmobrachys). Dichotomous keys for the C. (Myrmobrachys) groups and species of the dimorphus-group, based on type-specimens are provided. Two new species of the dimorphus-group are described, Camponotus cameloides sp. nov. and Camponotus hyalus sp. nov. We classified C. dolabratus and C. lancifer as members of the dimorphus-group and C. crassicornis, C. subcircularis, and C. championi as members of the senex-group. Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to describe the branched pilosity of C. cameloides and this is the first description of it for adult workers of Camponotini tribe.

The Neotropical genus Ebenia Macquart, 1846, is a member of the tribe Dufouriini (Dexiinae), and before the current work, comprised four species, viz. E. claripennis Macquart 1846, E. fumata (Wulp, 1891), E. neofumata Santis & Nihei, 2022 and E. trichopoda (Wulp, 1891). The present taxonomic revision results in a new generic synonymy: Comyops Wulp, 1891 syn. nov. of Ebenia. The following two new combinations result from this act: E. nigripennis (Wulp, 1891) comb. nov. and E. striaticollis (Wulp, 1891) comb. nov. both originally described in Comyops. In addition, the species originally described as Homodexia spinosa Bigot, 1889 is moved from its current placement in Thelairodes Wulp, 1891 to Ebenia as Ebenia spinosa (Bigot, 1889) comb. nov. A new specific synonymy is proposed for this last species: Morinia trichopoda Wulp, 1891, previously treated as a valid species of Ebenia, becomes a junior synonym of E. spinosa. All valid species are redescribed and photographed with the first description and illustration of the male terminalia for E. claripennis, E. neofumata and E. nigripennis and female terminalia for E. spinosa. Additionally, lectotype fixations are made for E. nigripennis and M. trichopoda. Finally, an updated diagnosis for the genus Ebenia and a key to the six known species are provided.

Megaceropsis Dechambre, 1976 (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Dynastinae, Oryctini) is a South American genus with two known species until now: Megaceropsis quadridentata Dechambre, 1976 and Megaceropsis lecourti Dechambre, 1996. We describe a third species herein: Megaceropsis kleytoni sp. nov., from Brazil. Illustrations, a distributional map, and an identification key including all Megaceropsis species are provided. Additionally, a first record of M. quadridentata from Brazil is presented.

Globally, people use sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) to produce sugar and ethanol. Rainfed or irrigated sugarcane agricultural systems are available. Among the pests affecting this crop, the weevil Sphenophorus levis, Vaurie 1978 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is increasingly becoming a significant threat in southern South America. Sphenophorus levis populations are controlled using chemical or biological measures. Control decisions hinge upon the economic injury level (EIL). The EIL delineates the pest density that results in financial losses for producers. This study aims to determine the EIL for S. levis, considering the factors favoring this insect pest and chemical and biological control methods in rainfed and irrigated systems. The intensity of S. levis attacks was monitored in commercial sugarcane plantations over four years in João Pinheiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Sampling occurred in a 50 × 50 × 30-cm-deep trench dug in the soil surrounding the sugarcane clump. The total number of stumps in the clump, including those attacked by S. levis, was tallied. The EILs for this pest were 5.93% and 4.85% of targeted stumps for chemical control in rainfed and irrigated crops, respectively. Biological control in sugarcane plots resulted in an EIL of 4.15% and 3.40% for stumps attacked in rainfed and irrigated crops, respectively. Pest attacks were more severe during rainy years and in older sugarcane crops. The EIL values determined in this study could inform integrated pest management programs for sugarcane crops.

Increased attention is being focused on the biological control of agricultural pests using microorganisms, owing to their potential as a viable substitute for chemical control methods. Insect cadavers constitute a potential source of entomopathogenic microorganisms. We tested whether bacteria and fungi isolated from Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) cadavers could affect its survival, development, egg-laying pattern, and hatchability, as well as induce mortality in Anthonomus grandis Boheman adults. We isolated the bacteria Enterobacter hormaechei and Serratia marcescens and the fungi Scopulariopsis sp. and Aspergillus nomiae from fall armyworm cadavers and the pest insects were subjected to an artificial diet enriched with bacteria cells or fungal spores to be tested, in the case of S. frugiperda, and only fungal spores in the case of A. grandis. Enterobacter hormaechei and A. nomiae were pathogenic to S. frugiperda, affecting the survival of adults and pupae. The fungus Scopulariopsis sp. does not affect the survival of S. frugiperda caterpillars and pupae; however, due to late action, moths and eggs may be affected. Aspergillus nomiae also increased mortality of A. grandis adults, as well as the development of S. frugiperda in the early stages of exposure to the diet, as indicated by the vertical spore transfer to offspring and low hatchability. Enterobacter hormaechei and A. nomiae are potential biocontrol agents for these pests, and warrant further investigation from a toxicological point of view and subsequently in field tests involving formulations that could improve agricultural sustainability practices.

The house fly, Musca domestica (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Muscidae), is a significant threat to human and animal health and is also resistant to a variety of insecticides. Plant-derived benzoates are known to have insecticidal activities against various insects. In this study, the larvicidal, pupicidal, and adulticidal activities of benzoate derivatives (benzyl alcohol BA, benzyl benzoate BB, and methyl benzoate MB) were assessed and investigated for their effects on larval structure and acetylcholinesterase activity. Six concentrations (2.5 to 100 mg/mL) of benzoate derivatives were applied to larvae and pupae through the residual film method and topical application, respectively. Meanwhile, concentrations from 0.625 to 50 mg/L air were applied to adult flies through a fumigation assay. BA and MB achieved promising results against larvae with LC₅₀ values of 10.90 and 11.53 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, BA killed 100% of the larvae at a concentration of 25 mg/mL, and MB achieved the same effect at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. Regarding the pupicidal activity, MB showed a percentage inhibition rate (PIR) of 100% at a concentration of 100 mg/mL, while the same effect was achieved by BA at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. Meanwhile, BB did not show any effect on the larvae or pupae at any of the tested concentrations. Moreover, the scanning microscopy observations on the treated larvae by BA and MB estimated flaccid and deformity in the larva body with a shrunken cuticle. Additionally, both BA and MB suppress nerve signal transmission by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that BA and MB may be useful in control housefly populations. These substances cause severe muscular relaxation and deformities in insects.

The leafroller Argyrotaenia sphaleropa (Meyrick) is an important pest of temperate fruits. Its biology and population dynamics are strongly influenced by temperature. In this context, this study aims to select a mathematical model that accurately describes the temperature-dependent development rate of A. sphaleropa and applies this model to predict the impact of climate change on the number of annual generations (voltinism) of the pest in southern Brazil. Nine mathematical models were employed to fit the species' developmental rate at different constant temperatures. Voltinism was projected using climate data from the current period (1994-2013) and projections for 2050 and 2070. The Brière-1 model (D(T) = aT(T-T_L)(T_H-T)^1/2) provided the best fit for the temperature-dependent developmental rate of A. sphaleropa. According to this model, the regions with the highest voltinism under current climatic conditions are the northern and central areas of Paraná, the western and northeastern regions of Santa Catarina, and northwestern Rio Grande do Sul. The model also predicts a rise in A. sphaleropa voltinism as a consequence of climate change, especially in the mountainous regions of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, with projected increases of up to 25.1%. These regions encompass most areas where temperate fruits used as hosts by the leafroller are cultivated. This study represents a significant advancement in understanding the implications of global warming on A. sphaleropa voltinism and suggests that forthcoming climatic conditions will likely favor the species across much of southern Brazil.