The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of entomopathogenic nematodes in the control of cassava root mealybug Dysmicoccus sp. under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Cochineals were reared in “Cabotiá” pumpkin in climatic chambers at 27 ± 1 °C, with relative humidity (RH) of 70 ± 10%, and without photoperiod. The selection test was carried out with 15 isolates, and the ones which caused the greater percentage of insect mortality were used in concentration tests (0, 5, 10, 20, 50 Infective Juveniles/cm²), in sand column displacement, in the in vivo production of Galleria mellonella larvae, and in pathogenicity tests in greenhouse. The isolates NEPET11 (Heterorhabditis sp.) and RSC05 (H. amazonensis) showed the greatest virulence to cochineals in the selection trial, with mortality percentages of 93% and 90%, respectively, and did not differ between each other. In the concentration test, the isolate NEPET11 showed the greatest insect mortality in lower concentrations. With regard to the displacement test, both isolates showed 100% insect mortality, with no significant difference. In the G. mellonella larval production trial of NEPET11 and RSC05 isolates, approximately 7.0 x 104 and 7.2 x 104 infective juveniles/g larvae were produced, respectively, with no significant difference between treatments. Tests in greenhouse pots did not produced significant results.

Attack by the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei causes significant damage to coffee crops because it affects the quality of the coffee fruit during different developmental stages, which results in production losses. Control of the borer is difficult owing to its cryptic behavior and the fact that it spends its entire life cycle inside the coffee berries. This makes it difficult for natural enemies to reach it, as well as for it to come into contact with chemical insecticides. The objective of the present study was to select and evaluate the virulence of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) on the coffee berry borer H. hampei and their compatibility with the insecticide cyantraniliprole under laboratory conditions. Initially, the pathogenicity and virulence of 16 isolates of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis towards coffee berry borer larvae and adults were evaluated. The most virulent isolates to both larvae and adults were determined by topical inoculation tests in coffee fruits (berries) infested by the insect, using a concentration of 100 infective juveniles (IJs)/fruit. The same isolates were also evaluated for viability and infectivity when combined with cyantraniliprole. The isolates S. feltiae (IBCB-n 47) and Heterorhabditis amazonensis (GL) displayed the highest virulence towards adults (54% ResumoA broca-do-café Hypothenemus hampei causa significativos prejuízos a esta cultura, pois seu ataque afeta a qualidade dos frutos de café em seus diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento e consequentemente leva a perdas na produção. O controle é dificultado devido ao seu comportamento críptico, uma vez que passa todo o ciclo dentro dos frutos de café, dificultando a ação de inimigos naturais, bem como o contato com inseticidas químicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a virulência de nematoides entomopatogênicos (NEPs) sobre a broca-do-café H. hampei e a sua compatibilidade com o inseticida ciantraniliprole em condições de laboratório. Inicialmente, foram avaliadas a patogenicidade e virulência de 16 isolados de Steinernema e Heterorhabditis para larvas e adultos de H. hampei. Os isolados mais virulentos para larvas e adultos foram utilizados no teste de inoculação tópica em frutos de café infestados pelo inseto, utilizando uma concentração de 100 juvenis infectantes (JIs)

Infestations of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in corn and wheat in Brazil, and the subsequent damage, have increased in recent years, mainly owing to this insect’s ability to survive the off-season. The control of this insect is mainly carried out with chemical insecticides, but the development of alternative methods, such as biological control, can contribute to a more sustainable management. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) for the control of D. melacanthus. A selection test was performed with 15 isolates of genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis regarding their pathogenicity and virulence on adults of D. melacanthus. Concentration (10, 20, 40, 50, and 100 infective juveniles (IJs)/cm2) and greenhouse tests were carried out only with the Steinernema feltiae isolate (IBCB-n 47). All experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design. The selection test data were submitted to the Scott-Knott averages test (P ? 0.05), and those from the greenhouse test to the Student's t-test. The results of the concentration assay were subjected to regression analysis. All isolates showed pathogenicity and virulence in adults of D. melacanthus. The isolates GL (Heterorhabditis amazonensis), IBCB-n27 (Steinernema sp.), and RSC05 (H. amazonensis) were the most virulent (80.0, 82.0, and 88.0% mortality, respectively). The higher concentrations of S. feltiae (50 and 100 IJs/cm²) were responsible for the highest mortality rates of green belly stink bug (88.0 and 86.0%, respectively). In the greenhouse test, S. feltiae caused higher mortality (38%) than the control.

The effects of alternative treatments on the oviposition and viability of Leucoptera coffeella eggs and larvae were evaluated. Under controlled conditions, coffee sprouts cv. IAPAR-59, eight months old, were sprayed with brown propolis extract (1%), pyroligneous extract with pepper and garlic (PEPG) (2%), silicate clay (2%), kaolin (5%), lime sulfur (2%), neem oil (1%) and kaolin + neem oil (5% + 1%), distilled water and no treatment. In a first no-choice bioassay, coffee sprouts were sprayed before oviposition and kept in cages, where adult insects within three days after emergence were released. Adults remained in the cages for 24 hours. Eggs were then counted. 10 eggs per sprout were preserved to verify larval mortality. The number of eggs when treated with propolis extract, neem oil, kaolin + neem oil and PEPG decreased in the evaluations. Treatments with neem oil caused greater larval hindrance. Eggs laid on leaves were also sprayed with the treatments. Egg viability was reduced by treatments containing neem oil and lime sulfur. Neem oil treatments resulted in slim adult emergence; intermediate viability with lime sulfur and slight hindrance with silicate clay. Finally, treatments were also sprayed on leaves, hosting first or third instar larvae. Neem treatment caused high mortality for 1st and 3 rd instar larvae, however, this effect was reduced when mixed with kaolin. Nonetheless, these negative effects disappeared when considering the adult survival ratio. Results indicated that propolis extract, PEPG and neem oil treatments are suitable for reducing egg deposition, neem oil considerably diminished larvae survival and adult emergence.

Objetivou-se selecionar isolados nativos de nematoides entomopatogênicos (NEPs) e avaliar o efeito da cama de aviário na sua patogenicidade e virulência, visando o controle do cascudinho de aviário. Foram utilizados 18 isolados (Steinernema e Heterorhabditis) no teste de seleção e os três isolados mais virulentos foram utilizados no teste de concentrações (10, 20, 40, 50 juvenis infectantes (JIs)/cm²). O efeito da cama de aviário (nova e velha) foi avaliado sobre S. feltiae (IBCB-n 47), S. carpocapse (IBCB-n 02), H. bacteriophora e H. amazonensis (UEL 08). Os experimentos foram realizados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os dados do teste de seleção e efeito da cama foram submetidos ao teste de médias Scott-Knott (P?0,05) e, do teste de concentrações à análise de regressão. Observou-se no teste de seleção para adultos, que os três isolados mais virulentos foram Heterorhabditis amazonensis (UEL 07), H. amazonensis (RSC 05) e Steinernema carpocapsae (IBCB-n 02) com 76,5; 73,5; 70% mortalidade respectivamente. Para larvas, Heterorhabditis sp. (NEPETT 11), S. feltiae (IBCB-n 47), H. amazonensis. (UEL 07) foram os mais virulentos e causaram 100; 96; 93,7% de mortalidade respectivamente. No teste de concentrações, a maior mortalidade em adultos (98%) e larvas (98%) foi observada para S. feltiae nas concentrações de 30 JIs/cm² e 50JIs/cm² respectivamente. Com relação ao efeito da cama de aviário, observou-se que S. feltiae (IBCB-n 47) e S. carpocapse (IBCB-n 02) causaram as maiores mortalidade tanto em cama nova (60,7 e 58,7%) quanto em cama velha (80 e 74,7%) respectivamente.