Euschistus heros is an important pest in Brazilian agriculture growing importance in the general Neotropical realm. Its reproductive potential is the key factor for its characterization as a pest in major crops such as soybean and cotton. The aims of this study were to characterize morphometric parameters of testicles and testicular accessory cells-TACs nuclei of adults E. heros treated with chitin biosynthesis inhibitors (CBIs). The insecticides lufenuron (Match® 50 EC) and buprofezin (Applaud® 250 WP) were applied individually in 4th instar nymphs, remained in controlled conditions until the emergence of adult males. The testicles were identified and removed 72 h after emergency, fixed, photographed for anatomic analysis, and processed for morphometric analyses of the TACs nuclei. It was possible to observe that lufenuron and buprofezin decreased the testicular area. Buprofezin decreased the mean nuclear area analyzed in the TACs, and nuclear hypertrophy can indicate an activity on support and nutrition of germ line cells, presenting a possible effect on protein synthesis. The intense reaction for Fast green in control compared to buprofezin treatment may indicate that total protein (histones and non-histones) has been altered. The tested insecticides, with special focus on buprofezin may affect the final stages of reproductive development of E. heros, with potential to be used in field to the control of this pest.

Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus (CCYV) belongs to the genus Crinivirus and is part of a complex of whitefly-transmitted viruses that cause yellowing disease in cucurbits. In the southeastern USA, heavy incidences of CCYV have been observed on all cucurbits grown in the fall. CCYV was detected from wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), a common weed that grows in the southeastern USA by high-throughput sequencing as well as RT-PCR. CCYV sequence from wild radish was 99.90% and 99.95%, identical to RNA 1 and RNA 2 of cucurbit isolates of CCYV from the region. Transmission assays using whiteflies demonstrated that wild radish is a good host for CCYV. Whiteflies were also able to acquire CCYV from wild radish and transmit the virus to cucurbit hosts, which developed typical symptoms associated with CCYV. Using quantitative PCR, the titer of CCYV in wild radish was also estimated to be on par with that of cucurbit hosts of the virus. Whitefly bioassays revealed that wild radish is an acceptable feeding and reproductive host plant. These results indicate that wild radish could serve as a reservoir host for CCYV in the USA and other parts of the world where similar conditions exist.

No abstract

The use of insecticides known as insect growth regulators, which are considered more selective to natural enemies, may be an alternative to integrated pest management of stink bugs of the main crops in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate histological changes in the reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus as well as female fecundity and egg fertility after use of growth-regulating insecticides. The insecticides used were buprofezin (a chitin biosynthesis inhibitor) at a sublethal concentration (LC 30 of 2.99 g L -1 ) and pyriproxyfen (a juvenile hormone analog) at a sublethal concentration (LC 30 of 8.35 mL L -1 ). A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 10 repetitions and 10 insects per experimental unit. Two bioassays were performed: in the first bioassay, fecundity (eggs/ female) and fertility (nymph eclosion) of the insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated; in the second bioassay, morphological alterations of the ovarioles of adult females and of the testes of adult male insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated. Buprofezin and pyriproxyfen did not affect the adult sex ratio or female fecundity. Pyriproxyfen reduced the percentage of ecloded nymphs (71.6%) compared with that of the control and buprofezin (96.4 and 90.6%, respectively) treatments and had an ovicidal effect, with direct and indirect action on embryogenesis. Morphological changes were observed in both treatments with buprofezin and pyriproxyfen. The alterations observed in female and male reproductive systems may occur by the action of buprofezin and pyriproxyfen on the morphology of both ovarioles and testes. Key words: Dose-response curve. Endocrine disruption. Green-belly stink bug. Insect growth regulators. Reproductive organ morphology. ResumoA utilização de inseticidas conhecidos como reguladores de crescimento dos insetos, considerados mais seletivos a inimigos naturais, pode ser uma alternativa no manejo integrado no que se refere ao controle de percevejos-pragas das principais culturas no Brasil. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar alterações histológicas causadas no aparelho reprodutor de Dichelops melacanthus e a fecundidade das fêmeas e fertilidade de ovos, após o uso de inseticidas reguladores de crescimento. utilizados foram buprofezina (inibidor da biossíntese de quitina), na concentração subletal CL 30 2,99 g L -1 , e o piriproxifem (análogo do hormônio juvenil) na concentração subletal CL 30 8,35 mL L -1 . O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repetições e 10 insetos por repetição. Foram realizados dois bioensaios: no primeiro foi avaliada a fecundidade (número de ovos/fêmea) e a fertilidade (número de ninfas eclodidas) dos insetos que sobreviveram aos produtos. No segundo bioensaio, foram avaliadas as alterações morfológicas de ovaríolos de fêmeas e testículo de machos de percevejos adultos, que sobreviveram à ação dos inseticidas. Buprofezina e piriproxifem não afetaram a razão sexual de adultos ou mesmo a fecundidade das ...

The use of insecticides known as insect growth regulators, which are considered more selective to natural enemies, may be an alternative to integrated pest management of stink bugs of the main crops in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate histological changes in the reproductive system of Dichelops melacanthus as well as female fecundity and egg fertility after use of growth-regulating insecticides. The insecticides used were buprofezin (a chitin biosynthesis inhibitor) at a sublethal concentration (LC 30 of 2.99 g L -1 ) and pyriproxyfen (a juvenile hormone analog) at a sublethal concentration (LC 30 of 8.35 mL L -1 ). A completely randomized experimental design was used, with 10 repetitions and 10 insects per experimental unit. Two bioassays were performed: in the first bioassay, fecundity (eggs/ female) and fertility (nymph eclosion) of the insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated; in the second bioassay, morphological alterations of the ovarioles of adult females and of the testes of adult male insects that survived the insecticides were evaluated. Buprofezin and pyriproxyfen did not affect the adult sex ratio or female fecundity. Pyriproxyfen reduced the percentage of ecloded nymphs (71.6%) compared with that of the control and buprofezin (96.4 and 90.6%, respectively) treatments and had an ovicidal effect, with direct and indirect action on embryogenesis. Morphological changes were observed in both treatments with buprofezin and pyriproxyfen. The alterations observed in female and male reproductive systems may occur by the action of buprofezin and pyriproxyfen on the morphology of both ovarioles and testes. Key words: Dose-response curve. Endocrine disruption. Green-belly stink bug. Insect growth regulators. Reproductive organ morphology. ResumoA utilização de inseticidas conhecidos como reguladores de crescimento dos insetos, considerados mais seletivos a inimigos naturais, pode ser uma alternativa no manejo integrado no que se refere ao controle de percevejos-pragas das principais culturas no Brasil. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar alterações histológicas causadas no aparelho reprodutor de Dichelops melacanthus e a fecundidade das fêmeas e fertilidade de ovos, após o uso de inseticidas reguladores de crescimento. utilizados foram buprofezina (inibidor da biossíntese de quitina), na concentração subletal CL 30 2,99 g L -1 , e o piriproxifem (análogo do hormônio juvenil) na concentração subletal CL 30 8,35 mL L -1 . O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com 10 repetições e 10 insetos por repetição. Foram realizados dois bioensaios: no primeiro foi avaliada a fecundidade (número de ovos/fêmea) e a fertilidade (número de ninfas eclodidas) dos insetos que sobreviveram aos produtos. No segundo bioensaio, foram avaliadas as alterações morfológicas de ovaríolos de fêmeas e testículo de machos de percevejos adultos, que sobreviveram à ação dos inseticidas. Buprofezina e piriproxifem não afetaram a razão sexual de adultos ou mesmo a fecundidade das ...