Natural Coinfection between Novel Species of Baculoviruses in Spodoptera ornithogalli Larvae

Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest in different crops of economic relevance in America. For its control, strategies that include chemicals are usually used; so, the description of entomopathogens would be very useful for the formulation of biopesticides. In this regard, two different baculoviruses affecting S. ornithogalli were isolated in Colombia, with one of them being an NPV and the other a GV. Ultrastructural, molecular, and biological characterization showed that both isolates possess the 38 core genes and are novel species in Baculoviridae, named as Spodoptera ornithogalli nucleopolyhedrovirus (SporNPV) and Spodoptera ornithogalli granulovirus (SporGV). The bioassays carried out in larvae of S. ornithogalli and S. frugiperda showed infectivity in both hosts but being higher in the first. In addition, it was observed that SporGV potentiates the insecticidal action of SporNPV (maximum value in ratio 2.5:97.5). Both viruses are individually infective but coexist in nature, producing mixed infections with a synergistic effect that improves the performance of the NPV and enables the transmission of the GV, which presents a slowly killing phenotype.

Insecticidal Effect of Piper guineense Seed Powder in the Control of Beans Weevil Callosobruschus maculatus (Fabr)

Piper guineense commonly called Usira in Edo, Uziza in Igbo and IgherelIyere in Yoruba belongs to the family piperaceae. The efficiency of its seed powder in the control of callosobruschus maculatus (beans weevil) was investigated in the Science Laboratory Department of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State Nigeria. The seed powder was applied at the rate of O control, 15, 25, 50 and 100 (gkg-1). The result obtained shows that piper guineense seed powder at 25gkg-1 to 100gkg-1 were effective in the control of callosobrusus maculatus at 0.01% level of significance. It was revealed that a very strong insecticidal action of I. piper guineense on beans weevil. However, the efficiency of this insecticidal action on callosobruschus maculatus with increasing concentration of the plant material seed powder with 100gkg-1 giving the highest mortality rate, residual action and egg plugs of the weevils. This finding is critical to resource poor farmers in developing countries who will find this trial practicable and affordable. colourkasi hustlers.

Biocidal Activity of a Nanoemulsion Containing Essential Oil from Protium heptaphyllum Resin against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

This work aimed to prepare a nanoemulsion containing the essential oil of the Protium heptaphyllum resin and evaluate its biocidal activities against the different stages of development of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Ovicide, pupicide, adulticide and repellency assays were performed. The main constituents were p-cymene (27.70%) and α-pinene (22.31%). The developed nanoemulsion showed kinetic stability and monomodal distribution at a hydrophilic–lipophilic balance of 14 with a droplet size of 115.56 ± 1.68 nn and a zeta potential of −29.63 ± 3.46 mV. The nanoemulsion showed insecticidal action with LC50 0.404 µg.mL−1 for the ovicidal effect. In the pupicidal test, at the concentration of 160 µg.mL−1, 100% mortality was reached after 24 h. For adulticidal activity, a diagnostic concentration of 200 µg.mL−1 (120 min) was determined. In the repellency test, a concentration of 200 µg.mL−1 during the 180 min of the test showed a protection index of 77.67%. In conclusion, the nanobiotechnological product derived from the essential oil of P.heptaphyllumresin can be considered as a promising colloid that can be used to control infectious disease vectors through a wide range of possible modes of applications, probably as this bioactive delivery system may allow the optimal effect of the P. heptaphyllum terpenes in aqueous media and may also induce satisfactory delivery to air interfaces.

A Comprehensive Description on Ethnopharmacology and Therapeutics of Murdarsang: A Review

Murdarsang is a mineral that contains pbo, or lead oxide is an important medicine in the Unani system of medicine (USM) due to its multiple therapeutic properties. It can be prepared manually with different methods and used in different forms. Etymologically, it is known as 'Litharge' which is derived from Greek 'Litharguros' (lithos meaning stone and arguros for silver) which forms as a 'waste' during the last stage of silver smelting. Throughout human history, lead and lead minerals have been used for medicinal purposes. Galena was used as an eye salve in pre-dynastic Egypt, as well as by the ancient Indian civilisations of Mohendro-Daro and Harappa between 3200 and 2800 BC. Dioskourides in his De Materia Medica says about lithargyros that one is made from sand called molybditis which is roasted until it is totally burned, another from silver, a third from lead. According to Unani system of medicine Murdarsang possess different properties such as Astringent, Agglutinant, mildly Detergent, Desiccant, Anti-inflammatory Refrigerant, Corrosive and Rarefying properties. It is used as a base for making ointments. It composes the drugs and reduces the intensity of their dissolution, corrosion and astringency. It also have a corrosive, Resolvent and Insecticidal action. Many pharmacological activities mentioned in Unani medicine are validated, and many activities need further exploration due to the immense therapeutic scope in this drug. The current review designed to give an overview on the historical, chemical constituents, pharmacological and therapeutic effects of Murdarsang. Keywords: Murdarsang, Litharge, Lead oxide, Unani system of medicine.

In vitro efficacy of Carapa guianensis Aublet (Meliaceae) oil on Damalinia (Bovicola) ovis Schrank (1781)

Productivity in small ruminants can be compromised due to lice infestations. This pest infestation is controlled by the administration of insecticides, and their excessive use causes resistance. New control alternatives are being investiga-ted, especially the use of phytotherapeutics. Research using the oil from Carapa guianensis (andiroba) has shown insecticidal action on feline and goat lice specimens. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of C. guianensis seed oil, in vitro, on Damalinia (Bovicola) ovis.Nine hundred specimens of D. (Bovicola) ovis were randomly assigned into groups and were subjected to different treatments: (G1) 1,000 to 15.6 mg/mL of C. guianensis oil; (G2) 3% Tween 80 (negative control); and (G3) amitraz 1.25 g/mL (positive control). Data presentation was expressed as mean efficacy ± standard deviation using the statistical program SPSS version 23.0 and statistical differences of the experimental groups were obtained by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman. Probit Regression was performed to obtain CI50 and CI90, with a significance level of p < 0.05. The oil with a concentration of 1,000 mg/mL had an efficacy of 94% after 24 hours of exposure, differing statistically from the positive and negative control (p < 0.05). The IC50 and IC90 values were 439.21 mg/mL and 807.09 mg/mL, respectively. The action of the oil on the specimens was independent whether it was an adult female, male, or nymph. It is concluded that C. guianensis oil showed in vitro insecticidal effect against D. (Bovicola) ovis.

Terra de diatomácea e a sua eficiência na mortalidade de Spodoptera frugiperda em ambiente de laboratório

For the control of S. frugiperda, it is necessary to test methods, especially biological ones. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of diatomaceous earth under the control of S. frugiperda in the laboratory. Four treatments were performed with 5 repetitions: control (T1); zeta-cypermethrin (T2); bifenthrin and methomyl-novaluron (T3); diatomaceous earth (T4). Caterpillar mortality was evaluated at 3 times after the application of treatments: 24, 48 and 72 hours. Treatments T2 and T3 were higher in mortality rates. The insecticidal action of diatomaceous earth is notorious, but there is a need for more studies on this theme.

Dissecting Out the Molecular Mechanism of Insecticidal Activity of Ostreolysin A6/Pleurotolysin B Complexes on Western Corn Rootworm

Ostreolysin A6 (OlyA6) is a protein produced by the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). It binds to membrane sphingomyelin/cholesterol domains, and together with its protein partner, pleurotolysin B (PlyB), it forms 13-meric transmembrane pore complexes. Further, OlyA6 binds 1000 times more strongly to the insect-specific membrane sphingolipid, ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE). In concert with PlyB, OlyA6 has potent and selective insecticidal activity against the western corn rootworm. We analysed the histological alterations of the midgut wall columnar epithelium of western corn rootworm larvae fed with OlyA6/PlyB, which showed vacuolisation of the cell cytoplasm, swelling of the apical cell surface into the gut lumen, and delamination of the basal lamina underlying the epithelium. Additionally, cryo-electron microscopy was used to explore the membrane interactions of the OlyA6/PlyB complex using lipid vesicles composed of artificial lipids containing CPE, and western corn rootworm brush border membrane vesicles. Multimeric transmembrane pores were formed in both vesicle preparations, similar to those described for sphingomyelin/cholesterol membranes. These results strongly suggest that the molecular mechanism of insecticidal action of OlyA6/PlyB arises from specific interactions of OlyA6 with CPE, and the consequent formation of transmembrane pores in the insect midgut.

Mortality of leaf-cutting ants with salicylic acid

Strategies for the control of leaf-cutting ants have mainly involved granular baits based on fipronil and sulfluramid as active ingredients, which are commonly coated with attractive citrus-based substances. Their constant use and the lack of alternatives in the market may favor the perception of these substances by ants, causing rejection for foraging and consequent difficulty in their control. In this respect, this study examined the mortality of leaf-cutting ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex subjected to direct application with dry powders, in laboratory conditions. As a preliminary treatment, a commercial antiseptic talc powder (C. A. P. T.) was used, followed by isolated treatments that corresponded to its components with potential insecticidal action, namely, salicylic acid, sulfur, boric acid, zinc oxide, in addition to an inert talc powder (Quimidrol®) as the control. For each treatment, 40 (worker) ants, whose activity was reduced due to remaining in a refrigerator prior to the treatment, were placed in transparent crystal polystyrene (‘Gerbox’ type) and were sprinkled with a salt shaker. The ants were kept at 25 ± 2 °C, under a 12-h photophase, and cumulative mortality was recorded every 24 h, considering dead ants as those that were unable to maintain the natural position of their body, i.e., even dying ants were considered dead when they exhibited no reaction when touched by a paintbrush. When sprinkled on ants, C. A. P. T. causes 40% mortality in both species 24 h after application. Subsequent studies of the components of this commercial product have found that when sprinkled on both Atta sexdens rubropilosa and Acromyrmex crassispinus, salicylic acid causes 100% mortality of workers in the first 24 h. This result provides a new prospect of control through a low environmental-impact product, representing an alternative for control in nests in the field that can contribute to the integrated control of ants.

Biological systems for the protection of spring rapeseed from pests as a promising direction for a production increase of environmentally friendly and competitive oilseeds in the Republic of Tatarstan

This paper presents the ideas of the authors, confirmed by the results of a stationary field experiment on the possibility of widespread use of modern biological products of insecticidal action in the system of protection of the main oilseed crop of the Republic of Tatarstan namely spring rapeseed from such most harmful objects as cruciferous flea, cabbage moth, rape sawfly, flower beetle, secretive proboscis etc. The stationary field experiments were carried out on the basis of the agrarian biological technological park of Kazan State Agrarian University. The laboratory analyzes were carried out at the center of agroecological research of the agronomic faculty. The soils of the experimental site were gray forest, with the following agrochemical indicators: the content of humus according to Tyurin was 3.0%, mobile phosphorus was high (160 mg / kg) and exchangeable potassium was increased (145 mg/kg according to Kirsanov). The objects of research were the crops of spring rape of the Ruyan variety named after V.S. Pustovoyta, biological preparations Nodix Premium, Nodix Insectobact and Nodix Biofungicide. The importance of these studies is explained by the fact that in recent years, the number and resistance of pests of spring rape to chemical insecticides has increased and, accordingly, the chemical load on the environment has also increased. In this regard, the study of promising insecticides of biological origin on spring rape is an urgent task. During the research, it was found that the pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Insectobact (1 l / t of seeds) in combination with a nutrient solution Nodix Premium (0.3 l / t) in terms of the effectiveness of suppressing cruciferous flea bees is equivalent to dressing the seed with a chemical dressing agent Cruiser Rape (15 l / t). t). Moreover, a significant reduction in the chemical load on the environment ensures the use of the same biological products against other pests during the growing season of plants.