Descriptions of the mature larva and pupa of the Scaly strawberry weevil, Sciaphilus asperatus (Bonsdorff, 1785) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae) and observations of its biology

The mature larva of Sciaphilus asperatus is redescribed and illustrated, and the pupa is described for the first time. Supplements to the identification keys for larvae and pupae of selected Palaearctic Entiminae genera and species are given. Data on the life history, especially oviposition capacity and voltinism, of S. asperatus are provided and discussed, and the number of the six larval instars was confirmed. The economic importance of S. asperatus is briefly highlighted.

Effect of Water Flooding on the Oviposition Capacity of Engorged Adult Females and Hatchability of Eggs of Dog Ticks:Rhipicephalus sanguineusandHaemaphysalis leachi leachi

Effects of water flooding on the oviposition capacity of engorged adult females and hatchability of eggs ofRhipicephalus sanguineusandHaemaphysalis leachi leachiunder laboratory conditions were investigated. The durations of time of water flooding were 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours. Engorged females ofR. sanguineusandH. leachi leachidid not oviposit after being flooded for more than 48 and 6 hours, respectively. The preoviposition periods of both species were longer than those of their controls. The number of eggs laid were significantly lower () and higher () than their controls, respectively, forR. sanguineusandH. leachi leachiflooded for 1–4 hours. The hatchability of eggs of both species decreased as flooding time increased. The percentage of hatchability was negatively correlated with flooding time and was highly significant (; ). It is concluded thatR. sanguineustolerated simulated water flooding more thanH. leachi leachi.

Insecticidal, Mutagenic and Genotoxic Evaluation of Annonaceous Acetogenins

Annonaceous acetogenins represent a class of bioactive compounds whose primary mode of action is the inhibition of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Mitochondrial Complex I). Given the potential pesticidal use of these compounds, we evaluated the effects of seven acetogenins: squamocin (1), molvizarin (2), itrabin (3), almuñequin (4), cherimolin-1 (5), cherimolin-2 (6), and tucumanin (7) isolated from Annona cherimolia Mill. against Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann (Tephritidae). These acetogenins did not display insecticidal action at 250 μg of treatment per g of adult diet. However, the oviposition capacity of C. capitata females was significantly altered by some of the acetogenins at this concentration. The most potent compounds were itrabin, molvizarin and squamocin. Moreover, significant differences were detected in the preference of oviposition sites when itrabin and squamocin were spread on the surface of artificial fruits at doses of 30 μg/cm2. Additionally, we investigated the mutagenic effects displayed by itrabin, as well as the phytotoxic and genotoxic action of squamocin and itrabin. Both compounds displayed slight phytotoxic and genotoxic effects on roots of Allium cepa at 2.5 μg/mL though no mutagenic effects were detected at 0.25, 0.5 and 2.5 μg/mL on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100.

Biological aspects and predatory capacity of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) fed on Alabama argillacea (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) reared on cotton genotypes

Host plants may influence indirectly biological characteristics of predators, on a positive or negative way, poiting out the importance of studies evaluating the effect of cultivars on the third trophic level. This study evaluates the biological aspects and predatory capacity of Podisus nigrispinus adults fed Alabama argillacea larvae reared on cotton genotypes. The predator was fed daily with fourth instar larvae reared on leaves of the following genotypes CNPA Precoce 1 (hirsute), CNPA 9211-31 (high gossypol level), CNPA 9211-41 (medium gossypol level) and GL2 GL3 (gossypol glandless). The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods and the oviposition capacity of P. nigripinus were not affected when preyed on cotton leafworms reared on the listed cotton genotypes. Mean weight of predator females was higher (126.2 mg) when they fed on A. argillacea reared on GL2 GL3 cotton leaves, in comparison to the observed weight (96.2mg) of P. nigripinus females fed on larvae reared on CNPA 9211-41. Longevity of P. nigrispinus ranged 30.7 to 31.5 days for females and 38.0 to 66.3 days for males. P. nigrispinus females preyed 125.2 to 184.0 A. argillacea larvae during its adult stage, while adult males preyed 135.7 to 205.0 leafworms. Using plant resistance in association with P. nigrispinus is viable to control A. argillacea, because resistant genotypes do not influence negatively the biological characteristics of the predator.