Distribution and diversity of leaf-cutting ants in Northeastern Argentina: species most associated with forest plantations

Abstract

Leaf-cutting ants (LCA) are considered one of the main herbivores and one of the most destructive pest insects of the Neotropics. Northeastern Argentina harbors the greatest species richness of these ants and in turn comprises the highest surface with forest plantations. Our aim was to establish which species of leaf-cutting ants are most commonly associated with forest plantations by analyzing their geographic distribution using published and unpublished species occurrence data. Also, estimate their potential areas of distribution along a latitudinal gradient that entirely encompasses northeastern Argentina using Ecological Niche Modeling. Only seven of the 20 species recorded were strongly associated with productive systems along the gradient, but only 2–3 species in each region could be considered high-risk species for forest plantations. High-risk species composition shows a turnover between regions. Our models show the potential distribution areas where LCA could become more abundant and dominant, and possibly causing a detrimental effect on the forest plantations in the studied region. We find that ecological niche models are useful tools to assess the environmental suitability of important LCA.     

Assessment of short-term mortality of granary weevil,Sitophilus granarius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) triggered by different microwave irradiation powers

Abstract

The insecticidal efficacy of microwave irradiation against the at 12, 24, 48 and 72?h following exposure to microwave irradiations (100, 300?W) and the progeny production was assessed 45?days later. Linearly increasing irradiation power range (100, 200 and 300?W) was set up for determining mortality tendency. An increase of insect mortality caused by higher irradiation period and times elapsed after treatment has become evident commencing from 12?h after the treatment, which has significantly decreased at later elapsed time after treatment. The irradiation periods inducing the highest mortality at the examined powers were at 10?min and at 100?W power (72?h: 64.93%) and at 4.5?min. and at 300?W power (12?h: 87.01). In addition, a complete suppression of progeny production was achieved by 4.5?min treatment at 300?W power. Lognormal-type mortality process was caused by the linearly increased irradiation range. The properly chosen microwave irradiation can be used for management of Sitophilus granarius larval and adult developmental stages. This treatment could provide an effective and friendly environmental treatment technique in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.     

Assessment of the ideal ratios of digestible essential amino acids for pacu,Piaractus mesopotamicus,juveniles by the amino acid deletion method

The present study aimed to determine the ideal ratios of digestible essential amino acids (EAAs) for pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) juveniles by the amino acid (AA) deletion method. A completely randomized design which consisted of 11 treatments and three replicates each was used. The treatments included a control diet (CD) containing 55% of nonpurified natural ingredients and 45% of purified synthetic amino acids and ingredients, and other ten isonitrogenous and isoenergetic EAA limiting diets (LDs), each being deficient in 44.4 ± 0.02% of the respective EAA. Pacu juveniles with initial average body weight of 6.22 ± 0.09 g were distributed among 33 fiber glass tanks. Fish were fed with semipurified and extruded diets for 113 days two times a day until apparent satiation. The ideal ratio of each dietary EAA was calculated on the basis of the relationship between body N retention and amount of EAA deleted from the respective EAA LD. Based on the AA deletion method, the ideal ratios of digestible EAAs for pacu juveniles, relative to lysine requirement of 100% were estimated as: methionine 14.6%, threonine 35.0%, tryptophan 6.6%, arginine 62.8%, histidine 13.6%, isoleucine 26.3%, leucine 43.7%, phenylalanine 27.2%, and valine 35.8%.     

Sensitivity of Seeds to Chemical Mutagens,Detection of DNA Polymorphisms and Agro-Metrical Traits in M1 Generation of Coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Coffee (Coffea Arabica L.) is threatened by biotic and abiotic stresses. Nevertheless, the breeding of Arabica coffee is restricted due to its low...     

Replacing Wheat Flour with Debittered and Fermented Lupin: Effects on Bread’s Physical and Nutritional Features

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - In this study the breadmaking potential of lupin flour from L. mutabilis after being debittered (DLF) and solid state fermented (FLF) was evaluated in lupin-wheat...     

High feeding and growth rates in common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) fed formulated feeds with an improved amino acid profile and mixture of binders

Four semi‐moist formulated feeds were supplied to Octopus vulgaris subadults (664 ± 70 g; 18.4 ± 0.7°C) in two different experiments. In the experiment #1, two diets were prepared with a new mixture of binders (gelatine 150 g kg^?1, starch 100 g kg^?1 and gum 50 g kg^?1). The GEL15‐Squid and GEL15‐Hake feeds included 100 g kg^?1 freeze‐dried squid (Todarodes sagittatus) or hake (Merluccius sp.) respectively. Both feeds showed low water disintegration rates at 24 h (13.6–15.0% dry weight). The specific feeding rate was higher in animals fed GEL15‐Hake (2.7%BW day^?1), but the growth and feed efficiency were significantly better in animals fed GEL15‐Squid (1.4%BW day^?1 and 61.2% respectively; P < 0.05). The proximate composition of the digestive gland, carcass and whole animals was similar. In the experiment #2, the GEL15‐Squid amino acid profile was improved by replacing 50 g kg^?1 gelatine by 50 g kg^?1 freeze‐dried squid (GEL10‐Squid) or freeze‐dried fish (GEL10‐Fish). These feeds showed higher water disintegration rates (31.7–36.3% dry weight). The feeding rates (2.2–2.3%BW day^?1), growth (1.5%BW day^?1) and feed efficiency were similar for both diets. Total lipids were higher in the digestive gland and whole animals fed GEL10‐Fish diet (P < 0.05). Future effort could be directed towards alternative binders that allow improve amino acid balance with a minimum gelatine content or even supplementation trials including essential amino acids.     

Histological alterations in gills of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in low‐salinity waters under different stocking densities: Potential relationship with nitrogen compounds

Two experimental modules with different stocking densities (M1 = 70 and M2 = 120 shrimp /m²) were examined weekly over a culture cycle in tanks with low‐salinity water (1.9 g/L) and zero water exchange. Results showed survival rates of 87.7 and 11.9% in M1 and M2, respectively. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity and chlorophyll a were not significantly (p > .05) different between modules. In contrast, the concentrations of nitrogen compounds were significantly (p < .05) different between modules, except nitrite‐N (M2 were 2.31 ± 1.38 mg/L N‐TAN, 0.18 ± 0.49 mg/L N‐NO₂^? and 6.83 ± 6.52 mg/L N‐NO₃^?; in M1: 0.97 ± 0.73 mg/L N‐TAN, 0.05 ± 0.21 mg/L N‐NO₂^? and 0.63 ± 0.70 mg/L N‐NO₃^?). When waters of both modules reached higher levels of ammonia and nitrite, histological alterations were observed in gills. The histological alterations index (HAI) was higher in M2 (5‐112) than in M1 (2‐22).     

Aloysia triphylla essential oil as food additive for Rhamdia quelen – Stress and antioxidant parameters

We examined the effects of dietary supplementation for 21 days with different levels (0, 0.25 and 2.0 ml/kg) of the Aloysia triphylla essential oil (EOAT) on silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). Cortisol levels were lower in fish fed EOAT at 2.0 ml/kg diet, and lactate levels were lower in those fed at both doses. Glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride levels did not vary between groups. The biomarkers of oxidative stress, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxide, superoxide dismutase, catalase and non‐protein thiols, were lower in the brain, liver and muscle of fish fed EOAT at 2.0 ml EO/kg diet. Glutathione‐S‐transferase, reduced glutathione, plasma Na⁺, Cl^?, and K⁺, and gill Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase and H⁺‐ATPase did not vary between groups. Taken together, our results clearly indicate that the addition of EOAT at 2.0 ml/kg diet improves oxidative status and lowers the stress response in silver catfish.