Attack and defense movements involved in the interaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera frugiperda</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicoverpa zea</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) and the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) are among the main pests of maize. Both species exhibit cannibalistic behavior and quite often share the same feeding guild in maize (maize ears), which can result in several interspecific and intraspecific interactions. Paired interaction scenarios of intraspecific and interspecific larvae were assessed in arenas in the presence and absence of food to characterize movements resulting from interactions of these insects. There was a difference in the frequency of behavioral movements in all the interactions, except for S. frugiperda in the presence of food. Head touching and recoiling were the predominant movements in most of the interaction scenarios. Spodoptera frugiperda exhibited a predominance of defensive movements when competing against H. zea in the same instars. Cannibalism and predation occurred frequently in interactions involving 6th instar of H. zea against opponents in 4th instar. Larvae of H. zea show a higher aggressive movement than S. frugiperda. The larvae of S. frugiperda take advantage during the interactions, although they present more defensive movements compared to H. zea. This study provides relevant information regarding the interaction of these species and intraguild interaction, which might influence the population dynamics and the competitive displacement of pest species that share the same ecological niche.     

No Evidence of Hendra Virus Infection in the Australian Flying‐fox Ectoparasite Genus Cyclopodia

Hendra virus (HeV) causes potentially fatal respiratory and/or neurological disease in both horses and humans. Although Australian flying‐foxes of the genus Pteropus have been identified as reservoir hosts, the precise mechanism of HeV transmission has yet to be elucidated. To date, there has been limited investigation into the role of haematophagous insects as vectors of HeV. This mode of transmission is particularly relevant because Australian flying‐foxes host the bat‐specific blood‐feeding ectoparasites of the genus Cyclopodia (Diptera: Nycteribiidae), also known as bat flies. Using molecular detection methods, we screened for HeV RNA in 183 bat flies collected from flying‐foxes inhabiting a roost in Boonah, Queensland, Australia. It was subsequently demonstrated that during the study period, Pteropus alecto in this roost had a HeV RNA prevalence between 2 and 15% (95% CI [1, 6] to [8, 26], respectively). We found no evidence of HeV in any bat flies tested, including 10 bat flies collected from P. alecto in which we detected HeV RNA. Our negative findings are consistent with previous findings and provide additional evidence that bat flies do not play a primary role in HeV transmission.     

Light and scanning electron microscopy of Myxobolus porofilus sp. n. (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) infecting the visceral cavity of Prochilodus lineatus (Pisces: Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) cultivated in Brazil

Myxobolus porofilus sp. n. is described infecting the visceral cavity of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1836) cultivated in S?o Paulo State, Brazil. The plasmodial form of the parasite is 3-5 mm in length and appeared compressed between the wall of the visceral cavity and the pyloric caecum, reposing on this organ. The spores are small (length 5.7 +/- 0.3 microm, width 4.8 +/- 0.2 microm; mean +/- SD) and round to elliptical in frontal view. The valve surfaces are smooth and have sutural folds. The polar capsules are ovoid, small (length 1.6 +/- 0.1 microm, width 1.1 +/- 0.1 microm) and equal in size. The polar filaments have three turns aligned perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. A conspicuous polar filament pore is arranged at the anterior end of the spore. The only reaction observed upon histological analysis was the presence of a capsule of connective tissue surrounding the plasmodia. This is the first report of a myxosporean parasite in the Prochilodontidae.     

Spatial distribution patterns of riverine forest taxa in Brasília, Brazil

The spatial distribution of adult individuals (≥15 cm DBH) was investigated in a gallery forest of the Brasília National Park, Brazil. Four wood species, important to the Brazilian national genetic conservation programme, were chosen: Astronium fraxinifolium Schott, (Anacardiaceae); Cariniana estrellensis (Raddi) Kuntze, (Lecythidaceae); Didymopanax morototoni (Aublet) Decne. & Planch., (Araliaceae) and Hymenaea courbaril var. stilbocarpa (Hayne) Lee & Lang., (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae). While distribution was uneven, no relationship with gradient or togographic position could be detected, but aggregation was perceived. Stocking levels were typically low, from 0.15 to 3.31 individuals ha⁻¹.     

Modeling spatial variability and pattern of rust and brown eye spot in coffee agroecosystem

The advent of Precision Agriculture has made possible the analysis of complex spatial patterns of plant disease epidemiology considering statements of integrated disease management. The objective of this work was to use geostatistics, statistics and geographical information systems to characterize the structure and magnitude of spatial dependency of rust (Hemileia vastatrix) and brown eye spot (Cercospora coffeicola) incidence and severity in coffee agroecosystem cultivated with Catuai Vermelho IAC-99 (Coffea arabica L.). Evaluations of incidence and severity of rust and brown eye spot were accomplished at 67 georeferenced points arranged in 6.6202 ha of coffee crop, in the years of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Exponential models of covariance enabled the characterization of the magnitude and structure of rust and brown eye spot spatial variability in the evaluated dates. Ordinary block kriging presented satisfactory performance to map rust and brown eye spot outbreaks based on kriging error coefficients. Kriged maps enabled the visualization of intensity of rust and brown eye spot in each evaluation date. Assessments of incidence and severity presented highly statistical correlation based on linear regression models, also confirmed by the spatial variability of kriging maps. Kriging maps of rust and brown eye spot enabled to observe that intensity of disease was dispersed in foci patterns along the coffee plantation, indicating that the current strategy of disease control based in total area may be replaced by site specific disease management, with less environmental impact and sustainability of coffee crop, according to statements of integrated disease management and precision agriculture.     

Erratum to: Biomass and nutrient accumulation by cover crops and upland rice grown in succession under no-tillage system as affected by nitrogen fertilizer rate

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Due to an unfortunate oversight the author’s name and affiliation have been given erroneously. It should be read:     

Geochemistry and mineralogy of southwestern Lake Superior sediments with an emphasis on phosphorus lability

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The lability of phosphorus (P) in Lake Superior sediments and its relationship with sediment mineralogy and geochemistry remains poorly understood. The purpose of...     

Death and Transfiguration of a Triple Junction in the South Atlantic

Three major lithospheric plates-Antarctic, South American, and African-meet in the South Atlantic near Bouvet Island where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR), and the American Antarctic Ridge converge toward a fast evolving triple junction. A major magmatic pulse has recently built a new, swollen segment of the SWIR (Spiess Ridge) that is propagating toward the MAR at a rate of 4 to 5 centimeters per year, disrupting a former ridge-ridge-ridge (RRR) triple junction. A new triple junction will be established about 70 kilometers to the north when the propagating SWIR/Spiess segment will impact with the MAR, probably within the next 1 million years. The American Antarctic Ridge will take advantage of the MAR/SWIR duel by capturing an approximately 70-kilometer stretch of MAR, whereas the Antarctic plate will increase its size.     

Effects of azadirachtin on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its compatibility with predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on strawberry

BACKGROUND: The spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is the major strawberry pest in Brazil. The main strategies for its control comprise synthetic acaricides and predatory mites. The recent register of a commercial formula of azadirachtin (Azamax^® 12 g L^?1) can be viable for control of T. urticae. In this work, the effects of azadirachtin on T. urticae and its compatibility with predatory mites Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus macropilis in the strawberry crop were evaluated. RESULTS: Azadirachtin was efficient against T. urticae, with a mortality rate similar to that of abamectin. In addition, the azadirachtin showed lower biological persistence (7 days) than abamectin (21 days). Azadirachtin did not cause significant mortality of adult predatory mites (N. californicus and P. macropilis), but it did reduce fecundity by 50%. However, egg viability of the azadirachtin treatments was similar to that of the control (>80% viability). The use of azadirachtin and predatory mites is a valuable tool for controlling T. urticae in strawberry crop. CONCLUSIONS: Azadirachtin provided effective control of T. urticae and is compatible with the predatory mites N. californicus and P. macropilis. It is an excellent tool to be incorporated into integrated pest management for strawberry crop in Brazil. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry