Papers by Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia
Research Square (Research Square), Jul 19, 2023
In South America, the resident pupal parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Costa Lima (Hymenoptera: D... more In South America, the resident pupal parasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Costa Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) is a potential biological control agent of the pest Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae). In the present study we 1) examined the behavior of T. anastrephae towards different host (D. suzukii) and host-substrate (strawberry) cues in choice and non-choice bioassays in laboratory, and 2) examined the density-dependent parasitism of T. anastrephae in D. suzukii-infested strawberries in a greenhouse. We tested infested and non-infested strawberries for the behavioral assays in a fourchamber olfactometer. For the greenhouse bioassay, we set ve walk-in cages with strawberry plants in a greenhouse, released D. suzukii adults, and then released different numbers of parasitoids (0, 60, 120, 240, and 360) in each cage. In non-choice bioassays, female parasitoids showed a preference towards D. suzukii-infested strawberries containing larvae, pupae or inoculated pupae, or healthy overripe fruits. When given a choice, female parasitoids walked longer over chambers with fruits infested with eggs, larvae, or pupae of D. suzukii, when compared to healthy uninfested strawberries, and over overripe fruits when compared to unripe or ripe fruits. In the greenhouse assay, we observed an increase in parasitism and a decrease in the number of D. suzukii emerging per fruit with an increase in the number of parasitoids released. Our results allow a better understanding of the behavior and parasitism of T. anastrephae in D. suzukii-infested strawberries and provide useful data for potential biological control programs using this parasitoid.
Journal of Economic Entomology, Jul 10, 2019
Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) is a significant insect pest of fruits produced worldwide an... more Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) is a significant insect pest of fruits produced worldwide and is capable of causing direct and indirect damage to fruit. Chemical control is the most frequently used management strategy, mainly involving organophosphate insecticides. However, the frequent use of this chemical group has resulted in unacceptable chemical residues on fruits. In this study, the toxicity of 18 insecticides was evaluated in adults and larvae of C. capitata in a laboratory. The organophosphate insecticides chlorpyrifos (Lorsban 480BR), phosmet (Imidan 500WP), and malathion (Malathion 1000EC); the spinosyns spinetoram (Delegate 250WG) and spinosad (Tracer); and the pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac 100SC) caused high mortality (>80%) in C. capitata adults in topical application bioassays and by ingestion when mixed with Biofruit 5% food lures. However, the insecticides chlorfenapyr (Pirate), spinetoram and chlorpyrifos produced a significant reduction in larval infestation of the fruits (67, 74, and 84% larval mortality, respectively). Insecticides based on spinosyns, alpha-cypermethrin, and cyantraniliprole are alternatives that can replace organophosphates in the management of C. capitata in the field.
Journal of Applied Entomology, Apr 16, 2021
Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a widely distributed pest species of s... more Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a widely distributed pest species of soft‐skinned fruits. Recent studies suggest the use of sterile insect technique (SIT) as a control method for this species; however, many factors can impact effectiveness of a SIT programme, including the environmental conditions. Environmental condition is critical at the time of the release and in the days afterwards, since it may impact sterile insects’ survival and ability to mate. Thus, we verified the influence of temperature and relative humidity on mating and survival of fertile and sterile D. suzukii, when insects were food provided or deprived. Highest mating rates occurred when sterile or fertile flies provided with food were exposed to 25ºC or 81%–100% relative humidity, while temperatures of 10 and 35ºC and humidity below 60% impaired mating. Overall, mating rate among food‐deprived flies was low in all temperatures and humidity levels tested, but fertile insects were more prone to mate when compared to sterile flies. Survival was negatively influenced by high temperatures, low relative humidity and food deprivation. The information present in this study is useful to be considered for release of sterile D. suzukii.
Biotemas, May 11, 2011
O presente estudo objetivou conhecer a riqueza da mirmecofauna associada à microbacia da Sanga Ca... more O presente estudo objetivou conhecer a riqueza da mirmecofauna associada à microbacia da Sanga Caramuru, no município de Chapecó, que representa um dos principais afluentes da barragem do Lajeado São José. As coletas ocorreram de junho de 2006 a maio de 2007. Realizaram-se coletas quinzenais, totalizando 21 coletas. Foram utilizadas armadilhas do tipo pitfall. A análise dos dados foi realizada através do programa estatístico EstimateS (Colwell). Obtiveram-se 676 registros de espécies nas armadilhas. Foram identificadas 51 espécies distribuídas em 18 gêneros distribuídos em sete subfamílias. A riqueza estimada através do estimador Chao 2 foi de 61,6 espécies para a área de mata nativa, 42,3 espécies para a área de banhado e de 39,8 espécies para a área com eucalipto. O índice de diversidade de Shannon-Wiener obtido foi o mesmo (3,2) para os ambientes amostrados. A maior riqueza e diversidade estimadas para a área de mata nativa coincidem com a maior riqueza também observada neste local. Embora os impactos da antropização sejam facilmente constatados na área estudada, os pequenos fragmentos de áreas com vegetação presentes neste local oferecem os recursos para a manutenção de uma significativa mirmecofauna.
Journal of Applied Entomology, Aug 26, 2018
Female remating is a widespread behaviour, reported in several insect species. This behaviour can... more Female remating is a widespread behaviour, reported in several insect species. This behaviour can affect the efficiency of sterile insect technique (SIT); however, little is known about the postcopulatory behaviour of some pest species considered as candidates to be controlled by this technique, such as Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). In this study, we investigated the effects of male and female sterilization on mating and remating behaviour of D. suzukii. First, we tested the occurrence of multiple mating in different combinations between sterile and fertile males and females. Then, we tested the effects of male and female sterility on female propensity to mate and remate. We found an overall low remating rate by D. suzukii females. Male sterility did not influence mating and remating likelihood; however, copula duration of sterile males was shorter compared to fertile males. On the other hand, sterile females were less likely to mate. Our findings encourage further research regarding the use of SIT to control D. suzukii.
Neotropical Entomology, Aug 30, 2017
Spotted wing drosophila, area-wide integrated pest management, pest control, alien pest invasions
Research Square (Research Square), Aug 8, 2023
The Southeast Asian-native Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), also known as... more The Southeast Asian-native Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), also known as "spotted-wing Drosophila", is one of the most globally invasive agricultural species. Although D. suzukii is a pest spread throughout all the Argentinian fruit-growing regions, few information has been published on its impact on local fruit production. Parasitoid species associated with D. suzukii in Argentina belong to Pteromalidae (Chalcidoidea), Diapriidae (Diaprioidea), both attacking host pupae, and Figitidae (Cynipoidea), which attacks host larvae. Nine Eucoilinae (Figitidae) species, belonging to Dicerataspis, Dieucoila, Euxestophaga, Ganaspis, Hexacola and Leptopilina genera, have been associated with D. suzukii in Argentina,. Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), commonly known as "med y", is native to Africa and has a worldwide distribution, covering many tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. In Argentina, C. capitata has been associated with several native hymenopterous parasitoids belonging to Braconidae (Ichneumonioidea), Eulophidae (Chalcidoidea), Pteromalidae, Diapriidae and Figitidae families. Only two eucoline species, Ganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) and Rhoptromeris haywardi (Blanchard) have been related to med y in Argentina. We report new trophic associations between the parasitoids Dicerataspis grenadensis Ashmead andLeptopilina boulardi (Barbotin, Carton and Kelner-Pillault) and D. suzukii, andbetween the parasitoid Odontosema albinerve Kieffer and C. capitata, after surveys conducted in Tucumán, northwestern Argentina. An annotated checklist and a taxonomic key of Eucoilinae associated with both invasive pests, in Argentina, is also provided.
International journal of pest management, Oct 2, 2022
O mundo da pesquisa acadêmica é tão estimulante quanto desafiador. Os primeiros passos do pesquis... more O mundo da pesquisa acadêmica é tão estimulante quanto desafiador. Os primeiros passos do pesquisador que adentra esse mundo geralmente são cheios de expectativas, ansiedades, incertezas e até mesmo inseguranças, na mesma proporção da vastidão de possibilidades que podem ser exploradas. É pensando exatamente nesse tipo de desafio característico do início da vida de investigador acadêmico que apresentamos a obra "Etapas da construção científica: da curiosidade acadêmica à publicação dos resultados", desenvolvida com o objetivo de atender à necessidade de material didático-pedagógico prático e atualizado para auxiliar estudantes graduandos, pós-graduandos e profissionais no desenvolvimento de seus projetos de pesquisa e divulgação dos resultados. Este livro é produto da dedicação de professores universitários e pesquisadores de diversas áreas do conhecimento e com experiência no desenvolvimento de projetos de pesquisa e divulgação dos seus estudos científicos, preocupados em oferecer ao leitor iniciante na pesquisa científica, os princípios básicos para desenvolver suas investigações com segurança de que seguiu os princípios da metodologia científica. A obra oferece, ainda, aos pesquisadores com experiência, formas de organizar e divulgar para a comunidade científica seus achados. Convidamos-lhe a estimular seu espírito cientista com seriedade e comprometimento, apoiado neste livro na exploração de tema tão amplo e complexo como a construção científica, o qual, contudo, não se pretende esgotar nesta obra.
Acta biologica leopoldensia, 1999
Entomologia Experimentalis Et Applicata, Aug 13, 2020
Temperature is a determining factor for the development and establishment potential of insect pes... more Temperature is a determining factor for the development and establishment potential of insect pests. The present study describes the impact of temperature (13, 18, 23, 25, 28, 30, and 33 °C) on the life-cycle parameters and phenotypic plasticity of South American populations of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in the laboratory. Secondary objectives were to determine the lower thermal threshold and thermal constant to estimate the number of annual generations of the insect in small-fruit-producing regions in Brazil. The highest egg-to-adult survival was recorded at 23 and 25 °C. At 30 and 33 °C, no emergence of D. suzukii was observed. The egg-to-adult development time was shortest at 25 and 28 °C (ca. 10 days). The net reproductive rate (R 0), and the intrinsic rate of population increase (r m) were highest at 23 and 25 °C. In contrast, temperatures of 13 and 28 °C generated largest and smallest body sizes, respectively, and caused reductions of 99 and 93% in R 0. The estimated lower thermal threshold was 7.8 °C for egg-to-adult survival. The estimated thermal constant was 185.8 degree days, and the estimated annual number of generations of D. suzukii ranged from 17.1 in cold regions to 27.2 in warm regions. The results of the present study are important for understanding D. suzukii occurrence in the field, contributing to more informed and precise pest management.
Neotropical Entomology, Jul 26, 2023
Journal of Economic Entomology, Feb 21, 2022
Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura 1931) represents one of the main pests of small fruits. The use of ... more Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura 1931) represents one of the main pests of small fruits. The use of biological agents is very promising for insect control. In the present study, the nematode Steinernema rarum PAM 25 was evaluated for the control of D. suzukii pupae, this species has not been evaluated previously. First, we evaluated the pathogenicity of S. rarum PAM 25 at the concentration of 1,000 infective juveniles (IJs) inoculated into D. suzukii pupae. In the second bioassay, we evaluated the influence of 1,500; 2,000; 2,500; 3,000; 4,000 IJs/ml nematode concentration and temperature on D. suzukii mortality. In the third bioassay, we evaluated the influence of the isolate S. rarum PAM 25 on D. suzukii adult lifespan following pupal infection, using the concentrations with the highest mortality rate of pupae at each temperature as determined in the second experiment. The S. rarum PAM 25 isolate is pathogenic to D. suzukii. The most effective temperature for S. rarum PAM 25 activity was 14°C at a concentration of 4,000 IJs/ml. Adults infected with S. rarum PAM 25 showed a significant reduction in longevity. The results confirmed the potential of S. rarum PAM 25 for the control of D. suzukii.
Journal of Applied Entomology, Jul 26, 2020
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C), on... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C), on the development time and lifetime fecundity of Trichopria anastrephae Lima, 1940 (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) parasitizing Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931) (Diptera: Drosophilidae). D. suzukii pupae that were up to 24-hr old were submitted to T. anastrephae parasitism for 24 hr. They were placed in plastic containers (50 ml) (ten pupae per container) in climatic chambers at temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C ± 1°C with a relative humidity of 70% ± 10% and a 12 hr photoperiod. For the adult phase, T. anastrephae couples that were up to 24 hr old were each placed in plastic cages (300 ml) and kept at the same temperatures cited above until their deaths. The higher numbers of parasitism and offspring production were obtained at temperatures between 15 and 25ºC. At the temperatures of 10 and 35ºC, there was no emergence of individuals. The lower thermal threshold (Tt) for the egg to adult period was ≈ 14.6°C for males and females with thermal constants (K) of 384.61 and 432.90, respectively. In terms of the fertility life table, T. anastrephae at 20 and 25°C presented shorter generation time (T) and higher net reproductive rates (Ro) in relation to other temperatures. The data show the ability of T. anastrephae to adapt to different thermal conditions, which is important for biological control programmes of D. suzukii.
Journal of Economic Entomology, Oct 22, 2019
Spotted-wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931), is an economic pest of thinskinned... more Spotted-wing Drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura, 1931), is an economic pest of thinskinned fruit crops. Its control has commonly been carried out through chemical methods. However, given the need to develop safer and environmentally friendly management alternatives, the pupal endoparasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Lima stands out as a potential biological control agent. However, the lack of information on the mass rearing of this parasitoid limits its use. Thus, the objective of our study was to provide information that is useful for rearing T. anastrephae using D. suzukii as a host. The effects of pupal age, exposure time, and pupal density on the parasitism rate were examined, as was the effect of honey provision for extending adult parasitoid longevity. Exposing 15 12-hold pupae per female for 24 h resulted in higher parasitism rates and a greater number of emerged parasitoids. Males and females of T. anastrephae fed with pure honey (100%) or honey diluted to 50% in water lived longer compared to those fed 10% honey, no food, or only water.
Revista de Ciências Ambientais, Jan 14, 2013
As plantas, como organismos que coevoluem com insetos e outros microorganismos, são fontes natura... more As plantas, como organismos que coevoluem com insetos e outros microorganismos, são fontes naturais de substâncias inseticidas e antimicrobianas. Os inseticidas naturais, dentre os quais pode ser destacado o uso de produtos alternativos, como pós e extratos botânicos, e óleos essenciais de origem vegetal, podem ser utilizados tanto no manejo integrado de pragas em cultivos comerciais, como também, na agricultura biológica. Esses bioinseticidas constituem um recurso facilmente disponível por sua ocorrência natural, todavia podem ser esgotados se não forem constantemente repostos. O problema é maior quando se trata de planta exótica como o nim, fato que salienta a importância de estudos com plantas nativas ou silvestres, que possam ser encontradas e plantadas com maior segurança. A exploração das plantas deve ser feita de tal maneira que permita a preservação e a conservação das espécies. Outro ponto que deve ser considerado é a toxicidade dos produtos vegetais, as variações entre as espécies, as partes vegetais utilizadas e as formas de extração. A toxicidade de todo ingrediente ativo está obviamente associado à dosagem utilizada em relação ao peso do indivíduo, e é relacionada também a forma de aplicação.
FAUNAL ANALYSIS AND POPULATION FLUCTUATION OF FRUIT FLIES (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) IN Citrus sinens... more FAUNAL ANALYSIS AND POPULATION FLUCTUATION OF FRUIT FLIES (DIPTERA, TEPHRITIDAE) IN Citrus sinensis ORCHARDS IN CHAPECÓ, SANTA CATARINA. Aiming at listing the tephritid species that occur in orange orchard (Citrus sinensis cv. Valência) in Chapecó, a city located in Santa Catarina, Brazil, and thus determine their population fluctuations related to climatic factors and plant phenology, besides characterizing the fruit flies community through faunal analysis, it was performed this work. The collects, using McPhail traps filled with inverted glucose to 10% as feed attractive, were performed from August, 2008 to August, 2009. The traps were weekly reviewed for tephritid collection and exchange of attractive solution. The dissection and identification of specimens occurred in the Laboratory of Entomology of UNOCHAPECÓ. In order to characterize the community of the orchard it was calculated the rates of diversity, constancy, abundance, frequency and dominance. In 55 trips around the orchard, 4606 individuals of fruit flies were captured belonging to 12 species and six genera. Anastrepha fraterculus was the only species very abundant, very frequent, constant and dominant, having its population peak in February and March of 2009. The index of diversity found was 1,63. The climatic factors that correlated with the capture of A. fraterculus were the minimum and maximum temperatures, and both were positive. Five hundred orange fruit were aconditionated in laboratory, using pots screened at the top and sterilized sand as substrate, from which no pupae of tephritid or other insect emerged.
Journal of Economic Entomology, Apr 26, 2019
Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) is the main insect pest of fruits worldwide. The objective o... more Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1824) is the main insect pest of fruits worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and residual effects of the ready-to-use toxic baits Success 0.02CB (0.24 g of active ingredient [a.i.] per liter of spinosad) and Gelsura (6 g of a.i./liter of alpha-cypermethrin) and to compare them with other food lures containing spinosad and malathion mixed with hydrolyzed protein (Biofruit 5% and Flyral 1.25%), Anamed without dilution or sugarcane molasses (7%) against adult C. capitata in laboratory and greenhouse trials. Ceratitis capitata adults were highly susceptible to all toxic bait formulations (mortality &gt; 80%) until 96 h after exposure. The lowest LT50 (hours) of toxic baits were 2.32 (Gelsura at 4,000 mg/liter), 4.26 (Gelsura at 2,000 mg/liter), 4.28 (Anamed + malathion) and 4.89 (sugarcane molasses + malathion), while formulations containing spinosad (Biofruit, Flyral, Anamed and Success 0.02CB) showed LT50 of approximately 11 h. Without rain, Gelsura (2,000 mg/liter) and all spinosad formulations provided mortality superior to 80% 14 d after application. Gelsura and Anamed + spinosad showed higher resistance to a 5-mm simulated rain, similar to Anamed + malathion, while the other formulations had its efficacy decreased. All toxic baits were effective on adult C. capitata in residual experiments without rain while Anamed + spinosad caused high adult mortality after 5 to 25 mm rains. Gelsura and Anamed + spinosad can be used to replace toxic baits containing malathion for C. capitata population management.
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Papers by Flávio Roberto Mello Garcia