RESUMO

Control of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 [Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae]) is usually conducted with chemical insecticides, which have limited efficacy as well as environmental and health risks. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is safe and effective in controlling many insects including lesser mealworm. However, little is known of DE efficacy against this pest. Thus, an assessment of DE was conducted for the first time in commercial broiler houses in Brazil, with the aim of developing a strategy for the use of DE in the control of this insect. The efficacy of DE was determinate to a minimum concentration, and the application was directed to the most infested sites. The DE applied to the entire poultry house (280 g/m2) was verified to control the insects. DE was also comparable to chemical treatments, with a reduction of 80% in the insect population. DE controlled the lesser mealworm and is recommended for application at a concentration of 280 g/m2 when applied to the surface of new poultry litter, before the first lot of birds is housed. Thereafter, DE should be reapplied before the housing of each lot of birds, in the same concentration, only in the housing area and under the feeders and near the walls and pillars. In addition to being a control strategy, DE can be an important tool in the management of lesser mealworm insecticide resistance.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is a cosmopolitan and hematophagous species commonly found in layer houses around the world. Poultry mite infestations may cause anemia, stress, low body weight and egg production, and mortality. Mite control is typically based on chemical products, but they are not effective and leave residues in eggs; therefore, alternative control methods, such as entomopathogenic fungi, need to researched. This study aimed at evaluating, in the laboratory, the activity of Brazilian isolates of entomopathogenic fungi against D. gallinae. The mites were collected from a commercial layer house and were sprayed with conidial suspensions (1 × 108 conidia/mL) of five isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. All tested isolates were pathogenic for the red mite, with confirmed mortality ranging from 22.9 to 52.4%. This demonstrate the potential of the tested entomopathogenic fungi isolates for mite control, and reinforces the need for further studies with other isolates, application strategies, and with fungal formulations.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

The control of Alphitobius diaperinus is based mainly on chemical insecticides, and the indiscriminate and incorrect use of these products has led to failures in insect control. Thus, it is important to monitor the efficiency of the products available on the market and to develop alternative insect control strategies. The present study evaluated the effect of a new product (cypermethrin-6%) under laboratory and field conditions and assessed its in-vitro compatibility with the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Unioeste 4 isolate). Its efficiency in dry powder and wettable powder formulations was also assessed in the laboratory through comparison with a similar insecticide (cypermethrin-5%) at five different concentrations. The field assays were conducted in two commercial broiler breeder houses (Treated and Control), applying the new product on the litter at the manufacturer's recommended concentration (RC). Germination, vegetative growth, conidial production, number of colony forming units (CFUs) and insecticidal activity of the fungus were used to evaluate the compatibility of the insecticide. The effects of the cypermethrin-6% product and cypermethrin-5% were equivalent in the laboratory, and the new product exhibited better performance at lower concentrations (1/4RC, RC). The strategy applied in the field reduced the insect population in up to 96% after 75 days. Additionally, all concentrations of cypermethrin-6% were compatible with the fungus under the evaluated in-vitro conditions. Therefore, the new product is considered selective for B. bassiana. Further studies are necessary to assess its compatibility under field conditions, consolidating this strategy as a viable alternative for managing this pest.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is a cosmopolitan and hematophagous species commonly found in layer houses around the world. Poultry mite infestations may cause anemia, stress, low body weight and egg production, and mortality. Mite control is typically based on chemical products, but they are not effective and leave residues in eggs; therefore, alternative control methods, such as entomopathogenic fungi, need to researched. This study aimed at evaluating, in the laboratory, the activity of Brazilian isolates of entomopathogenic fungi against D. gallinae. The mites were collected from a commercial layer house and were sprayed with conidial suspensions (1 × 108 conidia/mL) of five isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. All tested isolates were pathogenic for the red mite, with confirmed mortality ranging from 22.9 to 52.4%. This demonstrate the potential of the tested entomopathogenic fungi isolates for mite control, and reinforces the need for further studies with other isolates, application strategies, and with fungal formulations.

Assuntos

RESUMO

The control of Alphitobius diaperinus is based mainly on chemical insecticides, and the indiscriminate and incorrect use of these products has led to failures in insect control. Thus, it is important to monitor the efficiency of the products available on the market and to develop alternative insect control strategies. The present study evaluated the effect of a new product (cypermethrin-6%) under laboratory and field conditions and assessed its in-vitro compatibility with the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Unioeste 4 isolate). Its efficiency in dry powder and wettable powder formulations was also assessed in the laboratory through comparison with a similar insecticide (cypermethrin-5%) at five different concentrations. The field assays were conducted in two commercial broiler breeder houses (Treated and Control), applying the new product on the litter at the manufacturer's recommended concentration (RC). Germination, vegetative growth, conidial production, number of colony forming units (CFUs) and insecticidal activity of the fungus were used to evaluate the compatibility of the insecticide. The effects of the cypermethrin-6% product and cypermethrin-5% were equivalent in the laboratory, and the new product exhibited better performance at lower concentrations (1/4RC, RC). The strategy applied in the field reduced the insect population in up to 96% after 75 days. Additionally, all concentrations of cypermethrin-6% were compatible with the fungus under the evaluated in-vitro conditions. Therefore, the new product is considered selective for B. bassiana. Further studies are necessary to assess its compatibility under field conditions, consolidating this strategy as a viable alternative for managing this pest.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Beauveria bassiana is naturally found in broiler chicken houses, and has been shown to be active against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus. The effectiveness of soil application of B. bassiana in emulsifiable oil-type formulation (Unioeste 4 isolate) to control the lesser mealworm in commercial poultry house was evaluated. The fungus was applied to the dirt floor of poultry house at 4.2 × 109 conidia/m2 (treated aviary) and the insect population was assessed before and 96, 146 and 216 days after application (DAA). In the control aviary, no treatment was performed to control those insects. Molecular techniques were used to confirm the presence of the fungus in dead A. diaperinus. Significant treatment effects were observed, with 56% and 73% of insect population reduction on 96 and 146 DAA, respectively. However, on 216 DDA, insect population resumed to values close to those initially observed. In the control aviary, the population grew steadily, reaching almost 110% the initial population on 96 DAA, and close to 200% on 216 DDA. The results demonstrate the potential of the applied control strategy, even with a single application of the fungus; however, reapplications may be required after 3-6 months for more effective control.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Beauveria bassiana is naturally found in broiler chicken houses, and has been shown to be active against the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus. The effectiveness of soil application of B. bassiana in emulsifiable oil-type formulation (Unioeste 4 isolate) to control the lesser mealworm in commercial poultry house was evaluated. The fungus was applied to the dirt floor of poultry house at 4.2 × 109 conidia/m2 (treated aviary) and the insect population was assessed before and 96, 146 and 216 days after application (DAA). In the control aviary, no treatment was performed to control those insects. Molecular techniques were used to confirm the presence of the fungus in dead A. diaperinus. Significant treatment effects were observed, with 56% and 73% of insect population reduction on 96 and 146 DAA, respectively. However, on 216 DDA, insect population resumed to values close to those initially observed. In the control aviary, the population grew steadily, reaching almost 110% the initial population on 96 DAA, and close to 200% on 216 DDA. The results demonstrate the potential of the applied control strategy, even with a single application of the fungus; however, reapplications may be required after 3-6 months for more effective control.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Global poultry production is plagued by a wide variety of arthropods. The problems associated with their chemical control have led to an increasing search for control alternatives, and entomopathogenic fungi seem to be a promising strategy. Despite the large number of insects and mites considered as important pests in animal production, studies on the use of entomopathogenic fungi for their control are still scarce compared with agricultural pests, particularly in Brazil. This article reviews some damages and control aspects of the main arthropod pests that affect Brazilian poultry production, including house flies, lesser mealworms, and feather mites, by the use of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Studies published in the last 20 years were reviewed, and the main problems and limitations of that pest-control strategy are discussed.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

Global poultry production is plagued by a wide variety of arthropods. The problems associated with their chemical control have led to an increasing search for control alternatives, and entomopathogenic fungi seem to be a promising strategy. Despite the large number of insects and mites considered as important pests in animal production, studies on the use of entomopathogenic fungi for their control are still scarce compared with agricultural pests, particularly in Brazil. This article reviews some damages and control aspects of the main arthropod pests that affect Brazilian poultry production, including house flies, lesser mealworms, and feather mites, by the use of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. Studies published in the last 20 years were reviewed, and the main problems and limitations of that pest-control strategy are discussed.

Assuntos

RESUMO

O presente estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar em condições de laboratório e campo, a eficiência de um inseticida Teste (à base de cipermetrina, clorpirifós e citronela), no controle do cascudinho dos aviários (Alphitobius diaperinus). Em laboratório, o produto foi testado sobre insetos adultos, por meio de pulverização sobre os insetos (contato direto) e caminhamento sobre superfície tratada (contato indireto). Posteriormente, foi avaliado em condições de campo, em um aviário de frangos de corte. O produto foi eficiente, sendo comparável ao produto padrão, causando 100% de mortalidade em laboratório e reduzindo a população do aviário em 76%. Assim, o produto constitui-se em uma alternativa para o controle do cascudinho.

The present study was carried out with the objective to evaluate, under laboratory and field conditions, the effectiveness of the insecticide Test (based on cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and citronellal), for the control of lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus). In the laboratory, the product was tested on adult insects, by spraying on the insects (direct contact) and by their walking on a treated surface (indirect contact). After this, it was evaluated in field conditions, in a poultry house. The product was effective, being comparable to the standard product, causing 100% of mortality in the laboratory and reducing the population in the poultry house by 76%. Thus, the product presents an alternative for the control of this pest.

Assuntos

RESUMO

ABSTRACT The present study was carried out with the objective to evaluate, under laboratory and field conditions, the effectiveness of the insecticide Test (based on cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos and citronellal), for the control of lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus). In the laboratory, the product was tested on adult insects, by spraying on the insects (direct contact) and by their walking on a treated surface (indirect contact). After this, it was evaluated in field conditions, in a poultry house. The product was effective, being comparable to the standard product, causing 100% of mortality in the laboratory and reducing the population in the poultry house by 76%. Thus, the product presents an alternative for the control of this pest.

RESUMO O presente estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar em condições de laboratório e campo, a eficiência de um inseticida Teste (à base de cipermetrina, clorpirifós e citronela), no controle do cascudinho dos aviários (Alphitobius diaperinus). Em laboratório, o produto foi testado sobre insetos adultos, por meio de pulverização sobre os insetos (contato direto) e caminhamento sobre superfície tratada (contato indireto). Posteriormente, foi avaliado em condições de campo, em um aviário de frangos de corte. O produto foi eficiente, sendo comparável ao produto padrão, causando 100% de mortalidade em laboratório e reduzindo a população do aviário em 76%. Assim, o produto constitui-se em uma alternativa para o controle do cascudinho.

RESUMO

ABSTRACT Although the use of insecticides is the most common means to control the lesser mealworm ( Alphitobius diaperinus), irregular treatment causes insufficient control. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of soil treatment with chemical insecticide on the lesser mealworm population. The experiment was carried out in a commercial poultry house, in Cascavel, state of Paraná, Brazil. Before application, in order to quantify beetle population, various Arends traps were placed in the poultry house litter for 6 months. After the poultry house was cleaned, the insecticide was applied (cypermethrin, chlorpyriphos and citronellal) on the soil (5 L of water solution/m2; 2.5 mL insecticide/L of water). Subsequently, the insect population was checked for 6 months. The results showed a mean of 775 larvae and 89 adults/trap before treatment and 166 larvae and 23 adults/traps afterward. In the soil, high larval and pupal mortality were observed, due to contact with the insecticide that infiltrated the soil on average 13 cm deep.

RESUMO Embora os inseticidas químicos sejam os mais utilizados no controle do cascudinho dos aviários (Alphitobius diaperinus), falhas no emprego levam ao insucesso do método. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do tratamento do solo com inseticida químico sobre a população do cascudinho em aviário de frango de corte. O experimento foi realizado em um aviário comercial, em Cascavel, PR, acompanhando-se a população dos insetos por 6 meses previamente à aplicação, com armadilhas modificadas de Arends. No solo, a população foi monitorada pela retirada de amostras em três momentos: previamente à aplicação, logo após a ela e 3 meses após o tratamento. Após a retirada da cama, aplicou-se um inseticida comercial (cipermetrina, clorpirifós e citronelal) no solo do aviário (5 L de calda/m 2, 2,5 mL do produto/L de água), antes da colocação da nova cama e do alojamento do novo lote. A população dos insetos foi monitorada por igual período e com o mesmo tipo de armadilha. A média obtida antes do tratamento foi de 755 larvas e 89 adultos/armadilha. Após a aplicação, a média de larvas e adultos reduziu-se, para 166 e 23 indivíduos/armadilha, respectivamente. No solo, verificouse elevada mortalidade de larvas e pupas, devido ao contato com o produto que infiltrou, em média, 13 cm.

RESUMO

ABSTRACT This study was carried out in order to compare the effectiveness of liquid and powder preparations of the fungusBeauveria bassiana, and to verify the potential effects of soil type and poultry farm bedding on the fungus, under laboratory conditions. The powder proved more effective than the liquid formulation, causing a confirmed larval mortality of 83.3% and a confirmed adult mortality of 33.4%, against 18.7 and 12%, respectively, for larvae and adults. LC50 values of 2.41 x 107 and 5.33 x 107 conidia/g, and LT50 values of 4.7 and 5.3 days were obtained with the powder preparation for larvae and adults, respectively. When in contact with the poultry farm soil, the fungus had its effectiveness reduced by about 40% compared to the hillside soil treatment, and no differences in larval mortality were observed between fresh and soiled bedding. Adult mortality was low in the soil combined with either fresh (11.5%) or soiled bedding (25%), as was larval mortality in the application of the fungus over (58.7%) or below (38.7%) the fresh bedding. It was verified that an increased contact time of the insects with the substrates tended to decrease mortality by about 12 times, regardless of substrate.

RESUMO O trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de comparar a eficiência de preparações líquida e em pó do fungo Beauveria bassiana e também verificar quais efeitos que o tipo de solo e cama de aviário podem causar sobre o fungo, em condições de laboratório. A formulação em pó mostrouse mais eficiente que a líquida, causando mortalidade confirmada de larvas de 83,3 e de 33,4% de adultos, contra 18,7 e 12%, respectivamente para larvas e adultos. A CL50 da preparação em pó foi de 2,41 x 107 e 5,33 x 107 conídios/g e TL50 de 4,7 e 5,3 dias para larvas e adultos, respectivamente. O fungo em contato com o solo de aviário teve sua eficiência reduzida em cerca de 40% em relação ao tratamento com solo de barranco, e a mortalidade de larvas não diferiu quando se utilizou cama nova ou usada. A mortalidade de adultos foi baixa tanto para solo combinado à cama nova (11,5%) quanto usada (25%), bem como a mortalidade de larvas na aplicação do fungo sobre (58,7%) e abaixo (38,7%) da cama nova. Constatou-se que o aumento do tempo de contato dos insetos com os substratos tende a diminuir a mortalidade em cerca de 12 vezes, independente do substrato.

RESUMO

ABSTRACT The lesser mealworm infests chicken-house litter and is a key pest in modern poultry raising. Its control is inefficient and done mostly using insecticides. Due the lack of information on pest bioecology in Brazil, this study was carried out in Cascavel, state of Paraná, Brazil, in two broiler houses: the first with concrete floor and automatic trough (concrete-automatic) and the second with compact soil floor and manual trough (manual-soil), both covered with wood residues litter. The assessments were made in the houses weekly using traps (15 in the concrete-automatic and 10 in the manual-soil). Temperature was also recorded. In general, there was a tendency to find a lower number of insects in the concrete-automatic house due to difficulty of insect development on this kind of floor. Greater populations were found in the shelter areas due to greater temperature and food concentration throughout the entire period of rearing.

RESUMO O cascudinho infesta cama de aviários e é uma das pragas-chave da avicultura moderna. Embora ineficiente, seu controle é baseado no uso de inseticidas químicos. Diante da falta de informações acerca da bioecologia do inseto nas condições do Brasil, realizou-se este trabalho em aviários comerciais de frangos de corte, em Cascavel, PR, sendo um aviário de piso de cimento e com alimentação automatizada (Cimento-Automático) e outro com piso de terra batida e comedouros pendulares (Terra-Manual), ambos tendo o piso coberto por cama de maravalha. As avaliações foram realizadas semanalmente com armadilhas colocadas sob comedouros (15 no aviário CimentoAutomático e 10 no Terra-Manual), sendo também registrada a temperatura da cama, nos locais de amostragem. Verificou-se uma tendência em se encontrar menor número de insetos no aviário Cimento-Automático, pela maior dificuldade do inseto em se desenvolver em locais com este tipo de piso. Maiores populações do inseto foram constatadas nas áreas de alojamento em função das elevadas temperaturas e na concentração da ração durante todo o período de criação.

RESUMO

ABSTRACT Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an inert dust formed by milling of fossilized remains of phytoplankton (diatoms), composed of silicon dioxide, commonly used for the control of insects infesting stored products. Damage occurs to the cuticle of the insects, by sorption and/or abrasion of the protective wax coat, resulting in death by stress and the excessive loss of water through desiccation. This study was carried out with the aim to evaluate, for the first time, the action of DE on the lesser mealworm for future utilization in a control program of this insect. For the experiment, DE was mixed with chicken food (1, 2 and 3g DE/kg of chicken food) and with poultry litter (86 and 172 g DE/m2), and adults were exposed for 10 days at 26 and 32°C. The insecticidal activity of the DE was verified for all concentrations and both temperatures. When DE was applied on the litter there was 49.1 and 78.1% of mortality, respectively, at 86 and 172 g/m2, showing the potential for the control of the lesser mealworm.

RESUMO A terra de diatomácea (TD) é um pó inerte proveniente da moagem de depósitos fossilizados de algas fitoplanctônicas (diatomáceas), à base de dióxido de sílica, que vem sendo utilizada no controle de pragas de grãos armazenados. Atua por adsorção e/ou abrasão das partículas na cutícula dos insetos, removendo os lipídeos epicuticulares, levando o inseto à morte por estresse e desidratação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar pela primeira vez a ação de TD contra o cascudinho-dos-aviários, visando sua utilização no seu controle. O teste foi realizado misturando-se a TD na ração para aves (1, 2 e 3 g TD/kg ração), sendo também aplicada na cama de aviário (86 e 172 g TD/m2), sendo os adultos expostos durante 10 dias a 26 e 32° C. Constatou-se ação inseticida do produto, independente da concentração e da temperatura. Além disso, quando aplicada na cama a TD provocou 78,1 e 49,1% de mortalidade, respectivamente para concentração de equivalente a 172 e 86 g/m2, indicando o potencial para utilização.