Search

The use of pheromone traps was tested for monitoring of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae). Insect sampling was carried out in seven coffee plantations under different agronomic conditions in two regions - the Triângulo Mineiro and the Zona da Mata, both in the state of Minas Gerais. The sampling period ranged from 6 to 20 months. The locality significantly affected male capture and among the weather variables analyzed, the decrease in the average temperature favored higher infestations of L. coffeella in coffee plants and higher male capture. A positive relationship between male capture and % of leaves mined (R2 =0.79) was observed in the Triângulo Mineiro and in Zona da Mata this relationship was weak, although significant (R2 =0.06). In this last region, a positive and significant correlation between males captured and pest eggs was observed (R2 =0.34). Using geostatistical analysis, we determined at what distance captures were independent from other traps. Traps were placed in groups of 12 with distances among traps per group of either 2, 5, 10, 15, or 30 m. Traps were checked for males every 4 days during 16 days. We found interference between traps when inter-trap distances were shorter than 10 m. The range and magnitude of spatial dependence varied considerably among each sampling date and wind direction. For directions of 45º and 135º, the traps should be placed 110 m and 177 m apart, respectively to obtain spatially independent counts and therefore representative samplings for assessing the insect population in the area. We sampled males of L. coffeella in 12 evaluations every eight days. Taylor s power law and frequency distribution methods were used to adjust the data of male capture of L. coffeella to a binomial negative distribution. A common K was obtained and a single conventional sampling plan was determined using 8 traps in an area of 30 ha with a 25% precision. Kriging-generated maps allowed the simulation of male captures for 8, 12 and 20 traps per 30 ha and the results were compared with those obtained with absolute sampling, obtaining R2-values of 0.30, 0.57 and 0.60 respectively. The results of this study suggest that there is a significant correlation between the male capture by pheromone traps and the population density of L coffeella, emphasizing the potential of pheromone traps for monitoring the coffee leaf miner, indicated that a trap density of one pheromone trap for every 4 ha would be suitable for monitoring the coffee leaf miner. Armadilhas de feromônio sexual foram testadas no monitoramento de Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), tendo como objetivo avaliar os componentes do sistema de monitoramento deste inseto. A relação entre as capturas de machos de L. coffeella e sua densidade populacional foi avaliada em sete cafezais com diferentes condições agronômicas no Estado de Minas Gerais, em períodos variáveis de 6 a 20 meses. A localidade afetou significativamente a captura de machos. A diminuição na temperatura média favoreceu o incremento da infestação dos cafezais e a captura dos machos. No Triângulo Mineiro, foi encontrada relação positiva entre a captura de machos e a percentagem de folhas minadas (R2 =0,79). Na Zona da Mata essa relação também foi significativa, porém fraca (R2 =0,06). Nesta última região também se observou relação positiva entre machos capturados e ovos da praga (R2 =0,34). Mediante análises geoestatísticas, determinou-se a distância ideal entre armadilhas para que as capturas fossem independentes. As armadilhas foram posicionadas em grupos de 12, utilizando espaçamentos de 2, 5, 10, 15 e 30 m dentro de cada grupo. As capturas foram registradas a cada 4 dias durante 16 dias. Foi encontrada interferência entre armadilhas distanciadas a menos de 10 m. O alcance e a magnitude da dependência espacial variaram consideravelmente entre cada avaliação e direção do vento. Nas direções perpendiculares e paralelas às linhas de plantio de café, as armadilhas espaçadas com 110 e 177 m, respectivamente, houve independência espacial nas capturas. A fim de determinar a densidade de armadilhas por ha, foram avaliadas as capturas de machos de L. coffeella em 190 armadilhas numa área de 30 ha. Estas foram posicionadas formando uma grade irregular com espaçamento linear mínimo de 20 m entre armadilhas, as capturas foram registradas durante 15 avaliações a cada 8 dias. Os dados de todas as capturas se ajustaram significativamente a uma distribuição binomial negativa com o parâmetro de dispersão comum (K comum). Baseado no K comum, igual a 2,16, oito armadilhas foram necessárias para amostrar 30 ha, com nível do erro de 25%. O plano de amostragem foi validado comparando as capturas de 549 armadilhas/30ha (universo amostral) com as capturas obtidas em 8 armadilhas/30ha utilizando técnicas de interpolação espacial. Estes resultados têm implicações no monitoramento de L. coffeella quando se utiliza armadilhas de feromônio, pois foi constatada relação significativa entre a captura de machos e a densidade populacional da praga e que uma armadilha a cada 4 ha foi possível monitorá-la adequadamente.

A field study was conducted in a sunlight coffee grove of Puerto Rico to determine the population dynamics of Mirax insularis Muesebeck, the coffee leafminer [Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville)] larvae parasitoid. Coffee leaf samples were collected monthly starting at early spring (March) and finishing in late autumn (December) of 2005. The highest parasitism ratio (0.2095) was recorded during August, followed by that of December with 0.1971. The lowest parasitization ratio (0.0120) was obtained in November. The average parasitism percentage obtained during the study was 20.13. Although the parasitism ratio was very low from April to July, in August when the coffee leafminer (CLM) population peaked, M. insularis also increased exponentially. However, from September to November a dramatic decrease in the parasitism ratio was observed. Heavy rains occurred during that season decreasing the CLM population and thus affecting the viability of suitable larvae for parasitization.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de definir os parâmetros da aplicação de inseticidas para o controle do bicho-mineiro do cafeeiro (Leucoptera coffeella) usando um pulverizador hidropneumático, para estabelecer critérios técnicos possíveis de ser rastreados. Foram determinadas as características técnicas de conjuntos de bicos de pulverização, as características aerodinâmicas do pulverizador na saída do rotor, a velocidade do jato de ar em diversas distâncias horizontal e vertical em relação à periferia do ventilador e a característica da população de gotas de pulverização ao longo da faixa de aplicação. Para o estudo da população de gotas foram avaliadas etiquetas de plástico, tipo contact como superfície amostradora, cujo fator de espalhamento foi determinado utilizando uma microsseringa como instrumento gerador de gotas e uma lupa microscópica para efetuar as medições das manchas. Os parâmetros de aplicação do inseticida relacionados com a eficácia do inseticida avaliados foram o coeficiente de uniformidade (CH), o diâmetro da mediana volumétrica (DMV), a densidade populacional das gotas de pulverização (gotas cm -2 ), a porcentagem de cobertura e o volume de aplicação. Na avaliação dos parâmetros da pulverização, usados como critérios rastreáveis, foram realizados ensaios em laboratório para determinar a eficácia de controle do bicho-mineiro, utilizando-se folhas de café com larvas de Leucoptera coffeella. As pulverizações foram feitas usando o ineticida cartap 500 PS. Os resultados de mortalidade foram avaliados em função das características da população de gotas. As etiquetas amostradoras de plástico possibilitaram a coleta das gotas para o estudo da deposição, apresentando um fator de espalhamento de 1,61 para as gotas de diâmetro entre 250 e 900 μm. A distribuição da calda de pulverização não foi uniforme, no sentido vertical, com maiores diferenças nas posições mais próximas da saída do ventilador. Houve aumento da porcentagem de cobertura, da densidade de gotas e do DMV com a diminuição da velocidade do ventilador. A densidade populacional equivalente a 170 gotas cm -2 e o DMV de 200 μm proporcionaram controle de 90% com o menor consumo de inseticida. Foi necessário aumento de 50% no DMV para manter o controle em 90% com a redução de 7,5% na densidade populacional das gotas. O DMV e a densidade populacional foram os parâmetros que mais influenciaram o resultado de controle. Analisando-se apenas o DMV e a densidade populacional das gotas, foi possível explicar o fenômeno da eficácia de maneira satisfatória. O coeficiente de homogeneidade, a porcentagem de cobertura e o volume de aplicação estiveram correlacionados com o DMV e a densidade populacional das gotas. Há que se considerar o DMV e a densidade populacional das gotas como os principais parâmetros, uma vez que esses podem ser rastreados em um processo de certificação, estando diretamente relacionados com a qualidade das aplicações, a quantidade de inseticida introduzido no ambiente, a quantidade de resíduos no produto agrícola e os riscos para o aplicador. This study was carried out to determine the parameters of the insecticide application for controlling the leaf miner in the coffee plant (Leucoptera coffeella) by using a hydropneumatic sprayer in order to establish the technical criteria possible to be tracked. Determination were performed for the technical characteristics of the spray nozzle sets; the aerodynamic characteristics of the sprayer at the rotor outlet; the speed of the air jet in several horizontal and vertical distances, relative to the fan periphery fan; and the characteristic of the spray drop population along the application range. To study the spray drop population, some plastic contact-type labels were evaluated as sampling surface, from which the dispersion factor was determined, by using a microsyringe as drop-generating instrument and a microscopic magnifying glass to measure the spots. The following parameters of the insecticide application related to the effectiveness of the insecticide were evaluated: the uniformity coefficient (CH); the diameter of the volumetric median (DMV); the population density of the spray drops (drops cm -2 ); the percent covering; and the application volume. In evaluating the spray parameters used as traceable criteria, the assays were accomplished under laboratory conditions to determine the effectiveness of the leaf miner control, by using coffee leaves with Leucoptera coffeella. larvae The insecticide cartap 500 PS was used in spraying. The mortality results were evaluated as a function of the drop population characteristics. The plastic sampling labels made possible the collection of the drops for the study of the deposition, as presenting dispersion factor of 1.61 for the drops with a diameter from 250 to 900 μm. The distribution of the spraying syrup was vertically nonuniform, with higher differences at the positions closest to the outlet of the fan. The percentages of the covering, drop densities and DMV were increased as the speed of the fan decreased. The population density corresponding to 170 drops cm -2 and the 200 μm DMV provided a 90% control with the lowest insecticide consumption. An increase of 50% in DMV was required to keep the control at 90% with the reduction of 7.5% in the drop population densities. The parameters DMV and population density showed the highest influence upon the control result. By analyzing only DMV and the drop population densities, it was possible to explain satisfactorily the effectiveness phenomenon. The homogeneity coefficient, the covering percentage and the application volume were correlated to both DMV and drop population densities. Therefore, the DMV and the drop population densities are considered as the main parameters, since they may be tracked in a certification process because they are directly related to the quality of the applications, the amount of the insecticide introduced into environment, the residue amount in the agricultural product, and the risks to the applicator might be reduced.

International audience; A pluriannual field trial of transgenic clones of Coffea canephora (the Robusta coffee tree) transformed for resistance to the lepidopteran coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella was installed in French Guiana. Fifty-eight transformed clones produced by transformation of the C. canephora clone 126 were planted. They were harbouring the pEF1alpha constitutive promoter of Arabidopsis thaliana controlling either the Bacillus thuringiensis native gene for the cry1Ac insecticidal protein (eight clones) or a synthetic cry1Ac gene (53 clones). The vectors for the transformation were a strain of the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens and one of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. The transformed clones were generally independent, presenting different integration patterns of the genetic construct. Four randomly distributed groups of five plants per transformed clone were planted along with 60 untransformed control trees. Over a 4-year period after plantation six releases of L. coffeella were performed. Mines on the leaves are the marks of larvae development and were counted on plants. A majority of the independent transformed clones harbouring the synthetic gene and transformed by the strain of A. tumefaciens displayed constantly much less mines than the control, therefore expressing a stable resistance. The need for complementary research is presented

A intensidade de infestação pelo bicho-mineiro, Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) foi investigada nas cultivares Obatã IAC 1669-20 e Tupi IAC 1669-33, com resistência à ferrugem das folhas do cafeeiro, Hemileia vastatrix Berk. et Br., e Ouro Verde Amarelo IAC 4397, suscetível à doença, em ensaios de campo, localizados em Campinas (SP), Brasil. A incidência de ferrugem e a ocorrência de inimigos naturais da praga, assim como o enfolhamento das plantas, foram também observados nas três cultivares. As curvas de flutuação populacional obtidas para Obatã IAC 1669-20 e Tupi IAC 1669-33 revelaram maior incidência do bicho-mineiro entre abril e novembro. Já na cultivar Ouro Verde Amarelo IAC 4397, observaram-se dois picos de infestação, sendo o primeiro em abril-maio e o segundo em agosto-setembro. No entanto, a elevada percentagem de folhas minadas nas cultivares Tupi IAC 1669-33 e Obatã IAC 1669-20 em relação à Ouro Verde Amarelo IAC 4397 não é evidência de maior suscetibilidade à praga, mas sim devido à maior retenção foliar dessas cultivares, em conseqüência da resistência à ferrugem das folhas observada em ambas. De maneira oposta, na cultivar Ouro Verde Amarelo IAC 4397, os sintomas de ataque do bicho-mineiro ocorreram em menor nível especialmente devido a maior queda de folhas. Com base nas diferenças observadas entre as cultivares, sugere-se a adoção de estratégias distintas de manejo da praga. The intensity of infestation of leaf-miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville) was investigated in coffee cultivars Obatã IAC 1669-20 and Tupi IAC 1669-33, both resistant to the leaf rust agent, Hemileia vastatrix Berk. et Br., and Ouro Verde Amarelo IAC 4397, susceptible to this coffee disease, at field assays in Campinas, SP, Brazil. The incidence of coffee rust and presence of natural enemies, as well as the plant leafiness, were also observed. In Obatã IAC 1669-20 and Tupi IAC 1669-33 cultivars the curves of population fluctuation revealed high occurrence of the coffee leaf miner between April and November. However analysis in the Ouro Verde Amarelo IAC 4397 cultivar demonstrated the occurrence of two peaks of infestation, the first in April-May and the second in August-September. Also, a higher index of damaged leaves was observed in Tupi IAC 1669-33 and Obatã IAC 1669-20 cultivars in comparison to Ouro Verde Amarelo IAC 4397. This result may not indicate a higher susceptibility to L. coffeella of those cultivars, but otherwise could be the result of a better leaf retention, as a consequence of the leaf rust resistance exhibited by both cultivars. On the other hand, the damage observed in leaves from Ouro Verde Amarelo IAC 4397 cultivar is less frequent, probably in consequence of the high rate of leaf falling. Based on these observed differences, distinct strategies for this pest management are suggested.

O bicho-mineiro, Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville, 1842) (Lepidoptera :Lyonetiidae), é a principal praga da cultura cafeeira, chegando a causar prejuízos superiores a 50% na produção, em virtude da queda prematura das folhas e redução da área fotossintética. O programa de melhoramento genético do cafeeiro do Instituto Agronômico (IAC) utiliza a espécie Coffea racemosa como doadora de genes de resistência a L. coffeella para C. arabica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma caracterização comparativa do tecido foliar e relacioná-la ao ataque de L. coffeella nas espécies genitoras C. arabica e C. racemosa, e em plantas híbridas oriundas desse cruzamento, com diferentes níveis de resistência, visando fornecer ferramentas para futura identificação dos genes de resistência ao bicho-mineiro. Cortes transversais de folhas foram usados em estudos anatômicos para obter medidas individuais da espessura das cutículas, epidermes, parênquima paliçádico, parênquima lacunoso, espessura total da folha e porcentagem do mesofilo representada pelo parênquima paliçádico. As lesões provocadas pelo inseto foram medidas após um e quatro dias da eclosão das lagartas, em cada um dos tratamentos. Existem diferenças na espessura dos tecidos foliares entre as espécies C. arabica e C. racemosa, porém não houve diferenças entre plantas híbridas resistentes e suscetíveis, sugerindo que as características avaliadas não estão relacionadas ao mecanismo de resistência a L. coffeella. Nas avaliações das lesões, observou-se o crescimento reduzido dos insetos em plantas resistentes, sugerindo que a resistência das plantas se deve à presença de substâncias químicas no parênquima paliçádico. The leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) is the major pest of coffee culture, being responsible for significant production losses as result of premature leaf fall, and consequent reduction of the photosynthetic area. The Coffee Breeding Program of the Agronomic Institute (IAC) has transferred through crossing genes that confer resistance to leaf miner from Coffea racemosa to the susceptible species C. arabica. The main objective of this study was to characterize leaf tissues, at histological level, from the parental species C. racemosa and C. arabica, and also from hybrids exhibiting different resistance levels. Histological analyses were performed in leaf transversal sections, and included measurements of cuticles and epidermis thickness, total palisade and spongy parenchyma, total leaf thickness, and percentage of the palisade parenchyma from total mesophyll. Results revealed that there were significant differences in leaf thickness between parental species C. arabica and C. racemosa. However, in hybrids no such difference could be observed between resistant and susceptible progenies, suggesting that the anatomical differences of parental genotypes are not related to resistance mechanisms to L. coffeella. When leaf lesions caused by insect attack were measured one and four days after larvae eclosion a slow insect development was observed in resistant plants, which could be related to a presence of specific chemicals in the palisade parenchyma.

An expeditious three-step synthesis of a mixture of stereoisomers of 5,9-dimethylpentadecane 1, the sexual pheromone of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella, is described. The route employs an unsymmetrical double Wittig olefination to build the carbon skeleton of the molecule, as the key reaction. The bis-phosphonium salt 3, derived from 1,3-dibromopropane 2, reacted ‘one-pot’ with the ketones 2-octanone and 2-hexanone, affording the asymmetric diene 4. This was readily hydrogenated over Pd/C, furnishing pheromone 1 in 54% overall yield. Synthetic 1 showed high biological activity when tested in field experiments.

A maioria dos Lepidoptera utiliza feromônio sexual para atração do parceiro para o acasalamento. A técnica da interrupção do acasalamento ou confusão sexual de machos é usada para interferir na comunicação entre os parceiros sexuais. Isto é obtido com a liberação de altas doses de feromônio sintético, para saturar o ambiente em que se deseja fazer o controle e, desta forma, diminuir a habilidade dos machos em localizar as fêmeas. O bicho-mineiro do café Leucoptera coffeella é considerado atualmente a principal praga desta cultura no Brasil. O controle químico tem sido o mais utilizado para impedir o ataque deste inseto, causando sérios problemas para o homem e para o meio ambiente. Para amenizar estes problemas, atualmente têm-se desenvolvido novas técnicas de manejo das pragas que atacam esta cultura. O presente trabalho testou, em campo, a viabilidade da técnica de confusão sexual de machos para a redução da população do bicho mineiro do café e com isso a diminuição do prejuízo que este inseto causa à lavoura. Foram instaladas três unidades experimentais de 20 ha. em uma lavoura de café. A eficiência desta técnica foi testada por meio da comparação de machos capturados em armadilhas iscadas com feromônio, entre a área tratada com o feromônio sexual para confundimento e outras duas áreas não tratadas com feromônio. Outra forma de avaliar a eficiência foi por meio da intensidade de injúrias que o inseto causou as folhas. Avaliando os resultados obtidos, pode-se implicar que o emprego do feromônio sexual sintético de L. coffeella não foi efetivo para reduzir os acasalamentos da espécie-praga e para diminuir o dano causado as plantas. Nesse contexto o insucesso pode ser atribuído a uma combinação de vários fatores, merecendo destaque à composição química, dose do feromônio e a formulação empregada, o momento de aplicação na lavoura, densidade populacional e a estratégia de acasalamento da praga, além do tamanho da área tratada e dos fatores climáticos._________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: Most Lepidoptera use sex pheromones for the attraction of a mate. A technique for controlling lepidopteron pests, denominated mating disruption, aims at obstructing the communication between sexual partners. This is obtained with the release of synthetic pheromone in order to saturate the atmosphere, thereby decreasing the ability of mates to locate each other. The coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella is the main pest of the coffee in Brazil. Chemical control has been used frequently to control the attack of L. coffeella, but this causes serious problems to man and environment. To avoid such problems, new techniques are being developed currently to control the attack of this pest. The present work is a field test of the viability of mating disruption to reduce coffee leaf miner populations and consequently, decrease its damage to the crop. Three experimental units of 20 ha. were installed in a coffee plantation. The intensity of mating disruption was tested through the comparison of synthetic-baited pheromone traps in areas where the sex pheromone was applied and two untreated areas. Another form to measure intensity of mating disruption was through the level of damage that the insect caused to the leaves. The results showed that the employment of the synthetic sex pheromone of L. coffeella did not reduce the mating of the insects and did not decrease the damage of plants. The failure of the mating disruption technique may be attributed to a combination of several factors, such as composition and/or dose of the pheromone and its formulation, the moment of application in the crop, the population density and the mating strategy of the pest, the size of the treated area as well as climatic factors.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior Este trabalho foi realizado no período de agosto de 2000 a setembro de 2001 em quatro lavouras de Coffea arabica L. variedade Catuaí vermelho no campus da Universidade Federal de Viçosa e objetivou estudar o efeito de fitoquímicos presentes nas folhas sobre a intensidade de ataque do bicho mineiro do cafeeiro Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) e sobre as taxas de controle deste inseto por Vespidae predadores e himenópteros parasitóides. Durante o período experimental monitorou-se semanalmente a intensidade de ataque do bicho mineiro às folhas do cafeeiro, as taxas de predação e de parasitismo desse inseto e as concentrações de fitoquímicos nas folhas das plantas. Também anotou-se, durante o período experimental, os dados de temperatura do ar (máxima, média e mínima), total de precipitação pluvial, umidade relativa do ar (média), evaporação, insolação (total de horas de luz) e velocidade média dos ventos. Confeccionaram-se curvas de variação sazonal desses elementos durante o período experimental. Os dados da intensidade de ataque do bicho mineiro ao cafeeiro e das taxas de predação de larvas e de parasitismo de larvas e pupas de L. coffeella foram submetidos a análise de trilha e de regressão a p

The influence of altitude on infestations by coffee leaf-miner, Leucoptera coffeella , and on predation levels of the species by wasps is provided. Coffee leaves were sampled from July 1998 to April 2001 in experimental plots from coffee plantations at nine different altitudes. Results showed pest occurrence throughout the whole year. Peaks of pest infestation and predation varied from year to year, mainly between August and November, and between December and February respectively. Highest infestations by leafminer occurred at 850 m altitude, while the predation levels showed slight increase up to 860 m. They reached a maximum at this point but decreased at higher altitudes. A weak, albeit significant negative correlation between pest infestation and predation has been reported.

Increasing rates of insecticide use against the coffee leaf minerLeucoptera coffeella(Guérin-Méneville) and field reports on insecticide resistance led to an investigation of the possible occurrence of resistance of this species to some of the oldest insecticides used against it in Brazil: chlorpyrifos, disulfoton, ethion and methyl parathion. Insect populations were collected from ten sites in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil and these populations were subjected to discriminating concentrations established from insecticide LC99s estimated for a susceptible standard population. Eight of the field-collected populations showed resistance to disulfoton, five showed resistance to ethion, four showed resistance to methyl parathion, and one showed resistance to chlorpyrifos. The frequency of resistant individuals in each population ranged from 10 to 93% for disulfoton, 53 to 75% for ethion, 23 to 76% for methyl parathion, and the frequency of resistant individuals in the chlorpyrifos resistant population was 35%. A higher frequency of individuals resistant to chlorpyrifos, disulfoton and ethion was associated with greater use of insecticides, especially other organophosphates. This finding suggests that cross-selection, mainly between organophosphates, played a major role in the evolution of insecticide resistance in Brazilian populations ofL. coffeella. Results from insecticide bioassays with synergists (diethyl maleate, piperonyl butoxide and triphenyl phosphate) suggested that cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases may play a major role in resistance with minor involvement of esterases and glutathioneS-transferases.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico O componente principal do feromônio sexual de Leucoptera coffeella, 5,9-dimetilpentadecano, possui quatro formas enantioméricas e estudos com outros insetos têm demonstrado que a quiralidade pode ser responsável, em grande parte, pela determinação da resposta comportamental de atração a uma mistura particular de um atraente sexual. Objetiv ou-se neste trabalho determinar a importância relativa de cada isômero desta molécula. Avaliou-se os isômeros puros com eletroantenografia, túnel-de-vento e em armadilhas no campo. Os testes realizados com eletreoantenografia e túnel-de-vento indicaram uma pequena resposta do isômero 5S,9S-dimetilpentadecano (SS). No entanto nenhum dos estereoisômeros puros do 5,9 -dimetilpentadecano foi capaz de atrair um número significante de machos para armadilhas no campo quando comparados com a mistura racêmica. Por serem muito pequenos, a observação direta do comportamento de chamamento em fêmeas se torna muito difícil e imprecisa. Foi feito um estudo determinar o padrão de produção do feromônio sexual em fêmeas virgens como uma medida indireta do comportamento de chamamento. O componente principal, biologicamente ativo, (5,9 - dimetilpentadecano) foi extraído para ser usado em dois experimentos. O primeiro investigou a produção de feromônio ao longo do tempo (horas) em fêmeas virgens. Para isto, extratos de 10 fêmeas de dois dias de idade foram extraídos de fêmeas a cada 2 h durante o período de 24 h (12:12 D:L). O outro experimento avaliou o efeito da idade das fêmeas na produção de feromônio. Com as idades variando de 1 a 5 dias, 10 fêmeas de cada idade foram usadas. Os extratos foram feitos e analisados em um cromatógrafo a gas. As fêmeas produziram as maiores quantidades de feromônio nas quatro últimas horas da escotofase e nas duas primeiras horas da fotofase seguinte. As quantidades de feromônio foram baixas em todos os outros períodos avaliados. Fêmeas de um dia de idade tiveram as maiores quantidades de feromônio na glândula. Após o segundo dia de emergência, os títulos de feromônio diminuíram significativamente e permaneceram baixos e nos mesmos níveis até os 5 dias de idade. Foram conduzidos experimentos de campo para determinar a eficiência de armadilhas de feromônio considerando a dose aplicada no liberador, a vida útil do liberador e a altura da armadilha para captura de machos. Diferentes modelos de armadilhas foram preparadas com 300μg de feromônio sexual e colocadas em plantações de café. Todos os experimentos foram feitos em Minas Gerais, MG. No primeiro estudo a dose de 300μg e 3000μg coletaram mais mariposas que em doses inferiores. Entretanto, quando se levou em consideração a vida útil do liberador a dose de 300μg foi inficiente para coletar machos depois de 15 dias e a dose de 3000μg repeliu os machos das armadilhas nos primeiros 15 dias. Em outro estudo concluiu -se que a melhor dose a ser aplicada nas armadilhas foi a de 900μg. No estudo com os diferentes modelos comparou-se armadilhas Delta® nas cores branca e verde, Tubular com cartão de cola no interior e a armadilha Cica®. Os resultados mostraram não haver diferenças entre as armadilhas Delta® e Cica. No entanto, a armadilha cilíndrica coletou significativamente menos insetos que as demais testadas. Por razões de economia e praticidade recomenda-se a Delta® para o monitoramento deste inseto. A avaliação da altura da armadilha determina que estas sejam colocadas no solo entre as linhas de plantio. The main compound of Leucoptera coffeella sex pheromone, 5,9 -dimethylpentadecane, has four possible pure stereoisomers and studies with other insects have been demonstrated that this optical isomer may carries biological activitiy. The objective of the present work was to study whether only one or more of the pure stereoisomers were needed for biological activity. The evaluatio n of the pure stereoisomers was made using electroantennography, wind tunnel and pheromone trap in the field. The eletroantenography and wind tunnel experiments indicated a small response from the 5S,9S-dimethylpentadecane (SS) isomer. However no stereoiso mer alone was able to trap significant number of moths when compared to the racemic mixture of 5,9 -dimethylpentadecane. Due to the small size direct observation of the calling behavior in females is very difficult and inaccurate. A study was undertaken to access the pattern of sex pheromone production in glands of virgin females as an indirect measure of the calling behavior. The major compound, biologically active, (5,9-dimethylpentadecane) was extracted to be used in two experiments. The first one investigated the effect of the pheromone production time by females. Extracts of 10 females with age of two days were carried out at 2-hour intervals during 24 hours (12:12 D:L). The other experiment evaluated the effect of female age on pheromone production. Age ranged from 1 to 5 days after emergence and 10 females of each age class were used. Extracts were analyzed by GC. Females had the highest amount of pheromone at the last four hours in the dark and the two first hours in the light period. Amounts of pheromone were lower in all other periods. One-day old females produced the highest amount of pheromone in the glands. After two days of emergence the titers of pheromone dropped significantly and remained low until females were 5 days old. Field experiments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of doses, the lifetime of the releaser, and the height of pheromone-baited traps to capture of coffee leafminer, L. coffeella, males. Also traps of different design were baited with 300μg of sex pheromone and were placed in coffee field. All experiments were done at Minas Gerais State - Brasil. In one study, the dose of 300μg and 3000μg in Delta traps collected more moths than the inferior doses. However, the considering the lifetime of the releaser the dose of 300μg was ineficiente to trap moths more than 15 days and the 3000μg dose was a repelent in the first 15 days. In another study was concluded that the best dose to be applied in the traps 900μg. In the study of trap design the capture was compared among white delta, green delta, a tubular glued cardboard and the Cica® trap. Results showed that there were no differences in capture among traps with different colors. However, a circular glued cardboard trap traped a significant less males than any other trap tested. For economic reasons the best option for monitoring purposes is recommended the Delta trap. The height of trap study determines that the trap shoud be posicionated on the soil between the row of plants.

Estudos de toxicidade relativa dos inseticidas organo-fosforados dissulfotom, etiom, paratiom-metílico e clorpirifós às vespas predadoras Brachygastra lecheguana Latreille, Polybia paulista Ihering e Protopolybia exigua Saussure e sua presa, o bicho-mineiro do cafeeiro Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville), foram realizados em condições de laboratório. As concentrações que mataram 99% dos indivíduos de L. coffeella foram: 0,08; 83,95; 0,43; 0,07 mg i.a/cm² para dissulfotom, etiom, paratiom-metílico e clorpirifós, respectivamente. Essas concentrações foram usadas para avaliar a seletividade destes compostos em ensaio com papel de filtro impregnado com resíduo seco dos inseticidas. Paratiom-metílico e clorpirifós foram altamente tóxicos a essas espécies de vespas predadoras, enquanto disulfotom e etiom mostraram-se seletivos em favor delas. Studies of relative toxicity of the organophosphate insecticides disulfoton, ethion, methyl-parathion e chlorpyrifos to the predatory wasps Brachygastra lecheguana Latreille, Polybia paulista Ihering e Protopolybia exigua Saussure and their prey, the coffee leaf-miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville), were carried out in laboratory. The concentrations which killed 99% of individuals of L. coffeella were: 0.08; 83.95; 0.43; 0.07 mg i.a/cm² of disulfoton, ethion, methyl-parathion and chlorpyrifos, respectively. These concentrations were used to assess the selectivity of insecticides in impregnated paper filter assays. Methyl-parathion and chlorpyrifos were highly toxic to these wasp species, while disulfoton and ethion were selective in their favour.

We analyzed the volatiles emitted by Mexican populations of the female coffee leafminer moth Leucoptera coffeella that were collected in coffee plantations located in the Soconusco region of Chiapas. Our results confirmed previous results that L. coffeella females emitted 5,9-dimethylpentadecane as the major and 5,9-dimethylhexadecane as the minor component. Field response of the coffee leafminer moth to stereoisomers of the major component showed that delta traps baited with (5S,9R)-dimethylpentadecane caught a significantly greater number of coffee leafminer males when compared to those captured by traps baited with (5R,9R)-dimethylpentadecane, (5R,9S)-dimethylpentadecane and the control. The number of coffee leafminer captured by traps baited with (5S,9S)-dimethylpentadecane was not significantly different from the number captured by traps baited with (5R,9R)-dimethylpentadecane. The results are discussed in view of the possibility of using stereoisomers as bait for monitoring the leafminer mo...

The potential for biological control of important insect pests of crops of economic importance in the Caribbean is evaluated. Crops include sugarcane, coffee, bananas, plantains, sweet potatoes, yams, cassava, tomato, peppers, cabbage, curcubits, some fruits, pigeon pea and beans. Suggestions are made for biological control of major insect pests such as Diatraea saccharalis, Diaprepes abbreviatus, Cosmopolites sordidus, Cylas formicarius, Hypothenemus hampei, Leucoptera coffeella, Plutella xylostella, Heliothis zea and Diaphania spp. Recommendations are made for the proper evaluation and selection of candidate pests.

Se evaluaron varios insecticidas-nematicidas para controlar el minador del cafeto, Leucoptera coffeella, en la Estación Experimental Agrícola, Subestación de Adjuntas, Puerto Rico, de el 1982 a 1984. Aldicarb 10 G y carbofuran 10 G, ambos en 3 dosis, se aplicaron en un ensayo en 1981. Se incluyó, además, el insecticida disulfoton 15 G como testigo para compararlos. En el primer ensayo (1982) disulfoton 15 G fue altamente significativo en el control del minador (93.3%) al compararlo con el del testigo. Con aldicarb 10 G en dosis de 20 y 30 gramos por árbol se obtuvo 75.3 y 73.6% de control, respectivamente. El control de carbofuran 10 G en dosis de 20 gramos por árbol fue significativo al 5% al compararlo con el del testigo. En el segundo año solamente aldicarb 10 G en dosis de 20 gramos controló el minador significativamente al 5% al compararlo con el del testigo. No fue posible determinar si hubo diferencias significativas entre los demás tratamientos. En el tercer año, los resultados demostraron que disulfoton 15 g con 92.6% de control, aldicarb 10 G en 30 y 20 gramos con 88.7 y 80.8% de control, respectivamente, fueron altamente significativos. Con carbofuran 10 G a 15 gramos por árbol se obtuvo un control significativo al 5%. Con todos los tratamientos de aldicarb 10 G y carbofuran 10 G, lo cual podría atribuirse a la acción nematicida de dichos productos. En conclusión, ambos productos, aldicarb y carbofuran, demostraron ser eficaces en el control del minador del cafeto en Puerto Rico.

El minador de las hojas del cafeto, Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Méneville, es el principal insecto que ataca el cafée en Puerto Rico. Sus larvas penetran el mesófilo donde se alimentan por 3 semanas. Este daño puede ocasionar pérdidas de hasta un 40% en la producción. Durante las últimas décadas el minador se ha estado combatiendo con aplicaciones anuales de Disyston 15 G, un insecticida sistémico que se aplica sabre el suelo cerca de las raíces del arbusto. Es necesario establecer otras alternativas de combate que disminuyan el riesgo a la salud y al ambiente. El uso de agentes naturales (control biológico) como los parasitoides podría ser la alternativa segura para el combate de esta plaga. El primer paso de un programa de control biológico es comprobar la presencia de parásitos y depredadores endémicos y su distribución en el lugar o comarca estudiados. Con este propósito se hizo una inspección de dos años (1985 y 86) en un amplio sector de la región cafetalera de Puerto Rico en busca de los parasitoides del minador de las hojas del cafeto. Los resultados obtenidos en 1985 indican que el mayor porcentaje de parasitismo (66.7%) se observó en la finca Bennazar en Adjuntas a una altitud de 480 m. snm, seguido por la Hacienda Balear en Adjuntas a 460, y por la finca Román en Lares a 400 m. con 42.8 y 36.4% de parasitismo, respectivamente. En la inspección de 1986 el mayor procentaje de parasitismo (54.0%) se obtuvo en Villalba (Bo. Toro Negro) a 560 m., seguido por Ponce (Bo. Carmelita) a 950 m. y Juana Díaz (Bo. Collores) a 800 m., con 47.8 y 47.0% de parasitismo, respectivamente. No se pudo demostrar que haya correlación entre la altitud y el porcentaje de parasitismo. Se identificaron cinco eulófidos: Horismenus sp., Cirrospiloideus sp., Zagrammosoma sp., Achrysocharoides sp., y Chrysonotomyia sp. También se recolectó el parasitoide importado de Guadalupe en 1937, Mirax insularis. Este parasitoide se encontró distribuido por toda la región cafetalera de la isla. El porcentaje de parasitismo más alto observado fue de Achrysocharoides sp. (33.1%), seguido por M. insularis (32.4%). El complejo de parasitoides del minador de las hojas del cafeto se encontró actuando en un 23.5 y 19.5% en 1985 y 1986, respectivamente, sobre el total de la población del minador.

En el verano del 1986 se estudió la distribución del minador de las hojas del cafeto, Leucoptera coffeella, y sus parasitoides dentro de los límites de la copa del cafeto. Este experimento responde a la necesidad de entender la ecología del minador y sus parasitoides para poder aumentar el nivel de parasitismo. Los porcentajes de parasitismo fueron 13.2, 14.3 y 16.0 a las alturas entre 0 y 1, 1 y 2, y 2 y 3 m., respectivamente. No hubo diferencias significativas entre el porcentaje de parasitismo y las distintos alturas de la copa. Se encontraron todos los parasitoides del complejo eulófido hasta ahora informados en Puerto Rico y el parasitoide importado Mirax insularis Muesebeck, el cual fue más activo en la búsqueda del huésped a la altura intermedia (1 y 2 metros). Los promendios para el índice de galerías fueron 0.7, 0.7 y 0.3 a alturas entre 0 y 1, 1 y 2, y 2 y 3 metros, respectivamente. No se pudo comprobar si hay diferencias significativas entre el índice de galerías y a diversas alturas en la copa. Aunque no se pudieron observar diferencias significativas se observó una mayor incidencia del minador del cafeto en las ramas más bajas y a la altura intermedia (0 y 1 y 1 y 2 m.). Se comprobó que el minador de las hojas del cafeto está presente a todas las alturas de la copa.

The coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Guerin-Meneville), has been the major insect pest of coffee in Guatemala for the past 10 years. Losses occur as a result of premature falling of mined foliage. Populations generally increase during the dry season when both rainfall and temperature become important influencing factors. Damage is especially severe in plantations at 1800 to 3500 feet elevation. Experimentation with oil-insecticide spray combinations was initiated with the concept of utilizing the oil as a penetrant of the larval mine. Paraffinic- and naphthenic-based oils having superior oil ratings were used alone and in combination with insecticides. It was established that the dosage rate of insecticides could be reduced to 50% of the normal concentration when the insecticide was used in combination with oil at 1% by volume. The combinations also lengthened the residual activity of treatment; fenthion and Bidrin® (3-hydroxy- N, N -dimethyl- cis -crotonamide dimethyl phosphate) were especially effective and long lasting. Ethion and dimethoate were promising. There was no evidence of significant differences in effectiveness between the paraffinic and naphthenic-based oils. Oils in the 58-70 second viscosity range were superior to kerosene or 30-second oil but they were not significantly different than the one 145-second oil used.

The writer was able to make a field and laboratory study of Leucoptera coffeella, Guér. (white coffee-leaf miner) when serving as Entomologist in Kenya Colony.

The severe defoliation of coffee plants in the Central Plateau region of Costa Rica and the heavy outbreak of a leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Guerin-Meneville), in coffee plantings in Guatemala were investigated in 1964. Insects that inhabit coffee plantings and the surrounding environment were identified. In Costa Rica the severe defoliation was caused by infestations of red spider mites, Oligonychus sp., and localized but severe outbreaks of L. coffeella . The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri (Risso), had also damaged coffee plantings in certain areas. Since a drought prevailed and an active volcano was spewing ash, the degree of defoliation caused by insects, drought, or ash deposit could not be separated. Malathion sprays applied by helicopter reduced the infestations of mites and leaf miners but did not control the mealybugs; the sprays were often applied too late in the season for maximum efficiency. In Guatemala, the leaf miner had severely defoliated coffee grown at altitudes below 3000 feet. Although the insect was present in all plantations visited, it had not caused serious injury at the higher altitudes where parasites seemed more plentiful. Certain varieties of coffee appear to be resistant to injury. Other injurious insects identified on coffee included: the black thread scale, Ischnaspis longirostis (Signoret); Coccus sp.; and Saissetia sp. Parasites and predator species reared from larvae of L. coffeella in Guatemala included: Bucculatriplex sp., Calvolia sp., Closterocems sp., Entedontini sp., Zagrammosoma sp. and Thysanus sp. Parasitic species of insects collected in trays under coffee plants when insecticides were applied by helicopter included: Drino sp., Leschenaultia leucophrys (Wiedemann), Perisierola sp., Apanteles sp., Horismenus sp., Zagrammosoma sp., Eurytoma sp., Rieya sp., Platygaster sp., Trichacis sp., Ceratoteleia sp., Trissolcus sp., and 10 species of Formicidae. Other species of insects collected in Guatemala and Costa Rica are listed.

Two leaf miners of coffee, Leucoptera coffeella and L. caffeina are present in the Kilimanjaro and Usambara districts of Tanganyika. The life-histories of L. coffeella and its parasites and a study made during 1937–40 of the populations of the host and its parasites in the Kilimanjaro area in both unshaded and shaded coffee are described. Some observations are made on the “dominant stage” of the host.

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF 7 CULTIVARS OF COFFEA ARABICA L. TO LEUCOPTERA COFFEELLA (GUÉRIN-MÉNEVILLE)

Records of Leucoptera coffeella (Guér.) from Kenya and Tanganyika have been found to be based on misidentifications and to refer to a distinct species, Leucoptera meyricki Ghesq. Other records of coffeella from the Old World seem open to doubt and require to be reinvestigated since they may also be based on misidentifications. L. coffeella seems likely to be a Neotropical species predominant in the West Indies. A lectotype is designated for meyricki, but the type material of coffeella cannot be traced and the identity of the latter species remains to be properly established. The present generic assignment of meyricki and coffeella in the genus Leucoptera Hübn. needs to be reconsidered in the light of the new genus Perileucoptera Silvestri (1943).

Small farmers' perceptions of coffee Coffea arabica L. herbivores and their natural enemies, how those perceptions relate to field infestation levels, and pest management practices being implemented by members from two organic and nonorganic coffee grower organizations in the Soconusco region, southeastern Mexico, were analyzed through an interview survey, diagnostic workshops, and field sampling. The terms pest, disease, and damage were commonly used as synonyms. The major phytophagous species, as perceived by the interviewees, were Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari), and to a lesser extent the fungi Corticium koleroga Cooke (Höhnel) and Hemileia vastatrix BerkeleyBroome. Among the nonorganic farmers, other nonpest-related constraints were regarded as more important. Awareness of the existence of natural enemies was low, despite more organic farmers have used the ectoparasitoid bethylid Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem against H. hampei. Labor supplied by household members was most frequent for pest control; only organic farmers exchanged labor for this purpose. The levels of infestation by H. hampei, Leucoptera coffeella Guérin-Méneville, and C. koleroga were lower within the organic coffee stands. However, a low effectiveness for pest control was commonly perceived, probably due to a feeling, among the organic farmers, of a low impact of their pest management extension service, whereas a lack of motivation was prevalent among the nonorganic farmers, shown by a concern with their low coffee yields and the emigration of youth. The importance of understanding farmers' perceptions and knowledge of pests and their natural enemies and the need for participatory pest management approaches, are discussed.

Leucoptera coffeella , one of the most serious coffee pests in the New World, is considered an introduced species, suitable for classical biological control, although its exact origin is uncertain. Three pieces of evidence—(1) the little noticed presence of L. coffeella on coffee in Madagascar and on Reunion, (2) the presence of several native coffee species on Reunion, and (3) the arrival of Coffea arabica Var bourbon to the Americas by way of Reunion—lead to the hypothesis that Reunion is the native home of this species and the appropriate site for natural enemy exploration.