The genus Diabrotica has over 400 described species, the majority of them neotropical. However, only three species of neotropical Diabrotica are considered agricultural pests: D. speciosa, D. balteata, and D. viridula. D. speciosa and D. balteata are polyphagous both as adults and during the larval stage. D. viridula are stenophagous during the larval stage, feeding essentially on maize roots, and polyphagous as adults. The larvae of the three species are pests on maize, but D. speciosa larvae also feed on potatoes and peanuts, while D. balteata larvae feed on beans and peanuts. None of these species express a winter/dry season egg diapause, displaying instead several continuous, latitude-mediated generations per year. This hinders the use of crop rotation as a management tool, although early planting can help in the temperate regions of the distribution of D. speciosa. The parasitoids of adults, Celatoria bosqi and Centistes gasseni, do not exert much control on Diabrotica populations, or show potential for inundative biocontrol plans. Management options are limited to insecticide applications and Bt genetically modified (GM) maize. Other techniques that show promise are products using Beauveria bassiana and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, semiochemical attractants for monitoring purposes or as toxic baits, and plant resistance.

This chapter focuses on the South American tomato pinworm Tuta absoluta (i) origin, spread and current distribution; (ii) basic but critical information regarding bioecology; (iii) rearing techniques; (iv) known host plants; (v) sampling and monitoring techniques; and (vi) control methods available from both South America and newly infested areas, as well as their potential use for integrated pest management. Some hints are provided on present and future management strategies.

Sugar cane production in the subtropical area of southern Brazil displays a different profile of growing conditions compared to other regions, and the population dynamics of both insect pests and their natural enemies are poorly documented. Monthly surveys were conducted in a subtropical sugar cane production area (29.003467°S, 53.235349°W) of Brazil. Samples were collected in a 15 ha field from Feb 2013 to Jan 2015, and the insects found on plants and inside culms were tabulated. The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) was found during all stages of plant development. These borers were most abundant during the cooler mo, when they reached a high level of infestation. The sugarcane mealybug, Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), was found during most mo, but infestation levels were highest in Mar. The pink spittlebug, Mahanarva fimbriolata (Stål) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), and sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were found mostly in warmer mo, and associated with higher accumulations of rainfall. The infestations by M. fimbriolata were below levels of economic damage, whereas M. sacchari infested up to 100% of the plants. The natural enemies observed were the parasitoid Billaea claripalpis (Wulp) (Diptera: Tachninidae) and the predators Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Doru lineare (Eschscholtz) (Dermaptera: Forficulidae). Their population dynamics clearly showed host/prey dependence. These results contribute to the monitoring and management strategies of pests in sugar cane grown in the subtropical conditions of southern Brazil.

O Brasil tem avançado fortemente na utilização do controle biológico como estratégia dentro da sua agricultura. O uso deste modelo de controle a parasitoides e predadores cresce aqui em um ritmo muito maior do que o do restante do mundo, cujo aumento tem figurado entre 10-15% ao ano. Considerando esse novo desafio, que é desenvolver um modelo de controle biológico para regiões tropicais com tecnologia própria, essa obra apresenta 21 capítulos com vasto material sobre o assunto. Direcionado especialmente ao controle de macrorganismos (insetos e ácaros), o livro é dividido em cinco seções. Aborda assuntos básicos e aplicados, especialmente para a elaboração de programas inter e multidisciplinares, desde a taxonomia até modelos praga/inimigos naturais. Isso é fundamental para que bons resultados sejam obtidos em diferentes culturas, e esses resultados sejam transferidos ao agricultor.