This study evaluated the phytochemical composition of aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera (MO) obtained by maceration, decoction, and infusion of fresh or dried leaves and their effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters. Phytochemical prospecting analyses were conducted to determine the bioactive compounds in each aqueous extract. Regarding the in vitro ruminal fermentation study, the seven treatments were the following: no addition of extract or control (CON); extract obtained by maceration of fresh leaves (MFL); extract obtained by maceration of dry leaves (MDL); extract obtained by decoction of the fresh leaves (DFL); extract obtained by decoction of dry leaves (DDL); extract obtained by infusion of fresh leaves (IFL) and extract obtained by infusion of dry leaves (IDL). The concentration of all bioactives (saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids) quantified was higher when fresh MO leaves were used (p < 0.001). DFL and DDL provided less elimination of azino-bis radicals. On the other hand, MFL resulted in a greater elimination of these radicals. Extracts obtained from fresh leaves resulted in a greater total production of short-chain fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate (p < 0.05). Compared to the control treatment, the inclusion of extracts obtained from fresh leaves provided a higher concentration of propionate (p = 0.049). It is thereby concluded that the use of fresh MO leaves for the production of aqueous extracts is the most recommended, as it results in a higher concentration of bioactive compounds. The use of aqueous extracts of fresh MO leaves increases the total production of fatty acids but does not change their proportion.

In the guava crop, insecticides are frequently used throughout the yr in an attempt to protect new shoots from the attack of the key pest Triozoida limbata (Enderlein) (Hemiptera: Triozidae). Research is essential to investigate the resistance of cultivars for management of T. limbata populations in sustainable production systems. We evaluated the preference of T. limbata on guava cultivars in the field, and determined the longitudinal and transverse incidence of the triozid for plants of Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae). The evaluations were carried out in an orchard located in the Embrapa Agropecuária Oeste, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with 8 cultivars of P. guajava, from May 2013 to Jul 2014. There were 96 plants in the area used; they were evaluated biweekly, quantifying the number of immatures and adults of the triozid using new leaves from the apex of the branches to the second pair of leaves fully expanded in 4 main branches (branches leaving the trunk) per plant. Simultaneously, to capture adults 96 plants were monitored with a yellow adhesive trap (10 × 15 cm) fixed at the height of the canopy, and the traps were changed every 15 d. The cultivars ‘Cascuda' and ‘Kumagai' were non-preferred for immatures of T. limbata, whereas ‘Paluma,' ‘Tailandesa,' ‘Novo Milênio,' and ‘Pedro Sato' cultivars were susceptible. There was a significant difference in the incidence of T. limbata adults between ‘Sassaoka' and ‘Paluma' cultivars. For the adults caught in adhesive traps, ‘Sassaoka,' ‘Kumagai,' and ‘Cascuda' cultivars were not preferred, compared to ‘Paluma' (susceptible). No difference occurred in the incidence of nymphs and adults of T. limbata between the positions of the branches, nor between plants or streets. The ‘Cascuda' and ‘Kumagai’ cultivars are promising for guava breeding programs, aiming at resistance to T. limbata attack. To sample for T. limbata in orchards, one can evaluate the leaves of any of the 4 main branches that leave the trunk.

This study aimed to evaluate the pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae on leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens rubropilosa, under laboratory conditions. It was inoculated suspensions containing different concentrations of conidia on specimens of soldiers and workers, kept under controlled conditions. The mortality was verified daily until 15 days after inoculation. The experimental delineation was entirely random. Sporulation data were submitted to variance analysis and the average of the treatments were compared to each other by the Scott-Knott test. Probit analysis was performed to obtain the values of LT50 (in days). All isolates were pathogenic to A. sexdens rubropilosa, being more virulent for workers than for soldiers. Isolates IBCB 348, IBCB 410 and IBCB 425 were the most efficient in the mortality of the ants. Isolates IBCB 425 and UFGD 03 caused high percentages of confirmed mortality. The results showed that the tested isolates have the potential for using them as control agents of A. sexdens rubropilosa.

Os fungos Trichoderma harzianum e Purpureocillium lilacinum encontrados na rizosfera e no solo são antagonistas de doenças radiculares e nematoides fitopatogênicos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de T. harzianum e P. lilacinum no manejo de Heterodera glycines na cultura da soja. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, constituído de seis tratamentos sendo estes compostos pela testemunha (1), tratamento Cruiser 350^® + Maxim XL^® + Avicta Completo^® (2), tratamento com o fungo P. lilacinum (3), tratamento com Avicta Completo^® associado ao P. lilacinum (4), tratamento com a associação dos fungos P. lilacinum e T. harzianum (5) e tratamento P. lilacinum + T. harzianum + Avicta Completo^® (6). As parcelas foram compostas por 7 linhas com espaçamento entre linhas de 0,45 m, com tamanho de 3,60 m x 10 m. Os dados da quantidade de nematoides no solo e nas raízes, o cálculo da produtividade da soja por tratamento foram submetidos à análise de variância pelo teste de Skott-knot a 5% de probabilidade. Na safra 2011/2012 a associação de produtos biológicos e químicos proporcionaram redução de 100% na quantidade de H. glycines no solo e nas raízes os produtos biológicos reduziram 69,2% da população de nematoides. Entretanto, na safra 2011/2012 a associação dos fungos P. lilacinus+T. harzianum proporcionaram maior redução no número de nematoides no solo e nas raízes. Os produtos biológicos promoveram maior produtividade e maior lucro quando comparado ao produtos químicos isolados e associados aos produtos biológicos.

Objective: The objective of this work is to evaluate the interaction of entomopathogens and synthetic insecticide with the predator C. cubana, in the larval, pupa, and adult stages. Method: Bacteria, entomopathogenic viruses, and synthetic insecticide were applied directly to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd instar larvae of C. cubana, with a volume of 2 mL of syrup per repetition. Total mortality after ten days, the percentage of pupation, mortality in the pupal stage, and insects that reached the adult stage were evaluated. The data on total mortality, pupation, mortality in the pupal stage, and insects that reached the adult stage were subjected to analysis of variance (F test), the means were compared by the Scott-Knott mean grouping test at 5% probability. Results and Discussion: The synthetic insecticide provided 100% mortality for C. cubana larvae. The biological products did not provide significant pathogenic action in any of the evaluated parameters and can be used together. Research Implications: Success in pest management depends, among other factors, on biotic interactions between existing organisms. When two or more organisms are used for biological control, interactions occur between both, and research proves both the occurrence of synergistic interactions, demonstrating the possibility of coexistence of these agents within the same environment, and antagonistic ones, observing negative effects, such as the action of entomopathogens on beneficial insects. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the knowledge of interactions between entomopathogens and predators, aiming to evaluate the action of entomopathogens on natural enemies, enabling the joint use of these biological control agents in integrated pest management, promoting more sustainable agriculture.