Metarhizium (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) has a multifunctional life cycle, establishing as a plant endophyte and acting as entomopathogenic fungi. Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium brunneum can be associated with coffee plants and provide enhanced protection against a major pest of coffee, the coffee leaf miner (CLM) (Leucoptera coffeella). This association would be an easily deployable biological control option. Here we tested the potential of inoculating coffee seeds with M. robertsii and M. brunneum collected from the soil of coffee crops in the Cerrado (Brazil) for control of the CLM and the enhancement of plant growth with a commonly used fungicide. We conducted the experiment in a greenhouse and after the seedlings grew, we placed them in a cage with two couples of CLMs. We evaluated the CLM development time, reproduction, and plant growth traits. We observed a longer development time of CLMs when fed on plants inoculated with both isolates. In addition, the CLMs laid fewer eggs compared to those fed on plants without fungal inoculation. Plant growth was promoted when seeds were inoculated with fungi, and the fungicide did not affect any evaluated parameter. Coffee seed inoculation with M. robertsii and M. brunneum appears to provide protection against CLMs and promote growth improvement.

A participação do Brasil no mercado de cerveja tem grande destaque atualmente devido às proporções imprevisíveis e notáveis que a produção nacional tem assumido nas últimas duas décadas. O estado de Minas Gerais se destaca em produção artesanal de cerveja e se configura como o segundo estado brasileiro na produção de rótulos especiais. Neste contexto, este trabalho apresenta os custos de instalação de uma microcervejaria, e analisa a viabilidade da implantação de uma microcervejaria na cidade de Belo Horizonte-MG com base nos indicadores financeiros e no perfil de consumo de cervejas artesanais. Consideramos os custos com o processo de produção da bebida (maltagem, moagem, mostura, fervura, fermentação, maturação, filtração, envase e expedição) e para avaliar o perfil de consumo, fez-se uma pesquisa com aplicação de questionário para um público diversificado. O empreendimento proposto é rentável, considerando que o mercado cervejeiro está em alta no Brasil e a região escolhida para instalação do mesmo é promissora. Consideramos todos os cálculos referentes ao Payback Simples, VPL e TIR, e TMA acima da taxa SELIC. Os resultados foram positivos, com os valores de 5 meses de tempo de retorno do capital, R$ 6.326,77 e 19% (VPL e TIR, respectivamente). O perfil do mercado consumidor brasileiro de cerveja artesanal é robusto e inclui pessoas de ambos os gêneros, diversos níveis de escolaridade e classes socioeconômicas. Os dados do estudo indicam que o maior percentual de consumidores é do sexo masculino, jovens até 35 anos, casados, pós-graduados moradores do Sudeste.

Pesticide resistance in agricultural pests has become a growing concern, as many species have developed resistance to most commercially available insecticides. Phthorimaea absoluta Meyrick, the tomato leaf miner, is one of the most destructive pests of tomato crops, capable of causing severe damage and even complete yield loss. This species has shown high levels of resistance to various insecticides, complicating effective pest management. Chlorfenapyr is a pro-insecticide that disrupts mitochondrial ATP production, ultimately leading to insect death. This study evaluated the lethal, sublethal, and histopathological effects of a chlorfenapyr-based insecticide on P. absoluta larvae through oral exposure. Lethal concentrations were determined using a concentration–mortality bioassay, and the LC ₅₀ value (3.72 ppm) was applied to assess histopathological alterations in the midgut. Chlorfenapyr-based insecticide exhibited high toxicity against P. absoluta . Histopathological and histochemical analyses revealed midgut epithelial damage, morphological alterations associated with cell degeneration, as well as the elimination of mycetocytes, which may play roles in digestion and xenobiotic detoxification. These findings provide one of the first histopathological characterizations of pesticide effects in this species and in microlepidoptera more broadly, reinforcing the potential use of chlorfenapyr within integrated pest management strategies.

The combined use of plant-derived bioinputs and entomopathogenic fungi has emerged as a promising strategy for sustainable pest management in coffee agroecosystems. Essential oils (EOs) for instance, often exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, raising concerns regarding their compatibility with beneficial fungi. This study evaluated the dose-dependent effects of Varronia curassavica essential oil on the mycelial growth of Beauveria bassiana, a key biological control agent against the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei. A concentration gradient of the EO was tested under laboratory conditions to assess antifungal activity, identify potential hormetic responses, and determine compatibility thresholds for integrated use. High EO concentrations (0.8% and 1%) significantly inhibited fungal growth, confirming its antifungal potential. In contrast, low concentrations (0.2% and 0.4%) stimulated mycelial growth, indicating a clear hormetic response. Benchmark dose (BMD) modeling was applied to characterize the non-linear dose–response relationship and to estimate critical effect thresholds. These results demonstrate that the interaction between V. curassavica EO and B. bassiana is strongly concentration-dependent and that sublethal doses may enhance fungal performance rather than suppress it. Our findings highlight the importance of dose optimization when integrating plant essential oils and entomopathogenic fungi and provide a scientific basis for their compatible use in sustainable and regenerative coffee pest management systems.