Assessing different levels of red gum lerp psyllid (Glycaspis brimblecombei) can influence the hyperspectral reflectance of leaves in different ways due to changes in chlorophyll. In order to classify these levels, the use of machine learning (ML) algorithms can help process the data faster and more accurately. The objectives were: (I) to evaluate the spectral behavior of the G. brimblecombei attack levels; (II) find the most accurate ML algorithm for classifying pest attack levels; (III) find the input configuration that improves performance of the algorithms. Data were collected from a clonal eucalyptus plantation (clone AEC 0144—Eucalyptus urophilla) aged 10.3 months old. Eighty sample evaluations were carried out considering the following severity levels: control (no shells), low infestation (N1), intermediate infestation (N2), and high infestation (N3), for which leaf spectral reflectances were obtained using a spectroradiometer. The spectral range acquired by the equipment was 350 to 2500 nm. After obtaining the wavelengths, they were grouped into representative interval means in 28 bands. Data were submitted to the following ML algorithms: artificial neural networks (ANN), REPTree (DT) and J48 decision trees, random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and conventional logistic regression (LR) analysis. Two input configurations were tested: using only the wavelengths (ALL) and using the spectral bands (SB) to classify the attack levels. The output variable was the severity of G. brimblecombei attack. There were differences in the hyperspectral behavior of the leaves for the different attack levels. The highest attack level shows the greatest distinction and the highest reflectance values. LR and SVM show better accuracy in classifying the severity levels of G. brimblecombei attack. For the correct classification percentage, the RL and SVM algorithms performed better, both with accuracy above 90%. Both algorithms achieved F-score values close to 0.90 and above 0.8 for Kappa. The entire spectral range guaranteed the best accuracy for both algorithms.

Currently, agricultural cropping systems have adopted integrated pest management (IPM) as a successful model for pest control. The use of entomopathogenic fungi in IPM has increased because of their great potential for reducing arthropod pest populations without causing harm to human health and ecosystems. Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae stand out among the most used fungi in biological control, with many isolates commercialized worldwide. Helicoverpa armigera is an agriculturally important pest in Brazil and worldwide, causing damage to several crops. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biological control potential of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, and M. rileyi on H. armigera. The results indicated that the entomopathogenic fungi B. bassiana (strain ESALQ PL63), M. anisopliae (strain ESALQ E9), and M. rileyi (strain UFMS 03), applied using different methods (direct application and dry film) and concentrations (1 × 10⁷, 1 × 10⁸, and 1 × 10⁹ conidia mL^-1), resulted in low mortality and no virulence in first-, third-, and fifth-instar larvae of H. armigera. The death of all individuals subjected to treatment with B. bassiana (strain ESALQ PL63) was confirmed by conidiogenesis. Considering the importance of H. armigera as an agricultural pest and the biodiversity of entomopathogenic fungi in Brazil, further investigations on the virulence of fungal strains are necessary to improve the integrated management of lepidopteran pests through microbial control, explore the potential of new strains, and understand the relationships between microorganisms and host defense mechanisms.

Compatibility between chemical fungicides and biological insecticides is essential for maintaining plant health and preserving entomopathogenic fungi that induce epizootics in arthropod pests in soybean crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the fungicides Fox Xpro^®, Sphere Max^®, Orkestra^®, Elatus^®, Vessarya^®, and the adjuvant Aureo^® on the in vitro development of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi (strain UFMS 03). The effects of these products on vegetative growth (cm), conidial production, and germination (%) of M. rileyi were assessed. The obtained data were used to calculate the compatibility factor based on the biological index. The fungicide Elatus^® and the adjuvant Aureo^® were compatible with M. rileyi, showing no adverse effects on its vegetative growth. The fungicide Orkestra^® was moderately toxic to M. rileyi, negatively affecting its vegetative growth and sporulation. The fungicides Fox Xpro^®, Sphere Max^®, and Vessarya^® were toxic to M. rileyi, reducing its vegetative growth and sporulation. Although all products reduced M. rileyi sporulation, Elatus^® and Aureo^® were compatible with M. rileyi and can be integrated into disease management strategies aimed at conserving this biological control agent.

A utilização do manejo integrado de pragas, associado ao controle biológico, tem sido uma estratégia eficiente, econômica e mais sustentável no controle de agentes danosos à agricultura. A fase larval de Spodoptera frugiperda, umapraga agrícola presente em diversas culturas, é causadora de prejuízos financeiros para o agronegócio, e os entomopatógenos têm sido amplamente utilizados no controle biológico dessa espécie. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a patogenicidade de bactérias e vírus no manejo de S. frugiperda, em condições de laboratório. Para os bioensaios, utilizamos seis tratamentos por cinco repetições contendo seis lagartas (com segundo e terceiro instares) em cada. Os entomopatógenos utilizados foram S. frugiperda Multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV), Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), Bacillus subtilis, B. thuringiensis subsp. thoworthy, e B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. A avaliação da mortalidade ocorreu diariamente até a finalização do ciclo larval. Para a avaliação da mortalidade, utilizou-se a análise de variância (teste F), comparada posteriormente ao teste Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade e à eficiência dos bioinseticidas através da fórmula de Abbott. De modo geral, os entomopatógenos mais eficientes foram SfMNPV e B. subtilis, obtendo 100% de mortalidade nas lagartas de segundo instar, enquanto para as de terceiro instar, o AcMNPV mostrou letalidade máxima em 76,67% das amostras.

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.

The guava tree, Psidium guajava (Myrtales: Myrtaceae), is a tropical fruit species native to South and Central America and is widely cultivated in Brazil due to favorable soil and climate conditions for commercial production. Brazil is the third-largest guava-producing country in the world. Consequently, the fruit's nutritional value, agricultural production, industrial processing, and exports have expanded. However, this fruit tree is susceptible to pest infestations throughout its phenological cycle, resulting in qualitative and quantitative losses that may render the fruit unsuitable for fresh consumption. Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) are the main pests affecting guava. Growing restrictions on chemical pesticide use, due to their toxicity to human health and the development of insecticide resistance in pest species, have intensified the search for sustainable alternatives for pest control. Microbial control using entomopathogenic fungi against these pest species is essential for the economic sustainability of guava production. Entomopathogenic fungi are effective because they infect hosts at multiple developmental stages, penetrate the cuticle, and persist in the environment, leading to greater control efficacy. They pose minimal risk to non-target beneficial organisms, including bees, earthworms, collembolans, parasitoids, and predators. This review examines how Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae can enhance fruit fly management, improve plant, and fruit health, increase yield, and provide effective biological control solutions. It also promotes sustainability by encouraging agricultural practices that conserve environmental integrity and biodiversity.