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16 pages, 982 KB

Open AccessArticle

Silent Allies: Endophytic Entomopathogenic Fungi Promote Biological Control and Reduce Spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis Distant, 1909 (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

by Michelle O. Campagnani, Luís Augusto Calsavara, Charles Martins de Oliveira and Alexander Machado Auad

J. Fungi 2025, 11(7), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11070492 - 27 Jun 2025

Viewed by 1327

Abstract

Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins (synonym Brachiaria ruziziensis) Poales: Poaceae) pastures are often attacked by spittlebugs, compromising their biomass for livestock usage. A sustainable control method involves the use of entomopathogenic fungi. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of controlling Mahanarva spectabilis Distant, 1909 (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), in greenhouse and field conditions via endophytic entomopathogenic fungi. In the greenhouse, the mortality of nymphs and adults was 100%, and more than 53% of the nymphs and 59% of the adults that fed on plants inoculated with Fusarium multiceps and Metarhizium anisopliae presented with these fungi in their cadavers. In the field, more than 45% of the insect cadavers that had fed on plants grown from fungus-treated seeds were found to contain the fungi. F. multiceps was found to be endophytic in more than 60% of the plants up to 90 days after seed treatment, and M. anisopliae was found in more than 70% of the plants up to 120 days after treatment. The damage scores of the control plants, both in the greenhouse and in the field, were greater than those of the plants inoculated with the fungi. F. multiceps and M. anisopliae in the endophytic pathway of U. ruziziensis are therefore efficient at controlling spittlebugs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pathogenic Mechanisms and Biological Control in Entomopathogenic Fungi)

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9 pages, 892 KB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Stress as a Critical Factor in the Viability and Duration of Spittlebug Eggs

by Milena Duarte, Luís Augusto Calsavara and Alexander Machado Auad

Stresses 2024, 4(4), 676-684; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses4040043 - 21 Oct 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1594

Abstract

The spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) is an important pest that causes significant losses in the production of forage crops for cattle feed. Information on the thermal requirements of this insect during the egg stage is crucial in assessing the interaction between insects and forage. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of constant and oscillating (diurnal/nocturnal) temperatures on the viability of M. spectabilis eggs and the duration of the egg stage. Temperatures of 20 °C to 30 °C were ideal for the development of this insect pest, resulting in greater viability and faster development of the embryos. In addition, it should be noted that a variation of up to 8 days is feasible for synchronizing the phenological stages of the forage plants and the eggs to be laid on these plants when subjected to 30 °C (16.6 days) or 20 °C (25.7 days) without significantly altering the viability of the eggs. Notably, a temperature oscillation of 25 °C during the day and 15 °C at night increased the viability of the eggs after exiting diapause. These results are essential for the rearing of M. spectabilis in the laboratory, allowing for the supply of eggs for experiments and contributing to advances in studies aimed at developing effective integrated management strategies for this pest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Human and Animal Stresses)

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14 pages, 1122 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sixteen Years of Recurrent Selection of Ruzi Grass for Resistance to Spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

by Tiago Teixeira Resende, Fausto Souza Sobrinho, Michelle Oliveira Campagnani, Bruno Antônio Veríssimo, Luís Augusto Calsavara, Flávia Maria Avelar Gonçalves, José Airton Rodrigues Nunes and Alexander Machado Auad

Agronomy 2024, 14(7), 1516; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071516 - 12 Jul 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1692

Abstract

The forage Urochloa ruziziensis ((R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins (synonym Brachiaria ruziziensis) (Poales: Poaceae)) has great potential to be adopted as pasture. However, this forage is susceptible to spittlebugs, the main insect pest of pastures in Brazil. Thus, the objective of this study was to select genotypes of U. ruziziensis resistant to Deois schach (Fabricius) and Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) through 16 cycles of recurrent selection. The resistance of 13,114 U. ruziziensis plants to spittlebugs was evaluated in experiments conducted between 2008 and 2023. Each plant was infested with six eggs of the insect pest at stage S4 and kept in a greenhouse for up to 40 days. After this period, surviving nymphs from the second to fifth instars were counted. The original population of U. ruziziensis (POP01-2008) presented a nymphal survival rate of 63%, while for the improved population (POP36-2023) the average nymphal survival rate was 32.8%. The estimated total genetic gain was 15%, and the annual genetic gain was 1%. After 16 selection cycles, in POP36-2023, approximately 63% of the genotypes (716 plants), had nymphal survival rates equal to or less than 33% and were considered resistant to D. schach and M. spectabilis nymphs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding of Field Crops in the 21st Century)

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18 pages, 1460 KB

Open AccessArticle

Endophytic Capacity of Entomopathogenic Fungi in a Pasture Grass and Their Potential to Control the Spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

by Michelle O. Campagnani, Alexander Machado Auad, Rogério Martins Maurício, Ana Paula Madureira, Mauroni Alves Cangussú, Luiz Henrique Rosa, Marcelo Francisco A. Pereira, Mayco Muniz, Sebastião Rocha O. Souza, Natany Brunelli M. Silva, Ana Carolina Rios Silva and Wellington Garcia Campos

Agronomy 2024, 14(5), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14050943 - 30 Apr 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2671

Abstract

Pests in pastures have compromised the production of biomass for feeding livestock herds. Many strategies have been applied to sustainably solve this problem. One viable and innovative technique is the delivery of entomopathogenic fungi through endophytes. Therefore, this study aimed to (i) evaluate the endophytic capacity of two entomopathogenic fungi, Fusarium multiceps UFMGCB 11443 and Metarhizium anisopliae UFMGCB 11444, in Urochloa brizantha [(Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf] (Poaceae) cultivar ‘Marundu’) via foliar inoculation or seed treatment, and (ii) measure their efficiency in controlling Mahanarva spectabilis Distant, 1909 (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) in U. brizantha. In the greenhouse, the fungi colonized the tissues of U. brizantha plants when inoculated via foliar spraying or seed treatment. The fungi F. multiceps and M. anisopliae caused 88% and 97.1% epizootic effects via seed inoculation, respectively, and 100% epizootic effects via foliar inoculation. In the field, the lowest fungal dose of 0.5 kg/ha had the same effect as a fourfold greater dose, with a >86% decrease in insect pest infestation observed. In summary, the fungi F. multiceps and M. anisopliae have endophytic effects and can effectively control M. spectabilis in U. brizantha pastures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Pest Control in Agroecosystems)

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13 pages, 1418 KB

Open AccessArticle

Insecticidal Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Plant Origin on Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

by Vinícius Ferraz Nascimento, Alexander Machado Auad, Tiago Teixeira de Resende, Amanda Jdenaina Mendoza Visconde and Marcelle Leandro Dias

Agronomy 2022, 12(4), 947; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12040947 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5923

Abstract

The spittlebug Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) is considered the main and most limiting pest of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.), and has caused economic losses to Brazilian farmers. In this study, we evaluated the insecticidal effects of aqueous extracts of garlic, rue, cinnamon, lemongrass, clove, star anise, eucalyptus, tobacco, and thyme on M. spectabilis nymphs. The results indicated that the tobacco extract was the most effective among all extracts, as it reached a mortality of 76%. The next most effective was star anise extract and cinnamon extract was the least effective. In the second stage of tests, we evaluated the insecticidal potential of five concentrations of tobacco extract. The values of LD50 and LD90 calculated for aqueous tobacco extract were, respectively, 11.5% and 33.3% 24 h after application, and 9.2% and 29.5% 48 h after application. We also evaluated different methods of extraction, through comparative tests, and the methods of infusion and decoction proved to be equivalent to those of the method of extraction by ultrasound. We conclude that among the nine aqueous plant extracts tested, tobacco extract was the only one recommended against M. spectabilis, as it showed insecticidal activity, with better results at a concentration of 25%, and with extraction by infusion and decoction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pesticide Discovery and Application)

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9 pages, 604 KB

Open AccessArticle

Olfactory Response of Mahanarva spectabilis (Distant, 1909) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) to Volatile Aqueous Extracts of Plant Origin Applied to Elephant Grass Plants (Pennisetum purpureum Schum)

by Vinícius Ferraz Nascimento, Alexander Machado Auad and Tiago Teixeira de Resende

Agronomy 2021, 11(5), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050856 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3272

Abstract

In this study, we evaluate the olfactory responses of Mahanarva spectabilis adults to aqueous extracts from the following non-host plants for the pest insect: garlic (Allium sativum L.), rue (Ruta graveolens L.), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf.), clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), star anise (Illicium verum Hook.f), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) applied to the host plant, elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.). The bioassays were performed using a Y olfactometer, and the combinations of the plant extracts applied to the host plant were tested against fresh air and against the host plant without the extract. The results show that the extracts of tobacco and star anise were non-attractive to M. spectabilis adults. The extracts from the remaining plants did not alter the response of M. spectabilis to the host plant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Semiochemicals in Pest Management)

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11 pages, 968 KB

Open AccessArticle

Insecticidal Activity of Compounds of Plant Origin on Mahanarva spectabilis (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)

by Marcelle L. Dias, Alexander M. Auad, Milena C. Magno, Tiago T. Resende, Marcy G. Fonseca and Sandra E. B. Silva

Insects 2019, 10(10), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10100360 - 19 Oct 2019

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4174

Abstract

The damage caused by spittlebugs varies according to the species of grass, and the losses can reach alarming levels. Measures for population control are currently restricted to the use of resistant grasses and the diversification of pastures. Therefore, alternative control measures are necessary, such as the use of botanical insecticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal activities of thymol, carvacrol, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and trans-anethole on Mahanarva spectabilis eggs, nymphs, and adults under laboratory conditions. In the egg tests, treatments with eugenol, carvacrol, and thymol showed the highest mortalities, presenting efficiencies higher than 85% after 48 h of application. In the nymph tests, the treatments with thymol and carvacrol at 2.5% and eugenol at 2.0% and 2.5% showed intermediate efficiencies, with values above 61%. The highest mortality was observed in the treatment with trans-anethole at 2.5%, with an efficiency of 95%. In the tests with adults, only treatment with trans-anethole at 2.5% obtained an efficiency reaching 90%; in the other treatments, the efficiency did not exceed 51%. These results showed that, at these concentrations, trans-anethole presents a high rate of insecticidal activity on M. spectabilis nymphs and adults and, therefore, is recommended as a potential natural insecticide for the control of this pest. Full article

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