http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/4369 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:38:15 GMT 2026-04-13T04:38:15Z http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/9220 Título: Alerta e fuga: efeito do inseticida imidacloprido na comunicação de alarme e no comportamento de Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky 1855)(Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae) Autor: MENDONÇA, Thiago Henrique Cavalcanti de Primeiro orientador: CRISTALDO, Paulo Fellipe Abstract: Termites (Blattodea: Isoptera) have a range of defensive strategies in order to maintain colony protection against imminent dangers. The sophisticated alarm communication present in this group ensures that colony members avoid contact with predators, competitors and even pathogens. On the other hand, the effect of toxic substances, such as insecticides, on alarm communication and behavior has not yet been elucidated. Here, we analyze the effects of the insecticide imidacloprid on the alarm communication and behavior of Nasutitermes corniger (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae). For this, we tested the following hypotheses: (i) the insecticide triggers alert behavior in termites, through an increase in the number of vibrations; (ii) this alert behavior is dose-dependent on the insecticide and (iii) the alert behavior triggers an escape behavior of groups of termites not exposed to the insecticide. Manipulative alarm and behavioral bioassays were performed in the laboratory in order to test the above hypotheses. In general, our results demonstrated that, in fact, groups of N. corniger exposed to the insecticide imidacloprid increase the number of vibrations, triggering an alert behavior. However, there is a decrease in walking activity in groups exposed to the insecticide. The alert response, via vibration, in the groups exposed to the insecticide is dose dependent. In addition, groups exposed to the insecticide can transmit the presence of the insecticide via vibration to non-exposed groups, triggering an escape behavior. Our results demonstrate the existence of an 'insecticide alert behavior' in N. corniger and it seems to be a previously unrecognized communication mechanism in termites that allows reducing the risks of intoxication in the colony. Instituição: Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Tipo do documento: Dissertação Thu, 16 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/9220 2023-02-16T00:00:00Z http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/9219 Título: Sinais químicos de forrageio em Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky, 1855) (Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae): do comportamento a uma alternativa de controle Autor: CRUZ, Marilia Rafaela Pereira da Primeiro orientador: CRISTALDO, Paulo Fellipe Abstract: Although termites play an important role in the functioning of ecosystems and in increasing local biodiversity, some species are known to cause negative impacts in urban, agricultural, and forest environments. Controlling pest termites is often hampered due to their cryptic habit, complex social organization, and communication among colony members. Thus the management of their populations could be more effective by understanding the communication mechanisms that are involved in the search for resources. In recent decades, new approaches using pheromones to control insects have emerged, however, studies on this type of control are still lacking for insect pests in urban environments. Pheromones are non-toxic substances, biodegradable and generally specific, allowing a more ecologically viable control. Thus, the overall objective of the present work was study the chemical signals involved in foraging communication, including the role of intercolonial chemical cues. To this, bioassays of trailing, behavior and bait colonization with different chemical foraging signals were conducted with different groups of N. corniger. Our results reveal the foraging complexity of N. corniger, as well as behavioral change in the face of intercolonial signals and a higher group attractiveness for baits containing intercolonial chemical signals compared to baits containing the insecticide imidacloprid. Such results not only contribute to a better understanding of the foraging of N. corniger, but also to indicate chemical foraging signals as a possible alternative to the exclusive use of insecticide for the control this pest. Instituição: Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Tipo do documento: Dissertação Tue, 23 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/9219 2022-08-23T00:00:00Z http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/9218 Título: Tratamento de sementes de algodão contra pragas sugadoras iniciais e interação com insetos predadores Autor: CAMPOS, Karolayne Lopes Primeiro orientador: TORRES, Jorge Braz Abstract: The seed treatment with insecticides is usually made with non-selective products as a recommended tactic to protect and∕or to reduce early-season insect infestation in cotton. In theory, this insecticide deployment is considered selective by making insecticide available in plant tissues, which is acquired by insect pests and not by natural enemies. However, non-target insects such as zoophytophagous natural enemies and pollinators can become contaminated when using plant products such as pollen, nectar and sap highlighting the importance of using selective insecticides. We assessed the cotton early-season sucking insect control and selectivity of cyantraniliprole (a selective diamide) and thiamethoxam (a non-selective neonicotinoid) through seed treatment (ST) and foliar application (FA). The insecticide residues on the plants were quantified at 12, 22, and 32 days after emergence (DAE) to assess the survival of the predators Orius insidiosus (Say) (zoophytophagous) and Eriopis connexa (Germar) (chewing) when confined on fresh plant surfaces treated either with insecticides used in FA or ST. Both insecticides had residues detected on plants but significantly reduced between 12 DAE and 22 DAE and, they were not detected at 32 DAE. Ciantraniliprole and thiamethoxam offered aphid suppression but with a more lasting effect with thiamethoxam. Both were not effective against high thrips infestation. Whitefly densities were variable across experiments, with economic threshold observed in all treatments after the expected plant protection with ST, including the untreated controls. The abundance of predators was higher in the control treatment, while treatments with thiamethoxam either ST or FA showed lower predator abundance. Cyantraniliprole ST and FA were compatible with O. insidiosus and E. connexa (>92% survival). Thiamethoxam was not toxic to E. connexa but highly toxic to O. insidiosus through dried residues from FA to ST (1.2% vs. 27.6% survival). Orius insidiosus still showed lower survival when exposed to thiamethoxam in FA compared to ST (51.4% vs. 89.3%) at 22 DAE. Regardless of the insecticides used and mode of use, there was no statistical difference in raw cotton yield across treatments. Instituição: Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Tipo do documento: Dissertação Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/9218 2022-02-16T00:00:00Z http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/9217 Título: Toxicidade de acaricidas a Atheloca bondari Heinrich (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) e seus efeitos na sobrevivência e comportamento Autor: CRUZ, Handel Kramer da Primeiro orientador: GONDIM JUNIOR, Manoel Guedes Corrêa Abstract: The coconut tree moth, Atheloca bondari, and the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis are two species of pest herbivores that co-occur in the coconut fruit. Due to both species share the same resource, A. bondari is exposed to the contact of acaricides used for control A. guerreronis. This study had as objective evaluate biological and behavioral aspects of A. bondari larvae when exposed to acaricide abamectin, azadirachtin, fenpyroximate, and pyridaben in laboratory conditions. Three methodologies (Wooden stick, triangle, and mesocarp fragmente) were tested for toxicity experiments, comparing the mortality caused by abamectin at its label-recommended concentration with the control. The wooden stick method provided higher larvae survival in the control, proving to be more suitable for the toxicity test. Subsequently, the mortality caused by those acaricides was evaluated through label-recommended concentration, after that, the toxicity was evaluated through rate-response curves. The residual effect of acaricides on fruit preference and walking behavior was also evaluated. Abamectin and pyridaben were the most toxic products, being estimated LC50 of 1.35 mg/L and 141 mg/L, respectively. The tested acaricides did not affect the preference of the larvae to fruit (treated or untreated). A.bondari larvae showed a lower movement speed when exposed to the treated surface with the acaricides abamectin, azadirachtin, and fenpyroximate when compared to the control, and shoed less distance traveled when exposed to the fenpyroximate- treated surface. A. bonrari larvae remained less time on the abamectin-treated surface characterizing an irritation effect. Instituição: Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco Tipo do documento: Dissertação Thu, 25 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://www.tede2.ufrpe.br:8080/tede2/handle/tede2/9217 2021-02-25T00:00:00Z