Efeitos subletais de óleos essenciais associados com Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai sobre Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Abstract

A large investment is annually demanded to control the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which is the major insect pest of corn. To contain this demand alternative methods have been developed, including the use of botanical insecticides, known as essential oils, and entomopathogenic agents such as the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. These alternatives are adequate to Integrated Pest Management purposes, by being selective, low toxic to mammals and present efficiency against various pest species. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that association of long pepper and cloves oils at the concentrations of 30 and 50 mg/L DMSO with Xentari® WG (B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai - Bta) (1000 mg/L) produces an efficient control of S. frugiperda, affecting biological, immunological and reproductive parameters, and if those concentrations of these oils affect spermatogenesis, the histochemistry of the ovarioles, as well as its impact on fertility. The results demonstrated that long pepper essential oil at a concentration of 50 mg/L associated with Bta has promoted lower larval survival, and clove does not proved efficient when combined with the Bta formulated. However, both oils, associated or not to Bta, interfered on the biology and humoral immunity of S. frugiperda. All treatments showed ovicidal effect except clove oil at the two concentrations without Bta. Histological analysis showed that clove and long pepper oils at the concentrations of 30 and 50 mg/L have affected spermatogenesis and the histochemistry of the ovarioles of S. frugiperda, reflecting on their reproduction. However, the effects of long pepper oil associated or not to Bta were more expressive, proving to be a promising tool to control this pest, adapting to MIP, controlling the survival of offspring and its success in the culture.