Claudio Vieira Batista’s research while affiliated with Federal University of Viçosa and other places

There has been an excitement toward novel eco-friendly alternatives to pest management, particularly formulations based on essential oils (EOs). Here, the biological activity of an EO-based emulsion derived from patchouli, Pogostemon cablin, was assessed against Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a devastating and invasive pest in tomato crops worldwide. Laboratory bioassays were carried out to determine and compare lethal doses, lethal times, oviposition of treated individuals, and oviposition of T. absoluta on treated leaves of tomato to pure patchouli essential oil or its emulsion containing 18% of oil. The LD50 were 10.06 and 2.57 µg of patchouli per mg of insect for the EO and emulsion, respectively. Oviposition was reduced in adults derived from the second instar treated with LD10 by 78.5% (EO) and 85.4% (emulsion). The EO and its emulsion conferred similar avoidance to adults when sprayed on tomato leaves. Therefore, both formulations present similar lethal and sublethal effects against T. absoluta. This study demonstrated a remarkable potential of an emulsion containing 18% of P. cablin oil to be employed for T. absoluta management on tomato crops. Further studies are needed to assess and guarantee open field applications.

Erthesina fullo (Thunberg) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest that has recently been detected in Europe (2017) and South America (2021). Due to polyphagia and temperature adaptation, this pest has a high risk of establishing in introduced areas. However, despite recent invasion events, there are no data on potentially suitable areas for E. fullo occurrence outside its native range. In this study, we presented a model for the potential distribution of E. fullo based on the CLIMEX algorithm. We built the model using global species occurrence (1424 points), three climate scenarios (current, 2030, and 2080), and available biological data. The ecoclimate index and weekly growth index were then estimated to determine the suitability of regions in a general scenario over time. Our model shows suitable areas for E. fullo in America, Africa, Europe, and Oceania under the current climate scenario. These regions have tropical and subtropical climates. However, the suitability was reduced (-28%) in those climates under future climate scenarios while increasing in temperate regions. In addition, we found that the weekly growth index of E. fullo was positively correlated with photoperiod. Our findings can help guide future efforts to prevent potential invasion and establishment of E. fullo beyond its current range.