Eduardo Engel’s scientific contributions

Associated host plants promote the survival of various species of pest insects during unfavorable periods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diversity, abundance and structure of the pentatomid bugs community during the soybean and corn off-season in Andropogon bicornis L. (Poales, Poaceae) plants. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Cruz Alta, RS, Brazil. During the soybean and corn off-season from 2014 to 2018, clumps of 10 to 50 centimeters in diameter were observed around the growing area. Data on the number of species and abundance of individuals were used for statistical analysis (ANOVA, linear regression and Pearson correlation) and faunistic (diversity and abundance distribution). At the end of the experiment 4050 adults belonging to the species Euschistus heros (F.), Dichelops furcatus (F.), Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), Edessa meditabunda (F.), Edessa ruformaginata (De Geer) and Piezodorus guildini. Among the species, we found greater abundance for E. meditabunda, E. heros and D. furcatus (96.07%) of the individuals sampled. Higher interspecific correlation was observed between the same species, we also observed a direct effect of the clump diameter on the population density. Among the six species observed, at least five are economically important for soybean and corn crops, so further studies are needed in order to verify the effects of this hibernation site on the population present in the crop and its damages.

Associated host plants promote the survival of various species of pest insects during unfavorable periods. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diversity, abundance and structure of the pentatomid bugs community during the soybean and corn off-season in Andropogon bicornis L. (Poales, Poaceae) plants. The experiment was carried out in the municipality of Cruz Alta, RS, Brazil. During the soybean and corn off-season from 2014 to 2018, clumps of 10 to 50 centimeters in diameter were observed around the growing area. Data on the number of species and abundance of individuals were used for statistical analysis (ANOVA, linear regression and Pearson correlation) and faunistic (diversity and abundance distribution). At the end of the experiment 4050 adults belonging to the species Euschistus heros (F.), Dichelops furcatus (F.), Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), Edessa meditabunda (F.), Edessa ruformaginata (De Geer) and Piezodorus guildini. Among the species, we found greater abundance for E. meditabunda, E. heros and D. furcatus (96.07%) of the individuals sampled. Higher interspecific correlation was observed between the same species, we also observed a direct effect of the clump diameter on the population density. Among the six species observed, at least five are economically important for soybean and corn crops, so further studies are needed in order to verify the effects of this hibernation site on the population present in the crop and its damages.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the composition and abundance of dormant bedbugs in Chloris distichophylla Lag (Poales: Poaceae) over the soybean and corn off-season. The work was carried out in the municipality of Cruz Alta, over the soybean and corn off-season between 2014 and 2018. Plants of C. distichophylla with different clump diameter were sampled, and the bugs contained in them were counted and submitted to data analysis for the evaluation of the composition, structure, and diversity of occurring species. At the end of the experiment, 3543 hibernating adults were counted and divided into six species: Euschistus heros (F.), Dichelops furcatus (F.), Dichelops melacanthus Dallas, Edessa meditabunda (F.), Edessa ruformaginata (De Geer) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The species E. heros was the most abundant, followed by D. furcatus. The diameter of the clumps directly affects the population density of the stink bugs. Finally, C. distichophylla is shown as a hibernate favorable to the maintenance of the stink bug populations over the soybean and corn off-season.