Efeitos subletais de deltametrina sobre o chamamento, composição e eficiência do feromônio sexual de Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée, 1854) (Lepdoptera: Crambidae)

Abstract

The culture of tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., is of great socio-economic relevance to the world. Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée, known as tomato fruit borer (BPT), is key pest of the crop and can damage the reproductive parts of the plant, causing significant losses. The control is often ineffective because of the biological behavior of the pest, where the larvae are protected within the fruit. Therefore, alternatives to chemical control, to preserve the environment and health of workers and consumers can help reverse the current frame. The use of pheromone as behavioral tool for pest monitoring or control can help a reduction of pesticides utilization in crops. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the impact of deltamethrin on the emission, perception and composition of the pheromone, as well as the reproductive biology of N. elegantalis. The results showed that the trap Bio Neo in association with the synthetic sex pheromone are more effective in capturing males of BPT. Extracts of pheromone glands of N. elegantalis showed only the presence of compound (E)-11-hexadecenol (E11-16: OH), based on chromatographic analysis. This suggests a possible difference in the composition geographical pheromone compared the species from Venezuela, since the other components were not identified. The calling behavior of females treated with deltamethrin BPT did not differ from control. The periods of peak observed call from 6-8h after the start of scotophase for all treatments. However, control the peak obtained in the sixth hour, whereas for the treated females' s LD 20-40 showed a peak at the eighth hour. Thus it is concluded that sublethal doses of deltamethrin not interfere with the chemical composition of the sex pheromone of N. elegantalis but may have an influence in behavior by the change in peak calling hours observed.