Resistance inducing agents on the biology and probing behaviour of the greenbug in wheat

English. The greenbug Schizaphis graminum (Rond.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is one of the main pestinsects of wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.). Resistance inducing agents as silicon (Si) and acibenzolar-s-methyl (ASM) can provide some protection against insects and diseases. The effect of Si and/or ASM on the development and probing behaviour of S. graminum in wheat plants was evaluated. Wheat plants (cultivar Embrapa 22) were treated with Si (silicic acid at the rate of 1%) and acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) at the rate of 0.5%. The effects of these treatments on greenbugs were analyzed by development parameters, honeydew excretion and probing behavior monitored by Electrical Penetration Graphs (EPG). The development and honeydew experiments consisted of ten replications each and EPG experiment was replicated 25 times. The application of both resistance inducing agents reduced fecundity, prolonged the duration of pre-reproductive period, and decreased honeydew production. Induced resistance was localized mainly at phloem level and caused a strong reduction of phloem sap ingestion, but some effect of ASM at parenchyma/mesophyll level could not be discounted as far fewer aphids reached the sieve elements.

Portuguese. O pulgão-verde Schizaphis graminum (Rond.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) é um dos principais insetos- praga da cultura do trigo (Triticum aestivum, L.). Agentes que induzem resistência como silício e acibenzolars-methyl (ASM) podem fornecer proteção às plantas contra insetos e doenças. Avaliou-se o efeito do silício e/ ou ASM no desenvolvimento e comportamento alimentar de S. graminum em plantas de trigo. Plantas de trigo cultivar Embrapa 22 foram tratadas com silício (ácido silícico a 1%) e acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) a 0.5%. Os parâmetros estudados foram biologia, excreção de honeydew e comportamento alimentar (de prova) monitorado por meio da técnica Electrical Penetration Graphs (EPG). Para o estudo de biologia e excreção de honeydew foram usadas dez repetições e 25 para EPG. A aplicação de agentes indutores de resistência reduziu o número de ninfas, prolongando a duração de período de pré-reprodutivo e o número de gotas de honeydew. O efeito de resistência foi localizado principalmente no floema, com redução de ingestão de seiva elaborada.