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Projeto de investigação
Contamination of stored grain and derivatives by insect pests and fungi
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Publicações
Antifungal Activity of Benzoquinones Produced by Tribolium castaneum in Maize-Associated Fungi
Publication . Duarte, Sónia; Magro, Ana; Tomás, Joanna; Hilário, Carolina; Ferreira, Ricardo Boavida; Carvalho, Maria Otilia
Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) adults produce 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ), methyl-1,4-benzoquinone
(MBQ), and ethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (EBQ). These components are chemical defenses used as repellents
and irritants, and BQ has a negative impact on the growth of some fungal species. In this work, the inhibitory
and/or lethal effects of these benzoquinones on the development of six fungi identified inmaize,
namely Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger, Fusarium sp., Penicillium sp., and Trichoderma sp., were
evaluated. Ten-day-long disk diffusion trials were performed using benzoquinones. The experiments
simulated the activity of BQ (B1) or “EBQ +MBQ” (B2) released by 40-day-old insect adults (n = 200),
considering a total average release of 45 g per adult. Inhibition halos imposed by benzoquinones
on fungal growth showed a significant effect when compared with the controls (water and solvent).
Mycelial growth was decreased for all fungi, with the level of response depending on the fungal
species. B1 and B2 displayed an inhibitory effect against all fungi, but Trichoderma sp. and A. niger
showed rapid recoveries. B2 showed a lethal effect on Penicillium sp. The inhibitory and lethal
activities of benzoquinones released by T. castaneum adults may contribute to regulate fungal growth,
and understanding their interaction is important to develop innovative control strategies
Stored products insects in Portugal – New data and overview
Publication . Duarte, Sónia; Magro, Ana; Barros, Graça; Carvalho, Maria Otilia
The introduction of stored product insect pests to new areas is facilitated by food trade among countries, and
effective detection and monitoring programs are crucial for food security. The khapra beetle, Trogoderma
granarium Everts is one of the most destructive insect species. In Portugal, T. granarium has been detected in
1988. However, no new data has been added to this information since that date. Floor traps with pheromones
specific to T. granarium were used and placed inside ports, mills, and storage facilities, including warehouses and
silos, between June and September in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022.Previous results from other sampling pro-
grams conducted between 2002 and 2008 are also referred here to add more evidence for the presence or absence
of T. granarium in Portugal. Here, various types of traps, including some generalists and others with pheromones
(such as T. granarium), were used. The collected insects were identified to species, or genus.Surveys conducted
identified approximately 40 insect species that are associated with stored products, in a total of 23.725 insects,
and among them, the weevils belonging to the genus Sitophilus C.J.Schoenherr have been recognized as the main
pests that affects stored cereals. Regarding the surveys made between 2017 and 2022 and previous surveys done
in Portugal (between 2002 and 2008; n = 26.719 insects identified), no T. granarium individuals were detected in
any of the entomological samples, and only a few Dermestidae specimens were found across all surveys, one of
them belonging to the same genus, identified as Trogoderma inclusum LeConte. With the predicted changes in
climate, there is a risk of introducing T. granarium and other destructive insect pests that could displace Sitophilus
weevils as the key stored products pest in Portugal. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor and implement measures to
prevent the spread of invasive pests for effective pest management and food security purposes, using proper
trapping methods and accurate and rapid identification tools.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
3599-PPCDT
Número da atribuição
PTDC/ASP-PLA/28350/2017