Summary of Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas

00:00:00 - 00:40:00

In the YouTube video "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the focus is on the use of insect communication systems, specifically pheromones and feromones, for monitoring and controlling agricultural pests, particularly the percevejo in soybean fields. The speakers discuss the negative impact of high agrotoxicant usage in Brazil's agriculture and the development of more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives, such as the use of natural enemies of pests and semiochemicals. Researchers have been studying the behavior of pests like the brown soybean aphid and the percevejo to develop targeted control strategies using pheromone traps and feromones to attract natural enemies. The technology, which can be used alongside other products, has shown promising results in reducing the use of pesticides and saving costs for farmers. The speakers also mention ongoing research to expand the applications of this technology to other pests and species and the potential for exporting it to other countries. For those interested in natural pest control in agriculture, the speakers provide resources such as a phone number and website for exploring genetic resources and biotechnology and a book for identifying natural pest control agents in fields.

• 00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the focus is on the problem of pests, particularly the percevejos, or stink bugs, which cause significant damage to soybean crops in Brazil. Producers spend millions of dollars annually on agrochemicals to combat these pests, but research shows that biological control offers an alternative. Miguel Borges, a researcher from Embrapa, discusses the use of genetic resources and biotechnology to address this issue. The soybean industry is a major contributor to Brazil's economy, with an estimated growth of 25% by 2050. However, producers face challenges from pests, including the complex of stink bugs, which can damage soybean crops from the seedling stage to maturity. The use of agrochemicals, costing approximately 20 reales per hectare, poses environmental and health risks. The Brazilian government prioritizes research for sustainable pest control solutions due to the country's heavy reliance on agrochemicals. Despite these concerns, soybean cultivation remains a significant cultural and economic force in Brazil. The biological control system, while slower to take effect, offers long-term benefits and reduces the need for agrochemicals. Other countries have already limited the use of certain agrochemicals due to their toxicity.
• 00:05:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the speaker discusses the negative impact of high agrotoxicant usage in Brazil's agriculture, particularly in soybean production. Brazil is the second largest soybean producer and the largest exporter in the world, but the heavy use of agrotoxicants harms the country's reputation and makes it difficult for small farmers to compete. The speaker also mentions the development of research using semiochemicals, or chemical signals used for communication among species, to monitor and control pests such as soybean beetles. Researcher Miguel Borges and his team at Embrapa have been working on this project to create more precise and consistent methods for pest control. The use of semiochemicals for communication among insects, such as the soybean beetle, has attracted the attention of researchers in this field.
• 00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the discussion revolves around the use of pheromones for managing agricultural pests, specifically the brown soybean aphid. The practice began in the late 80s with the expansion of soybean cultivation in Brazil, and scientists have since been studying the behavior of this pest to develop effective control methods. The process involves extracting sex pheromones from female aphids using organic solvents. After extraction, the pheromones undergo chromatographic analysis to identify the most effective compounds. These isolated pheromones are then used to lure females to traps, allowing for population monitoring and control, ultimately reducing damages to plantations. The technology, known as pheromone traps, is based on chemical signals that mediate interactions between species in their environment. By studying these compounds, scientists can gain a better understanding of the pest's behavior and develop targeted control strategies.
• 00:15:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the discussion revolves around using sex pheromones to attract and trap certain insects, specifically Percevejos, for monitoring and controlling agricultural pests. The process involves identifying and formulating the specific pheromone in a lab, then releasing it in the field using a hormone-infused trap that mimics a male pheromone. The wind carries the pheromone to the female, leading her to the trap where she is captured, providing an indicator of the product's effectiveness and the need for control measures. The technology, which can be used alongside other products, requires year-round usage. The testing has shown that an armadillo trap per hectare is effective, and they are now testing a larger two-hectare trap to make the technology more viable for small farmers. The study, conducted in the field, shows no difference in results whether the traps are placed at the edge or in the middle of the crop, making it convenient for farmers. However, regional differences may affect the technology's application. Despite testing the technology in various regions, no significant difference has been observed due to the same insect species being the primary pest in soybean cultivation. Currently, farmers rely on chemical controls to manage Percevejo infestations, and this technology offers a promising alternative.
• 00:20:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the speakers discuss the use of feromones in controlling agricultural pests, specifically the soybean pest, the percevejo. They explain that while biological products have been gaining popularity and reducing the use of agrotoxics, the market for such products is still small, and cultural acceptance is a challenge. The speakers mention that biotechnology, including feromone technology, accounts for only 30% of the global market. They also mention that natural enemies of pests, such as other insects and microorganisms, are important and cost-effective allies for farmers. In the case of the soybean pest, the worst natural enemies are parasitic wasps, which lay their eggs in the percevejo's eggs, preventing them from hatching. The speakers explain that semiochemicals, which are used to confuse and prevent the reproduction of pests, can also be used to attract natural enemies. This technology, which combines chemical and biological control methods, has been successful in reducing the use of pesticides and saving costs for farmers. The speakers also mention that this technology can be applied to other crops, as Brazil has a system of crop rotation, including soybean, corn, and sugarcane. They then interview Dr. Miguel Borges to discuss the potential for transferring this technology to other agricultural crops.
• 00:25:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the speakers discuss the use of feromones to attract natural enemies of pests, such as wasps and bees, to control pests in soybean fields in Brazil. They mention that contracts for the commercialization of this technology are being signed, and it is predicted that it may be available in the market for the next harvest. The speakers also mention that they have detected the attraction of these natural enemies to the feromones in the field, resulting in the capture of 70% percevejos (a type of pest) and 30% of their natural enemies. This research is significant because it allows for the reduction of chemical pesticide applications and the potential use of more selective biological compounds. The speakers also mention that the attacked soybean plant releases a bouquet of volatiles that attract parasitoids, which can detect the presence of the pest and work in synergy with the feromones. The speakers also mention the accommodation of this technology in the beginning of the material and the interesting study of organisms. They also discuss the potential of selling the wasp nests or the technology of feromones together. However, it is unclear how the selling of wasp nests could be feasible in Africa, where the technology is being implemented.
• 00:30:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the speakers discuss the use of natural enemies in pest control and the potential benefits of integrating different pest management technologies. The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) has developed a technology that uses feromones to attract natural enemies of pests to farmers' fields, saving costs on agrotoxics and reducing health and environmental risks. However, the implementation of this technology involves contracts between Embrapa and interested industries, which may take time and significant costs for farmers. The speakers also mention the potential for exporting this technology and ongoing research to expand its applications to other pests and species.
• 00:35:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the speaker discusses the discovery of a specific type of percevejo (a pest species) in the United States, particularly in soybean and corn fields. This finding presents an opportunity for Brazilian technology exportation, as Brazil has three main types of percevejo communication systems that work in a similar way. The speaker explains that these communication systems involve a specific molecule in the percevejo brown species, and that when a trap is set in the field, both the percevejos and their predators can detect it. The challenge now lies in the regulation and commercialization of this technology, which is primarily being handled by interested companies. The production of this technology can be done on a large scale and stored for long periods of time, making it cost-effective. The armadillo trap, which has been the most effective so far, can be reused and is being commercialized by a company, along with the necessary training for producers. The future challenge is to make this technology more accessible to farmers and to expand it to other pest species, such as the rice weevil and the coffee borer beetle. The interview concludes with the researcher from Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share this information with producers and inviting those interested in insect communication for agricultural pest control to contact Embrapa Resources Genetics and Biotechnology in Brasília, DF.
• 00:40:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Comunicação entre insetos para monitorar e controlar pragas agrícolas," the speaker provides some additional resources for those interested in natural pest control in agriculture. They mention a phone number with area code 61 3448 and the website www.ingresso.com.br for those who want to explore genetic resources and biotechnology. The speaker also recommends a book called "Guia para o reconhecimento de inimigos naturais de pragas agrícolas," which is intended to help farmers and technicians identify natural pest control agents in their fields. The book can be purchased online from Embrapa's library at www.embrapa.br/livraria. The speaker concludes by inviting viewers to attend a field day on TV and encourages them to check out other reports from the program at www.embratel.com.br/tv.