Validação de tecnologia de liberação terrestre e aérea via drone de inimigos naturais em milho

Abstract

Dermaptera, such as Euborellia annulipes (Lucas, 1847) (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae), exhibit diverse feeding habits, which enable them to control insect pest populations in crops. With technological advances, the field release of these natural enemies has become increasingly recommended. In this context, this study aimed to validate the use of a biodegradable capsule, with manual and aerial release via an Agras T40 drone of E. annulipes individuals, targeting S. frugiperda strains in corn. The experiment was conducted under semi-field conditions at the Chã do Jardim Experimental Area of the Federal University of Paraíba's (UFPB) Center for Agricultural Research (CCA), Areia, Paraíba. The bioassay was divided into four replicates, distributed in voile cages containing 10 pots per cage, each with AG1051 hybrid corn seedlings and one third-instar larva of S. frugiperda from the Vip3-susceptible and -resistant populations, as well as one encapsulated earwig per cage. The treatments were distributed in a randomized complete block design. The experiment lasted 24 continuous hours. The parameters evaluated were time to capsule opening, earwig location in the pot, time elapsed after capsule opening (in minutes), occurrence of S. frugiperda predation, earwig mortality, and behavior of S. frugiperda and E. annulipes. Field validation of aerial release was performed using a DJI Agras T40 spraying drone with a solids dispenser. Data obtained from the semi-field test were analyzed using generalized linear models with a Gamma distribution for capsule opening time and binomial models for predation rate, generating contrasts within the models for the population factor. A multinomial Monte Carlo test was used to compare the location of earwig occurrence and behavior after release onto the ground. Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated using the MultinomCI function, using the Sisonglaz method. For the field test with a drone, the success rate was measured by the percentage of capsules released from the solids dispenser, compared with the failure rate, using a generalized linear model with a binomial distribution and the odds ratio test. The mean opening time for manually released capsules was 269.25 and 220.50 minutes. The predation rate was higher in the resistant population (40%) compared to the susceptible population (25%). After the predator was released, specimens were found in three locations: in the soil (47.77% and 43.95%), in capsules (40% and 50%), and on plants (8.79% and 15.55%). The main behavior was Exploratory, Sensory, and Search (ESS) (46.15 and 44.21%). The other behaviors did not differ significantly. The success rate of aerial release with a drone was 95.04%. Validation of the use of capsules made of biodegradable material, with

manual release and via a drone sprayer with a solids disperser of E. annulipes in field and semi- field conditions, demonstrated high efficiency in opening the capsules and in predatory

performance against susceptible and resistant strains of S. frugiperda in corn, representing an advance for IPM as a technological innovation.