Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: EZEQUIEL GARCIA DE SOUZA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
DISCENTE: EZEQUIEL GARCIA DE SOUZA
DATA: 28/01/2026
HORA: 09:00
LOCAL: google meet
TÍTULO:

Insecticidal effects of zeolites from natural origins against stored product pests under laboratory and storage conditions

PALAVRAS-CHAVES:
PÁGINAS: 8
GRANDE ÁREA: Ciências Agrárias
ÁREA: Agronomia
SUBÁREA: Fitossanidade
ESPECIALIDADE: Entomologia Agrícola
RESUMO:

We evaluated the insecticidal efficacy of natural zeolites from Slovakia (40 μm), Cuba (40 μm and 400 μm), and Drycell zeolite from Cuba (<40 μm) against Sitophilus zeamais under laboratory conditions. All laboratory bioassays were conducted under controlled parameters (27 ± 2 °C; 60 ± 10 % RH; photoperiod 12:12 h L/D) with the Slovakian zeolite showing the highest efficacy, reaching 72.5 % mortality after seven days of exposure on maize grains. Population growth assays further demonstrated that at 750 and 1000 ppm, the same Slovakian zeolite significantly reduced S. zeamais progeny, with growth rate (ri) approaching zero after three months of storage. The effectiveness of Slovakian zeolite was subsequently assessed against Acanthoscelides obtectus (on beans), Plodia interpunctella, Tribolium castaneum, and Cryptolestes ferrugineus, revealing species-specific susceptibility, with the highest mortality observed in C. ferrugineus, P. interpunctella, and A. obtectus, which reached nearly 100 % after 3 day at 750 ppm, whereas T. castaneum was less susceptible. Under storage conditions, Slovakian zeolite-maintained grain damage below 4.5 %, similar to diatomaceous earth (6.62 %), while untreated grains exhibited nearly three-fold higher damage, reaching 12.6 %. Behavioural assays indicated an application rate–dependent avoidance response, with 88 % of S. zeamais selecting untreated grain mass over grains treated with 1000 ppm Slovakian zeolite. Scanning electron microscopy supported these findings, revealing that zeolite particles adhered to the insect cuticle and affected sensory structures such as sensilla, which were observed to be damaged, detached, or obstructed after exposure. Overall, these results highlight the potential of naturally occurring zeolites, particularly those of Slovakian origin, as an effective, low-cost, and eco-friendly alternative for stored-product pest management.

MEMBROS DA BANCA:
Externo à Instituição - RICARDO SIQUEIRA DA SILVA - UFVJM (Suplente)
Externo à Instituição - OSCAR FERNANDO SANTOS AMAYA - UNIPAMPLONA (Membro)
Interno - LUIS CLAUDIO PATERNO SILVEIRA (Membro)
Presidente - KHALID HADDI (Membro)
Interno - BRUNO HENRIQUE SARDINHA DE SOUZA (Membro)