Batflies Parasitic on Some Phyllostomid Bats in Southeastern Brazil: Parasitism Rates and Host-parasite Relationships

Ectoparasitic batflies were studied on 12 species of phyllostomid bats, by making 35 nightly collections of bats using mist nets at the "Panga" Ecological Reservation near Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, from August 1989 to July 1990. Eleven species of Streblidae and one of Nycteribiidae were collected on 12 species of bats. Prevalence of ectoparasitic flies was lower than those reported by other authors for the New World and may be the result of the lack of caves in the study area, causing bats to roost in less favorable locations, forming smaller colonies. The fly, Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, was found on Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus), showing preference for adult male bats. This could be explained by the predominance of males in the bat colonies, and by the fact that females rest in isolation during the reproductive period making them less exposed to the parasites. The streblid flies, Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel and Megistopoda proxima (Séguy), were found on Sturnira lilium (Geoffroy). A. falcata occurred mainly on young and adult females, whereas M. proxima did not show any preferences relative to the reproductive condition of the host. Ecological factors are important in determining differential numbers of parasites occurring on the different sexes, ages and reproductive state of the hosts.

Phorcotabanus cinereus (Wiedemann, 1821) (Diptera, Tabanidae), an ornithophilic species of Tabanid in Central Amazon, Brazil

In Central Amazon, Brazil, the tabanid Phorcotabanus cinereus (Wiedemann) was recorded attacking the native duck Cairina moschata (Linnaeus) (Anseriformes, Anatidae). The flight and behavior of the tabanid during the attacks and the host's defenses were videotaped and analyzed in slow motion. The tabanid was recorded flying rapidly around the heads of the ducks before landing. Landing always took place on the beak, and then the tabanid walked to the fleshy caruncle on the basal part of the beak to bite and feed. Firstly the duck defends itself through lateral harsh head movements, and then, when it is being bitten, it defends itself by rubbing its head on the body, or dipping the head into water, when swimming. If disturbed, the fly resumed the same pattern of flight as before and would generally try to land again on the same host and bite in the same place. This feeding activity was observed predominantly between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm and always in open areas, near aquatic environments, from June 1996 to January 1997, the dry season in Central Amazon. To test the attractiveness of other animals to P. cinereus, mammals, caimans and domestic and wild birds were placed in suitable habitat and the response of P. cinereus observed. P. cinereus did not attack these animals, suggesting that this species has a preference for ducks, which are plentiful in the region.

Taxonomic reports of Otobothrioidea (Eucestoda, Trypanorhyncha) from elasmobranch fishes of the southern coast off Brazil

Specimens of elasmobranch fishes, captured in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, of the southern coast off Brazil, represented by three families, four genera, and four species, were parasitized with otobothrioid trypanorhynch cestodes: Heptranchias perlo (Bonnaterre, 1788), Squalus sp. and Carcharhinus signatus (Poey, 1868) were parasitized with Progrillotia dollfusi Carvajal & Rego,1987; Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) with Molicola horridus (Goodsir, 1841) Dollfus, 1942. Details of internal morphology and/or scolex and/or proglottids surface ultrastructure, that expanded the description of M. horridus, through observations with lightfield, and/or scanning eletronic microscopy, are provided. The known geographical distribution for the species M. horridus is enlarged. P. dollfusi is reported for the first time in elasmobranchs.

Isolation of a fragment homologous to the rp49 constitutive gene of Drosophila in the Neotropical malaria vector Anopheles aquasalis (Diptera: Culicidae)

The constitutive ribosomal gene rp49 is frequently used as an endogenous control in Drosophila gene expression experiments. Using the degenerate primer PCR technique we have cloned a fragment homologous to this gene in Anopheles aquasalis Curry, a Neotropical vector of malaria. In addition, based on this first sequence, a new primer was designed, which allowed the isolation of fragments of rp49 in two other species, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, suggesting that it could be used to clone fragments of this gene in a number of other mosquito species. Primers were also designed to specifically amplify rp49 cDNA fragments in An. aquasalis and Ae. aegypti, showing that rp49 could be used as a good constitutive control in gene expression studies of these and other vectorially important mosquito species.

Effect of food on immature development, consumption rate, and relative growth rate of Toxorhynchites splendens (Diptera: Culicidae), a predator of container breeding mosquitoes

Food utilization by the larvae of Toxorhynchites splendens (Wiedemann) was studied in the laboratory by offering larvae of Aedes aegypti Linnaeus, Anopheles stephensi (Liston), and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say). Quantitative analyses of data indicated that immature development was significantly faster with increase in food availability. The regression analysis showed that the degrees of the relationship between immature duration (Id) and food availability were higher when offered early instars of prey (first and second instars) than late instars. Consumption rate (Cr) of the predator increased with increase in food availability and this relationship was highly significant when larvae of An. stephensi were offered as food. Consumption rate to food level decreased with increase in the age class of the prey. There was a significant negative correlation between Id and Cr. This aspect helps to increase population turnover of T. splendens in a shorter period when the prey is abundant. Conversely, the predator compensated the loss in daily food intake at low food level by extending Id thereby attains the minimum threshold pupal weight for adult emergence. There was an increase in the relative growth rate (RGR) of the predator when An. stephensi was offered as prey and this was related to the high protein content of the prey per body weight. There was a positive correlation between Cr and RGR. This adaptive life characteristic strategy of this predator is useful for mass-rearing for large scale field release programmes in the control of container breeding mosquitoes is discussed.

Pseudascarophis brasiliensis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) parasitic in the Bermuda chub Kyphosus sectatrix (Perciformes: Kyphosidae) from southeastern Brazil

A new species of Pseudascarophis (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae) found in the stomach of Kyphosus sectatrix (Linnaeus) (Kyphosidae), off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described. The new species can be differentiated from the other congeners by the presence of lateral alae, distinct but inconspicuous cephalic papillae at the anterior end, three pairs of precloacal and one pair of adcloacal papillae in males, egg morphology and morphometry of glandular oesophagus and spicules. Pseudascarophis tropica is transferred to Ascarophis as Ascarophis tropica (Solov'eva) comb. n. due to its ambiguous diagnosis.

O subgênero Centris (Aphemisia) Ayala: notas complementares e descrição de uma nova espécie (Hymenoptera, Apoidea)

The subgenus Centris (Aphemisia) Ayala: complementary notes and description of a new species (Hymenoptera, Apoidea). Centris (Aphemisia) Ayala, 2002 is redescribed pointing out some others important distinctive characters. The nominal species designated by Ayala as the type species, Centris plumipes Smith, 1854, is preocupied by Centris plumipes (Fabricius, 1781) originaly described in Apis Linnaeus. Being so, Centris xanthosara nom. nov. is proposed to replace Centris plumipes Smith, 1854 non Centris plumipes (Fabricius, 1781). Two other species are considered to belong in this subgenus: Centris (Aphemisia) lilacina Cockerell, 1919, and Centris (Aphemisia) plumbea sp. nov., from Tingo Maria, Peru. A key for the species, illustrations, and geographical distribution are also added.

Review of the genus Chalcolepidius Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Agrypninae)

The genus Chalcolepidius is revised. Type specimens of 65 nominal species, except C. costatus Pjatakowa, 1941, C. fleutiauxi Pjatakowa, 1941 and C. viriditarsus Schwarz, 1906, are examined. Eighty five species are studied, of which 34 are synonymyzed and 12 new species described; three species, C. alicii Pjatakowa, 1941, C. haroldi Candèze, 1878 and C. unicus Fleutiaux, 1910, formely included in this genus, are not congeneric and are removed; C. validus Candèze, 1857 is revalidated. The genus is now formed by 63 species. Redescriptions, illustrations and a key for the examined species, and a cladistic analysis for groups of species are also included. New synonyms established: C. apacheanus Casey, 1891 = C. simulans Casey, 1907 syn. nov. = C. acuminatus Casey, 1907 syn. nov. = C. nobilis Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. approximatus Erichson, 1841 = C. aztecus Casey, 1907 syn. nov. = C. niger Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov.; C. attenuatus Erichson, 1841 = C. cuneatus Champion, 1894 syn. nov. = C. tenuis Champion, 1894 syn. nov.; C. aurulentus Candèze, 1874 = C. candezei Dohrn, 1881 syn. nov. = C. grossheimi Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov.; C. bomplandii Guérin, 1844 = C. humboldti Candèze, 1881 syn. nov.; C. chalcantheus Candèze, 1857 = C. violaceous Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov.; C. cyaneus Candèze, 1881 = C. scitus Candèze, 1889 syn. nov. = C. abbreviatovittatus Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov.; C. desmarestii Chevrolat, 1835 = C. brevicollis Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. gossipiatus Guérin, 1844 = C. erichsonii Guérin-Méneville, 1844 syn. nov. = C. lemoinii Candèze, 1857 syn. nov.; C. inops Candèze, 1886 = C. murinus Champion, 1894 syn. nov.; C. jansoni Candèze, 1874 = C. mucronatus Candèze, 1889 syn. nov.; C. lacordairii Candèze, 1857 = C. exquisitus Candèze, 1886 syn. nov. = C. monachus Candèze, 1893 syn. nov.; C. lenzi Candèze, 1886 = C. behrensi Candèze, 1886 syn. nov.; C. oxydatus Candèze, 1857 = C. jekeli Candèze, 1874 syn. nov.; C. porcatus (Linnaeus, 1767) = C. peruanus Candèze, 1886 syn. nov. = C. flavostriatus Pjatakowa, 1941 syn. nov. = C. herbstii multistriatus Golbach, 1977 syn. nov.; C. rugatus Candèze, 1857 = C. amictus Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. smaragdinus LeConte, 1854 = C. ostentus Casey, 1907 syn. nov. = C. rectus Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. sulcatus (Fabricius, 1777) = C. herbstii Erichson, 1841 syn. nov; C. virens (Fabricius, 1787) = C. perrisi Candèze, 1857 syn. nov.; C. virginalis Candèze, 1857 = C. championi Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. viridipilis (Say, 1825) = C. debilis Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. webbi LeConte, 1854 = C. sonoricus Casey, 1907 syn. nov.; C. zonatus Eschscholtz, 1829 = C. longicollis Candèze, 1857 syn. nov. New species described: C. albisetosus sp. nov. (Ecuador), C. albiventris sp. nov. (Mexico: Veracruz), C. copulatuvittatus sp. nov. (Venezuela), C. extenuatuvittatus sp. nov. (Venezuela), C. fasciatus sp. nov. (Mexico: Durango), C. ferratuvittatus sp. nov. (Ecuador), C. proximus sp. nov. (Mexico: Sinaloa), C. serricornis sp. nov. (Mexico: Veracruz), C. spinipennis sp. nov. (Mexico: Veracruz), C. supremus sp. nov. (Venezuela), C. truncuvittatus sp. nov. (Mexico: Tamaulipas) and C. virgatipennis sp. nov. (Mexico: Durango). Redescribed species: C. angustatus Candèze, 1857, C. apacheanus Casey, 1891, C. approximatus Erichson, 1841, C. attenuatus Erichson, 1841, C. aurulentus Candèze, 1874, C. bomplandii Guérin-Méneville, 1844, C. boucardi Candèze, 1874, C. chalcantheus Candèze, 1857, C. corpulentus Candèze, 1874, C. cyaneus Candèze, 1881, C. desmarestii Chevrolat, 1835, C. dugesi Candèze, 1886, C. erythroloma Candèze, 1857, C. eschscholtzi Chevrolat, 1833, C. exulatus Candèze, 1874, C. fabricii Erichson, 1841, C. forreri Candèze, 1886, C. fryi Candèze, 1874, C. gossipiatus Guérin-Méneville, 1844, C. inops Candèze, 1886, C. jansoni Candèze, 1874, C. lacordairii Candèze, 1857, C. lafargi Chevrolat, 1835, C. lenzi Candèze, 1886, C. limbatus (Fabricius, 1777), C. mexicanus Castelnau, 1836, C. mniszechi Candèze, 1881, C. mocquerysii Candèze, 1857, C. morio Candèze, 1857, C. obscurus Castelnau, 1836, C. oxydatus Candèze, 1857, C. porcatus (Linnaeus, 1767), C. pruinosus Erichson, 1841, C. rodriguezi Candèze, 1886, C. rostainei Candèze, 1889, C. rubripennis LeConte, 1861, C. rugatus Candèze, 1857, C. silbermanni Chevrolat, 1835, C. smaragdinus LeConte, 1854, C. sulcatus (Fabricius, 1777), C. tartarus Fall, 1898, C. validus Candèze, 1857, reval., C. villei Candèze, 1878, C. virens (Fabricius, 1787), C. virginalis Candèze, 1857, C. viridipilis (Say, 1825), C. webbi LeConte, 1854, C. zonatus Eschscholtz, 1829.

O gênero Anthidium Fabricius na América do Sul: chave para as espécies, notas descritivas e de distribuição geográfica (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae, Anthidiini)

The genus Anthidium Fabricius in the South America: key for the species, descriptive notes, and geographical distribution (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae, Anthidiini). The Anthidiini, in South America, is represented by a single genus Anthidium Fabricius, 1804 (type-species: Apis manicata Linnaeus, 1758). Thirty nine species are treated in this paper, as follows: Anthidium alsinai Urban, 2001; A. andinum Joergensen, 1912; A. anurospilum Moure, 1957 nom. reval. (formerly = A. espinosai Ruiz, 1938); A. atricaudum Cockerell, 1926; A. aymara Toro & Rodríguez, 1998; A. chilense Spinola, 1851; A. chubuti Cockerell, 1910; A. colliguayanum Toro & Rojas, 1970; A. cuzcoense Schrottky, 1910; A. danieli Urban, 2001; A. decaspilum Moure, 1957; A. deceptum Smith, 1879; A. edwini Ruiz, 1935; A. espinosai Ruiz, 1938; A. falsificum Moure, 1957; A. friesei Cockerell, 1911; A. funereum Schletterer, 1890; A. garleppi Schrottky, 1910 = A. matucanense Cockerell, 1914 syn. nov.; A. gayi Spinola, 1851; A. igori Urban, 2001; A. larocai Urban, 1997; A. latum Schrottky, 1902; A. luizae Urban, 2001; A. manicatum (Linnaeus, 1758); A. masunariae Urban, 2001; A. nigerrimum Schrottky, 1910; A. paitense Cockerell, 1926; A. penai Moure, 1957; A. peruvianum Schrottky, 1910; A. rafaeli Urban, 2001; A. rozeni Urban, 2001; A. rubripes Friese, 1908 = A. boliviense Friese, 1920 syn. nov. = A. adriani Ruiz, 1935 syn. nov. = A. kuscheli Moure, 1957 syn. nov.; A. sanguinicaudum Schwarz, 1933; A. sertanicola Moure & Urban, 1964; A. tarsoi Urban, 2001; A. toro Urban. 2001; A. vigintiduopunctatum Friese, 1904; A. vigintipunctatum Friese, 1908, and A. weyrauchi Schwarz, 1943. Some taxonomic comments are made for each species, and new data on geographic distribution are also given. The females of A. andinum, A. igori, A. rozeni and the male of A. anurospilum are described for the first time. Identification keys (for males and females), as well as illustrations for almost all species, are provided.

Comunidade de Euglossini (Hymenoptera, Apidae) das dunas litorâneas do Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

Community of Euglossini (Hymenoptera, Apidae) from the coastal sand dunes of Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The Euglossini community structure was analyzed by attracting males with the scents eucalyptol, eugenol, vanillin, benzyl benzoate and methyl salicylate, and by netting bees on flowers. The samplings took place three times a month along one year from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The scent baits attracted 670 individuals belonging to seven species of three genus. The predominant species were Euglossa cordata (Linnaeus, 1758) (76.6%) and Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier, 1841 (21.8%). Euglossini males visited the scents along the whole year, being more abundant in May and in August. The most efficient fragrance was eucalyptol, attracting 624 individuals of five species. The males abundance fluctuated along the day, being the highest frequency observed between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Forty eigth Euglossini females of four species were netted visiting flowers of 14 plant species belonging to 13 families. Solanaceae and Caesalpiniaceae were the most visited. The species catched on flowers were Euglossa cordata, Eulaema nigrita, Euplusia mussitans (Fabricius, 1787) and Eulaema meriana flavescens Friese 1899. Euglossa cordata was the predominant species on flowers (64.6%), being collected during almost the whole year. Euplusia mussitans was the only species netted on flowers which males were not sampled on the scents.

As abelhas eussociais (Hymenoptera, Apidae) visitantes florais em um ecossistema de dunas continentais no médio Rio São Francisco, Bahia, Brasil

Highly eusocial bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae) flower visitors in a continental sand dune ecosystem from the medium São Francisco River, Bahia, Brazil. A community of highly eusocial bees in sand dunes, covered with caatinga vegetation, in the medium São Francisco River, Bahia (10º47' 37"S and 42º49' 25"W) was studied. The local climate is semi arid and hot, with mean temperature of 25.7 ºC and annual precipitation of 653.8 mm. Censuses took place every two months, from February to December of 2000. The bees were sampled on flowers with entomological nets, from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A total of 2,147 individuals of eight species of Apinae were found, of which Apis mellifera Linnaeus (40.2%), Trigona spinipes (Fabricius) (28.7%) and Frieseomelitta silvestri languida Moure (14.7%) were the predominant species. The diversity was H' = 1.53 and the evenness E' = 0.73. The bees were active during the whole year, but there was a significant variation in the monthly abundance of individuals (c2= 799.55; df= 35; p<0.0001). The daily activity was greater between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. The low bee diversity observed is a consequence of the low richness of botanical species and of the small amount of sites for the bees' nests. The community of highly eusocial bees from the dunes presents organization patterns similar to those observed in other caatinga areas, albeit with some particularities.

Mauritinus seferi Bondar, 1960: bionomy, description of immature stages and redescription of adult (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Mature larvae of Mauritinus seferi Bondar, 1960 were collected in the mesocarp of murity palm (Mauritia flexuosa Linnaeus), in the State of Pará, Brazil. Larvae were reared to pupa and adults in the laboratory. Mature larva and pupa are described and adult redescribed. Adult and immature are illustrated for the first time. Observations about bionomy are included and discussed.

O gênero Xylocopa Latreille no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae)

The genus Xylocopa Latreille in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (Hymenoptera, Anthophoridae). A survey of the genus Xylocopa Latreille, 1802 is given for Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost State of Brazil. Data are based on several studies on the bee fauna of southern Brazil and on unpublished observations. A key is provided to the species (males and females) and information on distribution, nesting habits and relation to flowers. Rio Grande do Sul is strikingly rich in species of Xylocopa because of the diversity of habitats and its geographic position in the transition of tropical/subtropical to temperate climate. Nineteen species, classified into ten subgenera, have been recorded in Rio Grande do Sul. Here we maintain the subgenera Ioxylocopa, Megaxylocopa and Xylocospila, which were put into synonymy recently by Minckley (1998). The species are: Xylocopa (Dasyxylocopa) bimaculata Friese, 1903; Xylocopa (Ioxylocopa) chrysopoda Schrottky, 1902; Xylocopa (Megaxylocopa) frontalis (Olivier, 1789); Xylocopa (Nanoxylocopa) ciliata Burmeister, 1876; Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) augusti Lepeletier, 1841; Xylocopa (N.) brasilianorum (Linnaeus, 1767); Xylocopa (N.) haematospila Moure, 1951; Xylocopa (N.) hirsutissima Maidl, 1912; Xylocopa (N.) nigrocincta Smith, 1854; Xylocopa (N.) ordinaria Smith, 1874; Xylocopa (N.) suspecta Moure & Camargo, 1988; Xylocopa (N.) tacanensis Moure, 1949; Xylocopa (Schonnherria) macrops Lepeletier, 1841; Xylocopa (S.) simillima Smith, 1854; Xylocopa (S.) splendidula Lepeletier, 1841; Xylocopa (S.) varians Smith, 1874; Xylocopa (Stenoxylocopa) artifex Smith, 1874; Xylocopa (Xylocopoda) elegans Hurd & Moure, 1963; Xylocopa (Xylocopsis) funesta Maidl, 1912; Xylocopa (Xylocospila) bambusae Schrottky, 1902. Xylocopa tacanensis is for the first time recorded in Brasil.

Desenvolvimento de Ophyra albuquerquei Lopes (Diptera, Muscidae) em condições de laboratório

Ophyra albuquerquei may often be a potential predator of Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 in poultry and pig houses in southern Brazil. Here we address the developmental period of immatures stages and their viability. To obtain eggs, larvae and pupae, a colony was established in the laboratory. Adult flies were fed on a diet comprising two parts dry milk, two parts sugar and one part fish flour. Larval diet comprised one part fish flour and one part sawdust and water. The eggs, larvae and pupae were incubated at 26º ± 1ºC, 75% ± 10% R.H. and 12 h photoperiod. The egg to adult cycle took 573 h with a total viability of 64%. The shortest of the stages was the egg stage, which lasted about 20 h. The larval stage had the lowest viability (about 82%) and longest time interval (279 h). Overall, the results of this study show that O. albuquerquei can be readily maintained in the laboratory.

Description of the larva and pupa of the papaw borer weevil Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Piazurini)

Larvae, pupae and adults of the piazurine weevil Pseudopiazurus papayanus (Marshall, 1922) are associated with Carica papaya Linnaeus,1753 (Caricaceae). The larval and pupal stages are described and illustrated. The sexual differences in the last abdominal segments of the pupae are also illustrated.