Revisão do gênero Mecocephala Dallas, 1851 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

Revision of the genus Mecocephala Dallas, 1851 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae). The genus Mecocephala Dallas, 1851 is revised, and some taxonomic and geographical distribution data are evaluated. The following species are considered to belong to this genus: M. acuminata Dallas, 1851 = M. holmbergi Pirán, 1969 syn. nov., M. curculionoides Pirán, 1959, M. bonariensis sp. nov., M. magna sp. nov., M. maldonadensis sp. nov., and M. zikani sp. nov.; their distribution is restricted to southern Neotropical Region. Other species, formerly placed in Mecocephala, are considered, respectively: M. rubripes Berg, 1894 incertae sedis, M. darwini Kirkaldy, 1909 incertae sedis, M. atra Bergroth, 1914 incertae sedis, Paramecocephala uruguayensis (Pirán, 1970) comb. nov., Paramecocephala fusca (Haglund, 1868) comb. nov. A key to the species is presented.

A possible territorial or recognition behavior of Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Heteroptera, Coreidae)

The coreid Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas, 1852) is commonly found in corn (Zea mays L.) fields in Brazil, and it has been observed flying and landing on objects or persons near these fields. During January, 1995, this behavior was studied in corn plantations. Results indicated that the bugs concentrated on objects (plastic cylinders traps) introduced into their habitat and that their number increased during the first 24 hs. However, as time passed (8 days), this possible territorial or recognition behavior gradually decreased, and tended to disappear.

Comparative description of the immature stages of two very similar leaf footed bugs, Holymenia clavigera (Herbst) and Anisoscelis foliacea marginella (Dallas) (Hemiptera, Coreidae, Anisoscelini)

Holymenia clavigera (Herbst, 1784) and Anisoscelis foliacea marginella (Dallas, 1852) (Hemiptera, Coreidae) present a remarkable similarity regarding egg and nymphal morphology. On the contrary, their adult stages are remarkably different. This study describes and compares the immature stages of these two coreid species. Excepting for the last instar and the shape of the hind tibia from third to last instar, nymphs of both species were identical in their gross morphologies and ultrastructures. However, H. clavigera was significantly larger than A. foliacea marginella in all stages. Thus, we suggest that these species may have evolved through evolutionary convergence, parsimony between the immature stages after speciation, Müllerian mimicry or genetic drift.

Revisão do gênero Antiteuchus Dallas (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae)

Revisão do gênero Antiteuchus Dallas (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae). O gênero Antiteuchus Dallas, 1851 com 46 espécies descritas é revisado; as espécies são redescritas com base na morfologia externa da genitália do macho e em algumas características da morfologia geral do corpo. Neodine Kirkaldy, 1909 é considerado sinônimo junior de Antiteuchus. As espécies foram subdivididas em seis grupos aqui propostos: A. amplus, A. supinatus, A. peruensis, A. tesselatus, A. marmoratus e A. mixtus. Oito novas espécies são descritas: A. amapensis sp. nov., A. beckerae sp. nov., A. doesburgi sp. nov., A. exiguus sp. nov., A. ledeburi sp. nov., A. marini sp. nov., A. melanicus sp. nov. and A. similis sp. nov. Nove espécies e uma subespécie são sinonimizadas. Antiteuchus varians Ruckes, 1964 é considerada sinônimo júnior de A. pallescens Stål, 1868; A. englemani Rolston, 1993 de A. amplus (Walker, 1867); A. tripterus limbativentris Ruckes, 1964 e A. minor Engleman, 1983 de A. tripterus (Fabricius, 1787); A. fuscus (Ruckes, 1959), A. piceus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1805), A. subgibbus Engleman, 1983, A. subimpunctatus Ruckes, 1964, A. unicolor (Westwood, 1837) e A. variolosus (Westwood, 1837) de A. mixtus (Fabricius, 1787). Antiteuchus tatei (Ruckes, 1958) é considerada species inquirenda. Empicoris marmoreus Spinola, 1837 é colocada em incertae sedis e tratada como species inquirenda. O macho de A. pictus, até agora desconhecido, é descrito. Chaves de identificação para os machos das espécies de Antiteuchus e para os grupos de espécies são apresentadas.

Nymph developmental time and survivorship, adult longevity, reproduction and body weight of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas) feeding on natural and artificial diets

The biology of nymphs and adults of the neotropical pentatomid, Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas), feeding on the natural foods, soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill immature pods, and corn, Zea mays L. immature seeds, and on an artificial dry diet, was studied in the laboratory. Nymph developmental time was shorter on the natural foods (ca. 21-22 days) than on the artificial diet (28 days), and most nymphs reached adulthood on the food plants (55% on soybean and 73% on corn) than on the artificial diet (40%). Fresh body weight at adult emergence was similar and higher for females raised as nymphs on the natural foods, compared to females from nymphs raised on the artificial diet; for males, weights were similar on all foods. Mean (female and male) survivorship up to day 20, decreased from 55% on soybean to 40% on corn, down to 0% on the artificial diet. Total longevity for females was higher on soybean, while for males was similar on all foods. About three times more females oviposited on soybean than on corn, but fecundity/female was similar on both foods. On the artificial diet, only one out of 30 females oviposited. Fresh body weight of adults increased significantly during the first week of adult life, and at the end of the 3rd week, weight gain was similar on all foods.

Effect of gossypol on survival and reproduction of the zoophytophagous stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas)

Effect of gossypol on survival and reproduction of the zoophytophagous stinkbug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas). Gossypol is a sesquiterpene aldehyde found in cotton plants conferring resistance against herbivory. Although the effect of this sesquiterpenoid on insect pests of cotton is known, the interaction of this compound with zoophytophagous predators such as Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) has not been studied so far. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the purified gossypol on nymphs and adults of P. nigrispinus. Nymphs and adults of this predator were fed on Tenebrio molitor pupae and supplemented with solutions of gossypol at concentrations of 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20% (w/v) during the nymphal and adult stages or, only during the adult stage of P. nigrispinus. The nymphal stage of the predator was, on average, two days longer when suplemmented with gossypol. Emerged adults had lower fecundity and egg hatching, especially at the highest gossypol concentration (0.20%) ingested during the nymphal and adult stages. However, this predator was not affected when it ingested the compound only during the adult stage. P. nigrispinus can have delayed nymphal development and lower reproductive performance when ingesting the gossypol during the nymphal and adult stages, but only at higher concentrations of gossypol than that produced by cotton plants.

Qualidade da cebola influenciada pelo estádio de maturação da planta na colheita

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade dos bulbos de duas variedades de cebola colhidos em três estádios de maturação da planta. Bulbos das variedades Texas Grano e Baia Periforme foram colhidos em 2006 no campo experimental da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, de plantas com 10% de estalo natural, 10% de estalo induzido e 50% de estalo natural. Na colheita foram avaliados a massa da matéria fresca total, o diâmetro, a cor (L*, a* e b*), o teor de massa da matéria seca, os sólidos solúveis totais e o teor relativo de água da polpa e das películas externas do bulbo. No cultivar Texas Grano, a massa da matéria fresca total, o diâmetro e os teores de sólidos solúveis totais foram maiores nos bulbos colhidos com 10 e 50% de estalo natural. O teor relativo de água das películas externas de bulbos variedade Texas Grano foi maior somente quando colhidos com 10% de estalo natural, o que representa bulbos com películas mais úmidas. Bulbos colhidos com 10% de estalo natural e 10% de estalo induzido tiveram valores de L* maiores do que aqueles colhidos com 50% de estalo natural, indicando que a antecipação da colheita reduz a intensidade da cor das películas. O menor valor de b* para a película do bulbo da Texas Grano, colhido com 10% estalo natural, decorre do amarelo menos intenso da casca. No cultivar Baia Periforme, os índices de maturação não influenciaram a massa da matéria fresca total, o diâmetro, teor de massa da matéria seca, o teor de sólidos solúveis totais e os índices de cor a* e b*. O estádio de maturação da planta, na colheita, não influencia o tamanho e o teor de sólidos solúveis dos bulbos na variedade Baia Periforme. Para a Texas Grano, bulbos maiores, com películas mais amareladas e menor teor de umidade são obtidos quando a colheita é realizada com 50% de estalo natural.

Blood-sucking lice may disseminate Trypanosoma cruzi infection in baboons

Trypanosoma cruzi (Schyzotrypanum, Chagas, 1909), and Chagas disease are endemic in captive-reared baboons at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, Texas. We obtained PCR amplification products from DNA extracted from sucking lice collected from the hair and skin of T. cruzi-infected baboons, with specific nested sets of primers for the protozoan kinetoplast DNA, and nuclear DNA. These products were hybridized to their complementary internal sequences. Selected sequences were cloned and sequencing established the presence of T. cruzi nuclear DNA, and minicircle kDNA. Competitive PCR with a kDNA set of primers determined the quantity of approximately 23.9 ± 18.2 T. cruzi per louse. This finding suggests that the louse may be a vector incidentally contributing to the dissemination of T. cruzi infection in the baboon colony.

Frequency of myocarditis in cases of fatal meningococcal infection in children: observations on 31 cases studied at autopsy

The frequency of myocarditis associated with meningococcal disease in children was reported only in two autopsied series (United States and South Africa). Here we report the frequency of associated myocarditis in 31 children who died of meningoccal infection at Hospital Infantil N.S. da Glória in Vitória, Espirito Santo State, Brazil. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolation of Neisseria meningitidis . At least three sections of fragments of both atria and ventricles were studied using the Dallas Criteria for the morphologic diagnosis of myocarditis. The mean age was 47.6 ± 39.8 months and the mean survival time after the onset of symptoms was 46.1 ± 26.5h (12-112h). Myocarditis was present in 13 (41.9%) patients, being of minimal severity in 11 cases and of moderate severity in 2 cases. There were no cases with severe diffuse myocarditis. The frequency of myocarditis was not influenced by sex, presence of meningitis, survival time after the onset of symptoms or use of vasoactive drugs. The frequency of myocarditis reported here was intermediate between the values reported in the only two case series published in the literature (57% in the United States and 27% in South Africa). Although our data confirm the high frequency of myocaditis in meningoccal disease, further investigations are necessary to elucidate the contribution of myocarditis to myocardial dysfunction observed in cases of meningococcal infection in children.

Estudos sobre o «vermelhão» do algodoeiro (III)

In several cotton crops areas of the State of S. Paulo it was observed, during the years of 1948, 1949, and 1951, the appearance of a purple color of the leaves; the color appears in the opening of the bolls and was correlated with a decrease of production. The opinions concerning the cause of such abnormality were very different and sometimes contradictory; certain investigators attributed the disease to insect attack, others to bad climatic conditions whereas others to a potassium deficiency now called "fome de potássio" (potash hunger); our ideas on the subject is another one. We think that the disease is caused by lack of a suitable supply of magnesium. This opinion is largely based on the syntomatology found in the literature. To study the problem, several experiments were carried out, namely: 1. pot experiments using soil collected in areas where the disorder had appeared; 2. pot experiments controlling the water supply; 3. sand culture experiments omitting either potassium or magnesium; 4. leaf analysis of plant matrial collected troughout the Piracicaba County; 5. plot experiments with the varieties Texas, Express, and I.A. 817 Campinas. The first four experiments were discussed elsewhere. To study the point 5 an experiment was carried out, with the following treatments : 1 - NPKCaMg (no K added) - Mg supplied as MgSO4 (a soluble form); 2 -NPKCa (no Mg added); 3 -NPKCaMg (complete) - Mg supplied as MgSO4; 4 - NPKCaMg (complete) - Mg supplied as dolomitic limestone (a slightly soluble form) as a rate 2.5 higher than in the treatment 1 and 3. Organic matter as cottonseed meal was applied in the proportion of 500 kg per hectare. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 4 replications and the results can be summarized as follows: 1 the I.A 817 variety was the most strongly affected by the physiological disorder, with severe decrease in yield; 2. the disease occurred more frequently in the minus magnesium treatment; 3. dolomitic limestone is so effective as magnesium sulfate in the control of the disease as well in the raising of the yield; 4. in the minus K treatment it was observed a marked occurrence of the typical symptoms of potassium deficiency (cotton rust); 5. magnesium was actually, in the experimental conditions the responsible for the purple color (vermelhão) of the cotton leaves.

Contribuição ao estudo do «vermelhão» do algodoeiro (Gossipium herbaceum)

During the years 1948, 1949 and 1951 a disease occurred in the cotton crops of the state of S. Paulo Brazil (S. Am.), which caused a severe drop in yields. The abnormality was characterized by a typical reddish - purple color of the leaves, being by this reason, called "vermelhão", that is, reddening of the cotton plant. The disease was associated with a dry season. Among the several hypotheses raised to explain the causes of the disease were: insect attack, potassium deficiency - where from the name "potash hunger" was also given -, and magnesium deficiency: In order to study the problem the Department of Agricultural Chemistry of the College of Agriculture of the University of São Paulo, at Piracicaba, carried out a series of experiments as follows: 1. pot experiments in which soil of one of the affected regions was used ("terra roxa", a red-brownish soil derived from basalt); 2. pot-soil experiments varying the moisture supplied; 3. sand culture experiments omitting certain elements from the nutrient solutions; 4. field plot experiments, conducted on a sandy soil; three different varieties were employed: Texas, Express, and I.A. 817; magnesium was applied either as sulfate or dolomitic limestone. All the experiments were completed with suitable chemical analyses. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. in the first trial, the not properly manured pots (minus Mg), symptoms were registered which were similar to the symptoms observed in the field; it was possible to establish some differences among three different types of reddening: due to lack of K in the mixed fertilizers used, the characteristic cotton rust made its appearance, the red color in the leaves of the minus Mg plants was all alike that described in the current literature as a symptom of Mg-deficiency; in all the treatments ocurred a yellow-reddish color in the leaves associated with the latest stages of maturity; 2. in the second experiment it was verified that when the plants in the pots with soil were kept 75 per cent of the water holding capacity, no symptom of deficiency showed up; was true even for the plants not receiving neither K nor Mg; however, plants supplied with only 25 per cent of the water holding capacity showed, respectively, cotton rust in the minus K treatment and the red purplish color in the minus Mg series; 3. the sand culture experiment confirmed lack of Mg as the cause of "vermelhão", being potash deficiency the responsible for cotton rust; 4. in the field experiment, variety LA. 817 revealed to be the most sensitive to "vermelhão" when Mg was omitted from the fertilizers; symptoms of K deficiency appeared when no K was supplied; both magnesium sulfate and dolomitic limestone proved to be equally effective in the control of "vermelhão"; 5. the analyses of material collected both in the field as well in the pots revealed that leaf petiole in the most reliable part to indicate the K and Mg status of the plant; the variation in Mg content suffered by the plants showing different stages of "vermelhão was, quantitatively, at least as large as that in K content, however when one deals with K deficient plants, that is, plants showing the typical rust, no variation occurred in the Mg content, whereas K in the dry mater dropped from more than 1 per cent to less than half per cent. Then, the following general conclusions can be drawn: 1. Mg deficiency is the cause of "vermelhão" of cotton crops; 2. K deficiency also occurred, but in a lesser degree; 3. the climate conditions - especially the lack of rain influenced the soil dynamic of K, and especially Mg, bringing a severe reduction in their assimilability; 4. the "vermelhão" disease can be easily controlled upon additions either of magnesium sulfate or dolomitic limestone.

Revisão do gênero Runibia (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatomini)

Runibia Stål, 1861 is redescribed, as well as the species R. dallasi Rider, 1998, R. decorata (Dallas, 1851), R. discoidea (Fabricius, 1787), R. euopta (Walker, 1867) and R. perspicua (Fabricius, 1798). A new species, R. caribeana, is described from Virgin Islands. Strachia alligata Walker, 1867, R. decorata var. alligata, and R. picturata Breddin, 1904 were considered junior synonyms of R. decorata. Lectotypes of R. dallasi, R. euopta and R. alligata were designated. Male and female genitalia for all species are described, except the phallus and ectodermal genital duct for R. dallasi. A key and a geographical distribution map are also provided.

Estágios imaturos de Oebalus poecilus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

The immature stages of the rice bug Oebalus poecilus (Dallas, 1851) are described. The egg and the external morphological characters of the five nymphal stages were described and illustrated. The nymphs were exposed to two different photoperiods to induce seasonal forms to detect morphological differences.

Revision of Brachystethus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Edessinae)

Brachystethus Laporte, 1832 is revised. Brachystethus coxalis Breddin, 1904, B. cribrus (Fabricius, 1781), B. geniculatus (Fabricius, 1787), B. improvisus Breddin, 1905, B. rubromaculatus Dallas, 1851, B. signoreti Stål, 1872, B. tricolor Bolívar, 1879, B. vexillum Breddin, 1903 and B. vicinus Signoret, 1851 are redescribed based on morphological characters, with emphasis on genitalia of both sexes. A new species, B. schuhi, from Guyana, is described, and B. discolor (Walker, 1867), incertae sedis, is removed from the genus. Illustrations and a key for species of Brachystethus are provided.

Variações morfológicas em Edessa rufomarginata e revalidação de E. albomarginata e E. marginalis (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Edessinae)

Based on the types of Edessa rufomarginata (De Geer, 1773) and its synonyms, on morphology of the paramere and coloration, seven patterns are described for E. rufomarginata. Pentatoma furcata Palisot de Beauvois, 1805, Cimex cruentus Fabricius, 1775, Aceratodes flavovirens Stål, 1855 and A. flavomarginatus Stål, 1855 are mantained as junior synonyms of E. rufomarginata. A. albomarginatus Stål, 1855 and A. marginalis Dallas, 1951 are removed from the synonymy of E. rufomarginata and are reinstated in Edessa. Aceratodes discolor Dallas, 1951 is removed from the synonymy of E. rufomarginata and is considered junior synonym of Edessa abdominalis Erichson, 1848.