Molecular Identification and Phylogeny of Bactrocera Species (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Fruit flies that belong to the genus Bactrocera (Diptera: Tephritidae) are major invasive pests of agricultural crops in Asia and Australia. Increased transboundary movement of agricultural produce has resulted in the chance introduction of many invasive species that include Bactrocera mainly as immature stages. Therefore quick and accurate species diagnosis is important at the port of entry, where morphological identification has a limited role, as it requires the presence of adult specimens and the availability of a specialist. Unfortunately when only immature stages are present, a lacunae in their taxonomy impedes accurate species diagnosis. At this juncture, molecular species diagnostics based on COX-I have become handy, because diagnosis is not limited by developmental stages. Yet another method of quick and accurate species diagnosis for Bactrocera spp. is based on the development of species-specific markers. This study evaluated the utility of COX-I for the quick and accurate species diagnosis of eggs, larvae, pupae and adults of B. zonata Saunders, B. tau Walker, and B. dorsalis Hendel. Furthermore the utility of species-specific markers in differentiating B. zonata (500bp) and B. tau (220bp) was shown. Phylogenetic relationships among five subgenera, viz., Austrodacus, Bactrocera, Daculus, Notodacus and Zeugodacus have been resolved employing the 5' region of COX-I (1490-2198); where COX-I sequences for B. dorsalis Hendel, B. tau Walker, B. correcta Bezzi and B. zonata Saunders from India were compared with other NCBI-GenBank accessions. Phylogenetic analysis employing Maximum Parsimony (MP) and Bayesian phylogenetic approach (BP) showed that the subgenus Bactrocera is monophyletic.

Evaluación de dosis de fertilización nitrogenada y densidad de siembra sobre el rendimiento del cultivo de repollo (Brassica oleraceae, var capitata L.) híbrido Izalco

Se realizó un estudio en la Finca San Bernardo, Municipio de Nandasmo – Masaya en el período del 21 d e Agosto al 21 de Diciembre de 2004. S e probaron tres dosis de fertilización nitrogenada siendo estas 75 kg/ha, 150kg/ha, 225 kg/ha, un testigo de 0 nitrógeno y dos densidades de siembra con 28571 y 22222 plantas /ha. El experimento consistió en una bifact orial con diseño de bloques completos al azar, evaluando los siguientes parámetros: diámetro polar, diámetro ecuatorial, peso fresco, número de cabezas formadas, rendimiento, calidad y rentabilidad del repollo. Los datos obtenidos se sometieron al análisis de varianza y a la prueba de Tukey al 1% y a un análisis económico de presupuesto parcial. Se observó la tendencia de obtener mayor diámetro polar, diámetro ecuatorial, rendimiento, beneficio bruto y beneficio neto con dosis de 150 kilogramos de nitrógeno por hectárea y densidad de siembra de 28571 plantas por hectárea. De igual forma se obtuvo el mayor peso fresco con dosis de 150 kilogramos de nitrógeno por hectárea y densidad de siembra de 22222 plantas y el mayor n ú mero de cabezas formadas se obtuvo c on dosis de 225 kilogramos de nitrógeno y densidad de 28571 plantas. Los tratamientos sometidos al análisis de retorno marginal superaron la tasa mínima de retorno de 150%. La mayor tasa de retorno marginal se obtuvo con dosis de 75 kilogramos de nitrógeno y densidad de siembra con 22222 plantas.

Validación de cuatro híbridos de repollo (Brassica oleracea vr. capitata) en época de riego a la comunidad Almaciguera - Estelí 2003

El repollo (Brassica oleracea vr capitata), es una de las hortalizas de mayor importancia económica y consumo en Nicaragua, ocupando el primer lugar dentro de los vegetales de hojas, tallos, brotes y flores. Las zonas de siembra del cultivo son Matagalpa, Jinotega, Carazo, El Crucero y Estelí. Uno de los obstáculos en la producción de repollo ha sido la continua utilización del híbrido lzalco, lo que ha provocado la pérdida de sus propiedades agronómicas como resistencia a plagas y enfermedades, generando pérdidas por los altos costos y los bajos precios en el mercado, para esto ha sido necesario buscar alternativas de recursos genéticos (variedad o híbrido) que sustituya al tradicional. El presente estudio se realizó en el departamento de Estelí, comunidad La Almaciguera, finca Las Nubes (1250 - 1450 msnm), en época de riego con el fin de validar características agronómicas de cuatro híbridos de repollo, involucrando a los productores en el proceso de validación. Se estableció un semillero en Enero del 2003. El diseño experimental utilizado fue un BCA (Bloque completo al Azar), con un área experimental de 462.30 m2 el que contaba con tres repeticiones. Los tratamientos validados fueron los híbridos EM-245, EM-532, Valverde e lzalco (testigo). Las variables se midieron en tres etapas: semillero, desarrollo vegetativo y cosecha. Los datos se analizaron a través de ANDEVA mediante el programa Excel (Microsoft Windows 98), las separaciones de medias se realizaron de forma manual utilizando la tabla de Duncan (Pr < 0.05). Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que para la etapa de semillero el tratamiento que sobresalió en las variables largo de hoja y altura de la planta fue EM-532, en cambio el mayor ancho de hojas lo obtuvo lzalco. En desarrollo vegetativo la mayor altura de planta la presentó Valverde y en el ancho de hoja el híbrido que sobresalió durante toda la etapa fue EM-532. En cosecha los híbridos EM-245, EM-532 y Valverde superaron a lzalco en cuanto a diámetro polar, peso y rendimiento.

Formulaciones de Beauveria bassiana (Bals y vuils) para el manejo de plagas en el cultivo del repollo (Brassica oleracea L. var capitata) en el Tisey, Estelí

Con el objetivo de evaluar formulaciones de hongos entomopatógenos para el manejo de plagas en el cultivo del repollo ( Brassica ole r ácea L ) , se realizó el estudio en la fin ca El Tisey, Estelí. El estudi o se estableció en la época de postrera de octubre 2009 a enero 2010 . Se evaluaron seis tratamientos con tres repeticio nes y fueron: Beauveria bassiana + arcilla blanca, B. bassiana +arcilla verde , B. bassiana +talco, B. bassiana +leche en polvo, B. bassiana +aceite sunspray 6E, B. bassiana en sustrato. Las aplicaciones se realizaron 20 días después del trasplante y la dosis de Beauveria bassiana fue de 1 .7 x10 12 conidias / ha. Los muestreos fueron cada 8 días después del trasplante. Las variables evaluadas en laboratorio fueron : Viabilidad y concent ración de conidias y en campo fue población de Plutella xylostella, Leptophobia sp y Diabrotica sp. La viabilidad y concentración de conidias de B. bassiana de los formulados fueron adecuados durante seis meses en almacenamiento . La formulación B. bassiana +aceite sunspray 6E presentó los mejores resultados manteniendo los niveles más bajos de incidencia de P. xylostella, Leptophobia sp y áfidos , pero menos e fectiva para Diabrotica sp . La menor incidencia de Diabrotica sp se observó en los tratamientos B. bassiana +arcilla blanca, pero registró mayor incidencia d e P. xylostella y Leptophobia sp . La menor incidencia de P. xylostella se observó en octubre y la ma yor incidencia en noviembre. En cambio Leptophobia sp presentó niveles bajos en octubre y en noviembre la incidencia más alta. Para Diabrotica sp los niveles más bajos se observaron a inicios de octubre y los más altos a finales del mismo mes. La mejor fo rmulación fue B. bassiana +aceite sunspray 6E para el manejo de P. xylostella, Leptophobia sp y áfidos . El produc to sin formular , registró el mayor número de cabezas por ha y e l producto formulado B. bassiana más Arcilla B lanca presentó el mayor peso por cabeza

Eggs of British Meniscus midges (diptera;dixidae) observed by scanning electron microscopy

The egg of Dixella martinii is described for the first time. The eggs of the Dixidae are placed in three morphological groups: bulbous and meshed; streamlined and smooth; streamlined and minutely spiculated. Ten of the fourteen species known from Britain are placed in these groups. After a detailed description of the egg of D. martinii, the three morphological groups are described and scanning electron micrographs are provided.

The importance of temporary waters for Diptera (true-flies)

Flies are the largest order of wetland insects in Britain. Of 6668 known species, larvae of at least 1138 are considered to be aquatic while a large number, perhaps as many again, are associated with wetlands. Despite this abundance of species they have been neglected in nearly all studies of temporary ponds. The prerequisites that are usually quoted for surviving in temporary pools are an ability to reach maturity before the system dries out, physiological or behavioural mechanisms to survive the dry period, and an ability to recolonise. Larvae of many British wetland Diptera have these features, which should enable them to develop and survive in temporary ponds. Some examples are considered in this article, with brief comments on adaptations in insects from other geographical regions.

Key to the larvae of the genera of the sub-family Orthocladiinae from Larvae and Pupae of midges of the sub-family Orthocladiinae of the fauna of the USSR. [Translation from: Larvae and pupae of midges of the subfamily Orthocladiinae of the fauna of the USSR (Diptera, Chironomidae = Tendipedidae) (ed. Pankratova V.Ya.), 51-55. Leningrad, Nauka, 1970. ]

A key to the larvae of the genera of the sub-family Orthocladiinae from Larvae and Pupae of midges of the sub-family Orthocladiinae. Parts of the key refer to the rest of the publication which is not included in this partial translation.

Keys to the larvae of the species of the genera Diamesa, Eukiefferiella, Orthocladius, Cricotopus, Psectrocladius and Chaetocladius. [Translation from: Larvae and pupae of midges of the subfamily Orthocladiinae of the fauna of the USSR (Diptera, Chironomidae = Tendipedidae) (ed. V.Y. Pankratova) p76-8,151-152,173-174,188-189. Leningrad, Nauka, 1970. ]

Eudiaptomus vulgaris Schmeil is the most abundant copepod in Lake Maggiore and forms also, in respect to other entomostraca, the most important element, through its average biomass and because it is fairly numerous throughout the year. Plankton samples collected in a systematic and quantitative way, gave the opportunity to study some aspects of the dynamics of the population of this copepod, in safety in view of the uncertainty which in this kind of study can ensue when samples are taken only at a single station - in consequence of the changes in size of population between different water masses. The results of the biometrical observations are of the population of Eudiaptomus vulgaris is presented.

Some abundant Tendipedid species (Diptera, Tendipedidae) of the Amu-Darya drainage basin. Acalcarella shilova, gen.n. only [Translation from: Ent.Obozr. 34 313-322, 1955]

This document is a partial translation of taxonomic notes on two Diptera species (Acalcarella Shilova, Acalcarrella nucus) which were abundant in a survey of Tendipedid species (Diptera, Tendipedidae) of the Amu Darya drainage basin. These taxonomic notes of the larva, pupa and adults include drawings of the Acalcarella nucus larva.

Diversidade e aspectos bioecológicos de simulídeos (Diptera: Simuliidae) que ocorrem nos municípios adjacentes a construção da usina Hidrelétrica de Peixe-Angical, TO, Brasil

O objetivo desta Tese é realizar o levantamento taxonômico e avaliar a dinâmica populacional de Simuliidae em localidades sob influência do Aproveitamento Hidrelétrico de Peixe Angical, TO. Os simulídeos possuem abrangente distribuição geográfica, e os estágios imaturos utilizam ambientes lóticos como sítios de criação. Algumas espécies podem atuar como vetores de vírus, protozoários e helmintos, o que confere ao grupo importância médica e veterinária. O hábito hematofágico das fêmeas de simulídeos pode acarretar sérios prejuízos ao turismo; ocasiona baixa no rendimento escolar; e na agropecuária dificulta a execução do trabalho o que reduz a produtividade. Durante a construção de grandes empreendimentos ocorre em pouco tempo à introdução de contingente populacional com drástica transformação do meio. A intervenção do homem sobre os ecossistemas e o crescimento desordenado pode provocar desequilíbrio ecológico que propicia a proliferação de espécimes vetores com consequentes problemas médico sanitários. A maior parte dos trabalhos realizados com insetos vetores em áreas sob influência da construção de hidrelétricas se refere aos culicídeos. O estudo dos aspectos taxonômicos permitirá o levantamento da biodiversidade e o diferencial deste projeto está no estabelecimento da sazonalidade e dinâmica das populações de imaturos e adultos de simulídeos. As amostras foram obtidas em áreas de influência direta e indireta da UHE Peixe no rio Tocantins, em 12 pontos diferentes de coleta, nos municípios deJaú do Tocantins, Peixe, Palmeirópolis, Paranã e São Salvador do Tocantins. Foram realizadas bimestralmente de 2004 a 2007, um total de 24 campanhas para coleta em criadouros pré-selecionados, que acompanharam todas as fases de construção início das obras, formação do lago, funcionamento da Usina. OS dados abióticos foram aferidos, e os imaturos removidos do substrato manualmente por 10 minutos e posteriormente preparados para eclosão dos adultos. Parte do material foi identificado no Laboratório de Simulídeos e Oncocercose do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, onde foram verificados novos registros específicos para a ocorrência de Simuliidae em Tocantins, além do assinalamento de espécies antropofílicas e/ou vetores de Onchocerca volvulus. Nas áreas usadas para a formação do lago houve desaparecimento de criadouros. O desmatamento ocorrido aliado ao vigor dos simulídeos que conseguem realizar voos de longas distâncias na procura de alimento ou locais adequados a oviposição devem ter contribuído para a dispersão de espécimes. Há relatos sobre a da ocorrência de oncocercose na área estudada, um foco foi demarcado na divisa de Goiás com Tocantins, municípios Paranã e Minaçu investigado a partir de um caso autóctone de oncocercose. Este estudo é relevante uma vez que o Brasil possui potencial hidroenergético e prevê a construção de inúmeras hidrelétricas nos próximos anos. É importante estudas as áreas impactadas, conhecer a sua biodiversidade e os aspectos bioecológicos de Simuliidae no país.

Life history and production of Capitella capitata (Polychaeta: Capitellidae) in Río de la Plata Estuary (Argentina)

A benthic survey was carried out from November 1998 to December 1999 in the tidal flats of Bahía Samborombón (Río de la Plata estuary, Argentina), in order to study the population structure, reproductive aspects, growth and secondary production of Capitella capitata (Fabricius, 1780). Growth was analyzed using ELEFAN routine, and the secondary production was estimated by Hynes and Coleman's method (1968). C. capitata did not present periods of very important recruitments throughout the year; however, the abundance of smallest size classes was higher during summer and autumn. The summer cohort showed a growth rate (K) of 2.05 and a seasonal growth oscillation (C) of 0.6, pointing out that worms grew very slowly during winter months. The life span of this cohort was 13 months. The autumn cohort showed a lower growth rate (K= 1.5) and its growth was lowest during winter. The life span was 15 months for this cohort. C. capitata in Punta Rasa presented an extended reproductive period, with absence of activity during winter months. The type of eggs and larvae suggest that C. capitata has benthic larval development in the study area, destining its reproductive effort to the production of a low number of eggs, and assuring larvae survival through incubation in brooding tubes. The annual mean biomass in Punta Rasa was 0.117 g m-2 (AFDW), with a mean secondary production of 0.23 g m-2 y-1 and a P/B ratio of 1.96 y-1. The relatively low density, biomass production and P/B ratio of C. capitata in Punta Rasa can be considered as reference values for this species inhabiting undisturbed or moderately disturbed areas.

The Drosophila obscura species-group (Diptera, Drosophilidae) from Yunnan Province, Southern China

Three new and two known species of the Drosophila (Sophophora) obscura species-group are reported from Yunnan Province, southern China. The sinobscura species-subgroup is newly established by D. sinobscura, D. hubeiensis and D. luguensis sp. nov. Geographic distribution of the obscura group in and around China is discussed, and a key to 10 Chinese species of the obscura group is provided.

Species diversity of the subgenus Amiota (s. str.) Loew, 1862 (Diptera, Drosophilidae) in southern China

A total of 38 Amiota (s. str.) species (about 40% of the world total) are reported from southern China, with descriptions of 23 new species, i.e. sinuata species-group: aculeata Chen and Aotsuka, sp. nov., subsinuata Chen and Aotsuka, sp. nov., xishuangbanna Chen and Aotsuka, sp. nov.; basdeni species-group: brevipartita Chen and Gao, sp. nov., curvispina Chen and Gao, sp. nov., lipingae Chen and Gao, sp. nov., huae Chen and Gao, sp. nov., longispina Chen and Gao, sp. nov.; taurusata species-group: asymmetrica Chen and Takamori, sp. nov.; femorata Chen and Takamori, sp. nov., yixiangensis Chen and Takamori, sp. nov.; alboguttata species-group: ailaoshanensis Chen and Watabe, sp. nov., arcuata Chen and Watabe, sp. nov., dehiscentia Chen and Watabe, sp. nov., jizushanensis Chen and Watabe, sp. nov., latitabula Chen and Watabe, sp. nov., luguhuensis Chen and Watabe, sp. nov., nozawai Chen and Watabe, sp. nov., paraspinata Chen and Watabe, sp. nov., shangrila Chen and Watabe, sp. nov.; and ungrouped: fuscicata Chen and Zhang, sp. nov., wangi Chen and Zhang, sp. nov., wuyishanensis Chen and Zhang, sp. nov. A key to all species from southern China is provided. The Amiota fauna of southern China at the species-group level is compared with that of six geographic regions. The subgenus Amiota is assumed to have originated and produced many species-groups in the Oriental region of East Asia, and then the basdeni, alboguttata and rufescens species-groups might have spread to Europe and North-Central America throughout the Palearctic region of East Asia and both the apodemata, sinuata and nagatai species-groups to tropical regions of South-East Asia.