Spider fauna of soybean crops in south-east Queensland and their potential as predators of Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Spiders are among the most abundant predators recorded in grain crops in Australia. They are voracious predators, and combined with their high abundance, may play an important role in the reduction of pest populations. The significance of spider assemblages as biological control agents of key pests such as Helicoverpa spp. in Australian agroecosystems is largely unknown. A thorough inventory was made of the spider fauna inhabiting unsprayed soybean fields at Gatton, south-east Queensland. One-hundred-and-two morphospecies from 28 families were collected using vacuum sampling and pitfall traps across two summer seasons (2000-01, 2001-02). No-choice feeding tests in the laboratory, using eggs and larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) as prey, were used to ascertain the predatory potential of each spider group. The field-collected spider assemblage ate on average 2.4 (+/-0.7 standard error) to 5.0 (+/-0.8) eggs per 24 h per spider (10-25% of those available), depending on level of starvation. Clubionidae were the only spiders to readily consume eggs in the laboratory (mean of 18.4 +/- 1.5 eggs per starved spider and 8.2 +/- 3.9 per non-starved spider after 24 h). Starved spiders consumed 9.4 (+/- 0.1) first-instar larvae per 24 h per spider (90% of those available). This information was combined with field observations and literature from Australian and overseas studies to assess the potential of spider groups as predators of Helicoverpa spp. Lycosidae, Clubionidae, Oxyopidae, Salticidae and Thomisidae have the capacity to contribute to control of Helicoverpa spp.

Experimental analysis of the influence of pest management practice on the efficacy of an endemic arthropod natural enemy complex of the diamondback moth.

Maximizing the contribution of endemic natural enemies to integrated pest management (IPM) programs requires a detailed knowledge of their interactions with the target pest. This experimental field study evaluated the impact of the endemic natural enemy complex of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) on pest populations in commercial cabbage crops in southeastern Queensland, Australia. Management data were used to score pest management practices at experimental sites on independent Brassica farms practicing a range of pest management strategies, and mechanical methods of natural enemy exclusion were used to assess the impact of natural enemies on introduced cohorts of P. xylostella at each site. Natural enemy impact was greatest at sites adopting IPM and least at sites practicing conventional pest management strategies. At IPM sites, the contribution of natural enemies to P. xylostella mortality permitted the cultivation of marketable crops with no yield loss but with a substantial reduction in insecticide inputs. Three species of larval parasitoids (Diadegma semiclausum Hellen [Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae], Apanteles ippeus Nixon [Hymenoptera: Braconidae], and Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdjumov [Hymenoptera: Eulophidae]) and one species of pupal parasitoid Diadromus collaris Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) attacked immature P. xylostella. The most abundant groups of predatory arthropods caught in pitfall traps were Araneae (Lycosidae) > Coleoptera (Carabidae, Coccinelidae, Staphylinidae) > Neuroptera (Chrysopidae) > Formicidae, whereas on crop foliage Araneae (Clubionidae, Oxyopidae) > Coleoptera (Coccinelidae) > Neuroptera (Chrysopidae) were most common. The abundance and diversity of natural enemies was greatest at sites that adopted IPM, correlating greater P. xylostella mortality at these sites. The efficacy of the natural enemy complex to pest mortality under different pest management regimes and appropriate strategies to optimize this important natural resource are discussed.

Improving precision and reducing bias in biological surveys: estimating false-negative error rates

The use of presence/absence data in wildlife management and biological surveys is widespread. There is a growing interest in quantifying the sources of error associated with these data. We show that false-negative errors (failure to record a species when in fact it is present) can have a significant impact on statistical estimation of habitat models using simulated data. Then we introduce an extension of logistic modeling, the zero-inflated binomial (ZIB) model that permits the estimation of the rate of false-negative errors and the correction of estimates of the probability of occurrence for false-negative errors by using repeated. visits to the same site. Our simulations show that even relatively low rates of false negatives bias statistical estimates of habitat effects. The method with three repeated visits eliminates the bias, but estimates are relatively imprecise. Six repeated visits improve precision of estimates to levels comparable to that achieved with conventional statistics in the absence of false-negative errors In general, when error rates are less than or equal to50% greater efficiency is gained by adding more sites, whereas when error rates are >50% it is better to increase the number of repeated visits. We highlight the flexibility of the method with three case studies, clearly demonstrating the effect of false-negative errors for a range of commonly used survey methods.

Ecology of the Acalypta species occurring in Hungary Insecta Heteroptera Tingidae data to the knowledge on the ground-living Heteroptera of Hungary, No 3

As a third part of a series of papers on the ground-living true bugs of Hungary, the species belonging to the lace bug genus Acalypta Westwood, 1840 (Insecta: Heteroptera: Tingidae) were studied. Extensive materials collected with Berlese funnels during about 20 years all over Hungary were identified. Based on these sporadic data of many years, faunistic notes are given on some Hungarian species. The seasonal occurrence of the species are discussed. The numbers of specimens of different Acalypta species collected in diverse plant communities are compared with multivariate methods. Materials collected with pitfall traps between 1979–1982 at Bugac, Kiskunság National Park were also processed. In this area, only A. marginata and A. gracilis occurred, both in great number. The temporal changes of the populations are discussed. Significant differences could be observed between the microhabitat distribution of the two species: both species occurred in very low number in traps placed out in patches colonized by dune-slack purple moorgrass meadow; Acalypta gracilis preferred distinctly the Pannonic dune open grassland patches; A. marginata occurred in almost equal number in Pannonic dune open grassland and in Pannonic sand puszta patches.

Overcoming The Impotency Of Marketing

In his dialogue titled - Overcoming The Impotency Of Marketing - K. Michael Haywood, Assistant Professor, School of Hotel and Food Administration, University of Guelph, originally reveals: “Many accommodation businesses have discovered that their marketing activities are becoming increasingly impotent. To overcome this evolutionary stage in the life cycle of marketing, this article outlines six principles that will re-establish marketing's vitality.” “The opinion of general managers and senior marketing, financial, and food and beverage managers is that the marketing is not producing the results it once did and is not working as it should,” Haywood advises. Haywood points to price as the primary component hospitality managers use to favor/adjust their marketability. Although this is an effective tool, the practice can also erode profitability and margin he says. Haywood also points at recession as a major factor in exposing the failures of marketing plans. He adds that the hotel manager cannot afford to let this rationale go unchallenged; managers must take measures to mitigate circumstances that they might not have any control over. Managers must attempt to maintain profitability. “In many hotels, large corporate accounts or convention business generates a significant proportion of occupancy. Often these big buyers dictate their terms to the hotels, especially the price they are prepared to pay and the service they expect,” Haywood warns. This dynamic is just another significant pitfall that challenges marketing strategy. The savvy marketing technician must be aware of changes that occur in his or her marketplace, Haywood stresses. He offers three specific, real changes, which should be responded to. “To cope with the problems and uncertainties of the hotel business during the remainder of the decade, six components need to be developed if marketing impotency is to be overcome,” says Haywood in outlining his six-step approach to the problem. Additionally, forward thinking cannot be over-emphasized. “A high market share is helpful in general, but an even more crucial factor is careful consideration of the market sectors in which the company wants to operate,” your author advises. “Taking tactical initiatives is essential. Successful hotels act; unsuccessful ones react. The less successful marketing operations tend to be a hive of frantic activity. Fire-fighting is the normal way of life in such organizations, Haywood observes. “By contrast, successful firms plan and execute their tactical marketing activity with careful timing and precision so as to create the maximum impact,” he extends in describing his fruitful marketing arabesque.

Entomobryoidea e Symphypleona (Collembola, Hexapoda) em remanescentes de Mata Atlântica do Estado Do Rio Grande do Norte

Colêmbolos são pequenos artrópodes extremamente abundantes na natureza. São semelhantes a insetos em seu padrão de tagmose, ecologicamente muito importantes e podem ser usados como bioindicadores. Mais de 8.300 espécies já foram descritas no mundo, mas se estima que a riqueza real corresponda a um número muito maior. A Mata Atlântica corresponde ao domínio fitogeográfico mais alterado pela ação antrópica no Brasil, restando menos de 8,5% de sua cobertura original. No Rio Grande do Norte a Mata Atlântica cobre apenas 0,27% do território do Estado. Assim, considerando a importância de se conhecer a fauna de Collembola, sobretudo num ambiente ameaçado como a Mata Atlântica, este trabalho objetivou estudar a riqueza de colêmbolos Entomobryoidea e Symphypleona ocorrentes em dois remanescentes de Mata Atlântica do Rio Grande do Norte através de coletas ativas com aspirador entomológico e passivas com pitfall, durante os períodos de chuva e seca. Foram identificadas 22 espécies de colêmbolos, sendo que destas 19 (mais de 85% do total) são novas para a ciência, incluindo um novo gênero da família Sminthuridae. As coletas realizadas no período chuvoso apresentaram praticamente o dobro de espécies em relação às realizadas no período seco. Este fato possivelmente está associado à dependência dos colêmbolos de umidade, assim como estratégias de resistência a período secos. São descritas quatro novas espécies, incluindo o novo gênero (Trogolaphysa sp.nov., Gen.nov. sp.nov., Szeptyckitheca sp.nov. e Sminthurinus sp.nov.). Este expressivo número de espécies novas identificadas, os novos registros para o gêneros e famílias para a Mata Atlântica do Rio Grande do Norte e a descoberta de um novo gênero corroboram o pressuposto que motivou este trabalho: o Rio Grande do Norte apresenta uma fauna de Collembola desconhecida e potencialmente diversificada. Além disso, foram geradas informações importantes sobre a morfologia das espécies descritas, que por sua vez são de grande importância para a sistemática dos Collembola. O novo gênero descrito faz parte de um visível subgrupo dentro da família Sminthuridae (aqueles com o unguis com cavidade) que aparentemente tem potencial para ser reconhecido futuramente em alguma categoria taxonômica supragenérica.

Ecologia trófica de uma comunidade de lagartos da caatinga

The trophic ecology studies issues related to the diet of individuals within a community .The relation between the body size of the predator and the prey size, individual specialization and niche breadth are some of the issues that can be discussed by it .I collected the lizards using pitfall trap, glue and active collecting traps in a fragment of Caatinga. The most common species in this community were Tropidurus hispidus, T. semitaeniatus and Cnemidophorus ocellifer. The visits to the farm also relied on collecting invertebrates at each season to understand how the nutritional resources of lizards were presented in each one of them. I tried to answer some questions : 1) If there was a positive relation between body size of the predator and the size of prey of the community ; 2) If in different seasons the relation of body size of the predator and the maximum and/or minimum size of the prey would be positive ; 3) If species with different foraging strategies have positive relation on the size of the predatorprey relation; 4) If the seasonality would influence on the individual expertise of lizards community and more common species; 5) If the breadth of the niche would be influenced by seasonality ; 6) If more individuals with different morphology between them would present less similar diet. I found that there was indeed a positive relationship between size of prey and predator, but nonexistent related to the minimum size of prey; Among the seasons relative size of predators and prey was different for the maximum and minimum size, but was positively related only to the size of the maximum prey. And comparisons between different foraging strategies had the maximum and minimum line inclination greater than zero and different from each other; individual specialization was not influenced by seasonality and the niche breadth was wider in the dry season only to T. semitaeniatus. At last I didn't find a significant negative relationship between morphological dissimilarity and similarity of diet.

Identificación y fluctuación poblacional de insectos asociados al cultivo de la piña (Ananas comosus L. Merril) Ticuantepe, Nicaragua.

Con el objetivo de contribuir al conocimiento científico de insectos asociadas al cultivo de la piña (Ananas comosus L. Merril), se realizó este estudio en el período de marzo a septiembre del 2014 en la zona piñera del Municipio de Ticuantepe, teniendo como objetivos específicos la identificación, abundancia, riqueza, índice de biodiversidad, fluctuación poblacional y el hábito de las principales familias de insectos asociados al cultivo de la piña. El estudio se desarrolló en seis fincas piñeras donde se ubicaron tres trampas de caída libre (Pitfall traps) para la captura de insectos rastreros, tres trampas de galones de plástico con melaza para la captura de insectos voladores y en cada sitio se colectó manualmente insectos del follaje frutos y suelo. En esta investigación se encontró que las principales familias asociadas al cultivo son; Formicidae, Scarabaeidae, Pseudococcidae, Elateridae, Noctuidae, Nymphalidae Cerambicidae y Lycaenidae. La diversidad insectil se estimó utilizando el índice de diversidad Shannon-Weaver, la familia con mayor índice de diversidad fue Formicidae, En cuanto a la riqueza de insectos se encontraron cincuenta y un familias y ochenta y cuatro géneros, siendo los más numerosos pertenecientes a las familias; Formicidae, Scarabaidae, Tenebrionidae y Pentatomidae. En lo que respecta a la fluctuación poblacional, las familias de insectos que presentaron mayor incidencia fueron: Formicidae, Scarabaidae y Pseudococcidae, las fluctuaciones más altas de insectos ocurrieron en los meses de abril, mayo y julio, entre los principales hábitos alimenticios de las especies insectiles asociados al cultivo de la piña se encontraron, defoliadores, plagas del suelo, succionadores de floemas, barrenadores de corteza vegetal, polinizadoras, depredadores, parasitoides y degradadores de materia orgánica.

Macrofauna epígea de besouros coprófilos em sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária

The soil macrofauna (organisms ≥ 2.0 mm) main function is to act indirectly on the decomposition of organic matter and control the population of microorganisms. This study aims to evaluate the density and richness of coprphilic dung beetles at different levels of nitrogen fertilization and grazing pressure on Crop-Livestock Integration System (ILP) and his opposition to morphotypes present in the native forests of the region. Was used a rural area in Abelardo Luz city, western state of Santa Catarina, on the border of southwest of Paraná, 26° 31' 18.8832" south latitude and 52° 15' 3.4986' west longitude and elevation 862 m for the installation of the experiment, which is already carried out the activity of agriculture and livestock. The study is part of the Integrated Project of Long Duration GISPA UTFPR Group, which evaluates the grazing pressure and time of fertilization deployed in April 2013. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in a 2x2 factorial arrangement with three replications. The factors were "Nitrogen Application" (NP = N in the pasture and NG = N applied in corn) and "Height Grazing" (high and low). The native forest, which provided the parameters for assessing the degree of conservation, lies 700 meters northeast of the experimental area. Modified pitfall traps were used at ground level, on the bait trap and covered together to prevent dehydration. They were carried out 36 collections in bushland, within one year from 26 April 2013, in which we obtained a total of 16,301 individuals and 28 morphotypes. In ILP area specimens were collected from June to September 2014, totaling 23 collections, 74,586 individuals and 30 morphotypes. To carry out the statistics and faunal analysis, GENES programs were used, ANAFAU, NTIA/EMBRAPA and SigmaPlot version 12.5. Most of the correlations observed (90%) between the variables of insects and environmental conditions was significant. The largest number of insects was directly related to the temperature rise. There was a positive correlation between the application of nitrogen and the occurrence of coprophilous. There was a positive correlation between the number of insects and low grazing height. It was also found that some of the insects migrate from the culture to the area of native forest after reaching their peak population. The great similarity of results observed in the native forest and the ILP System indicates the ecological benefits of adopting this technology.

Diagnóstico de qualidade ambiental em unidades de conservação: o caso do Parque Estadual Vitório Piassa

Over time, humanity began to realize the negative impact that the modern world has caused to the environment. The Atlantic Forest is one of the richest biomes in biodiversity, covering more than 60% of all species on the planet. This biome covered about 15% of the Brazilian territory, leaving currently only 7% of its fully fragmented forest remnants. This was the biome that suffered most from modernization and strong anthropogenic pressures in Brazil. For the account of environmental degradation, in the second half of the nineteenth century there was a shift in thinking, giving greater emphasis on conservation of some natural landscapes, with the intention of removing the man still preserved nature. Based on American models of conservation there were created the Nature Conservation Units. This study aimed to analyze the environmental quality of the State Park Vitório Piassa, a Conservation Unit located in the city of Pato Branco - PR. The environmental quality was measured by use of bio-indicators and some environmental pressures that the Park has suffered over the years also were identified. Beetles of the familiy Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) were used as the bioindicators. To compare the most conserved areas and the most degraded areas of the Park, three specific sites were defined within the Atlantic Forest fragment, these insects were captured with pitfall traps and identified as to their species and genera. There were two collections in February and March 2015, which resulted in 945 individuals in 22 species and nine different genus. Then the population of beetles in each area were classified based on ecological measures such as species richness, abundance of individuals of each species through diversity index (Shannon and Simpson) to identify the differences between the sampled groups and equitability (Pielou) to measure the distribution of the total abundance of the species in each area. To meet the objective of identifying the environmental pressures that occur in PEVP, evidence were collected through photographs, watching the field, aerial images and conversations with the resident population in the park. Similarly, if made relevant to build on the project running by the municipality for the construction of infrastructure for public viewing. These data served as subsidies to confront the current situation of the park and the current Brazilian legislation for UC's of full protection, highlighting the existing socio-environmental conflicts in the park, involving political issues and the proximity of the Conservation Unit with the urban area of the city.

Contribuição ao conhecimento do gênero Coprophanaeus (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) no Cerrado do Distrito Federal

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, 2015.

Inimigos naturais de solo em sistemas de cultivo de palma de óleo (Elaeis guineensis) no município de Tomé-Açu, PA.

Realizou-se checklist dos principais artrópodes (ênfase em insetos) benéficos de solo em palma de óleo (Elaeis guineensis) cultivada em monocultivo e sistemas agroflorestais (biodiversificados), com diferentes preparos de área sem o uso do fogo, no município de Tomé-Açu, Pará. A captura dos artrópodes nos sistemas estudados foi realizada, mensalmente, entre maio de 2009 e janeiro de 2010, utilizando-se armadilhas tipo Pitfall, que permaneceram em campo por 72 horas. Após esse período, o material coletado foi processado em campo e transportado para o Laboratório de Entomologia da Embrapa Amazônia Oriental em Belém, Pará, onde foi triado, quantificado e identificado ao menor nível taxonômico possível. Os cultivos de palma de óleo biodiversificados não apresentaram diferenças significativas de ocorrência para os principais grupos de inimigos naturais de solo (Araneae, Coleoptera e Hymenoptera), quando comparados com o plantio convencional.

Ecologia alimentar de aves insetívoras de um fragmento de mata decídua do extremo norte da Mata Atlântica

The diet study of birds has contributed historically as a model for use to understanding ecological patterns and strategies used by several other groups of vertebrates, which are observed in season patterns and temporal availability of resources, and other. This study has as objective generate information concerning the diet of insectivorous birds during rainy season and dry season, as well as analyze Index food importance, niche overlap, niche breadth, electivity, and seasonal availability of prey. The study was conducted in a fragment of about 270 ha (center coordinates and 5 º 53'S 35 ° 23'W). The sampling of birds occurred between March 2008 and December 2009 in three pre-established trails. Catches of birds were performed using 10 mist nets placed in line, where each trails was sampled once a month. Samples of pellets were obtained by means of tartar emetic. Sampling of availability of prey occurred between February 2009 to December 2009. We used two methods of sampling (pitfall traps and Shake cloths). We captured 269 individuals of 21 species of insectivorous birds. We collected 4116 invertebrates of which 3259 in the rainy season and 857 in the dry season. We obtained 174 samples stomach, where 10 species were exclusively insectivorous diet, nine fed on insect/plant material, an insect/plant material/vertebrate and one for insect/vertebrate. During the rainy season was observing difference between the consumption of items with higher food importance. The Coleoptera was item with higher food importance (73%), followed by Formicidae (7%) and Araneae (6%). During the dry season, no difference was found difference between the consumption of items with higher food importance. The Coleoptera was item with higher food importance (34%), followed by seeds (29%) and Formicidae (18%). The highest levels of niche overlap occurred during the rainy season, while the dry season was characterized by high levels of niche 11 segregation. This indicates that the local insectivorous birds community was structured differently between periods. No was found correlation between the values of niche breadth to the mean weight of the body size. We observed seasonal patterns in prey availability, with the peak availability of invertebrates observed seasonal patterns in rainy season. The insectivorous birds selected the same species richness during both periods, showing a specialized diet. Thamnophilus pelzelni was the only species that had their diet influenced by seasonality. Regarding the overall diet of insectivorous birds, observed a high consumption of prey, whose food availability caused the birds could invest and increase their food resources

Registro da opiliofauna em remanescente florestal no estado do Acre.

Os opiliões são aracnídeos inofensivos que participam dos processos ecológicos de ciclagem de nutrientes e decomposição da matéria orgânica, sendo componentes importantes da fauna edáfica, embora, pobremente conhecidos e estudados, principalmente na região amazônica. Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a fauna de opiliões presente em um remanescente florestal, localizado no município de Plácido de Castro, AC, no período de agosto de 2014 a agosto de 2015. Para o levantamento foram utilizados dois métodos de coleta: armadilhas pitfall (coleta passiva) e procura livre noturna (coleta ativa). Pelo método de coleta ativa foi capturado um total de 18 opiliões pertencentes às famílias Cosmetidae, Sclerosomatidae e Manaosbiidae, não sendo coletado nenhum espécime pelo método de coleta passiva. A espécie Paraprotus quadripunctatus e os gêneros Geaya e Cynorta foram registrados pela primeira vez no estado do Acre. Ainda, demonstrou-se que o método de coleta ativa "procura livre noturna" é o mais adequado para a realização deste tipo de estudo.

Opiliões (Arachnida: Opiliones) em remanescente florestal no município de Plácido de Castro, AC.

Os opiliões (Arachnida: Opiliones) são aracnídeos com ampla distribuição geográfica, sendo a maior parte das espécies registradas na região Neotropical. Esses organismos possuem baixa capacidade de dispersão, alto grau de endemismo e sensibilidade às mudanças ambientais, também participam da ciclagem da matéria orgânica do solo, visto que muitas espécies possuem o hábito alimentar detritívoro. Dada a importância desses organismos, objetivou-se com esse trabalho prospectar a fauna de opiliões em remanescente florestal localizado no município de Plácido de Castro, AC. Foram utilizados dois métodos de captura: armadilhas pitfall (captura passiva), dispostas em dois transectos, e procura livre noturna (coleta ativa). As armadilhas pitfall consistiram em copos plásticos de 500 mL, contendo uma solução de formaldeído a 1% e gotas de detergente neutro, sendo recolhidas semanalmente. As coletas ativas mensais foram realizadas por quatro pessoas, em um esforço de coleta de 1 h. As espécies de opiliões capturadas foram: Paecilaema marajoara, Paraprotus quadripunctatus, Taito kakera e Cynorta sp. (Cosmetidae); Geaya sp. (Sclerosomatidae) e quatro adultos e um imaturo, pertencentes à família Manaosbiidae. Todos os opiliões registrados nesse levantamento foram capturados pelo método de ?procura livre noturna?, sendo os gêneros Geaya e Cynorta, bem como a espécie P. quadripunctatus, registrados pela primeira vez no estado do Acre.