msechBari, a new MITE-like element in Drosophila sechellia related to the Bari transposon

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Similarities among ectoparasite fauna of sigmodontine rodents: phylogenetic and geographical influences

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Prevalência de Demodex folliculorum e Demodex brevis em uma amostra da população de Botucatu, São Paulo, Brasil.

A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of D. folliculorum and D. brevis for the first time in Brazil. In this study, association between the presence of mites and host factors (age, sex and race) were analysed. Samples were obtained from 100 individuals submitted to a facial cleaning in an aesthetic clinic in Botucatu city. All the samples were mounted in Berlese's medium and examined by dark-field phase microscopy. From 100 studied individuals, 72 were positive, among the positive cases, 51% showed D. folliculorum, 2% showed D. brevis and 19% both species. The parasite distribution in relation to sex was not taken in account because the sex ratio favoured females (90%). According to age, prevalence was high in all age groups. The factors influencing this distribution could be due. 1. the examination of extensive skin areas, 2. the group examined composed of individuals in treatment in an anaesthetic clinic could be more infested than a normal population, 3. the fact that in tropics, the prevalence is often high in all ages.

Potential of Acarophenax lacunatus (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) as a biological control agent of Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

A recent report of the parasitic mite species Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross and Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) attacking populations of Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) led to the present investigation. Maximum female size and average number of progeny per female mite were assessed at eight different temperatures (ranging from 20 to 41°C) and 60% r.h. using R. dominica as the host. The ability of the mite species to suppress eggs, first instar larvae, and adults of R. dominica was assessed at 30°C and 60% r.h. The largest female sizes of the mite and progeny numbers were obtained around 30°C (259 μm and 17 offspring/female respectively) with minimum values obtained at the most extreme temperatures used in this study. Mite densities of at least four individuals per 500 ml jar containing 50 adults of R. dominica, resulted in almost complete suppression of eggs, first instar larvae, and adults of the host species after 45 days. This same range of mite densities led to reductions of wheat weight losses of 15 and 25% after 45 and 60 days after infestation respectively. Acarophenax lacunatus shows good potential as a biological control agent of R. dominica.

Aspects of IFP for citrus production in Brazil

Brazilian citriculture represents about 25% of the total world citrus production with an area of 851,518 ha and a total production of more than 17 million tons in 1996. Besides its importance to the brazilian economy, represented by more than 1 billion US $ by year from FCOJ exportation, the citriculture has problems related to low productivity, due to several cultural practices and management. The productivity would be improved by an IFP system. The main problems are related to soil, as poor conservation, use of poor drained soils and bad preparation for planting; diseases-canker, CVC, leprosis, Phytophtora gummosis and other fungus diseases; pests - mites, scales, nematodes and others; the use of disease free and improved scion and rootstocks propagative material is usual; cultural practices - as nutrition, irrigation, wind breaks, weed control, pruning, replant and others, as density planting could be improved. Some possible solutions will be discussed for improving the brazilian citrus productivity and quality by IFP, based on research made.

Effect of temperature on development and population growth of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross and Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) on Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

The parasitic mite Acarophenax lacunatus kills the eggs upon which it feeds and seems to have potential as a biological control agent of stored grain pests. The lack of biological studies on this mite species led to the present study carried out in laboratory conditions at eight different temperatures (ranging from 20 to 41°C) and 60% relative humidity using Rhyzopertha dominica as host. The higher the temperature, the faster: (1) the attachment of female mites to the host egg (varying from 1 to 5 h); (2) the increase in body size of physogastric females (about twice faster at 40°C than at 20°C); and (3) the generation time (ranging from 40 to 220 h). In addition, the higher the temperature, the shorter the maximum female longevity (ranging from about 75 to 300 h). The two estimated temperature thresholds for development of A. lacunatus on R. dominica were 18 and 40°C. The average number of female and male offspring per gravid mite were 12.8 and 1.0, respectively, with sex ratios (females/total) ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 (maximum at 30°C). The net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase also presented maximum values at 30°C (12.1 and 0.04, respectively).

Demodicose bovina no estado da Paraíba

Cases of bovine demodicosis caused by Demodex bovis were reported in a Sindhi herd from December 1989 to January 1992. Both localized and generalized forms were diagnosed. This is the first report of the generalized form in Brazil. In the first two years, demodicosis was diagnosed only in cattle < 2 years old, whereas animals of all ages were positive in the last two years. Prevalence varied from 20.4% (11/54) to 53.1% (26/49) and 13.2% (12/91) to 14.8% (9/61) for cattle < 2 years old and > 2 years old, respectively. Clinical signs varied from a few small nodules to a thickened skin with soft large nodules in the localized and generalized forms, respectively. Main microscopic features of the nodules in the generalized form consisted of acanthosis with hyperqueratosis, chronic sebaceous adenitis, subcutaneous muscular necrosis, focal cellular degeneration of the epidermis basal layer and presence of large number of mites inside the lumen of dilated hair follicles. In addition, a chronic perifoliculitis was observed, characterized by lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate which also contained macrophages and neutrophils. It is suggested that poor nutrition and stress due to prolonged drought probably contributed to the increase of susceptibility of the herd to mite infestation.

Three new species of Tenuipalpus Donnadieu (Acari, Tenuipalpidae) from the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Three new species of Tenuipalpus, T. carlosflechtmanni n. sp., T. moraesi n. sp. and T. ariauae n. sp., collected on wild plants in Brazil, are described and illustrated. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

Tetrabdella neotropica (Acari: Bdellidae), a new genus and species from Brazil

Tetrabdella neotropica Hernandes & Feres n. gen., n. sp. is the first representative of the family Bdellidae from South America. It can be distinguished from other bdellid mites by the presence of two trichobothriae on tarsi III and IV. The subfamily Spinibdellinae is herein redefined to accomodate the new genus. A key to world genera of Bdellidae is presented. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

A new species of Typhlodromus Scheuten (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Brazil

A new species of phytoseiid mites is described from Brazil, Typhlodromus moraesi sp. nov., collected on Tabebuia alba (Cham.) Sandwith and Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp. in the State of São Paulo. This is the second species of the T. arizonicus group. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

Two new species of the feather mite subfamily Pterodectinae (Acari: Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae) from Brazil

We describe two new pterodectine feather mites (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) from Brazilian passerines (Passeriformes): Pterodectes amaurochalinus sp. n., from Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis (Turdidae), and Dolichodectes neotropicus sp. n., collected from Elaenia chiriquensis Lawrence (Tyrannidae). A key to species of the genus Dolichodectes is presented. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

A new genus and species of tarsonemid mite (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from Brazil

Biscutulumnemus neotropicus gen. nov., sp. nov. (Tarsonemidae: Tarsoneminae: Tarsonemini) is described from adult female and male mites, collected on Croton floribundus Spreng., from São José do Rio Preto, State of São Paulo, Brazil. This new genus resembles members of Dendmptus and Tarsonemus, but male mites have two triangular shields anterolaterally to the prodorsal shield and the sejugal apodeme is absent. In addition, Biscutulumnemus differs from Dendroptus by the presence of femoral seta l″ and tibial solenidion φ1 and the presence of a vestigial apodeme I on female mites. Unlike Tarsonemus, Biscutulumnemus has a beaklike gnathosomal capsule, a round flange on leg IV of male mites, and stigmata very close to v1 on the prodorsal shield of female mites. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.

Éster de sacarose no controle do Varroa estructor em abelhas africanizadas

This study aimed to determine the effect of sucrose ester on the control of Varroa destructor mite infestation in Africanized honeybees. For the in vitro experiments, the product was tested in bees and mites at five concentrations obtained through dilution in water (T0: 100% distilled water; T1: 0.5%; T2: 1%; T3: 2%; T4: 5%; and T5: 10% sucrose ester).For the field studies, the experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and seven replicates, totaling 28 colonies, from which seven were the controls, seven were treated with 0.1% sucrose ester, seven with 0.2% sucrose ester, and seven hives with 0.5% sucrose ester diluted in water. In the in vitro study, the sucrose ester at 0.5% concentration caused mite and bee mortality. In the field tests, the product at 0.2% concentration reduced Varroa destructor infestation in Africanized honeybees and, therefore, may be used as a tool to control this pest. At 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5% concentrations, sucrose ester did not impair the establishment of open and capped brood areas, as well as stored food areas in the hive, suggesting it is not toxic to Africanized honeybees.

Effect of fungicides on the mite fauna of prunus persica L. cultivars in Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil

The objective of this study was to characterize the diversity of phytophagous and predatory mites on peach cultivars either with or without fungicide treatment, in the city of Presidente Prudente, State of São Paulo, Brazil. In order to evaluate the effect of fungicides, leaf samples were colleted at random from treated and untreated plants of the Tropical, Aurora 1 and Aurora 2 cultivars, from June 2004 to February 2006. From the results obtained it can be concluded that: plants with or without treatment showed high populations of predatory mites, indicating that the treatments were innocuous on the mite populations. A diversified composition of the mite community was observed. The Phytoseiidae family had the highest richness in numbers and species of mites. Euseius citrifolius and E. concordis were the most abundant species. Plants with or without treatment had high abundances of predatory mites, with a predominance of E. citrifolius.

Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) on plants of the central region of the Brazilian cerrado

Four surveys of Phytoseiidae species associated with native plants were conducted in ten fragments of Cerrado sensu stricto to determine the species associated with the plants of this region. Twelve of the most common plant species were sampled in each fragment. Twenty six phytoseiid species were recorded during the surveys. Stryphnodendron adstringens was the host plant that had the highest number of species (eight species). Amblyseius neochiapensis Lofego, Moraes and McMurtry 2000 and Neoseiulus tunus (De Leon) 1967 were the most common phytoseiid species. These species occurred on 24 and 20 host species, respectively. Approximately 76 % of the phytoseiids found belonged to the subfamily Amblyseiinae Muma, 1961. Almost 27 % of phytoseiid species recorded were associated with only one plant species. In addition, approximately two thirds of species found in this study also occur in the Atlantic Forest. The comparison of our results from the central areas with previous surveys in peripheral areas of the Cerrado showed that only 12 phytoseiid species were common to both areas.