Caracterização do grupo Edessa rufomarginata e descrição de sete novas espécies (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Edessinae)

Neste trabalho é proposto o grupo Edessa rufomarginata, que inclui E. rufomarginata (De Geer, 1773), E. marginalis (Dallas, 1851), E. albomarginata (Stål, 1855), E. abdominalis Erichson, 1848, E. corallipes Erichson, 1848, E. aulacosterna Stål, 1872, E. ovalis Stål, 1872 e E. nigropunctata Berg, 1884. São descritas sete novas espécies pertencentes ao grupo, seis do Brasil e uma da Argentina: E. brasiliensis sp. nov., E. castaneolineata sp. nov., E. cerradensis sp. nov., E. chapadensis sp. nov., E. luteovenulata sp. nov., E. rufodorsata sp. nov. (Argentina) e E. virididorsata sp. nov. As espécies deste grupo ocorrem na Venezuela, Suriname, Guiana, Brasil, Paraguai e Argentina.

Endemism analysis of Neotropical Pentatomidae (Hemiptera, Heteroptera)

The definition of areas of endemism is central to studies of historical biogeography, and their interrelationships are fundamental questions. Consistent hypotheses for the evolution of Pentatomidae in the Neotropical region depend on the accuracy of the units employed in the analyses, which in the case of studies of historical biogeography, may be areas of endemism. In this study, the distribution patterns of 222 species, belonging to 14 Pentatomidae (Hemiptera) genera, predominantly neotropical, were studied with the Analysis of Endemicity (NDM) to identify possible areas of endemism and to correlate them to previously delimited areas. The search by areas of endemism was carried out using grid-cell units of 2.5° and 5° latitude-longitude. The analysis based on groupings of grid-cells of 2.5° of latitude-longitude allowed the identification of 51 areas of endemism, the consensus of these areas resulted in four clusters of grid-cells. The second analysis, with grid-cells units of 5° latitude-longitude, resulted in 109 areas of endemism. The flexible consensus employed resulted in 17 areas of endemism. The analyses were sensitive to the identification of areas of endemism in different scales in the Atlantic Forest. The Amazonian region was identified as a single area in the area of consensus, and its southeastern portion shares elements with the Chacoan and Paraná subregions. The distribution data of the taxa studied, with different units of analysis, did not allow the identification of individual areas of endemism for the Cerrado and Caatinga. The areas of endemism identified here should be seen as primary biogeographic hypotheses.

Novas contribuições ao gênero Ablaptus Stal, 1864 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Discocephalinae)

In this paper, three new species are described: Ablaptus bolivianus, n. sp. and A. simillimus, n. sp. from Bolivia, and A. lopesi, n. sp. from Brazil. A detailed study of the male genitalia is included, and the relarionships of the genus Ablaptus are discussed.

Oral insecticidal activity of root colonizing Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0: a biocontrol agent with potential to control plant pests and diseases

The application of microbial biocontrol agents for the control of fungal plant diseases and plant insect pests is a promising approach in the development of environmentally benign pest management strategies. The ideal biocontrol organism would be a bacterium or a fungus with activity against both, insect pests and fungal pathogens. Here we demonstrate the oral insecticidal activity of the root colonizing Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0, which is so far known for its capacity to efficiently suppress fungal plant pathogens. Feeding assays with CHA0-sprayed leaves showed that this strain displays oral insecticidal activity and is able to efficiently kill larvae of three important insect pests. We further show data indicating that the Fit insect toxin produced by CHA0 and also metabolites controlled by the global regulator GacA contribute to oral insect toxicity.

On the safe of pesticides in controlling the terrestrial mollusc pests

The preferred food items of the slugs Laevicaulis alte and the snails Achatina fulica were used to prepare 'poison baits'by injecting the pesticides 'Rogor'and 'Nuvan'to kill these mollusc pests. The 'poison baits'prepared with Thrichosanthes dioica and Lycopersicum esculentum were accepted by 100% individuals of both the species irrespective of the pesticides used. In all cases the slug and the snail individuals died within a considerable length of time following consuption of the bait. The importance of using 'poison bait'lies not only with the sure success in killing the pests but also with the 'safe use'of toxic materials in order to avoid environmental hazards.

Thevetia peruviana (Family: Apocynaceae) in the control of slug and snail pests

An aqueous extract prepared from Kernels of the fruit of Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) Schumann (Family : Apocynaceae) was found under experimental conditions, to be toxic ti the slug Laevicaulis alte (Férussac) and the snail Achatina fulica Bowdich, the important agrihorticultural pests of Indo-Pacific countries. Concentrations as low as 1% (w/v) killed all the slugs exposed in less than 981.00 (± SD 22.76) min, and 2% of the extract killed 100% of the slugs L. alte and 50%, 50% and 30% of the snail A. fulica in between 92.34 (± SD 6.63) - 321.33 (± SD 4.14) and 271.20 (± SD 17.54) - 298.26 (± SD 16.69) min respectively. The most effective concentration of the extract was 20%; it killed 100% of exposed slugs and snails within a short time (40-50 and 90-1440 min respectively) when the extract was exposed on the soil in experimental trays or when it was applied to potato slices offered as food to the gastropods.

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.

Revisão do gênero Paramecocephala Benvegnú, 1968 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae)

Revision of the genus Paramecocephala Benvegnú, 1968 (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae). The Neotropical genus Paramecocephala Benvegnú, 1968 is revised based on morphological characters, particularly of the genitalia of both sexes. Formerly monobasic with P. foveata Benvegnú, 1968, type species, the genus received two species recently transferred from Mecocephala Dallas, 1851: M. fusca Haglund, 1868 and M. uruguayensis Pirán, 1970. Five new species are herein described: P. australis Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov., P. bachmanni Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov., P. bergrothi Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov., P. guianensis Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov. and P. subsolana Frey-da-Silva & Grazia sp. nov. Illustrations of the genitalia, a key to the species and a distribution map are provided.

Nymphal development of Podisus nigrispinus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) preying on larvae of Anticarsia gemmatalis (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) fed with resistant and susceptible soybeans

Nymphal development of the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) fed with a susceptible (UFV 16) or an insect resistant soybean genotype (IAC 17) and with larvae of the prey Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) reared on these genotypes, was evaluated. Survival and duration of each instar and of total nymphal stage, besides weight of nymphs at the beginning of each instar and of adults of P. nigrispinus soon after emergence, were also evaluated. Nymphal survival of this predator was similar with both genotypes (64.41% for the UFV 16 and 72.88% for the IAC 17). Duration of second and fourth instars for nymphs that originated females, of fourth instar for those that originated males, of the nymphal period for males (20.21 and 17.94 days) and females (19.76 and 18.19 days) was longer on the IAC 17 than on the UFV 16. Weight of third instar nymphs (3.12 mg and 2.42 mg) for those that originated males and of fifth instar (26.20 mg and 23.86 mg) for those that originated females and female weight after emergence (65.76 mg and 58.68 mg) was lower with the IAC 17 than with the UFV 16. Sex ratio of P. nigrispinus was not affected by the resistant soybean IAC 17.

Revisão e análise cladística de Serdia Stål (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae, Pentatomini)

Treze espécies são hoje incluídas no gênero: S. apicicornis, Stål, 1860; S. beckerae Thomas & Rolston, 1985; S. calligera Stål, 1860; S. concolor Ruckes, 1958; S. costalis Ruckes, 1958; S. delphis Thomas & Rolston, 1985; S. inspersipes Stål, 1860; S. lobata Thomas & Rolston, 1985; S. rotundicornis Becker, 1967 e S. ruckesi Thomas & Rolston, 1985. Cinco novas espécies são descritas: S. indistincta sp. nov (Irai, Rio Grande do Sul), S. bicolor sp. nov (Ponta Grossa, Paraná), S. maculata sp. nov (Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro), S. máxima sp. nov (Imbituba, Santa Catarina) e S. robusta sp. nov (Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro) do Brasil. A análise cladística foi realizada usando 40 caracteres e 21 táxons. O gênero Tibilis Stål, 1860; Neotibilis Grazia & Barcellos, 1994 e Similliserdia Fortes & Grazia, 1998 foram usados como grupo-externo. A monofilia de Serdia foi sustentada por 3 sinapomorfias: ápice do escutelo com margens enegrecidas, machos com a parede da taça genital espessada com processos em aba, fêmeas com o espessamento da íntima vaginal situado na metade posterior das gonapófises 9 e projetando-se ventralmente. O subgênero Brasiliicola Kirkaldy, 1909 é considerado sinônimo junior de Serdia. São fornecidas ilustrações, mapas de distribuição geográfica e chave para as espécies.

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.