A New Species of Hexathrombium Cooreman, 1944 Based on Parasitic Larva on Erotylids from Brazil (Acari: Eutrombidiidae)

Hexathrombium abirami n. sp. (Acari: Eutrombidiidae) an ectoparasite larvae of Erotylidae (Coleoptera) from Brazil is described. A key to larval Hexathrombium is given

A Preliminary Analysis of Insects of Medico-legal Importance in Curitiba, State of Paraná

A survey of the carrion fauna was made at two sites in Curitiba, State of Paraná, with the objective of describing the insects associated with carrion and setting up a preliminary data-base for medico-legal purposes in south Brazil. Vertebrate exclusion experiments were carried out in each season between 1994 and 1995 with a 250 g laboratory-bred rat (Rattus norvegicus). Five stages of decomposition were identified: fresh, bloated, decaying, dry and adipocere-like. Some species showed seasonal and site preference and so could be used to identify the probable place and season where death took place. Sarconesia chlorogaster (Diptera, Calliphoridae) was restricted to an open field site and to cooler months. Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Diptera, Calliphoridae) and Pattonella resona (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) were restricted to the forest site and warmer months. Phaenicia eximia (Diptera, Calliphoridae) and Oxyletrum discicolle (Coleoptera, Silphidae) were present at both sites throughout the year and could be useful for population level analysis. Dissochaetus murray (Coleoptera, Cholevidae) was present throughout the year at the forest site and was associated with the adipocere-like stage. Ants played an important role producing post-mortem injuries to the carcasses. Insects of 32 species are reported as being useful in community level approaches

The Immature Stages of Protodasyapha (Protodasyapha) hirtuosa (Philippi) and their Comparison with the Immature Stages of other Pangoniini (Diptera: Tabanidae: Pangoniinae)

The terrestrial immature stages of the Chilean horse fly, Protodasyapha (Protodasyapha) hirtuosa (Philippi), are described. P.(P.) hirtuosa resembles Ectenopsis vulpecula Macquart and Caenoprosopon trichocera (Bigot) from Australia, and Esenbeckia delta Hine from North America, in both the larval and pupal stages. Some characters that are shared between these species are unique and provide evidence of their monophyletic origin. Larvae of P. hirtuosa were found 3-5 below of the soil surface and associated with larvae of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Diptera.

A checklist of arthropods associated with pig carrion and human corpses in Southeastern Brazil

Necrophagous insects, mainly Diptera and Coleoptera, are attracted to specific stages of carcass decomposition, in a process of faunistic succession. They are very important in estimating the postmortem interval, the time interval between the death and the discovery of the body. In studies done with pig carcasses exposed to natural conditions in an urban forest (Santa Genebra Reservation), located in Campinas, State of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, 4 out of 36 families of insects collected - Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae (Diptera) and Dermestidae (Coleoptera) - were considered of forensic importance, because several species were collected in large numbers both visiting and breeding in pig carcasses. Several species were also observed and collected on human corpses at the Institute of Legal Medicine. The species belonged to 17 different families, 6 being of forensic importance because they were reared from human corpses or pig carcasses: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Piophilidae (Diptera), Dermestidae, Silphidae and Cleridae (Coleoptera). The most important species were: Diptera - Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya putoria, Hemilucilia segmentaria, Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Calliphoridae), Pattonella intermutans (Sarcophagidae), Ophyra chalcogaster (Muscidae), Piophila casei (Piophilidae); Coleoptera - Dermestes maculatus (Dermestidae), Oxyletrum disciolle (Silphidae) and Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae).

Parasitic arthropods of some wild rodents from Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station, State of São Paulo, Brazil

A study of the associations between three species of rodents in the Atlantic forest and their parasitic arthropods was undertaken at the Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station, located in the State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, from March 1989 to February 1990. Individuals of three species, Oryzomys russatus, Proechimys iheringi and Nectomys squamipes were captured and examined for ectoparasites. Eleven species of parasitic arthropods were found, including four species of insects and seven of Acari. Parasitism intensity, phenology, and rainfall were positively correlated with the abundance of the ectoparasites and their hosts. The most abundant host was O. russatus (Muridae: Sigmodontinae), and the most common parasite on it was the laelapid mite Gigantolaelaps oudemansi. The cuterebrid Metacuterebra apicalis caused myiasis in O. russatus. A mutualistic association between the staphylinid beetle Amblyopinus sp. and its host P. iheringi (Echimyidae) was observed. The few N. squamipes captured had small numbers of ectoparasites.

Trichomycetes (Zygomycota) in the digestive tract of arthropods in Amazonas, Brazil

Eight species of Harpellales and three species of Eccrinales (Zygomycota: Trichomycetes) were found associated with the digestive tract of arthropods from terrestrial and aquatic environments in the central Amazon region of Brazil. New species of Harpellales include: Harpella amazonica, Smittium brasiliense, Genistellospora tropicalis in Simuliidae larvae and Stachylina paucispora in Chironomidae larvae. Axenic cultures of S. brasiliense were obtained. Probable new species of Enterobryus (Eccrinales), Harpella, and Stachylina (Harpellales) are described but not named. Also reported are the previously known species of Eccrinales, Passalomyces compressus and Leidyomyces attenuatus in adult Coleoptera (Passalidae), and Smittium culisetae and Smittium aciculare (Harpellales) in Culicidae and Simuliidae larvae, respectively. Comments on the distribution of some of these fungi and their hosts in the Neotropics are provided.

Biodiversitat de coleòpters i el seu paper com a plagues i com a agents de control biològic en un conreu de cítrics ecològics

El present treball estudiarà la comunitat d’espècies Coleoptera d’un camp de cítrics situat a la Selva de Camp, Tarragona, durant el període de temps dels anys 2002 fins al 2011. Els Coleoptera és l’ordre animal conegut comunament com els “escarabats” i és el més abundant i variat de tot el regne animal. Els estudis realitzats són pocs i, normalment, de les espècies més abundants (sobretot la família Coccinellidae). Totes les espècies d’aquest ordre presenten unes característiques típiques (García et al., 1989). (1) Presenten una cutícula dura, rígida i quitinitzada, amb el primer parell d’ales endurides (èlitres). Gran protecció als traumes físics. (2) Tenen una gran capacitat per retenir la humitat degut a que els estigmes s’obren els èlitres i eviten la pèrdua d’aigua per transpiració. (3) Presenten mandíbules mastegadores, adaptables i utilitzables per a una gran varietat de funcions (Chinery, 1988). (4) Algunes espècies poden acumular substàncies tòxiques a l’organisme. Presenten un règim alimentari fitòfag o micòfag, per norma general, tot i que també es poden trobar espècies sapròfagues o depredadores. És per aquest motiu que les espècies de Coleoptera podrien presentar un paper important com a potencial plagues o com a possible control biològic (Zahradnik, 1990). Durant moltes dècades, els plaguicides han constituït una lluita química contra les plagues dels cultius agrícoles, obtenint molt bons resultats en quant a manteniment i qualitat de les collites. No obstant, la seva utilització deliberada ha constituït en molts casos una important font de contaminació del territori. La seva gran mobilitat i persistència ha originat efectes de bioacumulació i biomagnificació a les xarxes tròfiques dels essers vius presents en aquestes zones. Actualment, per evitar tots aquests problemes ocasionats pels productes sintètics, el control biològic de plagues constitueix un dels principals pilars de la protecció moderna de cultius (Jacas et al., 2005). Se sap que les formigues tenen un doble rol molt important a les comunitats vegetals (poden ser mutualistes o depredadors generalistes), fent que la presència o absència d’aquestes pugui tenir efectes potencials sobre l’abundància d’altres artròpodes (James et al., 1999). És per aquest motiu que al present treball es realitzen experiments amb dos tipus d’arbres, els que presenten formigues i els que les formigues s’han exclòs experimentalment. Així doncs, els objectius del present treball són: - Descriure quantitativament la Comunitat de Coleoptera no Coccinellidae. - Descriure els canvis que s’han produït en la comunitat de Coleoptera al llarg de 10 anys. - Valorar la importància de les diferents espècies i/o famílies com a components de la biodiversitat d’un conreu ecològic. - Descriure els efectes sobre la comunitat de Coleoptera no Coccinellidae de la presència o absència de formgiues. - Valorar la importància de les diferents espècies i/o famílies com a possibles plagues o com a agents de control biològic.

Artrópodos associados à copa de Attalea phalerata Mart. (Arecaceae), na região do Pantanal de Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brasil

Six individuals of the palm A. phalerata, in Poconé floodplains of Mato Grosso, were sprayed with a synthetic pyrethroid (0.25% concentration) in order to study the biomass, diversity, and richness of the canopy arthropods. A total of 17,188 (238.7±80.6 ind./m²) arthropods belonging to 22 Orders, was collected in a 72 m² funnel area. Two hours after spraying, 58.9% of the total number fell into the funnels, 37.6% was obtained by shaking the trees, and finally, 3.5% after cutting and washing all the palm leaves. The Coleoptera (27.4%), Hymenoptera-Formicidae (19.0%), Collembola (13.6%), Psocoptera (10.7%), Diptera (9.0%) and Araneae (6.4%) were the predominant. The total biomass was 15.1 g dry weight (0.4mg/m²; 0.13+0.04/tree). A total of 4,715 beetles representing 48 families and 326 morphospecies were obtained. Tenebrionidae (22.9%), Curculionidae (22.0%), Carabidae (10.9%) and Staphylinidae (7.9%) were the most abundant, while Curculionidae (44 spp.), Staphylinidae (40 spp.) and Chrysomelidae (34 spp.) presented the largest number of morphospecies. Herbivores (37.5%) were the dominant in the trophic guilds of adult Coleoptera, followed by predators (35.4%), fungivores (14.6%), and saprophages (12.5%). Although most arthropod Orders were represented in all the palms sampled, analysis of variance showed no significant differences in their composition, however there was a significant difference in their frequency of occurrence.

Utilização de bioensaios e marcadores moleculares para detecção da resistência de coleópteros de produtos armazenados a inseticidas

The qualitative and quantitative losses caused by stored product insects are of great concern, and since there is only a few active ingredients available for their control it is very important to have a frequent insect resistance monitoring. The objective of this research is to evaluate combination of bioassays and molecular marker techniques to detect insecticide resistance in stored product beetles. The Coleoptera species used for the tests were Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Curculionidae), Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Bostrichidae) and Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Silvanidae). For the bioassays it was used the impregnated filter paper technique, applying 1 mL of deltamethrin (K-Obiol 25 CE TM) using four concentrations and five replicates, including a control with solvent only. Ten adults of each species were liberated separately on each dish. The mortality was evaluated after 24 h and resistance determined by probit analysis. The samples used for the PCR-RAPD were either in vivo or preserved in 70% ethanol, kept in -18°C freezer. After extraction, quantification and DNA quality analysis, the 25 µL samples had the DNA amplified and tested with six primers. The bioassays showed a crescent mortality proportional to insecticide concentration. The resistance factor for R. dominica, S. zeamais and S. oryzae were: 2,2; 3,2 and 9,2, respectively, compared to the susceptible populations of each species. The PCR-RAPD analysis revealed bands which indicate inter and intraspecific variability in the populations, but it was not possible to correlate them to resistance. The association of bioassay and PCR-RAPD represents a precise and valuable tool for resistance management of stored product insects, but more populations and primers should be tested.

Comparação dos sistemas de cultivo nativo e adensado de erva mate, Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil., quanto à ocorrência e flutuação populacional de insetos

This research was carried out in order to compare the occurrence of insects in two maté cultivation systems, native and high tree density. It was performed from August/2000 to September/2001, in a private property in São Mateus do Sul county, in Paraná State, Brazil. Visual inspections of trees and light traps were used to evaluate insect populations in both areas. For Hedypathes betulinus (Klug) (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), only six adults were observed in the dense area. Based on presence of sawdust at the basis of the trunk, it was obtained that the number of attacked trees did not surpass 11% in either area. For Gyropsylla spegazziniana (Lizer y Trelles) (Hemiptera, Psyllidae), the number of galls per tree was counted and it was observed that the population peak occurred from November to January. For Hylesia spp. (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) and Thelosia camina Schaus (Lepidoptera, Eupterotidae), the presence of caterpillars on the trees was noticed from September to February, with the population peak in November and December. Adults of Hylesia spp. were more numerous in February and March. Two species that were not previously recorded for Brazil on maté were identified: Hylesia paulex Dognin (83%) and Hylesia remex Dyer (17%), collected with light traps. The maté caterpillar, T. camina was not collected with these traps. Nymphs and adults of Ceroplastes grandis Hempel (Hemiptera, Coccidae) were observed along the year on the branches, with population peak between April and June for the nymphs and from September to November for the adults. It should be considered that despite higher insect incidence in the dense area compared to the native area, the first presents higher yield, and that with a good pest management program the insect problems can be minimized.

Terrestrial arthropods from tree canopies in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Terrestrial arthropods from tree canopies in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil. This study represents a contribution to the knowledge of the diversity of arthropods associated to the canopy of Vochysia divergens Pohl (Vochysiaceae). Three trees individuals were sampled during two seasonal periods in this region: a) by spraying one tree canopy during high water (February); b) by fogging two tree canopies during low water (September/October). The 15,744 arthropods (183.2±38.9 individuals/m²) obtained from all three trees (86 m²) represented 20 taxonomic orders, 87.1% were Insecta, and 12.9% Arachnida. The dominant groups were Hymenoptera (48.5%; 88.9 individuals/m²), mostly Formicidae (44.5%; 81.4 individuals/m²), followed by Coleoptera (14.0%; 25.5 individuals/m²) and Araneae (10.2%; 19.5 individuals/m²), together representing 62.5% of the total catch. Fourteen (70%) of all orders occurred on three trees. Dermaptera, Isoptera, Neuroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera and Trichoptera were collected from only one tree. Of the total, 2,197 adult Coleoptera collected (25.5±11.3 individuals/m²), 99% were assigned to 32 families and 256 morphospecies. Nitidulidae (17.9% of the total catch; 4.6 individuals/m²), Anobiidae (16.7%; 4.3 individuals/m²), Curculionidae (13.2%; 3.4 individuals/m²) and Meloidae (11.4%; 2.9 individuals/m²) dominated. The communitiy of adult Coleoptera on V. divergens indicated a dominance of herbivores (37.8% of the total catch, 127 spp.) and predators (35.2%, 82 spp.), followed by saprophages (16.2%, 32 spp.) and fungivores (10.8%, 15 spp.). The influence of the flood pulse on the community of arboreal arthropods in V. divergens is indicated by the seasonal variation in evaluated groups, causing changes in their structure and composition.

A new species of Cervellus Szépligeti (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Braconinae) with biological notes

A new Cervellus species is described from Brazil. The male to this genus is described for the first time as well its cocoon is illustrated. The specimens parasitize the papaya borer weevil Pseudopiazurus obesus (Boheman, 1838) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) associated with Carica papaya Linnaeus, 1753 (Caricaceae) at Rio Grande do Norte and Bahia Brazilian States.

Insect feeding preferences on Piperaceae species observed in São Paulo city, Brazil

Piperaceae species have been placed among the basal angiosperm and are adapted to a variety of habitats including moist forests, secondary vegetation and dry high lands. The major anatomical/morphology features are of small trees, vines, and shrubs for Piper species, while the epiphytic and succulent characteristics are predominant forms among Peperomia species. Their secondary chemistry can be mostly represented by amides, phenylpropanoids/lignoids, and chromenes in addition to a phletoria of biosynthetically mixed-origin secondary compounds. Although several amides and lignans are known as insecticides, several phytophagous insects, among which some considered pests of economic importance, have been observed feeding vigorously on Piperaceae species. Herein we describe the feeding preferences of fourteen phytophagous species of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hemiptera over approximately fifty Piperaceae species observed in São Paulo, SP, Brazil, in a long-term basis.

Insects of forensic importance from Rio Grande do Sul state in southern Brazil

The experiment was conducted throughout the year 2005, at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas campus. The objectives of the study were to analyze the decomposition of rabbit (Oryctolagus cunniculus L.) with mean weight 2.67 Kg carcass and describe the interaction of insects acting on it, as well as the insect's potential use in legal medicine. We collected 5.239 insect specimens; 1.827 of them were obtained from larvae collected from carcasses and reared. The specimens were identified and 20 species were of forensic importance. The species Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann, 1819) and Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) were better indicators of post-mortem interval (PMI) because they occurred in all seasons and were the first to reach the carcass. Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Rondani, 1850), H. segmentaria (Fabricius, 1805) (Diptera, Calliphoridae), Muscina stabulans (Fallén, 1817) and Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Wulp, 1883) (Diptera, Muscidae) can disclose death time because they occur only in certain months of the year. Oxyletrum discicolle (Brullé, 1840) (Coleoptera, Silphidae) and Dermestes maculates De Geer, 1774 (Coleoptera, Desmestidae) were found in advanced stages of decomposition.

Harmonia axyridis: a threat to Brazilian Coccinellidae?

Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) is a polyphagous Asian species, well-known as a classical biological control agent of aphids around the world, introduced probably accidentally in Brazil, sampled for the first time in 2002. It is an important intraguild predator, competing for food with native coccinellids. It was studied H. axyridis alimentary sources and host plants, its abundance compared with native and established species, the influence of abiotic factors and the seasons over the abundance of H. axyridis throughout one year, and discussed the mechanisms which influence the displacement of species. Harmonia axyridis was found in 38 plant species, among them 20 were new records, feeding on 20 aphid species, eight of them new alimentary records. Between 2006/2007, eight Coccinellidae species were collected and H. axyridis was the most abundant (91.23%). Harmonia axyridis peak of abundance occurred in August and September 2007, probably influenced by the temperature and food availability. From 1999 to 2007 a reduction and variation in the diversity of collected species of Coccinellidae were observed with the predominance of H. axyridis, which may indicate their displacement.