Compared nymphal development of Tingis americana (Hemiptera, Tingidae) in two Handroanthus species (Bignoniaceae) and reproductive parameters in seedlings of Handroanthus heptaphyllus

Nymphs and adults of Tingis americana Drake, 1922 were found feeding on leaves of Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Vell.) Mattos and Handroanthus chrysotrichus (Mart. ex A. DC.) Mattos in the Botanic Garden, Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This is the first record of T. americana on these host plants and in the southern Brazil. We aimed to compare the nymphal development on both hosts and to analyze the reproductive parameters on H. heptaphyllus (25 ± 1ºC; 60 ± 10% RH; 16 h photophase). The mean nymphal period (days) was shorter in individuals reared on H. heptaphyllus (12.69 ± 0.076) than on H. chrysotrichus (19.11 ± 0.208) (P < 0.0001), however, nymph viability was similar. On H. heptaphyllus, the mean embryonic period lasted 12.32 ± 0.274 days and the egg viability was 92%. The mean total and daily fecundity were 310.0 ± 19.40 eggs/female and 7.46 ± 0.302 eggs/female/day, respectively. Paired males and females showed similar longevity (P = 0.0691), while unpaired females lived longer than unpaired males (P = 0.0460).

New records of Paracrias Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) as parasitoids on weevil larvae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in Brazil, with the description of a new species

Paracrias strii Schauff, 1985 and P. ceratophaga Palmieri & Hansson sp. nov. are first record in Brazil and both are associated with Ceratopus Schoenherr larvae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) reared from syconia of two species of fig-trees. Both Paracrias species are diagnosed and illustrated. Males of P. ceratophaga sp. nov. are described. The association of Paracrias with weevil larvae is briefly discussed.

Description of two new species of Plesiopelma (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Theraphosinae) from Argentina

Two new species of Plesiopelma Pocock, 1901 from northern Argentina are described and diagnosed based on males and habitat descriptions are presented. Males of Plesiopelma paganoi sp. nov. differ from most of species by the absence of spiniform setae on the retrolateral face of cymbium, aspect of the palpal bulb. Plesiopelma aspidosperma sp. nov. differs from most species of the genus by the presence of spiniform setae on the retrolateral face of cymbium and it can be distinguished from P. myodes Pocock, 1901, P. longisternale (Schiapelli & Gerschman, 1942) and P. rectimanum (Mello-Leitão, 1923) by the separated palpal bulb keels and basal nodule of metatarsus I very developed. It differs from P. minense (Mello-Leitão, 1943) by the shape of the palpal bulb and basal nodule on metatarsus I well developed. Specimens were captured in Salta province, Argentina, inhabiting high cloud forests of Yungas eco-region.

Three new species of Neodrassex (Araneae, Gnaphosidae) from Brazil

Three new species of Neodrassex Ott, 2012 are described from Brazil: N. cachimbo sp. nov. from state of Pará, N. nordeste sp. nov. from state of Piauí and N. ibirapuita sp. nov. from state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Contributions on Gargaphia (Heteroptera, Tingidae) systematics: redescriptions of two South American species with considerations on the status of G. inca

Gargaphia inca Monte, 1943 was synonymized with G. opima Drake, 1931 without any declared reasons. Gargaphia inca is known only from its type location (Satipo, Peru), and G. opima from Colombia (Villavencio) and Peru (Cam. Del Pichis, type-locality), in addition to the new records here presented, including the first record for Ecuador. Both species are redescribed, and the status of G. inca is revisited and raised from synonymy. Illustrations of some of the most remarkable differences between these taxa are provided, as well as dorsal habitus images. Discussions on the genus systematic status and this nomenclatural act are presented.

A new species of Leiostracus from Bahia, Brazil (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Orthalicidae)

A remarkable new species of pulmonate snail was recently collected in a small Atlantic Rainforest fragment near the city of Canavieiras, state of Bahia, Brazil, an area known for a high diversity of land snails. It is described herein as Leiostracus fetidus sp. nov. and can be easily identified by its color pattern of irregular brown to black axial stripes on a white to yellow background, a reddish axial band "separating" the white peristome from the rest of the shell and a broad brown spiral band surrounding the umbilical region. Other diagnostic features include a relatively small size, a proto columellar fold and two very weak folds delimiting the basal region of the aperture. This discovery is a reminder of how little this fauna is known and also an alarm for proper conservation of these forest fragments.

New species of Rhaphiptera (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) from the Caatinga biome

A new species of Cerambycidae (Lamiinae) is described and illustrated from the Brazilian semi-arid of northeastern Brazil. Rhaphiptera delmari sp. nov. is recorded from Morro do Chapéu municipality in the Bahia State.

A new species of Aleiodes (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Rogadinae) from Brazil, with biological notes

Aleiodes Wesmael is the most diverse rogadine genus, with koinobiont endoparasitic development in Lepidoptera caterpillars resulting in mummification of the host remains. Aleiodes japi sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Type specimens of the new species were reared from Physocleora grosica and Ischnopteris sp. (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Ennominae) larvae. Host larvae were collected on Alchornea triplinervia (Euphorbiaceae) at the Reserva Biológica Municipal da Serra do Japi, Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. This is the second species of circumscriptus/gastritror group described from Brazil.

A new species of Tmesiphantes (Araneae, Theraphosidae) from the state of Pará, Brazil

A new species of Tmesiphantes Simon, 1892, T. aridai sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on three males and three females collected at the Floresta Nacional do Tapajós, Santarém, state of Pará, Brazil. Males can be distinguished from T. perp Guadanucci & Silva, 2012 by the palpal bulb with an inconspicous tegular basal projection, but presenting a very slender embolus with shorter keels not extending to the tip, and from T. nubilus Simon, 1892 by the tibial apophysis with two similarly sized branches, the prolateral one with a strong spine on the retrolateral margin. Females resemble T. nubilus by the aspect of the seminal receptacle but the constriction near the apex is less evident and apex shape is irregular. The new species represents the first record of Tmesiphantes from the Amazonian region, bringing the total number of species to eight.

Occurrence of Hirudinea species in a post urban reach of a Patagonian mountain stream

Temporal (May 2005 to February 2006) and habitat distribution (pools and riffles) of Hirudinea species was analyzed at a post urban reach from Esquel stream (Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina). Site was located 5.7 km downstream a Waste Treatment Plant. Mean values of nutrients: ammonia, nitrates and soluble reactive phosphate, as well water conductivity, turbidity and total suspended solids indicated physical and organic pollution. Leeches assemblage was composed by the glossiphonids: Helobdella scutifera Blanchard, 1900, H. michaelseni (Blanchard, 1900), H. simplex (Moore, 1911), Helobdella sp., H. hyalina Ringuelet, 1942, H. obscura Ringuelet, 1942 and the semiscolecid Patagoniobdella variabilis (Blanchard, 1900). From these H. hyalina and H. obscura are new records for Chubut province. Helobdella hyalina (810 ind.m-2) and H. simplex (465 ind. m-2) clearly dominated the assemblage at the reach. Only H. simplex displayed a spatial preference being significantly more abundant in pools than in riffle habitats (p<0.001). Species recruitment occurred mostly at September, December and March when juveniles were very abundant. Although several species of Helobdella were able to live in the disturbed section of the stream, only H. simplex and H. hyalina sustained large populations at the site and can be considered as tolerant to organic enrichment. This information is valuable to future studies on stream condition assessment in mountainous areas in Patagonia, and in other areas in which these species are present.

A new species of Andocaeculus (Acari, Caeculidae) from the Pampa biome, southern Brazil

A new caeculid species Andocaeculus caioi sp. nov. is described from Pampa biome in south Brazil. The species of this family are usually large and strong sclerotized mites with robust and spinulose legs I and II. Until now records of species for South America were known only from Chile and Argentina.

A new species of Leiostracus (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Orthalicoidea) from Espírito Santo, Brazil

A remarkable new species of pulmonate land snail was found in the collection of the Senckenberg Forschungninstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt (Frankfurt am Main, Germany) and is described here as Leiostracus faerie sp. nov. It can be easily identified by its small and translucent shell with fine axial light brown bands and its protoconch sculpture. It was collected in the Rio Doce ("Doce River") region in Espírito Santo, Brazil, an area known for a high diversity and endemicity of land snails. This discovery shows how little this fauna is known and reinforces the importance of museum collections in the study of biodiversity and conservation.

On a new genus and species of Hemicytheridae (Ostracoda, Crustacea) from the southern Brazilian coast

This study is based on 62 samples of phytal and bottom sediments collected along rocky beaches (< 3 m water depth) of the central and northern coasts of the state of Santa Catarina (26º10'/27º50'S – 48º26'/48º40'W), southern Brazil. Living and dead ostracodes distributed among 16 families were recovered. In this paper is emphasized one new hemicytherid genus and species that is described and richly illustrated: Auricythere sublitoralis gen. nov. and sp. nov. Some ecological and zoogeographical aspects of this new ostracode are briefly discussed.

A new species of Fernandezina (Araneae, Palpimanidae) from southern Brazil

A new species of Fernandezina Birabén, 1951, F. nica sp. nov. is described from Rio Grande do Sul state, in southern Brazil. Fernandezina pulchra Birabén, 1951, is registered for Brazil and a new geographic record in Brazil is presented for F. pelta Platnick, 1975.