Encontro do parasita Hemencyrtus herbertii (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) em Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) no Brasil

Relata-se a primeira ocorrência de Hemencyrtus herbertii parasitando pupas de Musca domestica em fezes humanas no Brasil.

Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Acari, Macrochelidae) and a species of Uroseius (Acari, Polyaspididae) phoretic on Musca domestica (Diptera, Muscidae): effects on dispersal and colonization of poultry manure

Differences in the phoresy of the mites Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli, 1972) (Macrochelidae) and Uroseius sp. (Polyaspidae) on the house fly, Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1758) and the similarities in their phoretic dispersal and parasitism are discussed, altogether with the effects on predator-prey interactions. The prevalence and intensity of phoresy in the mite species were significantly related to the attachment site on the hosts. The phoresy of Uroseius sp. was correlated with temperature but not with rainfall and relative humidity. Selective pressure in the environment resulted in displacement and the emergence of local and regional populations. These results suggest that in each habitat the populations will use different resources and will show several relationships with other species, as well as a selection for morphological and behavioral types.

The effect of refuge on Dermestes ater (Coleoptera : Dermestidae) predation on Musca domestica (Diptera : Muscidae): Refuge for prey or the predator?

It is believed that habitat heterogeneity can change the extent of predator-prey interactions. Therefore, in this study we examined the effect of habitat heterogeneity (characterized here as an addition of refuge) on D. ater predation on M. domestica. Predation of D. ater on M. domestica larvae was carried out in experimental habitats with and without refuge, and examined at different prey densities. The number of prey eaten by beetles over 24 h of predator-prey interaction was recorded, and we investigated the strength of interaction between prey and predator in both experimental habitats by determining predator functional response. The mean number of prey eaten by beetles in the presence of refuge was significantly higher than in the absence of refuge. Females had greater weight gains than males. Logistic regression analyses revealed the type II functional response for both experimental habitats, even though data did not fit well into the random predator model. Results suggest that the addition of refuge in fact enhanced predation, as prey consumption increased in the presence of refuge. Predators kept in the presence of refuge also consumed more prey at high prey densities. Thus, we concluded that the addition of refuge was an important component mediating D. ater-M. domestica population interactions. Refuge actually acted as a refuge for predators from prey, since prey behaviors detrimental to predators were reduced in this case.

Prey choice by Nesticodes rumpes (Araneae, Theridiidae) on Musca domestica (Diptera, Muscidae) and Dermestes ater (Coleoptera, Dermestidae)

Nesticodes rufipes is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, being strongly associated with humans. However, few behavioral and ecological studies have investigated interspecific interactions between these spiders and insects of medical and veterinary importance. Here, we have investigated prey choice by N. rufipes when two different prey species, Musca domestica and Dermestes ater, were offered simultaneously. We also quantified the capture of these prey types by this predator in a poultry house and analyzed the association between prey-choice with physical characteristics of the prey. Finally, we discuss whether there is an antagonistic intraguild interaction in such a system composed of N. rufipes (top predator), D. ater (predator of larvae of M. domestica and prey of N. rufipes) and M. domestica (N. rufipes' prey). We found that Musca domestica were more abundant than D. ater in N. rufipes webs in the poultry house. Spiders given a choice of adults of M. domestica plus adults of D. ater, and also on adults plus larvae of M. domestica, preyed more on adult flies than on the other prey types. This preference was probably associated with the lesser mass and shorter lengths of adult flies. Our experiments demonstrated that the predation impact of N. rufipes on D. ater is low when compared to M. domestica. This result provides evidence that an antagonistic interaction between these predators does not occur, suggesting that they are in fact acting either synergistically or additively on M. domestica prey.

Population dynamics of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae): experimental and theoretical studies at different temperatures

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

Stochastic dynamics of Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) and Chrysomya putoria (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

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

Consequences of refuge for the functional response of Dermestes ater (Coleoptera : Dermestidae) to Musca domestica (Diptera : Muscidae)

It is well known that a predator has the potential to regulate a prey population only if the predator responds to increases in prey density and inflicts greater mortality rates. Predators may cause such density-dependent mortality depending on the nature of the functional and numerical responses. Yet, few studies have examined the relationship between the addition of refuges and the characteristic of functional response fits. We investigated whether addition of a refuge changed the type of functional response exhibited by Dermestes ater on Musca domestica, comparing the inherent ability of D. ater to kill houseflies in the absence and in the presence of refuge. An additional laboratory experiment was also carried out to assess handling and searching times exhibited by D. ater. Logistic regression analyses revealed a type III functional response for predator-prey interaction without refuge, and results were described by the random predator equation. The mean number of prey killed did not differ between experimental habitats, indicating that the addition of refuge did not inhibit predation. However, predators that interacted with prey without refuge spent less time searching for prey at higher densities, increasing predatory interaction. We concluded that this interaction may be weak, because data from experiments with refuge fitted poorly to models. However, the high variability and the nonsignificance of the data from the experiment with refuge show the importance of refuge for promoting spatial heterogeneity, which may prevent prey extinction.

Musca domestica as a host for mass rearing of parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Isolation of fungi in Musca domestica Linnaeus, 1758 (Diptera: Muscidae) captured at two natural breeding grounds in the municipality of Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The objective of this study was to isolate and identify fungal species found in natural association with adults of Musca domestica. The adult insects were collected from two natural breeding grounds: hog pens and an urban sanitary landfill. The isolated fungi were identified as: Aspergillus flavus (23.8%), A. niger var. niger (14.4%), Penicillium corylophilum (21.4%), P. fellutanum (11.9%), Cladosporium cladosporoides (4.7%), Fusarium sp. (4.7%), Alternaria alternata (11.9%), Curvularia brachyspora (2.4%), Mycelia sterilia (2.4%) and the Mucorales order (2.4%).

Phenology of Spalangia endius Walker (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) in pupae of Musca domestica Linnaeus (Diptera, Muscidae) under laboratory conditions

This work describes the phenology of Spalangia endius Walker in pupae of Musca domestica Linnaeus under laboratory conditions. In order to understand the developmental cycle of Spalangia endius under laboratory conditions, 360 Musca domestica pupae aged from 24 to 48 hours were exposed to 15 S. endius pairs for a period of 24 hours at 26 ± 2ºC. These pupae were kept in a BOD incubator at the same temperature, with a relative humidity of <70%, and 12 hours photophase. Fifteen hymenopteran specimens were dissected daily to evaluate their stage and development time. The phenology concluded that S. endius had a development cycle of 19 days with an incubation period of 24 hours. The development of the larvae of S. endius occurred in the subsequent eight days, during which a series of morphological alterations were observed. The pre-pupal stage occurred on the tenth day, where the movement ceased and elimination of the meconium started. The pupal stage occurred from the 11th to the 19th day, with emergence of males first, followed by female emergence approximately 24 hours later. These results allowed the evaluation of aspects of the detailed bionomics of the development of S. endius in order to record and program production of this parasitoid, thus optimizing its utilization as a biological control agent.

Interaction between Musca domestica L. and its predator Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (Diptera, Muscidae): effects of prey density and food source abundance

Interaction between Musca domestica L. and its predator Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (Diptera, Muscidae): Effects of prey density and food source abundance. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of prey density and food source abundance on the predatory behavior of Muscina stabulans over M. domestica. Three predator/prey proportions were evaluated (1:1, 1:3 and 1:6), using 100 third instar predator larvae against second instar prey larvae. Each proportion was maintained using three different levels of food substrate (25, 50 and 100 g). The experiments were carried out in triplicate in BOD incubators (25ºC, UR 70% ± 10% and 12 h photoperiod). The mortality of the M. domestica larvae was 100% under all conditions, except in the 1:6 predator/prey proportion, at the 50g and 100g food substrate levels, where it was 99.99% and 99.22%, respectively. There was a significant increase in the development period of M. stabulans in relation to the increase in prey density and decrease in quantity of food substrate. An increase in the proportion of individuals and a reduction in the amount of resource slowed down larval development. Muscina stabulans pupal weight was proportional to the increase in prey density and the amount of food substrate. The proportion or the density influenced the survival of M. stabulans, with no difference in relation to the amount of food source and consequently in the interaction of the factors. There was no difference between the 1:1 and 1:3 predator-prey densities, with both differing from the 1:6 density.

Cloning, purification and comparative characterization of two digestive lysozymes from Musca domestica larvae

cDNA coding for two digestive lysozymes (MdL1 and MdL2) of the Musca domestica housefly was cloned and sequenced. MdL2 is a novel minor lysozyme, whereas MdL1 is the major lysozyme thus far purified from M. domestica midgut. MdL1 and MdL2 were expressed as recombinant proteins in Pichia pastoris, purified and characterized. The lytic activities of MdL1 and MdL2 upon Micrococcus lysodeikticus have an acidic pH optimum (4.8) at low ionic strength (μ = 0.02), which shifts towards an even more acidic value, pH 3.8, at a high ionic strength (μ = 0.2). However, the pH optimum of their activities upon 4-methylumbelliferyl N-acetylchitotrioside (4.9) is not affected by ionic strength. These results suggest that the acidic pH optimum is an intrinsic property of MdL1 and MdL2, whereas pH optimum shifts are an effect of the ionic strength on the negatively charged bacterial wall. MdL2 affinity for bacterial cell wall is lower than that of MdL1. Differences in isoelectric point (pI) indicate that MdL2 (pI = 6.7) is less positively charged than MdL1 (pI = 7.7) at their pH optima, which suggests that electrostatic interactions might be involved in substrate binding. In agreement with that finding, MdL1 and MdL2 affinities for bacterial cell wall decrease as ionic strength increases.

Diferença entre as espécies de Timbó ( Derris Spp., Fabaceae) de diferentes regiões da Amazônia no controle da Musca domestica L.

O pó das raízes das espécies de timbó coletadas em diferentes regiões da Amazônia, testado em agrupamentos de larvas, não produziu efeito diferencial significativo entre duas linhagens de Musca domestica. As duas espécies com maior número de plantas empregadas foram Derris nicou e Denis urucu; seus representantes são provenientes de regiões que foram consideradas como "refúgios florestais", durante o plcistoceno na Amazônia. Dentro de cada espécie, as plantas variaram, desde aquelas ineficientes, até as que foram altamente letais no controle das moscas. Esta capacidade diferencial no controle das larvas entre plantas da mesma espécie, originadas de regiões diferentes, sugere que ambas as espécies devem ter apresentado isolamento de suas populações, durante esta época do quaternário. Nas regiões ou "refúgios florestais", onde essas espécies estiveram representadas, D. urucu foi superior a D. nicou na capacidade de controlar as larvas. Enquanto, entre as plantas da região F (refúgio do Leste-peruano), do Estado do Acre, as duas espécies apresentaram convergência de valores, dos danos produzidos nos agrupamentos de larvas. Entre as outras espécies, Derris sp. (timbó amarelo ou melancia) não apresentou entre as amostras provenientes de duas regiões, diferenças nos efeitos às larvas; enquanto, a espécie introduzida na Amazônia, Derris elliptica, mostrou danos nos agrupamentos de larvas, semelhantes a algumas das melhores plantas de D. nicou e D. urucu.

Teores de rotenona em Clones de Timbó (Derris Spp. Fabaceae) de diferentes regiões da Amazônia e os seus efeitos na emergência de Imagos em Musca Domestica L

A análise dos teores de rotenona, em clones de três espécies de timbó, permitiram a classificação destas plantas de acordo com as suas eficiências no controle de larvas de Musca domestica. Os resultados evidenciaram correlações significativas entre os teores de rotenona apresentados pelos clones de Derris urucu e de Derris nicou, com relação a capacidade de controle das larvas. As plantas com os maiores teores de rotenona foram as mais eficientes. O conteúdo de rotenona, os efeitos dos clones das espécies de Derris nas moscas, além dos locais de origem das plantas, mostraram que deve ter ocorrido entre estes timbós, a existência de isolamento populacional, durante a época do pleistoceno na Amazônia. Em Derris sp., que apresentou menor teor de rotenona, sendo ineficiente no controle das larvas, estas diferenças não foram assinaladas.

Búsqueda de pesticidas naturales aplicables a la producción orgánica: Aislamiento e identificación de principios insecticidas y herbicidas en Flourensia oolepis y Dolichandra cynanchoides y desarrollo de un insecticida natural contra moscas (Musca domestica)

Los productos sintéticos destinados a controlar plagas y enfermedades en los vegetales han tenido un rol muy marcado en el incremento de la producción agrícola, sin embargo el uso continuo e indiscriminado de estas sustancias, ha causado enfermedades, muertes por envenenamiento, ha afectado al medio ambiente acumulándose por bioconcentración en los distintos eslabones de la cadena alimenticia, en el suelo, y en el agua, siendo además responsables de la resistencia de distintas plagas y enfermedades. Bajo estas circunstancias nuevas vías de control de plagas deben ser estudiadas. En los últimos años se está retornando al uso de las plantas como fuente de pesticidas más seguros para el medio ambiente y la salud humana en sustitución de los productos sintéticos. Numerosos componentes del reino vegetal han demostrado ser altamente tóxicos contra un amplio espectro de insectos y microorganismos, lo que puede ser aprovechado para el control de los mismos. A partir de un screening de 28 plantas autóctonas de la zona central de Argentina, hemos seleccionado aquellas más efectivas como son Flourensia oolepis, Dolichandra cynanchoides para el aislamiento bioguiado de sus principios activos con acción insecticida y herbicida. También se buscan sustancias o mezcla de sustancias naturales que controlen moscas (Musca domestica) con el fin de desarrollar un insecticida que sea compatible con la industria alimenticia.