Last Instar Larvae And Pupae Of Ourocnemis Archytas And Anteros Formosus (lepidoptera: Riodinidae), With A Summary Of Known Host Plants For The Tribe Helicopini.

Last instar larvae and pupae of Ourocnemis archytas (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) are described for the first time and compared with those of Anteros formosus, which are also described in detail. Last instars of both species present body covered with long white plumose setae, a row of orange balloon setae on the prothoracic shield, and clusters of perforated cupola organs (PCOs) near the spiracles; differences are the black cephalic capsule, the placement and format of balloon setae cluster, and the presence of enlarged black tips on some plumose setae. Pupae of O. archytas resemble that of Anteros, covered with the last instar setae and with no balloon setae. Characteristics of the immature stages of these two genera could be useful to establish the still unresolved relationship between them. A summary of the host plants of Helicopini is presented, showing a polyphagous pattern for Anteros, recorded in 21 host plant families, which contrasts with the specialized diet observed in Helicopis and Sarota. 

Tetrastichus giffardianus on pupae of Anastrepha in Brazil.

2016

Midgut of Lepidopteran pupae is a major depot of sequestered, mobilizable, ecdysteroids

Extirpation of endocrine organs - a classic maneuver in hormonal research - has been difficult or impossible in the case of the prothoracic glands (PG) of insects. In larval and pupal Lepidoptera the glands are virtually inaccessible unless one sacrifices the insect. Even then, the PG are not easy to remove in their entirety. Consequently, in order to obtain viable preparations lacking PG, one costomarily makes use of abdomens isolated by litigation or surgery.

Effect of precocene II, ecdysone and juvenile Hormone on the glicogen concentration in pupae of Stomocys calcitram (Diptera muscidae)

Third instar larvae of Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) were treated with precocene II, ecdysone and juvenile hormone. The larvae were allowed to develop until pupation and when it occurred, determination of glycogen levels was assayed. The administration of those three substances have interfered on the clycogen concentration. the precocene II causing a decrease whereas the ecdysone and juvenile hormone causing an increase. The ecdysone administered together withprecocene II reverses the effect of the latter. This does not happen when precocene II is administered together with the juvenile hormone. Ecdysone administered together with juvenilehormone causes reduction of the glycogen concentration.

Sexing sand fly pupae (Diptera: Psychodidade: Phlebotominae)

We describe a technique to separate male and female pupae of sand flies. This has reduced the labour to separate flies after emergence and also allows the isolation of unmated adults for behavioural and physiological studies.

Blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Southern Guyana with keys for the identification of adults and pupae: a review

A revision is made of the previously poorly studied blackfly fauna from the south-western border of Guyana with Brazil. Notes on the biosystematics of the species found are provided, together with keys and illustrations based on their morphology. Of the 14 species recorded, eight are anthropophilic and two of these (Simulium oyapockense s.l. and S. guianense s.l.) are proven vectors of human onchocerciasis in the nearby Amazonia focus of the disease in neighbouring Brazil.

Insights into the transcriptome of oenocytes from Aedes aegypti pupae

Oenocytes are ectodermic cells present in the fat body of several insect species and these cells are considered to be analogous to the mammalian liver, based on their role in lipid storage, metabolism and secretion. Although oenocytes were identified over a century ago, little is known about their messenger RNA expression profiles. In this study, we investigated the transcriptome of Aedes aegypti oenocytes. We constructed a cDNA library from Ae. aegypti MOYO-R strain oenocytes collected from pupae and randomly sequenced 687 clones. After sequences editing and assembly, 326 high-quality contigs were generated. The most abundant transcripts identified corresponded to the cytochrome P450 superfamily, whose members have roles primarily related to detoxification and lipid metabolism. In addition, we identified 18 other transcripts with putative functions associated with lipid metabolism. One such transcript, a fatty acid synthase, is highly represented in the cDNA library of oenocytes. Moreover, oenocytes expressed several immunity-related genes and the majority of these genes were lysozymes. The transcriptional profile suggests that oenocytes play diverse roles, such as detoxification and lipid metabolism, and increase our understanding of the importance of oenocytes in Ae. aegypti homeostasis and immune competence.

First report of parasitism on pupae of Opsiphanes invirae amplificatus Stichel (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) by Conura (Conura) maculata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

First report of parasitism on pupae of Opsiphanes invirae amplificatus Stichel (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) by Conura (Conura) maculata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This scientific note records the parasitism on pupae of Opsiphanes invirae amplificatus Stichel (1904) by Conura (Conura) maculata (Fabricius). This is a report of this interaction in the subtropical region of South America and the first report of the occurrence of this parasitoid in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

The effect of environment on development and survival of pupae of the necrophagous fly Ophyra albuquerquei Lopes (Diptera, Muscidae)

The effect of environment on development and survival of pupae of the necrophagous fly Ophyra albuquerquei Lopes (Diptera, Muscidae). Species of Ophyra Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 are found in decomposing bodies, usually in fresh, bloated and decay stages. Ophyra albuquerquei Lopes, for example, can be found in animal carcasses. The influence of environmental factors has not been evaluated in puparia of O. albuquerquei. Thus, the focus of this work was motivated by the need for models to predict the development of a necrophagous insect as a function of abiotic factors. Colonies of O. albuquerquei were maintained in the laboratory to obtain pupae. On the tenth day of each month 200 pupae, divided equally into 10 glass jars, were exposed to the environment and checked daily for adult emergence of each sample. We concluded that the high survival rate observed suggested that the diets used for rearing the larvae and maintaining the adults were appropriate. Also, the data adjusted to robust generalized linear models and there were no interruptions of O. albuquerquei pupae development within the limits of temperatures studied in southern Rio Grande do Sul, given the high survival presented.

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.

Codeine accumulation and elimination in larvae, pupae, and imago of the blowfly Lucilia sericata and effects on its development.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of insect larvae as samples for toxicological investigations. For this purpose, larvae of Lucilia sericata were reared on samples of minced pig liver treated with different concentrations of codeine: therapeutic, toxic, and potentially lethal doses. Codeine was detected in all tested larvae, confirming the reliability of these specimens for qualitative toxicology analysis. Furthermore, concentrations measured in larvae were correlated with levels in liver tissue. These observations bring new elements regarding the potential use of opiates concentrations in larvae for estimation of drug levels in human tissues. Morphine and norcodeine, two codeine metabolites, have been also detected at different concentrations depending on the concentration of codeine in pig liver and depending on the substance itself. The effects of codeine on the development of L. sericata were also investigated. Results showed that a 29-h interval bias on the evaluation of the larval stage duration calculated from the larvae weight has to be considered if codeine was present in the larvae substrate. Similarly, a 21-h interval bias on the total duration of development, from egg to imago, has to be considered if codeine was present in the larvae substrate.

Susceptibility of different insect pupae to the bacterial symbiont, Xenorhabdus nematophila, isolated from the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae

Cells of the bacterial symbiont Xenorhabdus nematophila from the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae entered the pupae of Plutella xylostella after 15 minutes treatment with suspensions containing the bacterial cells. Secretions of Xenorhabdus nematophila, in either broth or water, were found lethal to the pupae of P. xylostella when applied in moist sand. The bacterial symbiont Xenorhabdus nematophila was found lethal to the pupae of greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) in the absence of the nematode vector and the cells of X. nematophila entered the haemocoele of the pupae.

Use of entomopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas putida (Enterobacteriaceae) and it secretions against the Greater Wax Moth Galleria mellonella pupae

The bacterium from Pseudomonas putida from Steinernema abbasi and its metabolic secretions caused the mortality of the Galleria mellonella pupae. Experiments were conducted in sand and filter paper on time exposure, temperature, moisture, dose and time of penetration of bacterium in pupae and tested stored or dried toxic metabolites using G. mellonella pupae as a test target organism. Death of pupae was probably due to the toxic metabolites. Pseudomonas putida cells were recovered from the haemocoele when bacterial cells were applied to the G. mellonella pupae indicating that bacterial cells can enter the haemocoele in the absence of nematode vector. Penetration of bacterium was found rapidly after application on G. mellonella pupae. Pseudomonas putida or its toxic secretions can be used as a microbial control for insect control. The experimental results indicate that there is possibility of using P. putida and its toxic secretions as a biopesticide and can contribute in the development of new microbial and biological control against insect pests.

Influence of temperature on the production and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes against larvae and pupae of vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Susceptibility of late instar vine weevil Otiorhynchus sulcatus larvae and pupae to four species entomopathogenic nematodes were tested. Bioassays on production and infectivity to larvae and pupae were compared for two steinernematids and two heterorhabditis such as Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, Heterorhabditis indica and H. bacteriophora. Nematodes production of all species was determined by the number infective juveniles (IJs) established in vine weevil larvae and pupae O. sulcatus using sand and filter paper bioassay. S. feltiae produced the maximum number in larvae and pupae at 20°C as compared to other nematodes but production of H. indica, was better at 25°C in larvae and pupae followed by H. bacteriophora, S. carpocapsae and Infectivity test of larvae and pupae was also done in sand media. Infective juveniles recovered from larvae and pupae when infected with S. feltiae produced maximum infective juveniles at 20°C temperatures than all other isolates. H. bacteriophora produced higher number of IJs in larvae and pupae than all other nematode isolates at 25°C. This paper indicates the application of nematodes with the knowledge of insect pest biology represents a possible new strategy for O. sulcatus larvae and pupae.