Forensic entomology uses insects, particularly Diptera, as evidence in various forensic applications. Some species help estimate post-mortem intervals in criminal investigations, others indicate cases of neglect by signaling poor hygiene conditions, and some serve as bioindicators of environmental quality. Characterizing local fly species distributions is essential for forensic applications, such as post-mortem interval estimation. In Belo Horizonte, a city in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, only one prior study has been conducted, solely focusing on Calliphoridae species while overlooking other families, such as Fanniidae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae, which are highly relevant for forensic applications. To address this gap, we collected flies of potential forensic interest at the Ecological Station of "Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais" (EEco UFMG), using fresh beef as bait, during the warm and rainy season. A total of 4,612 flies were collected, with Calliphoridae (N = 3024; 65.5%), Fanniidae (N = 902; 19.5%), Sarcophagidae (N = 353; 8.0%), and Muscidae (N = 240; 5.0%), constituting 98.0% of the collected specimens. The remaining 2% (N = 93) of the specimens belong to 11 families. Thirty-nine species were identified, with Muscidae exhibiting the highest richness (15 species), followed by Sarcophagidae (10), Calliphoridae (9), and Fanniidae (4). Notably, six new geographic records for Minas Gerais state and three for Belo Horizonte city were documented within the Muscidae family. Checklists of fly species of potential forensic interest from unexplored locations, such as the EEco UFMG, contribute to the development of valuable databases for future applications in forensic entomology.

Brazil stands out as the fourth-largest global producer of cotton, benefiting from favorable climatic conditions for crop development. However, these same conditions promote diverse arthropod fauna, encompassing pests and beneficial organisms that contribute ecological services to agroecosystems. This study investigated the functional diversity of arthropods in cotton cultivation under alternative management practices. For two growing seasons, arthropods were sampled and classified into functional groups: pollinators, predators, parasitoids, and detritivores. In addition, parasitized insects were recorded separately. The first season revealed low functional group richness, with only pollinators and predators observed. Diversity indices, such as Shannon and Simpson, were low across all phenological stages, with greater richness during reproductive phases. In contrast, the second season demonstrated increased richness and balance, with all five functional groups represented and higher diversity during reproductive stages. Indices reflected improved functional group distribution, indicating reduced dominance of specific groups and stabilization of the agroecosystem. The findings emphasize the significant influence of phenological stages on arthropod diversity, with reproductive phases offering critical resources for functional groups. Sustainable practices facilitated recovery and stabilization of the agroecosystem, improving richness and abundance of beneficial arthropods. These results highlight the potential of integrated, sustainable management practices in promoting ecosystem in cotton fields.

The present communication deals with the recording of Satyrex ferox Zamani & von Wirth, 2025 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from the Afrotropical part of Oman (Dhofar region). This species is recorded from Southern Oman for the second time. A brief description of the morphology of S. ferox is provided, along with notes on its predator, the tarantula hawk Hemipepsis heros (Guérin-Méneville, 1849) (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae).

Social wasps are known for their opportunistic foraging behaviors, foraging on various resources such as live insects, plant fibers, and even carrion. While necrophagy is documented for some genera, it has not been previously confirmed for the genus Parachartergus. This study provides the first direct evidence of Parachartergus pseudapicalis exhibiting necrophagy, captured through Citizen science in Piedade, São Paulo, Brazil. A wasp was observed collecting tissue from a decomposing caterpillar, demonstrating opportunistic feeding behavior. The mandible structures of Parachartergus suggest adaptations for scavenging, aligning with those of other necrophagous genera. This record enhances our understanding of the genus's dietary flexibility, highlighting the role of Citizen science in contributing valuable data to future studies.

Cryptolestes obesus Thomas, 2002 (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae) was described based on a single female specimen collected in Rondônia state, Brazil. As previously hypothesized, the robust body shape and the presence of complete secondary sublateral lines on the pronotum are diagnostic for C. obesus and fundamental traits for male association. Here we associate and describe the conspecific male, with a new record of this species for Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The habitus, antennal scape, and genitalia of the male are illustrated.

The species Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) is of great importance for human health, as it is responsible for the transmission of viruses that can cause dengue, chikungunya, zika and urban yellow fever. The proposal of this study is to test the efficiency of a new trap model in capturing and trapping Ae. aegypti based on favoring the insect's ecology. This trap model was analyzed regarding the attractiveness for egg-laying, and the trapping of larvae and consequently the adults. The tests were carried out using white traps (original version) and black traps (adapted from the original), both in field and laboratory conditions. In the field, the black traps showed 100% effectiveness compared to white traps, showing more positive results for the attractiveness of Ae. aegypti mosquito and adult imprisonment. According to the results for this trap model, from both test in the field and in the laboratory, it was concluded that this new product is effective in capturing Ae. aegypti and it guarantees mosquito trapping safety, also low-cost production, practicality, logistics and possibility of its use by the local population. After the validation and effectiveness of the trap “drinking-fountain like”, the definitive trap called Mosquitex was developed, which is brand new for this mosquito, with patent registration INPI - BR2020190112226 - 2019, and with the possibility of assisting in the control and monitoring of Ae. aegypti in urban areas.

This study describes the antennal ultrastructure in Cyclocephala forsteri Endrodi, 1963, Cyclocephala melanocephala (Fabricius, 1775) and Cyclocephala tucumana Brethes, 1904 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Adult of Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821 specimens were collected using a light trap placed near a pasture area, segregated by gender, based on male-specific dilated pre-tarsomeres and preserved in 70% alcohol. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the antenna lamellae were obtained from ten specimens at Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) in Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil. We identified trichoid, chaetic, placoid, coeloconic, basiconic sensilla, and pores in antenna of all the species. Placoid sensilla were prevalent in the antennal lamellae. The antennae of C. forsteri females had 5,457 sensilla, of which 5,327 (97.62%) were placoid, 123 (2.25%) coeloconic, and seven (0.13%) basiconic, while the antennae of males showed 5,351 sensilla, with 5,238 (97.89%) being placoid, 100 (1.87%) coeloconic, and 13 (0.24%) basiconic. The antennae of C. melanocephala females presented 6,814 sensilla, with 6,581 (96.58%) being placoid, 231 (3.39%) coeloconic, and two (0.03%) basiconic; while those of males had 6,333 sensilla, with 6,023 (95.11%) being placoid and 310 (4.89%) coeloconic. Finally, the antennae of C. tucumana females had 1,981 sensilla, with 1,845 (93.13%) being placoid, 127 (6.42%) coeloconic, and nine (0.45%) basiconic; while the antennae of males had 3,756 sensilla, with 3,656 (97.34%) being placoid, 99 (2.64%) coeloconic, and one (0.02%) basiconic. Overall, adults of C. melanocephala and C. tucumana presented dimorphism in the antennal sensilla.

Neonicotinoid insecticides can cause a reduction in feeding rate, locomotion, and behavioral changes such as a reduction in flight speed and distance traveled by adult bees. Chronic exposure to sublethal concentrations can result in behavioral disorders and memory loss. This study investigated the effects of insecticides on Amazonian stingless bees, evaluated whether Melipona interrupta Latreire, 1811, is sensitive and does not reject food contaminated with Thiamethoxam, and compared the effects on native stingless bees from the northern region to Apis mellifera. Mortality was evaluated in these bees when exposed to Tiamethoxam (absolute standard AS and Actara 250 WG - commercial product) and Dimethoate AS as a positive control, thus verifying the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) for the species M. interrupta, popularly known as jupará. The mortality of forager workers exposed to active ingredient formulations indicated an LC50 of 24.77 ng/μL for Dimethoate, validating the tests, and 1.28 ng/μL for Tiamethoxam AS and 1.22 ng/μL for Actara 250 WG, values much lower than those found for A. mellifera bees, which were 4.28 ng i.a./µL of Tiamethoxam. Therefore, we concluded that formulations with the active ingredients Dimethoate and Tiamethoxam are highly toxic to Amazonian bees of the species M. interrupta.

The knowledge of arachnofauna from Tocantins, Brazil, is still incipient. The present communication expands the known geographical distribution of Loxosceles amazonica Gertsch, 1967 (Arachnida: Araneae: Sicariidae) in Brazilian Cerrado. The brown spider specimens were sampled in Dianópolis municipality and Cristalândia municipality both in Tocantins State, Brazil, between 2022 and 2024. Also, we describe a new variation of the epigynum of L. amazonica. Mapping the distribution of Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832 species in Brazil is crucial for public health, aiding in prevention and timely treatment of loxoscelism caused by brown spider bites.