The objectives of this study were to carry out a survey of families of Hymenoptera, with emphasis on Ichneumonidae, in an area of Caatinga, and register the occurrence of new species, if any, for the biome. Samples were taken with Malaise traps between September and November 2008 in a native area of vegetation of Serra do Lima, municipality of Patu, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. 7,562 hymenopterans, from 11 superfamilies and 31 families, were collected. The most abundant superfamilies were: Chalcidoidea (2,887 specimens / 38.33% of the total), Platygastroidea (1,572 / 20.87%) and Vespoidea (1,131 / 15.02%) which constituted more than 70% of the captured hymenopterans. A total of 160 specimens of Ichneumonidae from 17 subfamilies were sampled, of which four are new records for Rio Grande do Norte: (Lycorininae, Nesomesochorinae, Phygadeuontinae and Tryphoninae). Altogether, 26 genera were recognized, with 16 new records for the state. Cryptophion espinozai Gauld & Janzen (Campopleginae) and Labena marginata Szépligeti (Labeninae) were registered for the first time in Caatinga. The obtained data demonstrate a considerable diversity of the studied groups in this area and also affirms the necessity of additional studies to establish the richness of this fauna in a more extensive and conclusive way.

The Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia comprises a zone of high levels of biodiversity and endemism of plants, vertebrates and insects. However, there are still several gaps on the knowledge of the local Lepidoptera diversity. The objective of this study was to conduct an inventory of butterflies in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest in Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil to provide information on species richness. Butterflies were sampled with insect net from March 2018 to March 2019, and November 2019 to February 2020, totaling 150 h of sampling effort. Additionally, we used Van Someren-Rydon traps for collecting frugivorous butterflies in September 2018 and February 2019 representing 1,080 trap-hours. A total of 228 butterfly species were recorded. Hesperiidae (86 spp.) and Nymphalidae (77 spp.) were the most representative families, followed by Riodinidae (32 spp.), Lycaenidae (21 spp.), Pieridae (10 spp.) and Papilionidae (2 spp.). The local butterfly fauna is composed of species found in open or disturbed forest edges, and secondary vegetation. Most of the sampled species is broadly distributed in Brazil Morpho menelaus coeruleus (Perry, 1810) (Nymphalidae), Jemadia hospita hephaestos (Plötz, 1879) (Hesperiidae) and several species of Lycaenidae and Riodinidae represents a new record for northeastern Brazil.

The cupuassu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd ex Sprengel) K. Schum.) is a native tree from the tropical rainforest and one of the most important fruit trees in the Amazon region. Its pulp and seeds are widely used in the alimentary industry, as well as food by the people of northern Brazil. Among the factors that can compromise the production of cupuassu are the attack of diseases and insect pests. The aim of this work is to report the attack of a wood-borer lepidopteran in commercial cupuassu plantation located in the district of Nova Califórnia, Rondônia State, Brazil. In April 2019 an infestation of a wood-borer insect was observed causing the death of branches. Branches containing caterpillars in their inside were collected and taken to the Entomology Laboratory of the Embrapa Acre, where they were placed in a screened cage. After about 60 days, an adult insect emerged, which was identified as Magulacra nigripennata, a lepidopteran associated with cocoa and cupuassu plantations in that country. A random survey of 100 plants in the plantation area detected an infestation level of 36%, indicating the harmful potential of this pest to the cupuassu crops in the Amazon region.

Females of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) have a serrated ovipositor that causes severe physical damage to soft fruit. This behaviour results in the early ripening and accelerated rotting of infested fruit. In addition, feeding by larvae softens of the fruit peel, causing in a depreciation in commercial value. In this study, results of infestation indices, pupal viability, egg-adult period, degradation time of infested fruit, and description of physical injuries caused by oviposition and larval feeding of D. suzukii in Barbados cherries (Malpighia emarginata DC., Malpighiaceae) are described. Overall, our results and discussion contribute to the understanding of the status of D. suzukii as an insect pest of the Barbados cherry.

Abstract. The genus Salvinia is composed of fast-growing floating ferns, capable of surviving in different environmental conditions. Some authors suggest that the relationships between this genus and macroinvertebrates may serve as water quality indicators. The present study aimed to determine the influence of seasonality and water quality on macroinvertebrate diversity associated with the Salvinia biloba Raddi. Water and fern were collected in rainy and dry seasons and was conducted a microbiological analysis of the water, as well as, the area of fern cover on the water, richness, and density of macroinvertebrates. Microbiological analysis of the water detected > 5,700 CFU/mL (rainy season) and 175 CFU/mL (dry season) of heterotrophic bacteria and was positive for total thermotolerant coliforms. The S. biloba cover on the water surface was 100% in the rainy and 30% in the dry season. In the rainy season, 142 macroinvertebrates were identified, divided into 12 morphospecies, with a density of 434 individuals/m3. In the dry season, there were 419 individuals in 14 morphospecies, with a density of 2,076 individuals/m3 exhibited. The highest species density recorded in the rainy season was for Chironomidae sp.1 (Diptera) (57.71%) and Odonata Zygoptera sp.1 (17.44%), and in the dry season, Chironomidae sp.2 (73.98%) followed by Gerromorpha sp.1 (Hemiptera), with 9.54%. The Sørensen similarity index between the two seasons was 53.84%. The higher density of Gerromorpha sp.1 in the dry season may indicate an increase in environmental integrity.

Currently, there is a global concern regarding exotic species due to, among other factors, their great ability to reproduce and spread rapidly through the novel environment. As such, these species often compete for nesting places and food resources or convey pathogens. Anthidium manicatum (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is a non-native solitary bee occurring in Brazil. This study aimed to collect data about the occurrence sites of this species to investigate the historical sequence of its spread throughout the country. Based on this, we estimated population data such as the number of males and females, phenology and bioclimatic niche overlap with native species. The occurrence records were retrieved from speciesLink and Global Biodiversity Information Facility. All analyses were performed in R. The collected data demonstrate that, except for the 1960s, the records of the occurrence of A. manicatum in Brazil are few and constant, being notified since the mid-1930s in at least nine Brazilian states. In total, 778 individuals were sampled, with males being recorded about 1.7 times more than females. This species seems to be bivoltine, with generations in May and November. Anthidium manicatum showed a low and moderate bioclimatic niche overlap with two native species, Anthidium sertanicola Moure & Urban and Anthidium latum Schrottky, respectively. These data provide relevant information on the biology and status of A. manicatum in Brazil. However, since most Brazilian scientific collections have not digitalized their data in the platforms consulted here, some ecological features described here may be underestimated.

Abstract. Plant resistance is considered as an important pillar of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), being a highly targeted method since is a less harmful method to the environment, if compared to other tactics such as chemical control. Abiotic factors are those related to the environment and have a direct influence on the dynamics of interaction between insects and plants. The abiotic factors such as altitude, temperature, humidity, luminosity, wind and soil fertility, among others, do not act alone, but in a complex net that leads insect population dynamics in agroecosystems. How the variations of these factors can be studied in the same context? First, it is important to consider how each abiotic factors act separately and then in a coexistence influence over the populations dynamics of insects and plants. In this study, the literature about the influence of abiotic factors on insect herbivory has been reviewed, focusing mainly on the mechanisms in which the plants use in the defense against insects. Influência de fatores abióticos na resistência de plantas a insetos Resumo. A resistência de plantas é considerada um importante pilar no contexto do Manejo Integrado de Pragas (MIP), sendo um método bastante visado por ser menos nocivo ao meio ambiente, quando comparado a outras táticas como o controle químico. Os fatores abióticos são aqueles relacionados ao ambiente e têm influência direta na dinâmica de interação entre insetos e plantas. Os fatores abióticos como altitude, temperatura, umidade, luminosidade, ventos e fertilidade do solo, por exemplo, não atuam sozinhos, mais sim em um complexo de fatores coexistentes que regem as dinâmicas populacionais nos diversos agroecosistemas. Como as variações destes fatores podem ser estudadas em um mesmo contexto? Primeiramente, é importante conhecer como cada uma atua individualmente para então contextualizar em uma situação de coexistência sobre as dinâmicas populacionais de insetos e plantas. Neste artigo, a literatura sobre a influência de fatores abióticos na herbivoria de insetos foi revisada, focando principalmente nos mecanismos em que as plantas utilizam na defesa contra insetos.

Resumo. Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), um afídeo altamente polífago e praga de muitas culturas de interesse econômico, é relatado pela primeira vez causando deformações na gema apical e nos folíolos novos de mudas de Dalbergia miscolobium Benth (Leguminosae) em Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil. Diferentes concentrações de soluções de detergente neutro e água foram testadas para controlar o afídeo, com o uso de nove mudas infestadas. Os afídeos foram previamente contados em cada planta e dois tratamentos foram utilizados (detergente neutro a 5% e 10%), além da testemunha, onde só foi aplicado água. Ambas as doses causaram mortalidade e a concentração de 5% apresentou 83,8% de eficiência, o que indica que esse tratamento é eficaz para diminuir a população desses insetos em mudas de jacarandá-do-cerrado. Occurrence and control of the black aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on “jacarandá-do-cerrado” seedlings (Dalbergia miscolobium Benth.) with the use of neutral detergent Abstract. Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a highly polyphagous aphid and pest of many economic crops, is reported for the first-time causing deformations in the apical bud and on the new folioles of Dalbergia miscolobium Benth (Leguminosae) seedlings in Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil. Different concentrations of neutral detergent and water solutions were tested to control the aphid using nine infested seedlings. The aphids were previously counted in each plant and two treatments were used (5% and 10% of neutral detergent), and the control, where only water was applied. Both concentrations caused mortality and the 5% showed an efficiency of 83.8%, which indicates that this treatment is effective to decrease the population of these insects in “jacarandá-do-cerrado” seedlings.

Resumo. Uma análise sobre a flutuação populacional da entomofauna associada a culturas de interesse econômico pode fornecer subsídios para o manejo integrado de pragas. Dentre os grupos economicamente relevantes podemos citar os coccinelídeos, conhecidos por serem predadores naturais de pragas agrícolas como afídeos. O presente trabalho se faz necessário visto que os Campos Gerais ainda carecem de dados sobre Coccinellidae relacionados a pomares de árvores frutíferas. O estudo foi realizado no pomar do Colégio Agrícola Estadual Augusto Ribas (Ponta Grossa-PR) de julho de 2004 a junho de 2006. As coletas foram feitas usando cada espécie do pomar, sendo elas agrupadas em dois grupos: cítricas e decíduas. Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) foi a espécie mais representativa na amostragem, compreendendo 38,35 % das coletas. as árvores cítricas apresentaram o maior número de insetos totalizando 82,19% da amostragem. É pertinente sugerir que a presença da H. axyridis pode ter afetado a diversidade da comunidade local, sendo ela uma espécie invasora e considerada uma melhor competidora. As árvores cítricas se apresentaram como as mais diversas. Podemos atribuir essa distribuição a maior presença de afídeos nas árvores cítricas, que foram atraídos pelos óleos voláteis secretados por essas plantas. No período final da amostragem houve uma queda populacional, que pode ser atribuída a condições climáticas desfavoráveis, e consequente redução a abundância dos afídeos presa e dos próprios coccinelídeos. Uma maior quantidade de recursos de presa permitiria que mais espécies de joaninhas coexistissem sem competir fortemente. Uma pesquisa futura poderia comparar situação da comunidade, analisando a influência da H. axyridis nas espécies locais. Diversity and seasonality of coccinellids (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in an orchard in the city of Ponta Grossa, Paraná Abstract. An analysis of the population fluctuation of entomofauna associated with crops of economic interest can provide subsidies for integrated pest management. Among the economically relevant groups we can mention the Coccinellidae, known to include natural predators of agricultural pests such as aphids. The present work is necessary since Parana's Campos Gerais still lack data on Coccinellidae related to orchards of fruit trees. The study was conducted in the orchard of Augusto Ribas State Agricultural College (Ponta Grossa-PR) from July 2004 to June 2006. Samples were collected from each species of the orchard, grouped into two groups: citrus and deciduous. Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) was the most representative species in the sample, comprising 38.35% of the collections. Citrus trees had the highest number of insects totaling 82.19% of the sample. It is pertinent to suggest that the presence of H. axyridis may have affected the diversity of the local community, being an invasive species and considered a better competitor. The citrus trees presented themselves as the most diverse. We can attribute this contribution to the greater presence of aphids in the citrus trees, which were attracted by the volatile oils secreted by these plants. In the final period of sampling there was a decrease in population size, which can be attributed to unfavorable climatic conditions, and consequent reduction in the abundance of prey aphids and of the coccinellids themselves. A greater amount of prey resources would allow more species of ladybugs to coexist without competing strongly. A future research could compare community situation by analyzing the influence of H. axyridis on local species.

Abstract. Cooling and freezing experiments were carried out at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz / RJ). Flies colonies were established from specimens collected at the campus using a baited trap, as described for the species: Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), Musca domestica Linnaeus, Peckia ruficornis (Fabricius) and Peckia chrysostoma (Wiedemann). Prolonged exposures at lethal low temperatures can produce deleterious effects (including death) even if the insect does not freeze; during long-term exposure to low temperatures, the organisms may finally die from the exhaustion of energy reserves. Efeitos do resfriamento e congelamento no desenvolvimento de moscas de importância forense Resumo. Experimentos de resfriamento e congelamento foram realizados na Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz / RJ). Colônias de moscas foram estabelecidas a partir de espécimes coletados no campus usando uma armadilha com isca, conforme descrito para as espécies: Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), Musca domestica Linnaeus, Peckia ruficornis (Fabricius) e Peckia chrysostoma (Wiedemann). Exposições prolongadas em baixas temperaturas podem produzir efeitos deletérios (incluindo morte) mesmo se o inseto não congelar; durante a exposição prolongada a baixas temperaturas, os organismos podem morrer pelo esgotamento das reservas de energia.