Articles Insect galls of the Tijuca National Park, Rio de Janeiro (RJ, Brazil): richness and characterization Maia, Valéria Cid Mendonça, Ignez Batista Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT The Tijuca National Park comprises the world's largest urban forest. It has a rich flora, with around 1,550 plant species. For the first time, the insect galls of this area were investigated. We carried out 12 monthly collections from January to December/2009. Samples of host plants were pressed and identified. Galls were photographed and characterized according to their external morphology and number of chambers. Gall-inducing insects and secondary inhabitants were obtained from gall dissecation as well as from rearing in laboratory. Data on origin and geographic distribution of plant species were retrieved from Flora e Funga do Brasil website. We found 72 gall morphotypes on 43 plant species (36 genera, and 23 families). Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae, Salicaeae and Melastomataceae were the botanical families with the highest gall richness. Psychotria cf. bahiensis DC. (Rubiaceae) and Serjania sp. (Sapindaceae) highlighted as super host plant species. Five host plants are endemic to Brazil; they shelters eight gall morphotypes. Due to the high specificity of the gall-inducing insects, we considered them co-endemic, Leaf galls were the most frequent. Gall-inducers were represented mainly by Cecidomyiidae. Galls of Tijuca National Park followed the patterns already known from Brazil, but it richness is relatively low when compared to other areas of the Atlantic forest. |
Article Two new species of Ficiomyia Felt (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) associated with species of Ficus L. (Moraceae) in Brazil Urso-Guimarães, Maria Virginia Barros, Leví Oliveira Pereira, Rodrigo Augusto Santinelo Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT Two new species of cecidomyiids of the genus Ficiomyia Felt, 1922 were obtained from syconium galls in species of Ficus L. for the first time in Brazil. The new species are Ficiomyia brasiliensis sp.nov. Urso-Guimarães and Ficiomyia caatinga sp. n. Urso-Guimarães and are associated respectively with Ficus citrifolia Mill. in the State of São Paulo and Ficus caatingae R.M.Castro found in the State of Bahia. This is the first register of Ficiomyia for Brazil. |
Articles Effects of burned liver on necrophagous flies in southern Brazil Medeiros, Raphaela Pédra, Marcela Gomez Marcos Fonseca, Laura dos Santos Duarte, Juliano Lessa Pinto Zafalon-Silva, Ândrio Marques, Roberta Kirst, Frederico Dutra Krüger, Rodrigo Ferreira Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT This study investigated the effects of burning on the richness, abundance, and community structure of necrophagous flies in southern Brazil. Flies were collected over a period of seven days in the field, and were subsequently observed for 60 days in the laboratory. There were three bovine liver treatments: unburnt, burnt, and gasoline-treated (control). A total of 2,501 flies, representing 14 families and 41 species, were identified, including Chrysomya albiceps, Fannia subgroup pusio, Synthesiomyia nudiseta, and Fannia femoralis. While the abundance of flies was similar across the three treatments, exhibiting a quadratic distribution, species richness displayed a quadratic trend with a significant temporal shift; peak richness occurred 20 hours earlier in the unburnt liver than in the burnt or the control treatments. Both total abundance and patterns of community composition in our analysis indicated important factors to take into account. Total abundances were similar between the burnt and unburnt treatments, demonstrating a uniform ecological response to burning, irrespective of the condition of the liver. In contrast, the community composition of these treatments showed a significant divergence from the control treatment, which was distinctively dominated by Drosophilidae and Phoridae. These findings are crucial for accurate postmortem Interval (PMI) estimations in forensic entomology, particularly in cases involving burnt remains, and highlight the significant impact of fire on necrophagous fly communities. |
Articles Description of a second genus of Chespiritoinae (Coleoptera, Lampyridae), with updates on the subfamily diagnosis and key to species and genera Ferreira, Vinicius S. Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT Xacoxoxotlani chiapensis Ferreira new genus and new species, the second genus of the lampyrid subfamily Chespiritoinae is described from Chiapas, Mexico. The new taxon is diagnosed, illustrated and compared with Chespirito Ferreira, Keller and Branham, 2020. An updated diagnosis of the subfamily Chespiritoinae is provided along with a new identification key and distribution map for the genera and species within this subfamily. |
Articles Immature stages of the threatened butterfly Euptychia boulleti () (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and its conservation perspectives Freitas, André Victor Lucci Barbosa, Eduardo Proença Rosa, Augusto Henrique Batista Carreira, Junia Yasmin Oliveira Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT The present paper describes the immature stages of the Neotropical satyrine butterfly Euptychia boulleti (Le Cerf, 1919) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Eggs were laid singly on the under surface of the fronds of its host plant, Selaginella muscosa Spring (Lycopodiopsida: Selaginellaceae). Larvae are solitary in all instars, with a color pattern and shape that make them cryptic on their host plants. The pupa is short and smooth, green with black and white markings. Although the adults are very divergent in wing pattern, the immature stages are very similar to those of other species in the genus Euptychia Hübner, 1818. The present study added over 20 more records of E. boulleti, adding two additional sites for this species. Based on all available records, the EOO (extent of occurrence) has an increase of 13% and AOO (area of occupancy) an increase of 20% compared to previous estimates. Identifying additional E. boulleti populations could be important for conservation efforts of this species, especially if these are in fully protected areas. |
Articles Spatial gradient and vegetation cover affecting species diversity and composition of bees in Atlantic Forest remnants of South Brazil Liz, Júlia Alberti de Mikich, Alessandra Macedo, Vitória Ramos Gonçalves, Rodrigo Barbosa Mikich, Sandra Bos Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT Given that the Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened biomes in the world, this study aims to compare alpha and beta diversity of the bee assemblage sampled in a site covered by remnants of the Atlantic Forest, in the municipality of Colombo, Paraná State, with those from ten other sites along the Curitiba Metropolitan Region, previously sampled under similar methodology. Our objective is to analyze if species diversity and composition are influenced by spatial gradients and vegetation cover. The study site’s bee assemblage is composed of 91 species, including Apis mellifera. The assemblage consists of 42 Apinae, 33 Halictinae, eight Megachilinae, five Colletinae, and three Andreninae species. Compared to the other sites, 11 species were sampled exclusively in Colombo, including Bombus brasiliensis Lepeletier, 1836, Centris proxima Friese, 1899, and Trichocerapis mirabilis (Smith, 1865). The most abundant native species were Trigona spinipes (Fabricius, 1793) (204 individuals), Paratrigona subnuda Moure, 1947 (176) and Scaptotrigona bipunctata (Lepeletier, 1836) (113). Despite its high vegetation cover, Colombo exhibited intermediate values of species richness and diversity when compared to other sites, with a high dominance of Meliponini species. The sites could be separated based on beta diversity and the north–south gradient and vegetation cover were significantly related to species composition at this study’s spatial scale. Understanding the regional communities and the factors that influence species composition is essential for planning effective biodiversity conservation actions. |
Articles The usefulness of geometric morphometrics for differentiating polymorphic flea beetles Belém, Raony César Silva Begha, Bruno Piotrovski Nomura, Fausto Oliveira, Sarah Siqueira Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT Oedionychina Chapuis, 1875 is a diverse subtribe of Alticini leaf beetles, posing challenges and complexity in study due to mimicry and poorly informative descriptions. Herein, we propose geometric morphometrics as a tool for identifying polymorphic species of Alagoasa Bechyně, 1955, without the need for dissection. Thirteen anatomical landmarks on the thorax were applied to Alagoasa decemguttata (Fabricius, 1801), Alagoasa plaumanni Bechyně, 1955, and Alagoasa scissa (Germar, 1824). Canonical Variate Analysis (CVA) graphs effectively distinguished the three species. The most pronounced shape differences were observed between A. decemguttata and A. plaumanni, and between A. decemguttata and A. scissa. No shape variation was detected between A. plaumanni and A. scissa in the deformation grid. Geometric morphometrics proved to be a more precise method for describing and quantifying morphological differences in the thoracic shape of polymorphic Alagoasa beetles. |
Articles New derivatives of dillapiole have ovicidal, larvicidal and adulticidal effect on Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Silva, Junielson Soares da Pinto, Ana Cristina da Silva Meireles, Sabrina da Fonseca Morais, Sirlei Antunes Cruz, Daniel Luís Viana Chaves, Francisco Célio Maia Sousa, João Marcelo de Castro Rafael, Míriam Silva Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT The new molecules piperidyl dillapiole and propyl ether dillapiole were evaluated in Aedes aegypti as an alternative for the control of populations of this mosquito. A total of 1,690 samples, comprising 780 eggs, 780 larvae and 130 adults, were treated with both substances for 4 h, 24 h and 90 min, respectively. The dillapiole (80 µg/mL), temephos (0.012 µg/mL) as positive control, and the negative control (water + DMSO 0.05%). The 50% lethal concentrations (LC50) of propyl ether dillapiole and piperidyl dillapiole in eggs were 18.07 and 49.97 µg/mL and, in larvae, the LC50 of these substances were 29.15 and 72.93 µg/mL, which caused darkening of the cuticle and displacement of the head. In the adults, the LC50 of the two substances after 90 min was 148.25 and 263.26 µg/mL, respectively. The insertion of the propyl and piperidine radicals into the dillapiole molecule resulted in the substances propyl ether dillapiole and piperidyl dillapiole, both of which had a toxic effect on Ae. aegypti. However, propyl ether dillapiole, which has propylene in its side chain, showed greater ovicidal, larvicidal and adulticidal activity when compared to piperidyl dillapiole. These results are promising as an alternative form of control of Ae. aegypti, which is the primary vector of human arboviruses. |
Articles Nature's dark artistry: melanic forms discovered in two Neotropical ant species (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) Ladino, Natalia Feitosa, Rodrigo Machado Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT Here we present melanic forms of ants belonging to the light-colored Neotropical species Heteroponera dolo (Ectatomminae) and Prionopelta punctulata (Amblyoponinae). We also discuss the intraspecific variation regarding body color for both species and provide the dominant colors for the light and dark forms based on the amount of red, blue and green tones generated from the HEX code. |
Articles “As Chrysididas do Brazil”: A catalogue of the Brazilian cuckoo wasps (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) Lucena, Daercio A. A. Gomes, Rayane Sales Zanella, Fernando C. V. Almeida, Eduardo A. B. Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT We present an updated, commented, and revised catalog for the Brazilian cuckoo wasps (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae) and pay tribute to Adolph Ducke’s 1913 monographic work on the Brazilian fauna of these wasps titled “As Chrysididas do Brazil.” We document all 159 chrysidid species known to occur in Brazil, classified into 18 genera representing three subfamilies: Amiseginae, Chrysidinae, and Cleptinae. We detail all synonyms, provide geographical distribution for all recorded species, and compile host associations for 28 species in Brazil. Notes on type specimens and their depository collections are provided and complemented by images of 30 primary types. Additionally, we reinstated Exsecochrysis Linsenmaier from the synonymy with Pleurochrysis Bohart (rejected junior homonym) in place of Rhipidochrysis Rosa & Pavese, new synonym. All species previously treated as Pleurochrysis are transferred to Exsecochrysis. |
Articles External microstructure of eggs from major owlet moth pests (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) associated with Brazilian soybean crops Sosa-Gómez, Daniel Ricardo Specht, Alexandre Murúa, Maria Gabriela Andrade, Celia Guadalupe Tardelli de Jesus Resumo em Inglês: ABSTRACT The owlet moth group of Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) includes several significantly important pest species that cause severe defoliation or can act as borers of the reproductive structures of plants (pods, cotton bolls, corn ears). The descriptions of the microstructures and scanning electron photographs of the eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Erebidae: Eulepidotinae), Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) (Noctuidae: Plusiinae), Spodoptera albula (Walker), Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker), Spodoptera eridania (Stoll), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Noctuidae: Noctuinae), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar), and Chloridea virescens (Fabricius) (Noctuidae: Heliothinae) are provided. The eggs of some of these species present peculiar morphological differences that can be useful for taxonomic purposes. |
Erratum ERRATUM: Temnogynidae fam. nov., a new fossil family of apoid wasps from the mid-Cretaceous (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) |