Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Diatraea impersonatella (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a key pest of sugarcane in Northeastern Brazil, yet information on its relationship with plant age and varietal traits remains scarce. This study evaluated the interaction among D. impersonatella infestation, sugarcane varieties (RB 92-579, RB 04-1443, and RB 86-7515), and plant age (45, 70, 130, and 200 days after planting) on agroindustrial characteristics. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in six municipalities of Paraíba State, with 144 plots selected for uniform soil and planting conditions. Infestation levels were assessed through visual diagnosis of bored stalks, while agroindustrial analyses (BRIX, POL, PURITY, FIBER, ATR, and PBU) followed standardized methodologies. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models, principal component analysis, and non-parametric bootstrap. All tested varieties were infested, with RB 92-579 showing the highest susceptibility, especially as plant age increased, and exhibiting elevated Brix, purity, and POL levels. Conversely, RB 86-7515 showed a decreasing trend in infestation with plant age, lower Brix, higher PBU and fiber content, and POL, purity, and fiber values similar to RB 04-1443 but lower than RB 92-579. This study concludes that RB 92-579 is the most susceptible to D. impersonatella, with infestation clearly related to plant age and varietal traits. These findings provide reliable field-based insights for improving integrated pest management strategies in Northeastern Brazil’s sugarcane cultivation.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Aedes aegypti is a major public health concern worldwide due to its role as a vector of arboviral diseases, particularly dengue. In the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, the presence of this mosquito has expanded to nearly all municipalities. This study provides the first data on the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Ae. aegypti larvae collected from 26 localities across Rio Grande do Sul. Using the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, 402 sequences of 658 bp were analyzed. In total, 43 haplotypes were identified, revealing high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.7556) and low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00570). Neutrality tests (Fu’s Fs) indicated population expansion. Pairwise genetic differentiation (FST) ranged from moderate (0.08957) to very high (0.97233). Molecular variance analysis indicated that the most variation occurred within populations (74.02%). No isolation based on distance was detected. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the presence of two genetic lineages and multiple introductions. These findings offer critical insights for vector surveillance, emphasizing the importance of integrating genetic monitoring into public health strategies for dengue prevention in Rio Grande do Sul.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Insect pest attacks on pasture areas adversely impact Brazilian livestock. At present, livestock farmers encounter challenges in managing pests, notably chinch bugs of the genus Blissus (Hemiptera: Blissidae), which have emerged as a substantial threat to pastures in Brazil. A notable gap exists in research on this insect group. This study examines the life history of Blissus pulchellus across various economically relevant forage crops in Brazil. We investigated the life history of B. pulchellus in four forage species: Urochloa humidicola cv. Humidicola; Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Ruziziensis; Urochloa humidicola cv. Llanero, and Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu. The plants were infested in vivo with newly emerged pairs (up to 48 h). Pairs were isolated in clip cages, and specific parameters, such as fecundity and fertility, were assessed daily until the females died. Newly hatched nymphs were placed individually on in vivo plants to evaluate the development time, and the sex ratio was analyzed following the emergence of adults. Fecundity (number of eggs per female) was significantly influenced by the forage species. The number of eggs laid per female was significantly higher on U. humidicola cv. Humidicola and U. ruziziensis cv. Ruziziensis, whereas the nymph development time was significantly shorter on U. humidicola cv. Humidicola and U. ruzizizensis cv. Ruziziensis. Our study showed that the life history parameters of B. pulchellus were significantly affected by forage species. Assessing the influence of this insect on prospective hosts is anticipated to enhance future forage breeding initiatives.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Argidae is the second most species-rich family, with the greatest number and diversity occurring in the Neotropical Region with 31 genera and approximately 309 species. In Brazil, the lack of specialists in the group, the limited available information, and the large number of morphospecies have increased the need to study the taxonomy of the genera and species of Argidae occurring in the Brazilian Amazon. The study focused on individuals deposited in the entomological collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) and the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG). This comprehensive study revealed the presence of 63 species belonging to 21 genera of Argidae, resulting in six new records for the Brazilian Amazon and two new records for Brazil. For a starting point regarding the taxonomy of Amazonian Argidae, this study presents images of diagnostic characteristics, an identification key for the genera, and detailed information on the geographic distribution. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential for a rich diversity of Argidae species in the Brazilian Amazon, which has been largely undocumented in previous taxonomic studies.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Forage sorghum, valued for its high protein content and resilience to abiotic stress, is key component in livestock feed production. However, it faces challenges from various insect pests such as aphids, fall armyworms, and sugarcane borers. This study investigated insect dynamics, focusing on Melanaphis sorghi, and their interactions with natural enemies, weather patterns, and other pests in forage sorghum cultivation. Conducted over two seasons crop in Brazil, the research compared plots with and without insecticide treatment, employing weekly insect sampling and climate monitoring. Our findings revealed M. sorghi as the predominant pest, with populations peaking during the vegetative stage. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between M. sorghi and Syrphidae predators, with weaker associations observed for Spodoptera frugiperda. The prevalence of Rhophalosiphum maidis increases in the second season, influenced by rainfall. Predatory insects like Coccinellidae and Syrphidae contribute to pest population control. Untreated areas exhibit higher diversity and equitability, indicating a balanced pest-predator ecosystem. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that the climate and specific pests exert an influence on treated areas, suggesting potential resistance or the need for more refined control strategies. This study underscores the importance of understanding pest dynamics for sustainable agriculture, providing valuable insights for the integrated pest management strategies to mitigate economic losses.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Poultry production systems create favorable conditions for the proliferation of synanthropic flies, which negatively affect animal health and productivity through the transmission of pathogens. Despite their economic and sanitary importance, data on the diversity of flies and their associated parasitoids remain scarce in southern Brazil, particularly within the South American Pampa biome. The present study investigated the diversity and seasonal occurrence of parasitoid Hymenoptera emerging from fly pupae collected in poultry manure, with emphasis on new distributional records. Between October 2022 and March 2023, a total of 2,372 fly pupae were collected in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, of which 30.73% were parasitized. From these, 1,492 parasitoids belonging to the families Pteromalidae, Braconidae, and Encyrtidae emerged. The house fly Musca domestica represented 70.87% of all flies collected. Among the parasitoids, Nasonia vitripennis, Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae, and Spalangia endius were the most abundant and frequent species. Notably, Aphaereta muesebecki is reported here for the first time in South America, and new regional records are provided for Aphaereta laeviuscula. These results expand the known distribution of parasitoid taxa associated with synanthropic flies and highlight the ecological relevance of native parasitoid communities for the development of integrated pest management strategies in poultry production systems.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Studies on entomogenous galls in the Brazilian savannah of the State of São Paulo are very scarce, and the diversity of gall-forming insects in these areas is barely known. The Ecological Station of Jataí (ESJataí), located in Luiz Antônio, is the largest protect area of Cerrado in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, covering 9,074 hectares. This study builds on the 2012 survey of entomogenous galls, extending it to new areas and phytophysiognomies within the ESJataí. A total of 103 gall morphotypes were identified on 47 plant species belonging to 22 families in these new samples. The results showed that only ten host plant species and ten morphotypes were present in both surveys. Another difference from the previous study are that Fabaceae (N=33), rather than Annonaceae (N=10), presented the highest richness of gall morphotypes and the super-host plant species is Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. (Fabaceae) (N=15) instead of Byrsonima cf intermedia A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae) (N=6). Duguetia furfuracea (A. St.-Hil.) Saff. (Annonaceae) was found to be a super-host species in both surveys (N=5 in 2012 and N=9 in 2024). The associated fauna is composed of four guilds, inducers (N=17), parasitoids (N=25), inquilines (N=4), and successors (N=17). Most of the gall-inducing insects belonged to the Cecidomyiidae family (Diptera) (N=17), with Clinodiplosis bellum Urso-Guimarães and Carmo-Neto, 2015, Alycaulus hexadentatus Urso-Guimarães, 2018, and Lopesia curupirae Urso-Guimarães, Garcia and Ospina, 2024 reported for the first time to this area.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Psarochlorops Fairchild is a subgenus of Catachlorops and has never been subject to revision since its creation in 1969. Here, we provide a revision of the species in the subgenus for which we obtained type photos and analyzed material from collections. We provide type photos of all species, as well as their synonyms, an identification key to the species in the subgenus and distribution maps for the species. We describe two new species: Catachlorops chicoi sp. nov. and Catachlorops tocantinensis sp. nov. and synonymize four species: Catachlorops difficilis (Kröber), C. poecilopterus (Schiner), C. lineatus Burger and C. quadrimaculatus (Macquart) under C. testaceus (Macquart). Thus, Psarochlorops now has nine valid species. Additionally, we provide comments and photographs for the males of C. ecuadoriensis and C. testaceus, the only species in the subgenus with known males.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT The taxonomy of the subgenus Dichotomius sensu stricto was recently updated and divided into twelve species groups and three incertae sedis species. One of these groups is the Dichotomius bitiensis (Gillet, 1911) species group, which is revised in this paper. Based on a revision of all the type material, and the external and male genitalia morphology of other material deposited in fifteen entomological collections, the taxonomic revision of this group is carried out. Seven species are included in the group: D. bitiensis (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay); Dichotomius boillyi new name (Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, and Suriname); Dichotomius costaricensis (Luederwaldt, 1935) (Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, and Venezuela); Dichotomius medinae sp. nov. (Colombia and Venezuela); Dichotomius motai (Pereira, 1942) (Brazil); Dichotomius missionus (Martínez, 1947) (Argentina) and Dichotomius nitidissimus (Waterhouse, 1891) (Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina). The lectotype for Pinotus bitiensis Gillet, 1911 was designated. For each of the species that are included in the group, the following information is presented: Taxonomic history, species' citation in published literature, description or redescription of males and females, list of material examined, photographs of the external morphology, illustrations of the male genital organ and its endophallites, and a distribution map.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Insects and ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) have been described in fossil amber inclusions. However, arthropod syninclusions such as myriapods and ticks are less common. In this study, an extinct tick larva, Compluriscutula vetulum, and a millipede Chilognatha (Diplopoda; Latrielle, 1802) were identified in Burmese (Myanmar, Burma, Cretaceous, ca. 99 Mya) fossil amber syninclusions. From ecological perspective, the results expand our knowledge of tick evolution and coexistence with other arthropods in Cretaceous environment.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Following a recommendation of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, we provide a catalog of the type specimens of Drosophilidae (Insecta, Diptera) held in the collection of the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP). Information on type labels and conditions is also provided on 654 type specimens of 79 Neotropical species.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT A classification of 17 species-groups within the genus Athyreus is proposed, along with a key for their identification. Groups arretado, bellator, conspicuus, hemisphaericus, pyriformis, and unicornis have one species each; groups forcipatus, tuberifer, and vavini have two species; groups armatus, chalybeatus, and fritzi have three species; group aeneus and bifurcatus with four species; group tridens with five species; group tribuliformis with eight species; group bilobus with nine species; and three species are incertae sedis. With these species groups, we revised two of them: group aeneus with a new species, A. boillyi sp. nov.; and group bilobus with five new species: A. felipeorum sp. nov., A. furtadoi sp. nov., A. paraguayensis sp. nov., A. periotoi sp. nov., and A. xomano. We provide illustrations and identification keys for species of these groups.

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT Here we describe Cyclidius paprockii sp. nov., a new species of Cremastocheilini from the biogeographical province of Cerrado of Brazil, and provide an updated identification key for the genus Cyclidius MacLeay, 1838. The genus now comprises five valid species: C. atlanticus Rodrigues, Grossi and Vaz-de-Mello, 2025, C. elongatus (Olivier, 1789), C. lacordairei, Thomson, 1860, C. rohdei, Kolbe 1893, and the newly described C. paprockii sp. nov. The new species can be readily distinguished by the shape of the pronotum and clypeus, as well as other morphological traits discussed herein. This discovery broadens our understanding of Cyclidius diversity and highlights the importance of continued sampling, as the limited availability of specimens has historically hindered the recognition of new taxa within American Cremastocheilini.