Nuevo foco de infección de Oxyspirura mansoni en gallos de pelea de municipios del estado Zulia Venezuela / New focal infection of Oxyspirura mansoni in gamecock of Municipalities of Zulia state Venezuela

El propósito de esta investigación fue determinar la existencia de un foco de infección de Oxispirurosis cuyo agente etiológico es un nematodo Thelazzidae: Oxyspirura mansoni (Cobbold, 1879). Este nematodo es responsable de la filariosis ocular de las aves. Este estudio se refiere a gallos de pelea ubicados en los siguientes municipios: Maracaibo, San Francisco, Mara y Jesús Enrique Lossada del estado Zulia. Venezuela. Estos parásitos están localizados debajo de la membrana nictitante de los ojos ocasionando absoluta ceguera. En el presente estudio el muestreo fue tomado de gallos de pelea de cuatro Municipios para un total de 630 aves. En una gallera del municipio Maracaibo, sector La Rotaria, 50,77 por ciento de los animales evaluados resultaron positivos. Los parásitos fueron extraídos directamente de los ojos después de haberles colocado una gota de ivermectina solución oftálmica (1 por ciento), mientras que otra gallera ubicada en el sector Delicias, 20 por ciento de las muestras de las aves estuvieron positivas; en una gallera del sector Lacteos San José, los animales estaban negativos; en el municipio San Francisco y en el sector Los Cortijos, 32 por ciento de las aves resultaron positivas. En el municipio Jesús Enrique Lossada las aves muestreadas resultaron negativas y en el municipio Mara, sector Los Lirios, 35 muestras resultaron negativas. Fueron colectadas numerosas cucarachas en las jaulas de los gallos infectados, identificadas y clasificadas: en el Orden: Dictyoptera, Suborden: Blattaria, Familia Blattidae, especie: Picnoscelus surinamensis, designada hospedador intermediario, la disección demostró larvas del nematodo Oxyspirura mansoni en la cavidad general. En las galleras negativas no estuvieron presentes los insectos. Se concluye que la cucaracha colectada en las galleras es la misma especie (Picnoscelus surinamensis) asociada con la enfermedad del primer trabajo reportado, pero las lesiones de las aves fueron relativamente moderadas.

The purpose of this research was to determine the existence of the source of an Oxispirurosis infection which ethiological agent is a nematode known as Thelaziidae: Oxyspirura mansoni (Cobbold, 1869). This nematode is responsible of ocular filariosis of birds. This study is related with gamecock birds located in the following Municipalities: Maracaibo, San Francisco, Jesus Enrique Lossada and Mara of Zulia State, Venezuela. These parasites are located under the nictitante membrane of the eye causing an absolute blindness. In the present study samples were taken from cocpits of four Municipalities of Zulia State with a total of 630 gamecock birds sampled. In Maracaibo, La Rotaria sector, 50.77 percent of evaluated animals were positive. The parasites were directly extracted from the eyes after treatment with an ivermectine ophthalmic solution (1 percent). In other cockpits located in Las Delicias sector, 20 percent of sampled birds were positive. In the San Francisco Municipality, Los Cortijos sector, 32 percent of sampled birds were positive, while in the second cockpit Lacteos San Jose the animals were negative. In the Jesús Enrique Lossada Municipality, all sampled birds resulted negative; in the Mara Municipality, Los Lirios sector, all 35 samples were negative. Were found in the cages of the gamecock birds that were positive, many cockroachs were identify and classified (Dictyoptera, Blattaria, Blattidae, specie: Picnoscelus surinamensis).This cockroach has been designated as the intermediary host. Larvae of nematode Oxyspirura mansoni were found in the general cavity of the cockroach. In the negative cockpits, the cockroachs were not present. It was concluded that the same cockroach species (Picnoscelus surinamensis) is associated with the disease as in previous work, but the degree of the lesions was relatively moderated.

Ocorrência de Planococcus minor Maskell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em algodoeiro no Nordeste do Brasil / Occurrence of Planococcus minor Maskell (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in cotton fields of Northeast Region of Brazil

A cochonilha Planococcus minor (Maskell) é uma praga importante de mais de 250 culturas pertencentes a cerca de 80 famílias. Entre as plantas hospedeiras, várias espécies de Malvaceae são atacadas, incluindo o gênero Gossypium. Durante as safras de 2005 e 2006 constatou-se o ataque de P. minor em lavouras de algodão localizadas no semi-árido nordestino do Brasil. A constatação foi feita em diferentes localidades, onde altas densidades populacionais da cochonilha chegaram a ocasionar mortalidade de plantas. Esse inseto não é citado como praga do algodoeiro em nenhuma região onde se cultiva o algodoeiro no Brasil, apesar de constar na lista de Pragas e Doenças Globais. Conseqüentemente, não existem estudos sobre essa cochonilha como praga do algodoeiro o que torna o seu manejo difícil no momento.

The mealybug Planococcus minor Maskell is a significant pest of more than 250 cultivated plants belonging to at least 80 families. Among the host plants several Malvaceae species are attacked, including the genera Gossypium. In 2005 and 2006 the mealybug P. minor was observed infesting cotton fields in the arid area of northeast region of Brazil. The occurrence was registered in high densities and in several farms resulting in mortality of plants in some cases. This species is not cited as a cotton pest in any region of Brazil where cotton grows, although it is enlisted in the Global Pest and Disease Database. Hence, there is a lack of studies what makes this pest of great deal to control.

Parâmetros biológicos e injúrias de Macrosoma tipulata Hübner (Lepidoptera: Hedylidae), em cupuaçuzeiro [Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum)] no Amazonas / Biological parameters and damage by Macrosoma tipulata Hübner (Lepidoptera: Hedylidae), in cupuaçu tree [Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum)] in Amazonas, Brazil

Foram estudados os aspectos biológicos e as injúrias da lagarta-do-cupuaçu Macrosoma tipulata Hübner em folhas jovens de plantas de cupuaçu Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd ex Spreng) Schum em laboratório, a 24,5 ± 0,7°C, UR 61,6 ± 9,1 por cento e fotofase de 12h. A fase larval apresentou cinco estádios com duração total de 15,9 ± 4,31 dias e viabilidade de 98 por cento. A duração do período de pupa foi de 7,0 ± 0,56 dias para macho e 6,9 ± 0,56 dias para fêmeas com viabilidade de 99 por cento para ambos os sexos. O comprimento médio da pupa foi de 18,9 ± 0,89 mm para machos e 19,1 ± 1,13 mm para fêmeas. A longevidade média dos adultos foi de 10,3 ± 2,25 dias. A distribuição vertical das injúrias foi relativamente uniforme, com tendência de maior desfolha na região mediana da copa das árvores, porém sem diferença entre as três posições.

Biological aspects of the caterpillar Macrosoma tipulata Hübner and its damage to young leaves of Theobroma grandiflorum (Wild ex Spreng Schum) were studied under laboratory conditions of 24.5 ± 0.7°C, UR 61.6 ± 9.1 percent and 12h photophase. The larval stage presented five instars with a total duration of 15.9 ± 4.31 days, and survival of 98 percent. The pupal period stage was 7.0 ± 0.56 days for males and 6.9 ± 0.56 days for females, with 99 percent survival for both sex. The pupal mean length was 18.9 ± 0.89 mm for males and 19.1 ± 1.13 mm for females. The mean longevity of the adult was 10.3 ± 2.25 days. The vertical distribution of damage was relatively uniform, with a tendency of greater defoliation in the middle of the treetop, but without significant difference among the three positions.

Decline of brugian filariasis in Cherthala taluk, Alappuzha district, Kerala.

A total of 4492 persons from 5 panchayats and 1 town were investigated from the Brugia malayi most endemic taluk of Cherthala, Alappuzha district of Kerala state. The urban area in Cherthala taluk only revealed mf carriers; mf rate was 0.13%. Rural areas in Cherthala taluk were free from infection. Microfilaria rate had declined by 99.5% and disease rate by 90.7% in Cherthala compared to 1934 prevalence. Shedding of sheath by B. malayi microfilariae was recorded for the first time in India. The youngest person with microfilaria and disease manifestation was 4 1/2 and 9 years respectively. All the 3 major vectors, Mansonia annulifera, Ma.uniformis and Culex quinquefasciatus were prevalent throughout. Complete disappearance of brugian filariasis from this taluk is a distinct possibility. The reasons for the drastic decline are discussed.