Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. from Brazil, a new gregarious microgastrine parasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared from Hypercompe cunigunda (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Brazil

Abstract A new species of Diolcogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is described and illustrated. Additionally, its position within the recently published key to New World species of the xanthaspis species-group (to which the described Diolcogaster belongs) is provided. The gregarious larval parasitoid Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. was collected in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil. This natural enemy was recovered from a caterpillar of Hypercompe cunigunda (Stoll, 1781) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) that was feeding on plant of passionflower, Passiflora edulis Sims (Passifloraceae). The fauna of the xanthaspis group in the New World now includes five species, including the new species from Brazil described in this paper. Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. differs anatomically, and is morphologically diagnosed, from all other known member of the xanthaspis group of the genus Diolcogaster, to which it belongs. The species also differs in recorded host, and its DNA barcode appears to be distinctive among described Diolcogaster.

Cotesia invirae, sp. nov., from South Brazil: a new gregarious microgastrine wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared from Opsiphanes invirae (Nymphalidae) feeding on palms

Abstract A new species of microgastrine wasp, Cotesia invirae Salgado-Neto & Whitfield, sp. nov., is described from southern Brazil in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. This species is a koinobiont gregarious larval endoparasitoid and spins a common mass of cocoons underneath the host caterpillars of Opsiphanes invirae (Huebner, 1818) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), feeding on the palm trees Syagrus romanzoffianum (Cham.) Becc.; Livistona chinensis (N.J. Jacquim) R. Brown; Roystonea regia (HBK) O.F. Cook; Archontophoenix cunninghamiana Wendland & Drude (Palmaceae). Morphological, molecular, biological, ecological and geographical data are integrated to describe the new species.

Diolcogaster flammeus sp. nov. from Brazil, a new Microgastrinae wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) of importance in biological control

ABSTRACT A new species of Diolcogaster (Ashmead, 1900) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is described and illustrated. Additionally, a key to all New World species formally published of the xanthaspis species-group (to which the new species belongs) is provided. The solitary larval parasitoid Diolcogaster flammeus sp. nov. was collected in Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. This natural enemy was reared from caterpillars of Agaraea minuta (Schaus, 1892) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) feeding on plants of spiked spiralflag ginger, Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw. and ginger spiral, Costus spiralis (Jacq.) Roscoe var. spiralis (Costaceae). The fauna of the xanthaspis group in the New World included just three published species prior to this publication. Diolcogaster flammeus sp. nov. is the only yellow-orange species of the xanthaspis group recorded in the New World thus far.

First record of Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) infecting adults of Melanagromyza sojae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Brazil / Primeiro registro de Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) infectando adultos de Melanagromyza sojae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) no Brasil

ABSTRACT: This note is the first report on the infection of adult stage of Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera: Agromyzidae) by the entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) (Berk. & Broome) G. H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, in subtropical Brazil. Entomopathogenic fungi, which attack dipteran insects, are of great scientific and economic importance mainly due to their potential as biological control agents of insect pests. Our findings bring new perspectives on the geographical distribution and host range of Ophiocordyceps dipterigena. We emphasize the need of further studies and research on new biological control agents of agricultural pests such as the soybean stem miner fly.

RESUMO: Esta nota é o primeiro registro da infecção no estágio adulto de Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera: Agromyzidae) pelo fungo entomopatogênico Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) (Berk & Broome) G. H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, no Brasil subtropical. Fungos entomopatogênicos, que atacam dípteros, são de importância científica e econômica principalmente devido ao potencial como agentes de controle biológico de pragas de insetos. Este trabalho traz novas perspectivas sobre a distribuição geográfica e variação de hospedeiro de Ophiocordyceps dipterigena. Destacamos a necessidade de ampliar o conhecimento sobre novos agentes de controle biológico de pragas agrícolas como a mosca minadora do caule da soja.

Syntomopus parisii and Leptomeraporus sp. parasitizing Melanagromyza sojae in Brazil / Syntomopus parisii e Leptomeraporus sp. parasitando Melanagromyza sojae no Brasil

ABSTRACT: This note is the first report of Syntomopus parisii De Santis 1976 and Leptomeraporus sp. (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) simultaneously parasitizing Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Brazil. The Pteromalidae parasitoids are natural enemies of stem miner flies, opening perspectives for biological control of soybean stem miner fly.

RESUMO: Esta nota é o primeiro registro de Syntomopus parisii De Santis 1976 e Leptomeraporus sp. (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) parasitando simultaneamente Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera, Agromyzidae) no Brasil. Os parasitoides Pteromalidae são inimigos naturais de moscas minadoras do caule, abrindo perspectivas para o controle biológico da mosca minadora do caule da soja.

White grub (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) mortality induced by Ophiocordyceps melolonthae / Mortalidade em corós (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) induzida por Ophiocordyceps melolonthae

ABSTRACT: The occurrence of white grub roots in soybean crops in the South of Brazil has gradually increased. However, there is not information on the biological control of grubs by entomopathogenic fungi. This study aimed to induce infection by Ophiocordyceps melolonthae and analyze longevity in Cyclocephala modesta and Dyscinetus gagates larvae (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae). In the laboratory, Cyclocephala modesta and Dyscinetus gagates had a mortality rate of 85% and 75%, respectively.

RESUMO: A ocorrência de corós-praga de raízes em lavoura de soja, no Sul do Brasil, tem gradualmente aumentado. Entretanto, não há informação sobre controle biológico de corós por fungos entomopatogênicos. Este estudo tem o objetivo de induzir a infecção por Ophiocordyceps melolonthae e analisar a longevidade em larvas de Cyclocephala modesta e Dyscinetus gagates (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae). Em laboratório, Cyclocephala modesta e Dyscinetus gagates apresentaram uma taxa de mortalidade de 85% e 75%, respectivamente.

Fusarium oxysporum dispersion by larvae of Cyclocephala modesta , Dyscinetus gagates and Diloboderus abderus in Brazil / Disperção de Fusarium oxysporum por larvas de Cyclocephala modesta, Dyscinetus gagates e Diloboderus abderus no Brasil

ABSTRACT: The scientific and economic importance of soybean root rot justifies the study of this disease, especially the role of insects as dispersers in the spread of root pathogens. The objective was to identify and evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the role of Cyclocephala modesta, Dyscinetus gagates and Diloboderus abderus (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae ) in the dispersion of root pathogens in cultivated fields. The fungi were identified to the species level with DNA extraction and sequencing of these organisms within Melolonthidae larvae . Larvae were dissected and separated into the parts: mouth parts, prothorax, cuticle and digestive tract (alimentary canal). The Internal Transcribed Spacer region of the rRNA was amplified and compared to sequences deposited in GenBank. This is the first record of dispersion Fusarium oxysporum by Cyclocephala modesta, Dyscinetus gagates and Diloboderus abderus (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae ) under soybean in Brazil.

RESUMO: A importância científica e econômica da podridão radicular da soja justifica o estudo desta doença, especialmente o papel dos insetos como dispersores na disseminação de patógenos radiculares. O objetivo foi identificar e avaliar qualitativa e quantitativamente o papel de Cyclocephala modesta , Dyscinetus gagates e Diloboderus abderus (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae ) na dispersão de patógenos radiculares em campos cultivados. Os fungos foram identificados ao nível de espécie com a extração de DNA e sequenciamento desses organismos dentro de larvas Melolonthidae . As larvas foram dissecadas e separadas em partes: peças bucais, protórax, cutícula e trato digestivo (canal alimentar). A região ITS do RNA ribossômico foi amplificada e comparada com sequências depositadas no GenBank. Este é o primeiro registro da dispersão de Fusarium oxysporum por Cyclocephala modesta , Dyscinetus gagates e Diloboderus abderus (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae ) em cultura de soja no Brasil.

First report of the occurrence of Ophiocordyceps melolonthae (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) in larvae of Diloboderus abderus Sturm (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) in Brazil / Primeiro registro da ocorrência de Ophiocordyceps melolonthae (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) em larvas de Diloboderus abderus Sturm (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) no Brasil

This note is the first report on the infection of Diloboderus abderus Sturm (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) larvae by the fungusOphiocordyceps melolonthae (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) in subtropical Brazil. Identification was made possible by extraction and sequencing of the fungal DNA that was covering the larvae's mouthparts, prothorax, cuticle, and digestive tract (alimentary canal). Amplification, sequencing and comparison of the ITS region of the ribosomal DNA with voucher sequences of GenBank were performed and were 95% similar to Ophiocordyceps melolonthae. The fungus is an entomopathogen which attacks Melolonthidae larvae, having scientific and economic importance because of the need for increased knowledge on its distribution and on alternatives for biological control of white grubs.

Esta nota é o primeiro registro da infecção de larvas de Diloboderus abderus Sturm pelo fungoOphiocordyceps melolonthae na região subtropical do Brasil. A identificação foi possível graças è extração e sequenciamento do DNA do fungo que cobria o aparelho bucal, protórax, cutícula e aparelho digestivo (canal alimentar) das larvas. Amplificação, sequenciamento e comparação da região ITS com sequências voucher do GenBank foram realizados, mostrando 95% de similaridade com Ophiocordyceps melolonthae. O fungo é um entomopatógeno que ataca larvas Melolonthidae, tendo importância científica e econômica devido è necessidade de aumento do conhecimento sobre sua distribuição e de alternativas de controle biológico de corós.

First record of Xanthozona melanopyga (Diptera: Tachinidae) on Brassolis astyra (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) for Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Primeiro registro de Xanthozona melanopyga (Diptera: Tachinidae) em Brassolis astyra (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) para o Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Xanthozona melanopyga (Wiedmann, 1830) (Diptera: Tachinidae) is recorded here as a parasitoid of Brassolis astyra Godart, 1824 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Dipteran endoparasitoids have been recorded as pupal endoparasitoids of Brassolis sophorae (L.), due to the scientific and economic importance of these interespecific relationships, and aiming to increase the knowledge on natural and conservative biological control, I hereby record Xanthozona melanopyga (Wiedmann) as larval-pupal parasitoid of Brassolis astyra Godart for the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For the first time.

Xanthozona melanopyga (Wiedmann, 1830) (Diptera: Tachinidae) é registrada como parasitóide de Brassolis astyra Godart, 1824 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). Representantes de Diptera têm sido registrados como endoparasitóides de pupas de Brassolis sophorae (L.). Diante da importância científica e econômica desse tipo de relação interespecífica, visando à ampliação de conhecimentos relacionados ao controle biológico natural e conservativo, o presente registra no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, a ocorrência de parasitismo por Xanthozona melanopyga (Wiedmann, 1830) como parasitóide larva-pupa em Brassolis astyra Godart, 1824. Pela primeira vez.

First report of parasitism on pupae of Opsiphanes invirae amplificatus Stichel (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) by Conura (Conura) maculata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

First report of parasitism on pupae of Opsiphanes invirae amplificatus Stichel (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) by Conura (Conura) maculata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This scientific note records the parasitism on pupae of Opsiphanes invirae amplificatus Stichel (1904) by Conura (Conura) maculata (Fabricius). This is a report of this interaction in the subtropical region of South America and the first report of the occurrence of this parasitoid in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Primeiro registro de parasitismo em pupas de Opsiphanes invirae amplificatus Stichel (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) por Conura (Conura) maculata (Fabricius) (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Esta nota científica registra o parasitismo em pupas de Opsiphanes invirae amplificatus Stichel (1904) por Conura (Conura) maculata (Fabricius). Este é um registro desta interação na região subtropical da América do Sul e o primeiro relato de ocorrência deste parasitóide no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Parasitismo de pupas de Argon lota Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) por Brachymeria pandora (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) no Rio Grande do Sul / Parasitism of Argon lota Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) by Brachymeria pandora (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Chalcididae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

This note reports the first record of parasitism of Argon lota Hewitson pupae by the facultative gregarious parasitoid Brachymeria pandora (Crawford). Up to six adults (three males and three females) of B. pandora were observed to emerge from a single A. lota pupa.