Two new species of Drosophila (Diptera, Drosophilidae) associated with inflorescences of Goeppertia monophylla (Marantaceae) in the city of São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Two new Brazilian species of Drosophila (subgenus Drosophila) are described and illustrated: Drosophila asymmetrica sp. nov. and Drosophila peixotoi sp. nov. Both species were collected, and emerged, from inflorescences of Goeppertia monophylla (Marantaceae) in the urban Forest Reserve of the Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo and their types will be deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da USP. The former species, which could not be assigned to any known group, has a conspicuously asymmetric aedeagus and a narrow oviscapt valve. The latter species belongs to the guarani group and is closely related to D. guaru, D. ornatifrons and D. subbadia, from which it can be distinguished by the presence of just one conspicuous large black spine at inner lower tip of cercus instead of two spines.

Criaderos de Aedes aegypti en la ciudad de Asunción, Paraguay durante los años 2011-2014 / Aedes aegypti breeding site in the city of Asunción, Paraguay in the 2011-2014 periods

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las poblaciones propensas a sufrir la aparición del dengue y otras enfermedades transmitidas por el Aedes aegypti en aquellas que no cuentan con un adecuado sistema de eliminación de residuos (desechos sólidos) y el suministro de agua potable es deficiente, lo cual contribuye a la aparición de los criaderos del mosquito vector. OBJETIVO: Describir los tipos de criaderos de Aedes aegypti en la ciudad de Asunción en el periodo 2011-2014. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio observacional descriptivo sobre los criaderos registrados en la base de datos del Servicio Nacional de Erradicación del Paludismo del levantamiento larval de Aedes aegypti en Asunción en el periodo 2011-2014. Resultados: Se denotó el predominio de criaderos inservibles, representando entre el 58% y el 72% del total de criaderos positivos encontrados, seguidos de los criaderos útiles (26% y el 40%), y por último los criaderos naturales (≤2%). Los criaderos útiles, inservibles y naturales exhiben una homogeneidad en los diferentes años analizados, representada por floreros, bebedero con agua para los criaderos considerados de utilidad para el ciudadano; neumáticos usados, cubetas descartables y desechos sólidos para los criaderos inservibles y axilas de hojas en lo que respecta a criaderos naturales. CONCLUSIÓN: La información obtenida podrá optimizar las decisiones y acciones del control vectorial del Aedes aegypti en lo referente a la focalización de los criaderos y su posterior disposición final por parte de la comuna o entidades responsables.

INTRODUCTION: The populations prone to dengue and other diseases transmitted by Aedes aegypti are those that do not have an adequate waste disposal system (solid waste) and the drinking water supply is deficient, which contributes to the emergence of mosquito vector breeding containers. OBJECTIVE: To describe the types of Aedes aegypti breeding site in the city of Asunción in the 2011-2014period. METHODOLOGY: Observational descriptive study on breeding siteregistered in the database of the National Malaria Eradication Service of the larval survey of Aedes aegypti in Asunción in the 2011- 2014period. Results: There was a predominance of unusable breeding sites, representing between 58% and 72% of the total number of positive breeding, followed by the useful breeding site (26% and 40%), and finally the natural breeding sites (≤2%) . The useful, unusable and natural breeding places exhibit a homogeneity in the different years analyzed, represented by vases, drinker with water for the breeding site considered useful for people; used tires, disposable buckets and unserviceable solid waste for useless hatcheries and leaf armpits for natural breeding site. CONLCUSION: The information obtained will allow optimizing decisions and actions onAedes aegypti vector control in relation to the targeting of breeding sites and their subsequent final disposal by the commune or responsible entities.

Identification of essential containers for <i>Aedes</i> larval breeding to control dengue in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dengue fever (DF), one of the mostimportant emerging arboviral diseases, is transmitted through the bite ofcontainer breeding mosquitoes <i>Aedesaegypti</i> and <i>Aedes albopictus</i>. Ahousehold entomological survey was conducted in Dhaka from August throughOctober 2000 to inspect water-holding containers in indoor, outdoor, androoftop for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Theobjective of this study was to determine mosquito productivity of eachcontainer type and to identify some risk factors of the households to beinfested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 9222 households inspected, 1306(14.2%) were positive for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 38 777wet containers examined, 2272 (5.8%)were infested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Containers used for reserving water,such as earthen jars, tanks, and drums were the most essential containers forlarval breeding. Tires in outdoor and rooftop of the households were alsoimportant for larval breeding. Although present in abundant, less importancewas indicated for buckets. Independent household, having water storage systemin the house, and having fully/partly shaded outdoor premise were foundsignificantly associated with household infestation of <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Identification and subsequent elimination of the most productive containers ina given area may potentially reduce mosquito density below a level at whichdengue transmission may be halted.

Identification of Essential Containers for <i>Aedes</i> Larval Breeding to Control Dengue in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dengue fever (DF), one of the most important emerging arboviral diseases, is transmitted through the bite of container breeding mosquitoes <i>Aedes aegypti</i> and <i>Aedes albopictus</i>. A household entomological survey was conducted in Dhaka from August through October 2000 to inspect water-holding containers in indoor, outdoor, and rooftop locations for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. The objective of this study was to determine mosquito productivity of each container type and to identify some risk factors of households infested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 9,222 households inspected, 1,306 (14.2%) were positive for <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Of 38,777 wet containers examined, 2,272 (5.8%) were infested with <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Containers used to hold water, such as earthen jars, tanks, and drums were the most common containers for larval breeding. Tires in outdoor and rooftop locations of the households were also important for larval breeding. Although present in abundance, buckets were of less importance. Factors such as independent household, presence of a water storage system in the house, and fully/partly shaded outdoors were found to be significantly associated with household infestation of <i>Aedes</i> larvae. Identification and subsequent elimination of the most productive containers in a given area may potentially reduce mosquito density to below a level at which dengue transmission may be halted.

Calidad de la ejecución del Programa de Vigilancia y Control de Otros Culícidos / Quality of the implementation of the Surveillance and Control Program of Other Culicids

Se realizó una investigación sobre sistemas y servicios de salud para evaluar la calidad de la ejecución del Programa de Vigilancia y Control de otros Culícidos en las áreas de salud "XX Aniversario" y "Armando García Aspurú" del municipio de Santiago de Cuba, en el período 2009-2010. El universo estuvo constituido por 28 criaderos naturales, 10 puntos de captura específica, 11 prestadores y 60 usuarios. Las dimensiones estudiadas fueron la calidad científico-técnica (competencia profesional) y la satisfacción de prestadores y usuarios. La evaluación de la estructura reveló que fue inadecuada por déficit de personal especializado (50,0 %), por la ausencia del programa y por la escasa disponibilidad de pilas y cucharones carter; la del proceso, por baja competencia profesional e incumplimientos de tratamientos biológicos y físicos; la de los resultados, por insatisfacción con las actividades de capacitación (81,1 %) y por déficit de recursos materiales (63,6 %). El porcentaje de positividad de los criaderos resultó ser elevado, las densidades larvarias e índices de picada estuvieron fuera de parámetros permisibles y predominaron las malas condiciones de saneamiento. Se emitieron recomendaciones relacionadas con los problemas identificados.

A research on health systems and services was conducted to evaluate the quality of implementation of the Surveillance and Control Program of other culicids in "XX Aniversario" and "Armando García Aspurú" health areas of Santiago de Cuba municipality in the period 2009-2010. The sample consisted of 28 natural breeding sites, 10 specific capture points, 11 providers and 60 users. The aspects studied were scientific and technical quality (professional competence) and satisfaction of providers and users. Evaluation of the structure revealed that it was inadequate due to specialized personnel deficit (50.0 %), absence of the program and limited availability of batteries and carter buckets; evaluation of the process revealed low professional competence and failure to comply with biological and physical treatments; and that of the results showed dissatisfaction with the training activities (81.1 %) and lack of material resources (63.6 %). The percentage of positive breeding sites was found to be high, larval densities and bite rates were out of permissible parameters, and poor sanitation prevailed. Recommendations related to identified problems were given.

Diversity of sandflies (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) captured in sandstone caves from Central Amazonia, Brazil

In the present paper we describe the diversity of phlebotomine sandflies collected in three sandstone caves in the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, state of Amazonas, Brazil. The phlebotomines were captured during 2006 with CDC light traps. Guano samples from inside the Gruta Refúgio do Maruaga were collected to investigate the presence of immature specimens. A total of 2,160 adult phlebotomines representing 15 species were captured. Pintomyia pacae was the dominant species in Gruta dos Animais (1,723 specimens) and Gruta dos Lages (50 specimens) and Deanemyia maruaga new comb (280 specimens) was the dominant species in Gruta Refúgio do Maruaga. A total of 18 guano samples were collected and seven of these samples included immature specimens. A total of 507 immature specimens were captured; 495 of these specimens were larvae and 12 were pupae. The presence of paca (Agouti paca) footprints near Gruta dos Animais and Gruta dos Lages suggests the association of Pi. pacae with this rodent. This finding may explain the abundance of Pi. pacae in these locations, while the species is relatively rare in the forest. Deanemyia maruaga is a cave species that uses guano to breed during its immature stages. Adult specimens of this species are apparently parthenogenetic and autogenous and represent the second record of parthenogenesis for the subfamily Phlebotominae.

Extension of the geographical distribution of two anuran species for Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, with comments on natural history / Extensão da distribuição geográfica de duas espécies de anuros para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, com comentários sobre história natural

We record for the first time Crossodactylus schmidti (Anura: Hylodidae) and Proceratophrys avelinoi (Anura: Cycloramphidae) from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, based on individuals captured in an area of Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest, the Parque Estadual do Turvo, located in the northwest region of the state. These records extend the geographical range for both species in about 60 km from the nearest known locality, the Municipality of San Vicente, Misiones, Argentina. We provide a characterization of the calling site used by males of Crossodactylus schmidti, and we also determined the niche breadth of P. avelinoi regarding to the use of water bodies.

Reportamos o primeiro registro de Crossodactylus schmidti (Anura: Hylodidae) e Proceratophrys avelinoi (Anura: Cycloramphidae) para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, com base em indivíduos coletados em área de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Parque Estadual do Turvo, região noroeste do estado. Estes registros ampliam a área de distribuição das duas espécies em aproximadamente 60 km a partir da localidade mais próxima conhecida, o Município de San Vicente, Misiones, Argentina. Fornecemos, ainda, uma caracterização do sítio de vocalização de C. schmidti e determinamos a amplitude de nicho de P. avelinoi quanto ao uso de corpos d'água.

Distribuição espacial e características dos criadouros de Aedes albopictus e Aedes aegypti em Fortaleza, Estado do Ceará / Spatial distribution and breeding site characteristics of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti in Fortaleza, State of Ceará

INTRODUÇÃO: desde seu registro, em 2005, no município de Fortaleza, o Aedes albopictus tem exibido uma rápida dispersão. Um estudo visando à identificação das áreas de sua ocorrência, os seus criadouros e a associação com Aedes aegypti e outros culicídeos foi realizado durante o ano de 2008. MÉTODOS: foram coletadas, de janeiro a julho de 2008, amostras de formas imaturas de culicídeos provenientes de imóveis situados nos bairros de Fortaleza, ressaltando-se algumas características dos criadouros, tais como localização (intradomicílio ou peridomicílio), presença de cobertura (proteção contra a incidência de raios solares e chuva), turbidez da água (água límpida e não límpida), material constituinte, volume, altura em relação ao nível do solo e presença simultânea de diferentes espécies de culicídeos no mesmo criadouro. RESULTADOS: a localização no intradomicílio foi um fator importante para os criadouros do Aedes albopictus [RP=0,52 IC95 por cento (0,33-0,81)], por outro lado, a turbidez da água e a cobertura do depósito não se mostraram como diferenciadores para a infestação [p>0,05]. Para o Aedes aegypti a ausência de turbidez da água foi significativa para a infestação nos criadouros [RP=1,14 IC95 por cento (1,06-1,22)]. CONCLUSÕES: a ausência de uma das espécies nos criadouros favorecia sua infestação por outra; criadouros não infestados por Aedes albopictus tinham uma prevalência de infestação de 2,05 [IC95 por cento1,72-2,44] vezes maior pelo Aedes aegypti. Não houve associação significativa entre volume e altura do criadouro e infestação por ambas as espécies. As duas espécies encontram-se dispersas por todo o município, ocupando os mais diversos tipos de criadouros. No entanto, pode-se identificar uma ligeira separação física, com uma infestação maior do Aedes albopictus no peridomicílio.

INTRODUCTION: Since the registration of Aedes albopictus in the municipality of Fortaleza in 2005, it has shown rapid dispersion. A study aiming to identify its occurrence areas, breeding sites and associations with Aedes aegypti and other culicids was carried out during 2008. METHODS: Between January and July 2008, samples of immature forms of culicids were gathered from properties located in districts of Fortaleza. Certain features of the breeding sites were highlighted, such as location (indoors or outdoors), presence of covering (protection against impact of sunlight and rain), water turbidity (water clear or not clear), constituent material, volume, height above ground level and simultaneous presence of different species of culicids in the same breeding site. RESULTS: Indoor location was an important factor for the breeding sites for Aedes albopictus [PR = 0.52; 95 percent CI: 0.33-0.81]. On the other hand, water turbidity and reservoir covering were not shown to be differentiators regarding infestation [p > 0.05]. Absence of water turbidity was significant for Aedes aegypti infestation in breeding sites [PR = 1.14; 95 percent CI: 1.06-1.22]. CONCLUSIONS: Absence of one of the species from the breeding sites enhanced the infestation by another species. Breeding sites that had not been infested by Aedes albopictus had a prevalence of infestation by Aedes aegypti that was 2.05 times greater [95 percent CI: 1.72-2.44]. There was no significant association between volume and height of the breeding sites and infestation by both species. Both species were found to be dispersed throughout the municipality, occupying a wide diversity of breeding sites. However, a slight physical separation could be identified, with higher infestation with Aedes albopictus outdoors.