The predator Coenosia Attenuata Stein (Diptera, Muscidae) on cultivated plants from Brazil

ABSTRACT Coenosia attenuata Stein (1903) is a predatory fly that is commonly found in greenhouses and open fields preying on whiteflies, leafminers, psocopterans and other insects. The species is widespread in the Old World and its distribution has expanded in recent times to Neotropical countries including Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. We report here for the first time the presence of C. attenuata in Brazil, occurring in different sites in the State of Ceará (Northeastern Brazil). Expansion of the distribution range of this muscid to the eastern parts of South America opens up the possibility of applying the beneficial predator as a biological control agent for protected crops of the region.

Differential Diptera succession patterns onto partially burned and unburned pig carrion in southeastern Brazil / Diferenças no padrão de sucessão de Diptera em carcaças de porco parcialmente carbonizadas e não carbonizadas

In the present contribution we compared the entomological succession pattern of a burned carcass with that of an unburned one. For that, we used domestic pig carcasses and focused on Calliphoridae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae flies, because they are the ones most commonly used in Postmortem Interval estimates. Adult and immature flies were collected daily. A total of 27 species and 2,498 specimens were collected, 1,295 specimens of 26 species from the partially burned carcass and 1,203 specimens of 22 species from the control carcass (unburned). The species composition in the two samples differed, and the results of the similarity measures were 0.875 by Sorensen and 0.756 by Bray-Curtis index. The results obtained for both carcasses also differ with respect to the decomposition process, indicating that the post mortem interval would be underestimated if the entomological succession pattern observed for a carcass under normal conditions was applied to a carbonized carcass.

Nesta contribuição, nós comparamos o padrão de sucessão entomológica de uma carcaça carbonizada com outra não carbonizada. Para tal, nós usamos carcaças de porcos domésticos e focamos nos dípteros Calliphoridae, Muscidae e Sarcophagidae, por estes serem os grupos de insetos mais comumente usados na estimativa do intervalo pós-morte. Moscas adultas e seus imaturos foram coletados diariamente. Um total de 27 espécies e 2.498 espécimes foi coletado, 1.295 espécimes de 26 espécies na carcaça parcialmente carbonizada e 1.203 espécimes de 22 espécies na carcaça controle (não carbonizada). A composição específica das duas amostras foi diferente e os cálculos de similaridade resultantes foram 0,875 pelo índice de Sorensen e 0,756 pelo índice de Bray-Curtis. Os resultados obtidos para ambas as carcaças também diferiram em relação ao processo de decomposição, indicando que o intervalo pós-morte poderia ser subestimado se o padrão de sucessão entomológica observado na decomposição de uma carcaça sob condições normais fosse aplicado a uma carcaça carbonizada.

Comportamento de propagação radial de larvas de Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (Diptera: Muscidae) em condições de laboratório / Behavior of radial larval propagation of Muscina stabulans (Fallén) (Diptera: Muscidae) under laboratory conditions

Muscina stabulans (Fallén) is a synanthropic fly commonly found in decomposing animal matter. Once food resources are exhausted, larvae will disperse in search for a suitable place to pupariate or for an additional source of food. The behavior of propagation of postfeeding L3 larvae was studied by analyzing the distance of propagation, the depth of pupariation site, the pupal weight and sex ratio using a 50 cm circular arena divided in four quadrants, and filled with a 10 cm thick layer of humid sawdust. The total of 70.9 percent of the larvae pupariate up to 20 cm away from the arena's center, with 41.8 percent of them from 2.1 cm to 4.0 cm deep. Pupae that did not yield adults were lighter, and were originated by larvae that moved longer away and dug deeper to pupariate in relation to those from which adults emerged.

New association between Philornis Meinert (Diptera: Muscidae) and Falconidae (Aves: Falconiformes) / Nova associação entre Philornis Meinert (Diptera: Muscidae) e Falconidae (Aves: Falconiformes)

This is the first record of Philornis falsificus Dodge & Aitken parasitizing a species of Falconidae.

Este é o primeiro registro de Philornis falsificus Dodge & Aitken parasitando uma espécie de Falconidae.

New records of calyptrate dipterans (Fanniidae, Muscidae and Sarcophagidae) associated with the decomposition of domestic pigs in Brazil

The calyptrate dipterans are the most important decomposers of human cadavers. Knowledge of their species and distribution are of great importance to forensic entomology, especially because of the enormous diversity in Brazil. Carcasses of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa, L) were the experimental models used to attract calyptrates of forensic interest during the winters of 2006 and 2007 and the summers of 2006 and 2008. A total of 24,423 specimens from 44 species were collected (19 Muscidae, 2 Fanniidae and 23 Sarcophagidae), three of which were new records of occurrence and 20 of which were new forensic records for the state of Rio de Janeiro. Fourteen of these species were newly identified as forensically important in Brazil.

A new host record for Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae) / Novo registro de hospedeiro para Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae)

The crested becard, Pachyramphus validus (Lichtenstein, 1823), is recorded, for the first time, as host of Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae). Subcutaneous larvae were collected in one nestling at the Floresta Nacional de Canela (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil).

O caneleiro-de-chapéu-preto, Pachyramphus validus (Lichtenstein, 1823), é registrado, pela primeira vez, como hospedeiro de Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae). Larvas subcutâneas foram coletadas em um filhote na Floresta Nacional de Canela (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil).

Philornis fasciventris (Wulp) (Diptera: Muscidae): description of the male, larva and puparium, with notes on biology and host association

O macho, larva e pupário de Philornis fasciventris (Wulp) são descritos pela primeira vez, assim como os hábitos larvais e associação com o hospedeiro. O material foi coletado em Yucatan, México no ninho de Eumomota superciliosa (Sandbach) (Coraciformes: Momotidae), primeiro hospedeiro registrado para essa espécie. E. superciliosa é também novo registro de hospedeiro para Philornis.

The male, larva and puparium of Philornis fasciventris (Wulp) are described for the first time, as well as the larval habit and host association. The material was collected in Yucatan, Mexico in a nest of the turquoise-browed motmot, Eumomota superciliosa (Sandbach) (Coraciformes: Momotidae), first host record for this species. E. superciliosa is also a new host record for Philornis.

Determining postmortem interval by accumulated temperature method / 法医学杂志

The experience of bug's growing and accumulated temperatures were important ways for determination of postmortem interval in forensic science. Here we used reverse accumulated temperature methods to estimate postmortem interval and made accordant result with their true time.

New data on Philornis seguyi Garcia (1952)(Diptera, Muscidae)

Philornis Meinert é um gênero muito interessante de Muscidae (Diptera), com larvas associadas a várias espécies de aves. Philornis seguyi Garcia (1952) foi descrita da Argentina e, até o momento, apenas a descrição da fêmea e a sua associação com uma espécie de aves eram conhecidas. Durante as estações de procriação nos anos de 2000-2002, exemplares de Philornis foram coletados em seis espécies de aves na província de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Todos os exemplares foram identificados como P. seguyi. O material coletado ensejou a descrição da larva, pupário, macho adulto, e terminália do macho e da fêmea. Todas as associações com hospedeiros assinaladas - Mimus saturninus (Mimidae), Troglodytes aedon (Troglodytidae), Pitangus sulfuratus (Tyrannidae), Pyrocephalus rubinus (Tyrannidae), Satrapa icterophrys (Tyrannidae), e Molothrus bonariensis (Icteridae) em ninhos de M. saturninus e Troglodytes aedon, são novas para P. seguyi. Dados sobre a biologia desta espécie também são apresentados.

Effects of industrial formulation of bacillus thuringiensis on the biology of musca domestica L [diptera: muscidae]

The effects of two industrial formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis [Bactimos and Vectobac] on larval and adult stages of Musca domestica L. were assessed in the laboratory. Biocides concentrations of 0.4% to 2% were tested on larvae, while the concentrations of 1% and 2% were tested on 'adults and were given to the flies in their diet. Larval mortality ranged between 38% and 53% and between 55% and 71% for bactimos and Vectobac respectively. Pupation rates decreased from 91% in the control group down to 47% and 29% for Bactimos and Vectobac respectively. Moreover, adult emergence rates decreased 3-4 folds in groups treated with the highest biocide concentrations. The effect on adult mortality was relatively lower, as control adults showed 4% mortality whereas those treated with Bactimos and Vectobac experienced 17-28% and 32-44% mortality respectively. In addition, biocides treatment induced a dramatic decrease in female fecundity from 273 eggs/female in the control to 118-180 eggs/female treated siblings. These findings indicate that Bactimos and Vectobac possess both direct and indirect harmful effects on Musca domestica

Classificação de fêmeas de Stomoxys calcitrans (L. ) (Diptera: Muscidae), de acordo com a idade fisiológica / Classification of female of Somoxys calcitrans (L. ) (Diptera: Muscidae), according to the physiological age

With the purpose of maiking easier the determination of the physiological age of Stomosys calcitrans population, a classification based on the oocitary developtment and number of ovipositions was proposed. Female were reared under laboratory conditions, in individual cages and maintained in the presence of male for copulation. On the proper time, ovary and oviduct were removed and the stage of development was observed. Adult female were classified as: 1-New emerged female, 2 - Young nuliparous female, 3 - Old nuliparous female, 4 - Uniparousfemale, 5 - Two or three ovipositions times female, and 6 - Multiparous female.