Chinese chives and garlic in intercropping in strawberry high tunnels for Neopamera bilobata Say (Hemiptera: Rhyparochromidae) control.

Strawberry is affected by several pests and diseases. Neopamera bilobata is an emerging pest that has been reported by several strawberry growers, usually associated with catfacing symptoms in fruits. We evaluated intercropping garlic or Chinese chives on N. bilobata populations on strawberry crops grown in high tunnels in two experiments. In the first experiment, we evaluated N. bilobata populations on strawberry intercropping with garlic plants (three densities: 8, 16, 24 GP - garlic plant per plot) on the bags by taking 12 samples from December 2015 to April 2017. N. bilobata populations on strawberry were also assessed when Chinese chives were grown under the suspended wooden structures in which strawberry plants are grown ('undercropping') (14 samples), in two high tunnels, from November 2016 to March 2017. The number of nymphs and adults on 14 randomly selected fruits per plot were assessed. During the garlic intercropping experiment, the treatments of three densities of garlic reduced N. bilobata populations; however, the 24 GP treatment caused a greater reduction than the 8 GP treatment. Garlic densities reduced N. bilobata populations by 35, 50, and 64% for the 8, 16, and 24 GP treatments, respectively. Chinese chives cultivated under the structures reduced N. bilobata populations by 47%. The results suggest that intercropping garlic or undercropping Chinese chives are suitable tools to be tested in integrated pest management in strawberry crops.

First Report of Raoiella indica (Hirst) (Acari: Tenuipalpide) in Southern Brazil.

The red palm mite (RPM), Raoiella indica (Hirst) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), was found for the first time in the Paraná State, in southern Brazil. The first observations occurred in September 2015, on strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) leaves, which is not considered a typical host plant of RPM. It is probable that its occurrence on this plant was serendipitous. Visual surveys for RPM were carried out on four typical host plants (banana, coconut, foxtail palm, and real palm), in five cities of the Paraná State (Bela Vista do Paraíso, Londrina, Maringá, Marialva, and Sarandi). RPM was found on each of the four typical host plants, in each of the five cities. Our survey extends RPM occurrence to the southern region of Brazil and indicates that the pest could be widespread in the country.

Takayasu arteritis. Treatment and prognosis in a university center in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment and evolution of TA patients in a University Center in Brazil. This is a retrospective and descriptive study, that included all patients with TAs who attended the out-patient clinic at the Universidade Federal de Sao Palo, between 1993 and 1998. Twenty-four patients were women and 22 where white. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 27 yo. Full arteriography was performed in 28 patients and carotid duplex ultrasound plus computed tomography of aorta was done in two patients. Type I was found in 4, type II-a and type II in one case each, the type IV in 4 cases and the type V in 20 patients. Regarding the treatment only three patients with quiescent disease did not receive any medications. Twenty-seven patients (90%) received prednisone and only ten of these patients achieved disease control. Forth-eight percent of patients who received prednisone showed some side effects. Twelve patients received methotrexate associated to prednisone and 58% of them had a good response. Two patients who did not control disease activity with prednisone plus methotrexate received cyclophosphamide without good results. Some surgical procedure was performed in ten TA patients. Three patients died during the follow-up. This study showed that the majority of TA patients attended at a University Center needed association of prednisone and methotrexate to control disease activity, 30% needed some surgical procedures and that may be a cause of death in a young patient.