A global analysis of bioeconomy visions in governmental bioeconomy strategies.

Against the background of climate change and scarce non-renewable resources, transforming the fossil-based toward a bio-based economy is considered crucial for sustainable development. Numerous countries have released governmental strategies outlining their bioeconomy visions. This study examines the bioeconomy visions presented in 78 policy documents from 50 countries worldwide, building on earlier vision typologies. Through qualitative content analysis, 227 distinct policy goals were identified and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the salience of specific goals, overarching goal categories, and distinct bioeconomy visions: bioresource, biotechnology, and bioecology visions. The results reveal that goals and visions prioritize economic growth, while environmental considerations are less salient. The bioresource vision emerges as the globally dominant perspective, while the bioecology and biotechnology visions have lower salience. These findings deepen our comprehension of current bioeconomy policies and emphasize the need for critical research on bioeconomy visions and their implications for public policy.

Invasive mosquito vectors in Europe: From bioecology to surveillance and management.

Invasive mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) play a key role in the spread of a number of mosquito-borne diseases worldwide. Anthropogenic changes play a significant role in affecting their distribution. Invasive mosquitoes usually take advantage from biotic homogenization and biodiversity reduction, therefore expanding in their distribution range and abundance. In Europe, climate warming and increasing urbanization are boosting the spread of several mosquito species of high public health importance. The present article contains a literature review focused on the biology and ecology of Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, Ae. japonicus japonicus, Ae. koreicus, Ae. atropalpus and Ae. triseriatus, outlining their distribution and public health relevance in Europe. Bioecology insights were tightly connected with vector surveillance and control programs targeting these species. In the final section, a research agenda aiming for the effective and sustainable monitoring and control of invasive mosquitoes in the framework of Integrated Vector Management and One Health is presented. The WHO Vector Control Advisory Group recommends priority should be given to vector control tools with proven epidemiological impact.

The survival, development, and reproduction of Gonipterus platensis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on the main Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) genotypes planted in Brazil.

Background: Gonipterus platensis Marelli (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is the main defoliating beetle of Eucalyptus L'Hér. (Myrtaceae) plants worldwide. The suitability of Eucalyptus to this pest varies among host plant genotypes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the development, reproduction, and survival of G. platensis on Eucalyptus species and hybrids to assess their suitability to this insect pest in Brazil. Methods: The survival, development, and reproduction parameters were evaluated with G. platensis feeding leaves of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill., Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake and on the hybrids of E. grandis ×E. urophylla 'H13' and 'VR3748' in the laboratory. Results: The duration of the larval stage of G. platensis was shorter on E. urophylla. The pupal stage and the period from larva to adult were equally shorter on E. urophylla and E. camaldulensis. The viability of instars of this insect was low on both E. grandis and E. camaldulensis. The complete lifespan, oviposition period and reproduction parameters of G. platensis were greater on E. urophylla, lower on E. camaldulensis and E. grandis, and intermediate on both hybrids tested. Synthesis: Eucalyptus urophylla is the most suitable host for G. platensis survival, development, and reproduction, while E. grandis and E. camaldulensis are the least suitable.

The limitations of bioeconomy LCA studies for understanding the transition to sustainable bioeconomy.

Purpose: Transition to bioeconomy requires all actors and stakeholders to measure the impact of systems that use bioresources and technologies to provision society. There are however some challenges with integrating LCA into business development and management, which have important implications for bioeconomy. There have been many LCA studies published in the twenty-first century, but the question must be answered: how useful are these LCA studies to help understand and manage transition to sustainable bioeconomy? Method: This research used a structured literature review to identify 83 bioeconomy LCA studies published from January 2006 to June 2021 (excluding bioenergy). The studies were analysed for compliance with the ISO 14044 standard, with specific reference to the goal, commissioning perspective, system boundary, function and functional unit, impact methods and categories. Results and discussions: It was found that more than 85% of the studies reviewed failed to present the required goal statement and a description of the function of the system. Nearly 13% of the studies did not define the system boundary, and only 17% included a full life cycle including raw material extraction, production, use and end-of-life stages. The majority of the LCA studies surveyed from 2006 to 2021 were either (i) not in compliance with the ISO standards or (ii) space and style limitations of the publication process prevented competent practitioners from properly conveying their work. This suggests that the value and integrity of the literature are undermined by not rigorously addressing the first and most important stage of an LCA study. Conclusion: When interpreting the results, a major shortcoming noted was that most studies did not consider the industrial symbiosis needed between feedstock, technology, primary products, side streams, downstream valorisation and long-term circularity in order to properly understand the transition pathways required. Bioeconomy technologies were imagined as displacers for feedstocks and processes to adapt business as usual, rather than as transformers of the system to a sustainable footing. Recommendation: If LCA studies are going to provide meaningful information for actors and stakeholders to assess whether a system will be able to operate sustainably, studies should include a full, integrated system, standards should be adhered to and approaches should perhaps go beyond mere eco-efficiency, or doing less harm, as these are not necessarily indicative of sustainability. Historical bioeconomy LCA studies do not provide great insight into the transition to sustainable bioeconomy. Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11367-022-02053-w.

A bio-environmental perspective on Emirati female college students' experiences in virtual learning communities of inquiry.

During the coronavirus pandemic, educational institutions were forced to shift to virtual learning. Drawing on the Community of Inquiry framework and bioecological perspective, this research explores the virtual learning experiences of female college students at one higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates using an interpretive phenomenological paradigm. A convergent parallel mixed method design was implemented with participants (N = 350) who completed a questionnaire about the challenges of virtual learning followed by semi-structured interviews (N = 10). Observations, journals, and peer-reviewed literature was also used to explore the influence of cognitive, social, and teaching presence on students' perceptions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The researcher found students had a high perception of the three influences of Community of Inquiry framework and were aware of its importance. Furthermore, there were clear relationships between cognitive and teaching presence and cognitive and social presence. The importance of online teaching and learning strategies supports the interactivity of these presences.

Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) Gut Microbiota: Taxonomical and Functional Differences across Sex and Age Classes.

The Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) is a medium-size carnivore that, in Europe, is restricted to Iberia. The bio-ecology of this species remains to be elucidated in several dimensions, including gut microbiota that is nowadays recognized as a fundamental component of mammals. In this work, we investigated the gut microbiota of this herpestid by single-molecule real-time sequencing of twenty paired male (n = 10) and female (n = 10) intestinal samples. This culture-independent approach enabled microbial profiling based on 16S rDNA and investigation of taxonomical and functional features. The core gut microbiome of the adult subpopulation was dominated by Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Eight genera were uniquely found in adults and five in non-adults. When comparing gut bacterial communities across sex, four genera were exclusive of females and six uniquely found in males. Despite these compositional distinctions, alpha- and beta-diversity analyses showed no statistically significant differences across sex or between adult and non-adult specimens. However, when function was inferred, males presented a significantly higher abundance of amino acid and citrate cycle metabolic pathways, compared to the significant overrepresentation in females of galactose metabolic pathways. Additionally, adults exhibited a significantly higher abundance of cationic antimicrobial peptide resistance pathways, while non-adults bared a significant overrepresentation of two-component systems associated with antibiotic synthesis, flagellin and biofilm production, and chemotaxis control. This study adds new insights into the mongoose bio-ecology palette, highlighting taxonomical and functional microbiome dissimilarities across sex and age classes, possibly related to primary production resources and life-history traits that impact on behavior and diet.

Ecology of Malaria Vectors in an Endemic Area, Southeast of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Malaria has long been regarded as one of the most important public health issues in Iran. Although the country is now in the elimination phase, some endemic foci of malaria are still present in the southeastern areas of the country. In some endemic foci, there are no data on the malaria vectors. To fill this gap, the present study was designed to provide basic entomological data on malaria vectors in the southeastern areas of Iran. METHODS: Adult and larval stages of Anopheles mosquitoes were collected by using different catch methods. Resistance of the main malaria vector in the study area to selected insecticides was evaluated using diagnostic doses advised by the World Health Organization in 2013-2014. RESULTS: A total of 3288 larvae and 1055 adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected, and identified as: Anopheles stephensi (32.1%), Anopheles culicifacies s.l. (23.4%), Anopheles dthali (23.2%), Anopheles superpictus s.l. (12.7%), and Anopheles fluviatilis s.l. (8.6%). Anopheles stephensi was the most predominant mosquito species collected indoors at the study area, with two peaks of activity in May and November. This species was found to be resistant to DDT 4%, tolerant to malathion 5% and susceptible to other tested insecticides. CONCLUSION: All the five malaria vectors endemic to the south of Iran were collected and identified in the study area. Our findings on the ecology and resting/feeding habitats of these malaria vectors provide information useful for planning vector control program in this malarious area.

Nature Cure and Non-Communicable Diseases: Ecological Therapy as Health Care in India.

With rapidly increasing rates of non-communicable diseases, India is experiencing a dramatic public health crisis that is closely linked to changing lifestyles and the growth of the middle-class. In this essay we discuss how the practice of Nature Cure provides a way of understanding the scale and scope of the crisis, as it is embodied, and a way to understand key elements of a solution to problems that the crisis presents for institutionalized health care. As institutionalized in contemporary India, Nature Cure involves treatment and managed care using earth, air, sunlight, and water as well as a strict dietary regimen. In this regard, the essay shows how Nature Cure's bio-ecological orientation toward public health, which is grounded in the history of its modern incorporation into India, provides an expansionist, ecological model for holistic care that counters the reductionist logic of bio-medical pharmaceuticalization.

Geographical Distribution of Scorpion Odontobuthus doriae in Isfahan Province, Central Iran.

BACKGROUND: Scorpions are among the world's venomous arthropods, they sting humans every year, suffering painful symptoms or losing their lives because of the venom. Odontobuthus doriae Thorell 1876 (Arachnida: Scorpionida: Buthidae) is a scorpion of medical importance and therefore its geographical distribution in Isfahan Province has been studied. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was designed between Mar and Jun in 2012 and 2013 in Province of Isfahan, central Iran. Overall, 164 O. doriae scorpions were collected from their natural habitat by identifying the dug burrows. This arthropod's burrows were identified based on the presence of tumuli, particularly between May and Jun at the sloping foothills of pristine embankments. The sampling data was categorized and compared. RESULTS: The relative frequency of collected O. doriae for the counties was Mobarakeh (13.5%), Shahinshahre (11.5%), Borkhar (9%), Shahreza (7.5%), Kashan (7.5%), Naeen (6%), Natanz (5.5%), Isfahan (4.8%), Najafabad (4.8%), Aran and Bidgol (4.8%), Dehaghan (4.8%), Flavarjan (3.7%), Khomeinishahr (3.7%), Tiran (3.7%), Golpayegan (3.7%), Ardestan (3.7%) and Lenjan (2.5%). No O. doriae was collected from other counties of the province. CONCLUSION: The habitats of O. doriae are more often located in central, eastern and northern regions of the province compared to other regions. Counties of southern and western regions are among cold parts of the province.

Oviposition of Quesada gigas in weed no hostess: implication in pest management / Oviposição de Quesada gigas em planta daninha não hospedeira: implicação no manejo de pragas

ABSTRACT: This study recorded the choice of dry plant of Conyza spp as oviposition site by cicada Quesada gigas (Olivier, 1790). We presented issues of natural history of the cicadas that indicate the inability of immatures to complete life cycle in this species of plant. Some implications on cultures where Q. gigas has economic importance are also discussed.

RESUMO: Registra-se a escolha de plantas secas de Conyza spp como local de oviposição pela cigarra Quesada gigas (Olivier, 1790). São apresentadas questões da história natural das cigarras que indicam a impossibilidade dos imaturos completarem seu ciclo de vida nessa espécie vegetal. São discutidas algumas implicações no manejo de culturas onde Q. gigas possui importância econômica.

Low prevalence of Plasmodium and absence of malaria transmission in Conakry, Guinea: prospects for elimination.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 15 years, mortality and morbidity due to malaria have been reduced substantially in sub-Saharan Africa and local elimination has been achieved in some settings. This study addresses the bio-ecology of larval and adult stages of malaria vectors, Plasmodium infection in Anopheles gambiae s.l. in the city of Conakry, Guinea, and discusses the prospect for malaria elimination. METHODS: Water bodies were prospected to identify potential mosquito breeding sites for 6 days each in the dry season (January 2013) and in the rainy season (August 2013), using the dipping method. Adult mosquitoes were collected in 15 communities in the five districts of Conakry using exit traps and indoor spraying catches over a 1-year period (November 2012 to October 2013). Molecular approaches were employed for identification of Anopheles species, including An. coluzzii and An. gambiae s.s. Individual An. gambiae mosquitoes were tested for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax sporozoites using the VecTest™ malaria panel assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A systematic research of Ministry of Health statistical yearbooks was performed to determine malaria prevalence in children below the age of 5 years. RESULTS: Culex larval breeding sites were observed in large numbers throughout Conakry in both seasons. While Anopheles larval breeding sites were less frequent than Culex breeding sites, there was a high odds of finding An. gambiae mosquito larvae in agricultural sites during the rainy season. Over the 1-year study period, a total of 14,334 adult mosquitoes were collected; 14,135 Culex (98.6%) and 161 (1.1%) from the An. gambiae complex. One-hundred and twelve Anopheles mosquitoes, mainly collected from rice fields and gardens, were subjected to molecular analysis. Most of the mosquitoes were An. gambiae s.s. (n = 102; 91.1%) while the remaining 10 (8.9%) were An. melas. The molecular M form of An. gambiae s.s. was predominant (n = 89; 79.5%). The proportions of kdr genotype in the An. gambiae s.s. M and S form were 65.2 and 81.8% (n = 9), respectively. No sporozoite infection were detected in any of the mosquitoes tested. The prevalence of Plasmodium recorded in children aged below 5 years was relatively low and varied between 2.2 and 7.6% from 2009 to 2012. CONCLUSIONS: The low density of larval and adult stages of Anopheles mosquitoes, the absence of infected An. gambiae species and the low prevalence of Plasmodium in under 5-year-old children are important features that might facilitate malaria elimination in Conakry. The heterogeneity in species composition and resistance profiles call for vector control interventions that are tailored to the local bio-ecological setting.

CARE OF A PATIENT'S VASCULAR ACCESS FOR HAEMODIALYSIS: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW.

BACKGROUND: Patients requiring haemodialysis have diverse clinical needs impacting on the longevity of their vascular access and their quality of life. A clinical practice scenario is presented that raises the potential of unsafe cannulation of a patient's vascular access as a result of minimal patient empowerment. Vascular access care is the responsibility of everyone, including the patient and carer. AIM: The aim of this narrative literature review (1997-2014) is to explore the current understanding of what factors influence the care of vascular access for haemodialysis. METHOD: A narrative literature review allows the synthesis of the known literature pertinent to the research question into a succinct model or unique order to enable new understandings to emerge. The bio-ecological model was used to guide the thematic analysis of the literature. RESULTS: The narrative literature review revealed five themes related to care of vascular access: patient experience; relationships-empowerment and shared decision making; environment of healthcare; time; and quality of life as the outcome of care. CONCLUSION: The management of vascular access is complicated. Current available literature predominantly concentrates on bio-medical aspects of vascular access care. Contextualised vascular access care in the complex ecology of the patient and carer's lives has the potential to enhance nursing practice and patient outcomes.

Estrutura e finalidades do ambiente esportivo: estudo de caso em clube de basquetebol feminino / Structure and purposes of the sports environment: a case study in a female basketball club

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o percurso histórico, a estrutura e as finalidades de um clube esportivo com tradição no desenvolvimento de atletas de basquetebol feminino no estado de Santa Catarina. Participaram da pesquisa três treinadores e dois dirigentes. As informações obtidas nas entrevistas semi-estruturadas e nas fontes documentais foram analisadas por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo. A investigação do ambiente de sucesso no desenvolvimento das atletas de basquetebol permitiu verificar a estreita relação entre os quatro níveis do contexto no paradigma bioecológico e a interferência do percurso histórico e social na sua constituição, estrutura e finalidades, influenciando consequentemente o processo de formação esportiva nele estabelecida. A estrutura organizativa do Clube é composta pela assembleia geral, pela diretoria, pelo conselho fiscal e pelos associados, sendo a diretoria e o conselho fiscal constituídos por membros familiares voluntários. Entre os associados, destaca-se a presença de atletas, pais de atletas e ex-atletas. A estrutura esportiva está organizada em escolinhas, equipes de base e adulta, as quais representam além do Clube, o município, as escolas e a universidade patrocinadora. As finalidades administrativas se baseiam na melhoria da gestão do Clube e na formação de um Centro de Excelência para o desenvolvimento de talentos da modalidade, enquanto as finalidades formativas envolvem objetivos educativos, recreativos e de rendimento, sendo esse último perspectivado a curto, médio e longo prazo e fortemente influenciado pelas forças dos exossistemas FME e patrocinadores, além das políticas públicas (macrossistema). Nessa perspectiva, evidenciou-se que a modalidade, apesar de ter iniciado suas atividades de forma voluntária, conseguiu por meio do auxílio do mesossistema Clubefamília e dos exossistemas Prefeitura Municipal, federações e patrocinadores se organizar melhor em prol de uma gestão mais profissionalizada, conseguindo gerir adequadamente seus recursos públicos e privados e alcançar maior autonomia em suas decisões e ações.(AU)

The aim of this study was to investigate the historical background, structure and goals of a sports club with tradition in the development of female basketball players in the state of Santa Catarina. Participants were three coaches and two managers. The information obtained in the semi-structured interviews and documentary sources were analyzed using content analysis technique. The investigation of the successful environment in the development of female basketball players demonstrated the close relationship between the four levels in the context of the bioecological paradigm and the interference of the historical and social path in its constitution, structure and purposes, thus influencing the sports training process. The organizational structure of the club is composed of general meeting, board of directors, audit board and members, and the board of directors an audit board consisted of volunteer family members. Among members, the presence of athletes, parents of athletes and former athletes stands out. The sports structure is organized in small schools, youth and adult teams, which represent beyond the club, the city, schools and the sponsoring university. Administrative purposes are based on improving the Club management and the formation of an Excellence Centre for the development of talents, while formative purposes involve educational, recreational and performance objectives, the latter based on short, medium and long term and strongly influenced by the forces of FME exosystems and sponsors, in addition to public policy (macrosystem). In this perspective, it became clear that basketball, despite having started its activities voluntarily, managed through Club-family mesosystem and City Hall, federations and sponsors exosystems, better organization towards a more professional management, properly managing its public and private resources and achieving greater autonomy in its decisions and actions.(AU)

Considerações epistemológicas da perspectiva bioecológica do desenvolvimento humano sobre o envolvimento paterno / Epistemological considerations of bioecological perspective on human development about father involvement / Consideraciones epistemológicas de la perspectiva bioecológica del desarrollo humano acerca de la participación paterna

O envolvimento paterno pode ser descrito em termos de interação, disponibilidade e responsabilidade. Contudo, para estudar o envolvimento paterno, faz-se importante compreender o contexto em que o pai está inserido. Uma das teorias que auxilia nessa compreensão é a teoria bioecológica do desenvolvimento humano. Neste artigo, objetiva-se realizar algumas considerações teóricas e epistemológicas dessa perspectiva teórica considerando o envolvimento paterno como objeto de estudo. Essa teoria abarca tanto aspectos individuais do pai, a relação pai-filho, a influência do tempo no desenvolvimento de ambos quanto aspectos do contexto. Além disso, essa teoria compreende a realidade com base na dialogia entre objetivo e subjetivo, pensa o homem como ser inter-relacional, e concebe diferentes modos de produção do conhecimento sobre o envolvimento paterno com base nos pressupostos da complexidade, instabilidade e intersubjetividade. Verifica-se que os aspectos explorados contribuem para o aprofundamento da compreensão do envolvimento paterno

Father involvement can be described in terms of interaction, availability and responsibly. However, to study father involvement, it is important to understand the context in which the father is inserted. One theory that aids in this understanding is the bioecological theory of human development. In this article, we aim to perform some theoretical and epistemological considerations of this theoretical perspective considering the fathers involvement as an object of study. This theory includes individual aspects of the father, the father-child relationship, the influence of time on the development of both, as well as aspects of the context. Moreover, this theory includes the reality from the dialogism between objective and subjective, considering man as a being interrelation, and conceives different modes of knowledge production about father involvement from the assumptions of complexity, instability and intersubjectivity. It appears that explored aspects contribute to deepening of understanding through the fathers involvement.

La participación paterna puede ser descrita en términos de interacción, disponibilidad y responsabilidad. Sin embargo, para estudiar la participación paterna, es importante comprender el contexto en que el padre se insiere. Una de las teorías que auxilia en esta comprensión es la teoría bioecológica del desarrollo humano. En este artículo, el objetivo es realizar algunas consideraciones teóricas y epistemológicas de esta perspectiva teórica, considerando la participación paterna como objeto de estudio. Esta teoría abarca tanto aspectos individuales del padre, la relación padre-hijo, la influencia del tiempo en el desarrollo de ambos, cuánto aspectos del contexto. Además, esta teoría comprende la realidad a partir de la dialogía entre objetivo y subjetivo, piensa el hombre como ser interrelacional, y concibe diferentes modos de producción del conocimiento sobre la participación a partir de los presupuestos de complejidad, inestabilidad e intersubjetividad. Se verifica que los aspectos explorados contribuyen para profundizar la comprensión de la participación paterna

Estimating the development of the fennel aphid, Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphiididae), using non-linear models.

BACKGROUND: Non-linear models making it possible to predict agricultural pest outbreaks and optimise control tactics are of primary importance for integrated pest management. The development period for immature stages of the fennel aphid Hyadaphis foeniculi (Passerini) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) at constant temperatures was modelled in order to determine mathematical functions for simulating the aphid's development. Non-linear models were used to describe the relationship between temperature and development rates of H. foeniculi subjected to constant temperatures. RESULTS: The models used were found to be good fits for estimating H. foeniculi development rates as a function of temperature, with the exception of the Davidson model. The development time of H. foeniculi nymphs ranged from 2.73 days (first instar) to 6.18 days (fourth instar) at 15 °C, from 2.57 days (first instar) to 4.52 days (fourth instar) at 20 °C and from 1.53 days (first instar) to 2.05 days (fourth instar) at 28 °C. CONCLUSION: These models provide important tools for better elucidation of the relationship between temperature and development rates in H. foeniculi. The results could be used for predicting the occurrence of the various immature stages of H. foeniculi in the fennel crop in Brazil, making it possible to predict more accurately the best periods for implementing pest control.

Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) no Cerrado brasileiro: estado atual do conhecimento / Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) in the Brazilian Cerrado: current state of knowledge

Besouros pertencentes à superfamília Scarabaeoidea ocupam habitats variados, possuem hábitos alimentares diversificados, desempenham importante papel ecológico e diversas espécies apresentam importância agrícola. No entanto, estudos com esse grupo na região do Cerrado são escassos. Nesta revisão realizou-se um levantamento dos artigos publicados nos últimos 30 anos a respeito dos Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado. Foram recuperados 64 artigos, realizados em nove unidades da federação, que focavam quatro temas principais: espécies praga, aspectos bioecológicos, biodiversidade e importância ecológica, e técnicas e metodologias de coleta de Scarabaeoidea. Os resultados desta revisão indicam que poucos estudos foram realizados com os Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado brasileiro nas últimas décadas frente à importância e diversidade desse grupo de insetos.

Beetles belonging to the superfamily Scarabaeoidea occupy different habitats, present feeding habits diversified, play an important ecological role and several species have agricultural importance. However, studies with this group in the Brazilian Cerrado are scarce. In this review we carried out a survey of scientific articles published in the past 30 years concerning Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado. Were found 64 studies in nine Brazilian states. The studies focused on four main topics: pest species, bioecology, biodiversity and ecological importance, techniques and methodologies for collecting Scarabaeoidea. The results of this review indicate that few studies have been conducted with Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado in recent decades compared to the importance and diversity of this group of insects.

Temperature-Dependent Parasitism, Survival, and Longevity of Five Species of Trichogramma Westwood (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Associated with Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma Westwood play an important role in the control of the velvetbean caterpillar Anticarisa gemmatalis Hübner in soybean crops in Southern Brazil. The effectiveness of Trichogramma species as biocontrol agents is dependent of several factors, but their adaptation to the climatic conditions of the region where they will be released is one of the most important. In this context, this study evaluated the effects of five constant temperatures ranging from 14 to 30°C on parasitism, age-specific survival, progeny production and longevity of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, Trichogramma atopovirilia Oatman & Platner, Trichogramma acacioi Brun, Moraes & Soares, Trichogramma lasallei Pinto, and Trichogramma rojasi Nagaraja & Nagarkatti. We demonstrate that temperature differently affected the species of Trichogramma investigated when using eggs of the velvetbean caterpillar. We also demonstrate that T. pretiosum and T. atopovirilia are better adapted to a wide range of temperatures than the other species evaluated, and are therefore better suited as biocontrol agents for applied biological control programs of A. gemmatalis.

Hard Tick Species of Livestock and their Bioecology in Golestan Province, North of Iran.

BACKGROUND: A survey on tick species composition was carried out in Golestan Province Iran during year 2010-2011.The aim was to determine tick species parasitizing domestic ruminants and their seasonal population dynamics. METHODS: A total of 124 sheep, 92 goats, 84 cattle, 74 camels and 12 horses in several villages were inspected for tick infestation. The collected ticks preserved in 70% alcohol and then were identified. RESULTS: The overall 1059 ticks (453 female, 606 male) were collected. The ticks occur on sheep, goats, cattle, camels and horses as 72.1%, 77.3%, 75.8%, 69.3%, and 50% respectively. The frequency of ticks in spring was more than other seasons and the least was observed in winter. In the spring and summer, infestation rate in domestic ruminants were calculated as 100%. Six genus and fourteen hard and soft tick species were identified including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, R. bursa, Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis punctata, H. sulcata, H. erinacei, H. inermis, Hyalomma marginatum, Hy. asiaticum, Hy. dromedarii, Hy. excavatum, Hy. anatolicum, Hy. detritum, Boophilus annulatus and Argas persicus. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was the most abundant species in the study area. The largest number of ticks was collected from animal ears and tails. Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus and Boophilus occurred in mountainous, forest and plateau areas of Golestan Province but Ixodes occurred only in mountainous and forest areas, whereas Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma were present in coastal areas of Golestan Province. CONCLUSION: The result of this study is a survey on tick species from domestic animals in Iran and implication of possible prevention measures for diseases transmitted by ticks.

Oviposição de Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti e Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus em município com transmissão de dengue, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil / Oviposition of Aedes (Stegomyia)aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus in city with dengue transmission, state of São Paulo, Brazil

Objetivou-se estudar a distribuição e abundância de ovos de Ae. aegypti e Ae. albopictus, a co-ocorrência das espécies e aspectos do comportamento de oviposição nas armadilhas. Foram expostas, por quatro dias de cada mês, 80 ovitramas nos ambientes peri- e intradomiciliar de 40 residências urbanas de 22 quarteirões sorteados mensalmente em São Sebastião, SP, entre fevereiro de 2011 e fevereiro de 2012. Analisou-se a distribuição mensal dos índices de positividade de ovitrampas (IPO) e média de ovos por armadilha (MOA) de Ae. aegypti e Ae. albopictus utilizando-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, seguido do teste de Dwass-Steel-Chritcholow-Flinger. Foi utilizado o teste de correlação de Spearman e Regressão Linear Simples para verificar a associação entre as variáveis meteorológicas com o número de armadilhas com ovos e número de ovos. O padrão de evasão e superimposição nas armadilhas com Ae. aegypti foi analisado por comparação de categorias de classe de número de ovos aplicando-se teste de Kruskal-Wallis, seguido do teste de Dwass-Steel-Chritchlow-Fligner, para as comparações múltiplas. Nas análises de comparação dos valores de IPO das armadilhas de co-ocorrência das espécies, entre os ambientes peri- e intradomiciliares, assim como nas análises de MOA, utilizou-se o teste Mann-Whitney. Para avaliar intensidade da infestação por espécie foi utilizado o estimador de densidade Kernel. O IPO e MOA de Ae. aegypti foram maiores no Peri domicílio, p=0,03; p=0,03, respectivamente. Verificou se correlação positiva entre temperatura e número de armadilhas com ovos e número de ovos desta espécie, nos ambientes domiciliares. Não houve diferença no IPO (p=0,33) e MOA (p=0,57) de Ae. albopictus entre os ambientes. Houve correlação positiva entre temperatura e positividade de armadilhas com Ae. albopictus do peridomicílio. Foi verificado maior IPO de Ae. aegypti comparado a Ae. albopictus, no peri- (p=0,00) e intradomicílio (p=0,00). A MOA de Ae. aegypti foi superior a de Ae. albopictus, no peri-b(p=0,00) e no intradomicílio (p=0,01). Não se verificou diferença significativa entre o número de armadilhas positivas das diferentes categorias de classe de número de ovos (T = 3.48; p = 0,32). O número de ovos registrado nas categorias de classe foi diferente (H = 10.86; p = 0,01), revelando-se maior na classe 31 a 60, quando comparada a ≤ 30 (p=0,03), e na classe ≥ 91, essa comparada a ≤ 30 (p=0,00). A comparação da distribuição das espécies nas armadilhas de co-ocorrência não mostrou diferença significativa (H = 4.61; p = 0,20). Observou-se um padrão temporal e espacial da distribuição e abundância das espécies, Ae. aegypti predominando sobre Ae. albopictus e revelando no peridomicílio seu espaço prioritário na seleção do local de oposição. Estas espécies ocuparam o espaço urbano de maneira diferente indicando segregação de habitat o que pode ter contribuído para a co-ocorrência verificada. Foi constatada superimposição nas armadilhas o que sugere pouco disponibilidade de criadouros apropriados no ambiente (AU).

The objective was to study the distribution and abundance of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus eggs, the co-occurrence of species and aspects of oviposition behavior in the traps. During 4 days in every month, 80 traps were exposed in the peri- and intra domiciliary environments of 40 urban residences in 22 blocks sorted out in Sebastião, SP, from February, 2011 to February, 2012. It was analyzed the monthly distribution of the ovitraps positivity indexes (IPO) and eggs average per ovitrap (MOA) of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, by using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Dwass-Steel-ChritcholowFlinger test. The Spearman correlation and simple linear regression test was used to assess the association between meteorological variables with the number of traps with eggs and number of eggs. The standard of evasion and superoviposition in the ovitraps with Ae. aegypti was analyzed per comparison of class categories of number of eggs, by applying KruskalWallis test, followed by the Dwass-Steel-Chritchlow-Fligner test, for multiple comparisons. In the comparison analysis of IPO values in the traps of the species co-occurrences, in indoors and outdoors sites, as well as in the MOA analysis, the Mann-Whitney test was used. To evaluate the infestation intensity per species was utilized the estimator of Kernel density. The Ae. aegypti IPO and MOA were higher in the peri- domiciliary environment, p=0,03 ; p=0,03, respectively. It was verified the positive correlation among temperature and number of ovitraps with eggs and number of eggs of this species, in domiciliary environments. There was no difference in the IPO (p=0,33) and MOA (p=0,57) of Ae. albopictus between the environments. There was positive correlation between temperature and positivity of ovitraps with Ae. albopictus in the peri- domiciliary environment. It was verified higher IPO of Ae. aegypti compared to Ae. albopictus, in the peri- (p=0,00) and intra domiciliary sites (p=0,00). The MOA of Ae. aegypti was higher than the Ae. albopictus in the peri- (p=0,00) and in the intra domiciliary (p=0,01). No significant difference was showed in the number of positive ovitraps of the different class categories of number of eggs. (T = 3.48; p = 0,32). The number of eggs registered in the class categories was different (H = 10.86; p = 0,01), presenting in the class 31 to 60, when compared to ≤ 30 (p=0,03), and in the class ≥ 91, this one compared to ≤ 30 (p=0,00). The comparison of the species distribution in ovitraps of co-occurrence, per domicile environment, has not showed significant difference (H = 4.61; p = 0,20). The spatial distribution of eggs ovitraps revealed higher intensity of infestation by Ae. aegypti in the south area of the study, a highly urbanized area. Regarding Aedes albopictus, the conglomeration of occurrence places of the species was in the north coast, place of little population concentration. There was a temporal and spatial patterns of distribution and abundance of species, Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus predominating over revealing peridomiciles your priority space in the selection of oviposition site. These species occupy urban space differently indicating segregation of habitat which may have contributed for the co-occurrence found. Overcrowding was found in the traps which suggests little availability of suitable breeding sites in the environment (AU).