First description of immature stages and notes on the biology of the blow fly, Calliphora lopesi Mello, 1962.

Several species of the worldwide distributed genus Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy (Insecta, Diptera, Calliphoridae) are medically important vectors and agents of myiasis. Furthermore, these flies are relevant in forensics because they are found in corpses. Information regarding the taxonomy, bionomics and distribution of Calliphora species endemic to South America, including Calliphora lopesi Mello, is scarce. To expand knowledge on C. lopesi, this study presents descriptions of eggs, larvae, puparia and developmental data at 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26 ± 1°C for the first time. Adult flies were collected from the field and kept in the laboratory to obtain samples for morphological and biological studies. Immatures were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. To assess the growth rate, 10 specimens from each temperature group were randomly removed from the diet and weighed every 24 h from larval hatching until pupation. The minimum developmental threshold, thermal constant and linear development-rate equations were calculated for each stage. Considering weight gain records and survival rates, the optimum temperature for the development of C. lopesi ranges from 23 to 26°C. A key to third-instar larvae of known Neotropical species of Calliphora was also provided to assist in identification. The information provided in this study should be useful in expanding knowledge about Neotropical Calliphoridae species of forensic importance.

Várias espécies do gênero Calliphora Robineau­Desvoidy (Insecta, Diptera, Calliphoridae), distribuídas mundialmente, são vetores e agentes causadoras de miíases clinicamente importantes. Além disso, tais moscas são relevantes no âmbito forense porque são encontradas em cadáveres. Informações sobre a taxonomia, bionomia e distribuição de espécies de Calliphora endêmicas da América do Sul, incluindo Calliphora lopesi Mello, ainda são escassas. Para ampliar o conhecimento sobre a espécie C. lopesi, este estudo apresenta pela primeira vez as descrições de ovos, larvas e pupários, assim como dados sobre o desenvolvimento de imaturos a 14, 17, 20, 23 e 26 ± 1°C. Moscas adultas foram coletadas no campo e mantidas em laboratório para obtenção de amostras para estudos morfológicos e biológicos. Os imaturos foram examinados utilizando microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura. Para avaliar a taxa de crescimento, 10 espécimes de cada grupo de temperatura foram retirados aleatoriamente do substrato em que se alimentavam e pesados a cada 24 horas, desde a eclosão das larvas até a pupariação. O limiar mínimo de desenvolvimento, a constante térmica e as equações lineares da taxa de desenvolvimento foram calculados para cada estágio. Levando em consideração os registros de ganho de peso e taxas de sobrevivência, a temperatura ótima para o desenvolvimento de C. lopesi varia de 23 a 26°C. Uma chave para larvas de terceiro estádio de espécies neotropicais conhecidas de Calliphora também está sendo disponibilizada para auxiliar na identificação. Espera­se que as informações fornecidas neste estudo possam ser úteis para ampliar o conhecimento sobre espécies Neotropicais de Calliphoridae de importância forense.

Nesting Behavior, Phenology, and Bionomics of the High Andean Leaf-Cutter Bee Megachile (Cressoniella) amparo.

Megachile amparo (González, Revista Colombiana De Entomología 32(1):93-96, 2006) is the only high Andean leaf-cutter bee reported in Colombia and is possibly endemic to the Colombian Andes. Although it is frequently observed, even in urban areas, its biology and ecology remain unknown. The present study aimed to describe detailed aspects of its bionomy. Trap-nests were installed on the Campus of the Nueva Granada University (Cajicá, Colombia) from June/2018 to March/2020. The trap-nests were wooden blocks (25 × 15 × 14 cm) with 30 cavities of Ø = 1 cm and different lengths (50 mm, 75 mm, and 100 mm) lined with waxed paper straws. During the observations, an increasing number of trap-nests were installed, increasing from 250 to 720 cavities. The trap-nests were monitored three times a week, recording both the date the start and end building by female. Most of the nest were maintained in the field to estimate the sex ratio, cell survival, and total development time under natural conditions. Thirty-two nests were removed at different times of the observation period to establish number of cells per nest, and cells built per female per day. We incubated 20 cells from different nests at 18 °C, 22 °C, 26 °C, and 32 °C to estimate the base temperature, thermal constant k (developmental time in degree days), and cell survival. Young cells of different positions were dissected and weighed to characterize food provision and brood cells. Computerized tomography-CT scans were performed in 30 brood cells to determine if diapause occurred during prepupal stage. Females nested 7- and 10-cm-long cavities and the number of cells per nest varied with cavity length. The brood cells had a length of 1.23 ± 0.12 cm and a diameter of 0.92 ± 0.05 cm. The female spends 1.17 ± 0.29 days to build a brood cell. Food provision varied according to the position of the brood cell in the nest. The adults of M. amparo present a marked seasonality being more active during dry months. Base temperature and thermal constant k were different for males and females. The sex ratio is female biased (1.9:1), and cell survival in the field was 89% with no cleptoparasites or predators recorded.

Aspects of the reproductive behaviour and development of two forensically relevant species, Blaesoxipha (Gigantotheca) stallengi (Lahille, 1907) and Sarcophaga (Liopygia) ruficornis (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Abstract We studied aspects of the reproductive behaviour and development of two species of Sarcophagidae (Diptera) of potential forensic importance, Blaesoxipha stallengi (Lahille, 1907) and Sarcophaga ruficornis (Fabricius, 1794), which are dominant in assemblages in dry forests in Northeastern Brazil. We described the behavioural acts associated with courtship and mating and estimated the development time (from egg/larva until adult) - of both species. Description of the reproductive behaviour was based on 50 couples of each species whereas 250 larvae were used for the estimation of the developmental time. A total of 55 successful copula were observed for B. stallengi and 142 for S. ruficornis. Pre-copulatory behaviour differed between the species, as S. ruficornis presented a high rate of competition among male specimens. Blaesoxipha stallengi copulated more frequently in the morning and the mean duration of copulation was similar for both species. The species showed different reproductive strategies: S. ruficornis follows the typical strategy in Sarcophagidae and are viviparous (larviparity), but we report here the first documented evidence of ovoviviparity of B. stallengi. Sex ratio of the emerged adults did not differ (p > 0.05) markedly for either species. Total development time in days was similar with 22.9 for B. stallengi and 21.3 for S. ruficornis. The pronounced similarities in the morphology of both species - combined with their similar time of development - may act as confounding factors for forensic entomologists and stress out the need for an accurate taxonomical identification.

Reproduction of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) B biotype in maize fields (Zea mays L.) in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) was observed to have completed its reproductive cycle from the egg to the adult on maize (Zea mays L.). Field and screenhouse studies were carried out to investigate the durability of this putative and unprecedented adaptation to a grass host. RESULTS: Analysis of the mitochondrial COI gene sequence identified the maize-associated B. tabaci as the exotic B biotype (major clade North Africa-Mediterranean-Middle East). Results showed that whiteflies migrated from soybean crops and successfully established in maize plants. Females exhibited a preference for oviposition primarily on the first and second leaves of maize, but were also able to colonise developing leaves. A high, natural infestation on maize (193.3 individuals, all developmental stages) was observed within a 7.1 cm2 designated 'observation area'. Whiteflies collected from naturally infested maize leaves and allowed to oviposit on maize seedlings grown in a screenhouse developed from egg to adulthood in 28.6 ± 0.2 days. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of the B biotype completing its development on maize plants. This surprising anomaly indicates that the B biotype is capable of adapting to monocotyledonous host plants, and importantly, broadens the host range to include at least one species in the Poaceae. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Forensic use of a subtropical blowfly: the first case indicating minimum postmortem interval (mPMI) in southern Brazil and first record of Sarconesia chlorogaster from a human corpse.

Southern Brazil is unique due to its subtropical climate. Here, we report on the first forensic entomology case and the first record of Sarconesia chlorogaster (Wiedemann) in a human corpse in this region. Flies' samples were collected from a body indoors at 20°C. Four species were found, but only Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and S. chlorogaster were used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). The mPMI was calculated using accumulated degree hour (ADH) and developmental time. The S. chlorogaster puparium collected was light in color, so we used an experiment to establish a more accurate estimate for time since initiation of pupation where we found full tanning after 3 h. Development of C. albiceps at 20°C to the end of the third instar is 7.4 days. The mPMI based on S. chlorogaster (developmental time until the third instar with no more than 3 h of pupae development) was 7.6 days.

Developmental endpoints of chronic exposure to suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals on benthic and hyporheic freshwater copepods.

The aims of this study were: (i) to assess if carbamate pesticides and ammonium, widely detected in European freshwater bodies, can be considered ecologically relevant endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) for benthic and interstitial freshwater copepods; and (ii) to evaluate the potential of copepods as sentinels for monitoring ecosystem health. In order to achieve these objectives, four species belonging to the harpacticoid copepod genus Bryocamptus, namely B. (E.) echinatus, B. (R.) zschokkei, B. (R.) pygmaeus and B. (B.) minutus, were subjected to chronic exposures to Aldicarb and ammonium. A significant deviation from the developmental time of unexposed control cultures was observed for all the species in test cultures. Aldicarb caused an increase in generation time over 80% in both B. minutus and B. zschokkei, but less than 35% in B. pygmaeus and B. echinatus. Ammonium increased generation time over 33% in B. minutus, and 14, 12 and 3.5% for B. pygmaeus, B. zschokkei and B. echinatus, respectively. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that chronic exposure to carbamate pesticides and ammonium alters the post-naupliar development of the test-species and propose their potential role as EDCs, leaving open the basis to search what are the mechanism underlying. A prolonged developmental time would probably produce a detrimental effect on population attributes, such as age structure and population size. These deviations from a pristine population condition may be considered suitable biological indicators of ecosystem stress, particularly useful to compare polluted to unpolluted reference sites. Due to their dominance in both benthic and interstitial habitats, and their sensitivity as test organisms, freshwater benthic and hyporheic copepods can fully be used as sentinel species for assessing health condition of aquatic ecosystems as required by world-wide water legislation.

Morphology of the immatures and biology of Chinavia longicorialis (Breddin) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) / Morfologia dos estágios imaturos e biologia de Chinavia longicorialis (Breddin) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Chinavia longicorialis (Breddin) is recorded only in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay on host plants of at least three different families. Adults and nymphs were reared under standard controlled conditions (24 ± 1°C; 70 ± 10 percent RH; 12hL:12hD), and fed on green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Eggs and first instars of C. longicorialis are very similar to those of other species of Chinavia; however, the presence of orange maculae at the thoracic pleura is exclusive of first instars of C. longicorialis. Third to fifth instars have abdominal maculae divided by pseudo-sutures, a diagnostic feature of C. longicorialis nymphs. Light and dark morphs were observed for third, fourth and fifth instars. Head width measurements did not overlap between consecutive instars. The most frequent size of an egg clutch was 14; we suggest the adoption of the mode as the best and useful estimate of the egg clutch size for Pentatomidae. Average duration of the immature stages (egg to adult) was 39.4 ± 3.20 days. The high mortality observed from second to fifth instar (82.4 percent) and the lack of reproduction of the second generation indicate that green beans are unsuitable to proper development and reproduction of C. longicorialis by itself.

Chinavia longicorialis (Breddin) é encontrada apenas no Brasil, Argentina e Uruguai, sobre plantas hospedeiras de pelo menos três famílias diferentes. Adultos e ninfas dessa espécie foram coletados no Parque Estadual do Espinilho (Barra do Quaraí, RS) e na região da Serra do Sudeste (Canguçu e Caçapava do Sul, RS) e mantidos sob condições controladas (24 ± 1°C; UR 70 ± 10 por cento; 12hL:12hE), alimentados com vagens verdes de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Os ovos e as ninfas de primeiro ínstar de C. longicorialis são muito semelhantes àqueles das demais espécies de Chinavia; porém apresentando manchas alaranjadas na margem lateral dos segmentos torácicos. As manchas abdominais, a partir do terceiro ínstar, são nitidamente divididas pelas pseudo-suturas do abdome, o que constitui caráter diagnóstico para C. longicorialis. Ninfas do terceiro ao quinto ínstar apresentaram formas claras e escuras. Não foi observada sobreposição nas medidas de largura da cabeça entre diferentes estádios. O número de ovos por postura mais freqüente foi 14; sugere-se a adoção da moda como melhor estimativa para o tamanho das posturas em Pentatomidae. A duração média da fase imatura (ovo a adulto) foi de 39,4 ± 3,20 dias. A alta mortalidade do segundo ao quinto ínstar (82,4 por cento) e a ausência de desempenho reprodutivo nos adultos da segunda geração de laboratório indicam que vagens de feijão constituem alimento inadequado para a sobrevivência e reprodução de C. longicorialis.

Exigências térmicas e estimativa do número de gerações anuais de Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) em morangueiro / Thermal requirements and estimate of the annual number of generations of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on strawberry crop

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) é uma das principais pragas associadas à cultura do morangueiro no Sul do Brasil. O ataque do inseto à cultura resulta no murchamento de fl ores e bronzeamento de frutos. Neste trabalho, foi estimada a temperatura base e as exigências térmicas das fases de ovo, larva e pupa de F. occidentalis em morangueiro. Os insetos foram criados em folíolos da planta nas temperaturas de 16, 19, 22, 25, 28 e 31°C, em câmaras climatizadas (70 ± 10% U.R.; fotofase de 12h). O número de gerações anuais que F. occidentalis completa foi estimado para seis regiões produtoras de morango no Rio Grande do Sul (RS), com base nas exigências térmicas da espécie. A velocidade de desenvolvimento de F. occidentalis aumentou com a elevação da temperatura. A faixa mais adequada para o desenvolvimento da espécie foi entre 25ºC e 28ºC. A temperatura basee a constante térmica para o período ovo-adulto foi de 9,9ºC e 211,9 graus-dia, respectivamente. Com base nas exigências térmicas de F. occidentalis, foram estimados 10,7; 12,6; 13,1; 13,6; 16,5 e 17,9 gerações/ano, respectivamente, para as regiões produtoras de morangueiro de Vacaria, Caxias do Sul, Farroupilha, Pelotas, Porto Alegre e Taquari, RS.

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is one of the major strawberry pests in southern Brazil. The insect causes russeting and wither in fl owers and fruits reducing commercial value. Inthis work, the thermal requirements of the eggs, larvae and pupae of F. occidentalis were estimated. Thrips development was studied in folioles of strawberry plants at six constant temperatures (16, 19, 22, 25, 28 and 31°C) in controlled conditions (70 ± 10% R.H. and 12:12 L:D). The number of annual generations of F. occidentalis was estimated for six strawberry production regions of Rio Grandedo Sul State based on its thermal requirements. Developmental time of each F. occidentalis stages was proportional to the temperature increase. The best development rate was obtained when insects were reared at 25ºC and 28ºC. The lower threshold and the thermal requirements for the egg to adult stage were 9.9ºC and 211.9 degree-days, respectively. Considering the thermal requirements of F. occidentalis, 10.7, 12.6, 13.1, 13.6, 16.5 and 17.9 generations/year were estimated, respectively, for Vacaria, Caxias do Sul, Farroupilha, Pelotas, Porto Alegre and Taquari producing regions located in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.

Descrição dos estágios imaturos e biologia de Chinavia pengue (Rolston) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) / Description of the immature stages and biology of Chinavia pengue (Rolston) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae)

Adultos de Chinavia pengue (Rolston, 1983) foram coletados em Garopaba, SC, e criados em laboratório sob condições controladas (24 ± 1°C; UR 70 ± 10 por cento; 12hL:12hE). Como alimento, adultos e ninfas receberam vagens verdes de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Os ovos de C. pengue seguem o padrão de coloração e esculturação do cório e coloração e forma dos processos aero-micropilares descrito para as espécies neotropicais de Chinavia. Ninfas de 1° instar possuem uma mancha ovalada no dorso da cabeça e tórax, característica das espécies de Chinavia. Em C. pengue, essa mancha tem coloração laranja-avermelhada, e as manchas abdominais (4+4 manchas laterais e uma mediana) são brancas. Características exclusivas das ninfas de 2° a 5° ínstares de C. pengue são a coloração laranja-avermelhada das manchas do pro- e mesotórax e das manchas circulares no centro das placas abdominais laterais. Não se observou sobreposição nas medidas da largura da cabeça entre os cinco ínstares. Cada fêmea depositou 15,9 ± 4,18 posturas e 218,8 ± 48,60 ovos, sendo 14 ovos/postura o arranjo mais freqüente. A fertilidade foi de 70,0 por cento ± 19,01; a mortalidade no 2° ao 5° estádio foi de 1,6 por cento ± 4,49. A razão sexual obtida foi de 1 macho: 1 fêmea. A duração da fase imatura (ovo a adulto) foi de 45,7 ± 2,99 dias.

Adults of Chinavia pengue (Rolston, 1983) were collected in Garopaba county, SC, and used to establish a laboratory culture under controlled conditions (24 ± 1°C; 70 ± 10 percent RH; 12hL:12hD). Adults and nymphs were fed with green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Eggs of C. pengue follow the pattern of coloration, chorion sculpture, color and shape of the aero-micropylar processes described to other neotropical Chinavia species. The first instar has the dorsal macula of the head and thorax characteristic of Chinavia species. In C. pengue, this macula is orange-red, and the abdominal maculae (4+4 lateral maculae and one median) are white. From second to fifth instars diagnostic characteristics are orange-red maculae at pro and mesothorax, and at middle of abdominal lateral plates. There was no overlapping of the head-capsule measurements between the five instars of C. pengue. Each female laid an average of 15.9 ± 4.18 egg masses and 218.8 ± 48.60 eggs; there was a marked peak at 14 eggs per egg mass. Mean egg fertility was 70.0 percent ± 19.01; mortality in the second to fifth stadium was 1.6 percent ± 4.49. Sex ratio was 1 male: 1 female. The mean duration of the immature stage (egg to adult) was 45.7 ± 2.99 days.