A new leaf-galling Holopothrips (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) and the structural alterations on Myrcia retorta (Myrtaceae).

Holopothrips striatus sp. n. is described inducing leaf-galls on Myrcia retorta (Myrtaceae) in Southern Brazil. The thrips is one of the few species of Holopothrips known to have the metanotum with striate rather than reticulate sculpture. The galls are green with brownish spots, and are characterised by a mix of folding and rolling of the leaf lamina upwards.

Insect galls of Restinga de Marambaia (Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, RJ) / Galhas de insetos da Restinga de Marambaia (Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, RJ)

Abstract Thirty-one morphotypes of insect galls and two flower damages were found on 16 families, 22 genera and 24 plant species in Restinga de Marambaia (Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, RJ). Fabaceae and Myrtaceae were the plant families with the greatest richness of insect galls (4 and 6 morphotypes, respectively), and the greatest number of galled plants (four and three species, respectively). Galls were mostly found on leaves and stems (77% and 10%, respectively). The galling insects are represented by Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera. The majority of the galls (81%) were induced by gall midges (Cecidomyiidae: Diptera).

Resumo Foram encontrados 31 morfotipos de galhas de insetos e dois danos em flores em 16 famílias, 22 gêneros e 24 espécies de plantas, na Restinga de Marambaia (Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, RJ). Fabaceae e Myrtaceae foram as famílias de plantas com maior riqueza de galhas (4 e 6 morfotipos, respectivamente) e maior número de espécies com galhas (quatro e três espécies, respectivamente). As galhas predominaram nas folhas e caules (77% e 10%, respectivamente). Os insetos galhadores estão representados por Diptera, Lepidoptera e Hemiptera. A maioria das galhas (81%) foi induzida por Cecidomyiidae (Diptera).

Holopothrips molzi sp.n. (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae): natural history and interactions in Myrtaceae galls.

Holopothrips molzi sp. n. (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) is described from southern Brazil inducing leaf galls on Myrcia guianensis (Myrtaceae). Field observations revealed that the numbers of this thrips were highly variable within galls, and two other insect species were recorded living in these galls: Myrciathrips variabilis Cavalleri et al. (Phlaeothripidae) and an eulophid wasp (Hymenoptera). We investigated here if morphological traits of leaf and gall and abundance of the invader thrips were correlated with the gall inducer's abundance. In order to determine the feeding habit and behaviour of M. variabilis and its interactions with the gall inducer we performed observations ad libitum and attack simulation tests on both thrips species to observe their response to possible invaders. Our results showed that leaf size is not related to H. molzi abundance, and gall size is relevant only when total numbers of both thrips species are considered. Myrciathrips variabilis was observed feeding on gall tissues, and no direct antagonistic interactions between the two thrips were recorded. The results of the behavioural tests simulating attacks were remarkably different in the two thrips species, indicating different strategies when threatened or disturbed. The interaction between the two thrips species is probably a case of inquilinism.

A new pupillarial scale insect (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) from Angophora in coastal New South Wales, Australia.

A new scale insect, Aolacoccus angophorae gen. nov. and sp. nov. (Eriococcidae), is described from the bark of Angophora (Myrtaceae) growing in the Sydney area of New South Wales, Australia. These insects do not produce honeydew, are not ant-tended and probably feed on cortical parenchyma. The adult female is pupillarial as it is retained within the cuticle of the penultimate (second) instar. The crawlers (mobile first-instar nymphs) emerge via a flap or operculum at the posterior end of the abdomen of the second-instar exuviae. The adult and second-instar females, second-instar male and first-instar nymph, as well as salient features of the apterous adult male, are described and illustrated. The adult female of this new taxon has some morphological similarities to females of the non-pupillarial palm scale Phoenicococcus marlatti Cockerell (Phoenicococcidae), the pupillarial palm scales (Halimococcidae) and some pupillarial genera of armoured scales (Diaspididae), but is related to other Australian Myrtaceae-feeding eriococcids.

Insect galls of Restinga de Marambaia (Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, RJ).

Thirty-one morphotypes of insect galls and two flower damages were found on 16 families, 22 genera and 24 plant species in Restinga de Marambaia (Barra de Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro, RJ). Fabaceae and Myrtaceae were the plant families with the greatest richness of insect galls (4 and 6 morphotypes, respectively), and the greatest number of galled plants (four and three species, respectively). Galls were mostly found on leaves and stems (77% and 10%, respectively). The galling insects are represented by Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera. The majority of the galls (81%) were induced by gall midges (Cecidomyiidae: Diptera).

The transcriptional landscape of insect galls: psyllid (Hemiptera) gall formation in Hawaiian Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae).

BACKGROUND: Recent studies show that galling Hymenoptera and Diptera are able to synthesize the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (auxin) from tryptophan and that plant response to insect-produced auxin is implicated in gall formation. We examined the leaf transcriptome of galled and ungalled leaves of individuals of the Hawaiian endemic plant Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae) subject to infestation by psyllid (Hemiptera) gall-makers in the genus Trioza (Triozidae). RESULTS: Transcript libraries were sequenced using Illumina technology and the reads assembled de novo into contigs. Functional identification of contigs followed a two-step procedure, first identifying contigs by comparison to the completely sequenced genome of the related Eucalyptus, followed by identifying the equivalent Arabidopsis gene using a pre-computed mapping between Eucalyptus and Arabidopsis genes. This allowed us to use the rich functional annotation of the Arabidopsis genome to assess the transcriptional landscape of galling in Metrosideros. Comparing galled and ungalled leaves, we find a highly significant enrichment of expressed genes with a gene ontology (GO) annotation to auxin response in the former. One gene consistently expressed in all galled trees examined but not detected in any libraries from ungalled leaves was the Metrosideros version of SMALL AUXIN UPREGULATED (SAUR) 67 which appears to be a marker for leaf-galling in Metrosideros. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that an auxin response is involved in galling by Metrosideros psyllids. The possibility should therefore be considered that psyllids (like other insects examined) are able to synthesize auxin.

Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. VI. Fergusobia from galls on Angophora in Australia, with description of F. colbrani n. sp. and key.

Collection data and biological information is presented on the Fergusobia (Nematoda: Neotylenchidae)/ Fergusonina (Diptera: Fergusoninidae) mutualism inducing galls on Angophora in Australia. Three species and two morphospecies have been recognised. Fergusobia colbrani Davies n. sp. is described from soft spheroid leaf galls on Angophora floribunda. It is characterised by a combination of morphological characters including a small C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a short broadly conoid tail, an arcuate infective female with an almost hemispherical tail tip, and an arcuate to barely J-shaped male with an angular spicule having a notched tip and mid-length leptoderan bursa. A key to the species and morphospecies of nematodes collected from Angophora is presented. Possible relationships of these organisms are discussed based on evidence from the nematode morphology, gall forms, and the morphology of the dorsal shield of the associated Fergusonina fly larvae. 

Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. VII. Fergusobia from 'leafy' leaf bud galls in Australia, with re-description of Fergusobia tumifaciens (Currie 1937) Wachek 1955 and descriptions of Fergusobia planchonianae n. sp. and Fergusobia viminalisae n. sp.

Fergusobia tumifaciens (Currie 1937) Wachek 1955, the type species for the genus Fergusobia, is re-described from specimens collected from 'leafy' leaf bud galls on Eucalyptus bridgesiana near Albury in New South Wales, Australia. It is morphologically characterized by the combination of an open C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a small broadly conoid tail, a C-shaped infective female with a bluntly rounded tail tip, and an arcuate to J-shaped male with angular spicules, not heavily sclerotised, and short to mid-length peloderan bursa. Two new species of Fergusobia, collected from 'leafy' leaf bud galls on, respectively, Eucalyptus planchoniana in Queensland, and E. viminalis in South Australia, Australia, are described. Fergusobia planchonianae Davies n. sp. is characterised by the combination of a C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a conoid tail, an arcuate infective female with an hemispherical tail tip, and an almost straight to arcuate to C-shaped male with an angular spicule, a long peloderan bursa and a narrow tail. Fergusobia viminalisae Davies n. sp. is characterised by the combination of an open C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a broadly conoid tail, a C-shaped infective female with a bluntly rounded tail tip, and an arcuate to J-shaped male with an angular (not heavily sclerotised) spicule and short to mid-length peloderan bursa. The shield morphologies of the fly larvae associated with the 'leafy' leaf bud galls and their possible relationships are outlined. Possible evolutionary relationships of the Fergusobia nematodes from these galls are discussed, considering their morphology, DNA sequences, and the relationships of the associated Fergusonina flies and host plants. 

Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. V. Fergusobia from large multilocular shoot bud galls from Angophora and Eucalyptus in Australia, with descriptions of six new species.

Six new species of Fergusobia, from large multilocular shoot bud galls on two species of Angophora and four species of Eucalyptus from both subgenera Eucalyptus and Symphyomyrtus, are described. Fergusobia cosmophyllae Davies n. sp. is characterized by the combination of a C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a short arcuate conoid tail, a broad (small a ratio) arcuate infective female with an hemispherical tail tip, and an arcuate to J-shaped male with broad, angular spicules and short bursa.  Fergusobia delegatensae Davies n. sp. has an open C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a broadly conoid tail, an infective female of variable shape with an hemispherical tail tip, and a male of open C-shape with a crenate bursa that arises 40-70% along the length of the body from the tail tip and terminates just anterior to the cloaca. Fergusobia diversifoliae Davies n. sp. has a C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a conoid tail, an arcuate infective female with a hemispherical tail tip, and an arcuate, C- or J-shaped male with angular spicule and a long peloderan bursa. Fergusobia floribundae Davies n. sp. has a C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a narrow, arcuate, conoid tail, an arcuate infective female with a hemispherical tail tip, and an arcuate or J-shaped male with an angular spicule and a short to mid-body length peloderan bursa. Fergusobia minimus Lisnawita n. sp. has a C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a conoid tail, an arcuate to open C-shaped infective female with a hemispherical tail tip, and an arcuate to open C-shaped male with an angular spicule and a peloderan bursa arising at about 10-30% of body length. Fergusobia pimpamensis Davies n. sp. has an open C to C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a narrow conoid tail, an arcuate to open C-shaped infective female with a hemispherical tail tip, and an arcuate to C-shaped male with an arcuate spicule and a long, crenate, peloderan bursa. An inventory of all known Fergusobia/Fergusonina associations from terminal shoot bud galls is presented. The larval shield morphology of the associated mutualistic Fergusonina species is discussed where known. Analyses of DNA sequences of D2/D3 and COI suggested that the six new species are distributed between three clades of Fergusobia.

Nematodes from galls on Myrtaceae. IV. Fergusobia from flat leaf galls on Eucalyptus and Corymbia, with descriptions of two new species.

Two new species of Fergusobia are described. Both were collected from flat leaf galls from South Australia, one on Eucalyptus microcarpa and the other on E. porosa. Fergusobia microcarpae n. sp. Davies is characterised by the combination of a C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a short, broadly rounded conoid tail, an arcuate to open C-shaped infective female with an hemispherical tail tip, and arcuate to J-shaped males with angular spicules and short peloderan bursa. Fergusobia porosae n. sp. Davies is similar in having an arcuate to C-shaped parthenogenetic female with a small conoid tail, an almost straight to arcuate infective female with an hemispherical tail tip, and males that are almost straight to barely J-shaped with angular spicules and short peloderan bursa. They differ in that the bodies of parthenogenetic and infective females of F. microcarpae n. sp. are more curved than in F. porosae n. sp. Other known similar forms of Fergusobia/Fergusonina galls are outlined and the larval shield morphologies of their associated mutualistic Fergusonina fly species are discussed where known. An inventory of all known Fergusobia/Fergusonina associations from flat leaf galls from Corymbia spp. and Eucalyptus spp. is presented. Relationships of Fergusobia nematodes were inferred from analysis of sequences of 28S rDNA D2/D3 domains and a portion of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI). Nematodes from flat leaf galls appeared in two clades. 

Feeding behavior of two exotic aphid species on their original hosts in a new invaded area.

Greenidea ficicola Takahashi and Greenidea psidii van der Goot (Aphididae: Greenideinae) are Asian aphid species newly introduced in Brazil associated with Moraceae and Myrtaceae. The feeding behavior of G. ficicola and G. psidii was investigated on their respective host plants, Ficus benjamina (Moraceae) and Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), using the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG). Fifteen females of each aphid species were monitored during 24h using a DC-EPG GIGA-4 monitor. The time spent in phloem phase (waveforms E1 and E2) was 13.6% of the total recording time for G. ficicola and 0.8% for G. psidii. The average time in the pathway phase (waveforms C and pd) represented 50% of the total time for both species. Aphids spent more time in non-penetration and stylet pathway activities than in the phloem phase or actual feeding. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the two species formed different groups in relation to EPG parameters, despite some overlapping. The probing patterns with multiple penetrations of short duration in the sieve elements for both species may indicate apparent unsuitability for sustained feeding on their respective host plants. These results suggest that these two exotic species are in the process of adaptation to their host plants in their new environment and/or the plants may present either chemical or physical barriers against these insects.

Feeding behavior of two exotic aphid species on their original hosts in a new invaded area

Greenidea ficicola Takahashi and Greenidea psidii van der Goot (Aphididae: Greenideinae) are Asian aphid species newly introduced in Brazil associated with Moraceae and Myrtaceae. The feeding behavior of G. ficicola and G. psidii was investigated on their respective host plants, Ficus benjamina (Moraceae) and Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), using the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG). Fifteen females of each aphid species were monitored during 24h using a DC-EPG GIGA-4 monitor. The time spent in phloem phase (waveforms E1 and E2) was 13.6 percent of the total recording time for G. ficicola and 0.8 percent for G. psidii. The average time in the pathway phase (waveforms C and pd) represented 50 percent of the total time for both species. Aphids spent more time in non-penetration and stylet pathway activities than in the phloem phase or actual feeding. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the two species formed different groups in relation to EPG parameters, despite some overlapping. The probing patterns with multiple penetrations of short duration in the sieve elements for both species may indicate apparent unsuitability for sustained feeding on their respective host plants. These results suggest that these two exotic species are in the process of adaptation to their host plants in their new environment and/or the plants may present either chemical or physical barriers against these insects.

Stem injection of a systemic insecticide to control Uraba lugens on urban Lophostemon confertus trees.

BACKGROUND: Uraba lugens Walker (Lepidoptera: Nolidae) has the potential to become a serious pest of susceptible forestry and urban trees in New Zealand. Stem injection of insecticides provides a method for the control of U. lugens in public locations where foliar applications are not suitable. Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 2009 and 2010 to determine a dose response profile of U. lugens larvae to acephate injected at 0.0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 g cm(-1) tree diameter measured at breast height (dbh). The concentration of the injected solution varied across years. RESULTS: The highest mortality (85-100%) of U. lugens larvae occurred at 1.00 g acephate injected cm(-1) dbh. The lower rates (0.25 and 0.50 g acephate cm(-1) ) were more effective in 2010 than in 2009, a factor attributed to the change in volume of injected solution. CONCLUSION: Systemic injections of acephate at rates above 0.50 g cm(-1) dbh provide a tool for the management of U. lugens in public places. It is recommended that stem injection operations for control of U. lugens larvae be timed to coincide with the emergence of first instars so that larvae are exposed to lethal insecticide doses.

Morfometria de Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied) (Diptera: Tephritidae) relacionada a hospedeiros nativos, Myrtaceae / Morphometry of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied) (Diptera: Tephritidae) related to native Myrtaceae hosts

A mosca-das-frutas, Anastrepha fraterculus, tem, como principais hospedeiros primários, frutos de Myrtaceae. O tamanho do inseto pode ser indicador de aptidão e fecundidade, sendo os estudos morfométricos utilizados para auxiliar nestas identificações. Este trabalho objetivou verificar a associação entre peso dos frutos, pupários e tamanho das asas das moscas-das-frutas que se desenvolveram em diferentes mirtáceas. Foram amostrados frutos de araçazeiro-amarelo, araçazeiro-vermelho, goiabeira e goiabeira-serrana em cinco árvores de cada espécie. Os frutos foram pesados e os pupários oriundos destes pesados e individualizados. Registrou-se o número, sexo e área total da asa direita das moscas. Comparou-se o peso médio dos frutos, dos pupários e o tamanho de asas. O peso médio dos pupários foi maior em goiaba e araçá-vermelho. A maior área média de asa foi registrada nos indivíduos emergidos de goiabas e a menor, nos de araçá-amarelo. O peso dos frutos e dos pupários em araçá-amarelo, vermelho e goiaba-serrana não apresentaram associação significativa. Nas goiabeiras, a correlação entre o peso dos frutos e o dos pupários foi negativa. O peso dos frutos e a área da asa das moscas provenientes das espécies de mirtáceas não evidenciaram correlação. Os resultados indicam que a mosca é capaz de desenvolver-se de forma semelhante nas espécies de mirtáceas amostradas.

The fruit-fly Anastrepha fraterculus uses the myrtacean fruits as its main primary hosts. The insect size might be an indicator of aptitude and fecundity, and morphometric studies are used to help in those identifications. This study aimed to verify the association among fruit weight, puparial weight and wing size of fruit-flies that developed in different myrtacean species. Yellow strawberry guava, cattle guava, guava and feijoa fruits were sampled from 5 trees of each species. The fruits were weighed, and the puparia originated from them were also weighed and individualized. The number, gender and total right-wing area of the flies were registered. Mean fruit and puparial weights and wing sizes were compared. Mean puparial weight was higher in guava and cattle guava. The largest mean wing area was recorded for individuals from guavas; the smallest, for those from yellow strawberry guava. The fruit and puparial weights did not present a significant association in yellow strawberry guava, cattle guava and feijoa. In guavas, the correlation between fruit and puparial weights was negative. The fruit weight and wing area in all myrtacean species did not show any correlation. These results indicate the fly is able to develop similarly in all sampled myrtacean species.

Population dynamics and structure of the neotropical bark bug Phloea subquadrata (Hemiptera: Phloeidae) on Plinia cauliflora (Myrtaceae).

Phloea subquadrata Spinola, 1837 (Pentatomoidea: Phloeidae) belongs to a small family of sap feeding bugs that live on tree trunks, on which they are cryptic because of their coloration and flat body. There are a few studies concerning phloeid anatomy and biology, but almost nothing is known about their ecology. In this study, population dynamics and structure of P. subquadrata on the host tree Plinia cauliflora (Myrtaceae) were investigated during 3 yr in a semideciduous forest in southeast Brazil. Nymphs and adults were active all year round, but the egg-laying season was mainly restricted to the warm, rainy season (September-March). Population density slightly increased at the end of this season because of reproduction. Population age structure changed markedly over time, with nymphs reaching the adult stage in the subsequent early-to-mid rainy season. Abiotic factors, such as rainfall and temperature, were correlated with female oviposition and population dynamics and phenology. Sex ratio was male-biased, not differing from 1:1 only during the adult recruitment period (October-January). Under dry weather conditions, phloeids were distributed closer to the base of the tree trunks when compared with rainy conditions. Our results suggest that seasonality and variations in weather conditions are important driving forces of population dynamics and phenology of P. subquadrata, as well as the microhabitat selection on host trees.

Acaros (Acari) associados a mirtáceas (Myrtaceae) em áreas de cerrado no estado de São Paulo com análise faunística das famílias Phytoseiidae e Tarsonemidae / Mites (Acari) associated to Myrtaceae in areas of Cerrado in the State of São Paulo with faunistic analysis of families Tarsonemidae and Phytoseiidae

O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar e analisar a diversidade dos ácaros que ocorrem em Myrtaceae nativas no Cerrado paulista, com atenção especial às famílias Phytoseiidae e Tarsonemidae. Durante o ano 2000, foram coletados ácaros em oito espécies de mirtáceas em três áreas de Cerrado no estado de São Paulo. Em cada coleta foram amostradas folhas, flores e frutos de três plantas de cada espécie em cada sítio. Foram encontrados 49 gêneros de ácaros pertencentes a 14 famílias. Foram encontradas 14 espécies de Phytoseiidae e 19 espécies de Tarsonemidae. Os fitoseídeos mais abundantes foram Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, Transeius bellottii (Moraes & Mesa) e Amblyseius acalyphus Denmark & Muma. As espécies mais abundantes de Tarsonemidae foram Daidalotarsonemus tesselatus DeLeon, Daidalotarsonemus folisetae Lofego & Ochoa e Metatarsonemus megasolenidii Lofego & Ochoa. Os maiores índices de diversidade de fitoseídeos e tarsonemídeos foram registrados no outono; os menores índices foram registrados no inverno para fitoseídeos e na primavera para os tarsonemídeos. Considerando-se conjuntamente todas as coletas realizadas, os índices de diversidade (Shannon) de fitoseídeos e tarsonemídeos foram bastante semelhantes, próximos de 2,0. A aparente ausência de danos causados pelos ácaros fitófagos às plantas amostradas pode estar relacionada à atuação dos ácaros predadores associados. Espécies de predadores diferentes prevaleceram em espécies de plantas distintas, indicando a complementaridade destas como reservatórios daquelas.

The objective of this study was to determine and to analyse the diversity of mites on native Myrtaceae of the "Cerrado" vegetation type of the State of São Paulo, with particular attention to the families Phytoseiidae and Tarsonemidae. In the year 2000, mites were collected from Myrtaceae species in three "Cerrado" areas in the State of São Paulo. Samples of leaves, flowers and fruits were taken from three plant of each species in each site. Mites of 49 genera belonging to 14 families were found. Fourteen phytoseiid species of nine genera and 19 tarsonemid species of six genera were collected. The most abundant phytoseiids were Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, Transeius bellottii (Moraes & Mesa) and Amblyseius acalyphus Denmark & Muma. The most abundant tarsonemids were Daidalotarsonemus tesselatus DeLeon, Daidalotarsonemus folisetae Lofego & Ochoa and Metatarsonemus megasolenidii Lofego & Ochoa. The highest indexes of diversity of phytoseiids and tarsonemids were observed in the fall; the lowest indexes were found in the winter for phytoseiids and in the spring for tarsonemids. Taking into consideration the total number of phytoseiids and tarsonemids collected in this work, the corresponding indexes of diversity (Shannon) were similar and close to 2.0. Different predatory mite species prevailed on distinct plant species, indicating the complementariness of the latter as reservoirs of the former.

[Mites (Acari) associated to Myrtaceae in areas of Cerrado in the State of São Paulo with faunistic analysis of families Tarsonemidae and Phytoseiidae]. / Acaros (Acari) associados a mirtáceas (Myrtaceae) em áreas de cerrado no estado de São Paulo com análise faunística das famílias Phytoseiidae e Tarsonemidae.

The objective of this study was to determine and to analyse the diversity of mites on native Myrtaceae of the "Cerrado" vegetation type of the State of São Paulo, with particular attention to the families Phytoseiidae and Tarsonemidae. In the year 2000, mites were collected from Myrtaceae species in three "Cerrado" areas in the State of São Paulo. Samples of leaves, flowers and fruits were taken from three plant of each species in each site. Mites of 49 genera belonging to 14 families were found. Fourteen phytoseiid species of nine genera and 19 tarsonemid species of six genera were collected. The most abundant phytoseiids were Euseius citrifolius Denmark & Muma, Transeius bellottii (Moraes & Mesa) and Amblyseius acalyphus Denmark & Muma. The most abundant tarsonemids were Daidalotarsonemus tesselatus DeLeon, Daidalotarsonemus folisetae Lofego & Ochoa and Metatarsonemus megasolenidii Lofego & Ochoa. The highest indexes of diversity of phytoseiids and tarsonemids were observed in the fall; the lowest indexes were found in the winter for phytoseiids and in the spring for tarsonemids. Taking into consideration the total number of phytoseiids and tarsonemids collected in this work, the corresponding indexes of diversity (Shannon) were similar and close to 2.0. Different predatory mite species prevailed on distinct plant species, indicating the complementariness of the latter as reservoirs of the former.

Novas espécies de Prodecatoma (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae) associadas a galhas em frutos de duas espécies de Psidium L. (Myrtaceae), com comentários sobre Prodecatoma spermophaga Costa-Lima / New species of Prodecatoma (Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae) associated to galls in fruits of two species of Psidium L. (Myrtaceae), with comments on Prodecatoma spermophaga Costa-Lima

Três novas espécies de Prodecatoma obtidas a partir de galhas em frutos de Psidium cattleianum Sabine e Psidium cinereum Mart. ex DC.(Myrtaceae) são descritas a partir de material obtido no Paraná e Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Duas das novas espécies, Prodecatoma carpophaga sp. nov. e Prodecatoma petrodoma sp. nov. são descritas como indutoras das galhas. Prodecatoma ferruginea sp. nov. e Prodecatoma spermophaga Costa-Lima são apontadas como inquilinas das galhas ou parasitóides. São incluídos também comentários sobre a morfologia macroscópica da galha e a biologia das vespas.

Oviposition of the invasive two-spotted leafhopper on an endemic tree: effects of an alien weed, foliar pubescence, and habitat humidity.

The two-spotted leafhopper, Sophonia rufofascia (Kuoh and Kuoh), is an exotic pest from South-East Asia that attacks a wide variety of plant species in Hawaii. Myrica faya Aiton is an aggressive exotic weed that displaces and excludes native plants in Hawaiian forests. It has been argued that because of the high nutritional quality of its foliage, M. faya might facilitate leafhopper invasion of native Hawaiian ecosystems that were originally dominated by the endemic tree Metrosideros polymorpha (Gaudichaud). In the present study, we quantified suitability of M. faya and M. polymorpha as ovipositional hosts for S. rufofascia. Overall, leafhoppers preferred to deposit their eggs into the foliage of M. faya. M. faya presence in the area did not affect leafhopper oviposition on M. polymorpha. Foliar pubescence provided good protection of hirsute morphotypes of M. polymorpha. At the same time, glabrous M. polymorpha morphotypes were quite suitable for leafhopper oviposition. There was no difference in the abundance of leafhopper eggs along a precipitation gradient. Our results confirm that invasion of native Hawaiian forests by the weed M. faya will facilitate their invasion by S. rufofascia. Because of the broad host range characteristic of the two-spotted leafhopper, this build-up may adversely affect a number of endemic plant species growing in native forests.