Pollination Effectiveness of the Hoverfly Eristalinus aeneus (Scopoli, 1763) in Diploid and Triploid Associated Watermelon Crop.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is an important crop worldwide. Pollination of this crop is carried out by insects, with honey bees (Apis spp.) and bumble bees (Bombus spp.) as the most used in greenhouse production. Nevertheless, due to the extreme conditions in closed enclosures, these hymenopterans suffer management and behavior problems leading to insufficient pollination. The effectiveness of three release densities (15, 30, and 45 individuals/m2) of Eristalinus aeneus was compared in diploid- and triploid-associated watermelon varieties under protected cultivation. Floral visits, pollen-pistil interaction after pollen transport, yield, and fruit quality were evaluated. The number of floral visits increased with release density in both pistillate and staminate flowers. No significant differences were observed, however, among release densities or between flower types in the duration of the visits. Floral preferences were not found in the behavior of E. aeneus in watermelon. High and medium release densities increased pollen deposition onto the stigma, and consequently the yield of the triploid variety compared to low release density, by 23.8 to 41.8% in 2020 and by 36.3 to 46.7% in 2021. The results of this trial demonstrate the potential of E. aeneus as a managed pollinator in protected cultivation of triploid watermelon.

Estimation of PMI for human remains wrapped in a blanket, with first report of Puliciphora rufipes (Phoridae) and Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Muscidae) outdoors in SE Spain.

The estimation of the minimum value of the postmortem interval is affected by well-known abiotic factors such as temperature and humidity, and others relating to the crime scene (e.g. the presence of direct sunlight or shade, immersion in water). However, there are few published data related to other variables that may exist, such as the presence of different insect species, wrapping of the body, or the presence or absence of maggot masses or predatory larvae. In this paper, a case report is presented in which the corpse of a homeless person was partially wrapped in a blanket. The corpse was found outdoors, in an open area in the province of Alicante (SE Spain). Empty puparia of different species of Diptera were collected during the autopsy. According to the insect development data, the minimum postmortem period was estimated and the influence of different factors, especially the effect of being wrapped in the blanket and the presence of the puparia of different species, was discussed. The entomological evidence includes the first record of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (van der Wulp, 1883) (Diptera: Muscidae) in outdoor conditions, and Puliciphora rufipes Silva Figueroa, 1916 (Diptera: Phoridae), which has not previously been recorded on human remains.

Macrocheles species (Acari: Macrochelidae) associated with human corpses in Europe.

The biology of macrochelid mites might offer new venues for the interpretation of the environmental conditions surrounding human death and decomposition. Three human corpses, one from Sweden and two from Spain, have been analysed for the occurrence of Macrochelidae species. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) females were associated with a corpse that was found in a popular beach area of southeast Spain. Their arrival coincides with the occurrence of one of their major carrier species, the filth fly Fannia scalaris, the activity of which peaks during mid-summer. Macrocheles glaber (Müller) specimens were collected from a corpse in a shallow grave in a forest in Sweden at the end of summer, concurrent with the arrival of beetles attracted by odours from the corpse. Macrocheles perglaber Filipponi and Pegazzano adults were sampled from a corpse found indoors in the rural surroundings of Granada city, south Spain. The phoretic behaviour of this species is similar to that of M. glaber, but it is more specific to Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae dung beetles, most of which favour human faeces. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae is known from urban and rural areas and poultry farms, M. glaber from outdoors, particularly the countryside, whereas M. perglaber is known from outdoor, rural, and remote, potentially mountainous locations. Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and M. perglaber are reported for the first time from the Iberian Peninsula. This is the first record of M. perglaber from human remains.

Desarrollo histórico y logros de la Gerencia de Docencia e Investigación del Instituto Nacional de Higiene "Rafael Rangel" / Historical development and achievements of the Teaching and Research Management of the National Institute of Hygiene "Rafael Rangel"

La Gerencia de Docencia e Investigación es creada en el año 1992. Actualmente está conformada por la Coordinación de Postgrado, Coordinación de Investigación, Coordinación de Extensión, Pasantías, Campus Virtual, Departamento de Información y Divulgación Científica. La Gerencia tiene las siguientes funciones fundamentales: Programar, diseñar, coordinar y asesorar líneas de investigación, proyectos de investigación y producción de conocimiento científico de acuerdo a las políticas institucionales y del estado en el Sector Salud. Planificar y ejecutar programas docentes de 4to y 5to nivel, conducentes y no conducentes a grado académico en las áreas de competencia del Instituto. Programar y ejecutar la formación y capacitación del talento humano especializado, mediante diplomados, talleres, entrenamientos, simposia, jornadas, ampliación, actualización, perfeccionamiento profesional y extensión en el área de Salud. Gestionar y evaluar la formación y capacitación de talento humano procedente de instituciones educativas y de salud, mediante pasantías académicas y profesionales. Planificar, programar, coordinar, ejecutar y supervisar todas aquellas actividades, espacios y aulas virtuales de interacción, aprendizaje e-learning, trabajos en red, consultorías y tutorías telemáticas, acceso a materiales didácticos on-line, telebibliotecas, entre otros, tanto para el campus virtual de la Institución, como del Campus Virtual de Salud Pública Nodo Venezuela (éste último con otros organismos y apoyo de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud), enfocado a la formación y desarrollo de las competencias técnico-profesionales de los trabajadores en servicio y de las capacidades de las instituciones dedicadas a la prestación de servicios de salud pública en un formato virtual/semipresencial, brindando nuevas posibilidades de aprendizajes en entornos innovadores. Suministrar información especializada en el área de la salud, a través de servicios de divulgación, bibliotecarios, de documentación, edición de publicaciones e interactuar con otros centros de información científica para el cumplimiento de estos objetivos. Desarrollar y participar en las actividades de la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud de la OPS/BIREME. Preservación del Acervo Histórico Institucional. Este artículo contiene los siguientes aspectos: Antecedentes históricos de la Gerencia de Docencia e Investigación. Logros y desarrollo en el período 2008-2018. Reflexiones sobre la Política y los Planes de Formación del Instituto Nacional de Higiene "Rafael Rangel".

The Teaching and Research Management was created in 1992. It is currently made up of the Postgraduate Coordination, Research Coordination, Extension Coordination, Internships, Virtual Campus, Department of Information and Scientific Dissemination. Management has the folwloing fundamental functions: Schedule, design, coordinate and advise on research lines, research projects and production of scientific knowledge according to institutional and state policies in the Health Sector. Plan and execute teaching programs of 4th and 5th level, conducive and not conducive to academic degree in the areas of competence of the Institute. Schedule and execute the training and training of specialized human talent, through diplomas, workshops, training, symposia, conferences, expansion, updating, professional development and extension in the area of Health. Manage and evaluate the training and training of human talent from educational and health institutions, through academic and professional internships. Plan, program, coordinate, execute and supervise all those activities, spaces and virtual classrooms for interaction, e-learning learning, networking, consultancies and telematics tutorials, access to on-line teaching materials, tele-libraries, among others, for both the institution's virtual campus, such as the Virtual Campus of Public Health Nodo Venezuela (the latter with other organizations and support of the Pan American Health Organization), focused on the training and development of technical-professional skills of workers in service and of the capacities of the institutions dedicated to the provision of public health services in a virtual / blended format, providing new possibilities for learning in innovative environments. Provide specialized information in the area of health, through outreach services, librarians, documentation, publishing publications and interact with other scientific information centers for the fulfillment of these objectives. Develop and participate in the activities of the Virtual Health Library of PAHO / BIREME. Preservation of the Historical Institutional Collection. This article contains the following aspects: Historical background of the Teaching and Research Management. Achievements and development in the period 2008-2018. Reflections on the Policy and Training Plans of the National Institute of Hygiene "Rafael Rangel".

Checklist and distribution maps of the blow flies of Venezuela (Diptera, Calliphoridae, Mesembrinellidae).

A checklist of the 39 species of blow flies (Calliphoridae and Mesembrinellidae) so far known to occur in Venezuela is provided, based on a thorough literature review and the examination of ca. 500 specimens deposited in the main entomological collections of the country. Data from the literature and museum collections were used to generate distribution maps for 37 species. Three species are recorded from Venezuela for the first time: Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann, 1830), Mesembrinella spicata Aldrich, 1925 and Mesembrinella umbrosa Aldrich, 1922.

Instar determination of the neotropical beetle Oxelytrum discicolle (Coleoptera: Silphidae).

The carrion beetle Oxelytrum discicolle (Brullé, 1840) has forensic importance in the Neotropical region. The age of their larvae can provide important information to estimate the minimum postmortem interval of the corpse. This study was designed to determine the larval stages of this species, using three morphological measurements, as follows: distance between dorsal stemmata, pronotal width, and total body length. Three instars were identified. Distance between dorsal stemmata and pronotal width were good discriminating variables to determine instars, whereas total length was widely variable. For each instar, intervals of three morphological measures are given.

Effects of temperature on the development of the Neotropical carrion beetle Oxelytrum discicolle (Brullé, 1840) (Coleoptera: Silphidae).

Due to its necrophagy, the Neotropical beetle Oxelytrum discicolle (Brullé, 1840) is found in association with human corpses. Its biology can provide important information to determine the postmortem interval (PMI). We studied the life cycle of O. discicolle in the laboratory under three constant temperatures (15, 20 and 28 degrees C) and under natural conditions (mean T=18.5 degrees C) in a cloud forest in Altos de Pipe (10 degrees 20'N, 66 degrees 55'W) Miranda state, Venezuela. The total time required to complete development from egg to adult emergence shortened as temperatures increased, ranging from 40.00+/-2.73 days at 15 degrees C to 20.33+/-0.89 days at 28 degrees C. Developmental time in natural conditions was not significantly different from that obtained at 20 degrees C. This information would be useful to forensic entomology applied to criminal investigations in Venezuela and the Neotropical region.

A checklist of arthropods associated with rat carrion in a montane locality of northern Venezuela.

This is the first report of arthropods associated with carrion in Venezuela, using laboratory bred rats (Rattus norvegicus). Rat carcasses were exposed to colonization by arthropods in neighboring montane savanna and cloud forest habitats in the state of Miranda. The taxonomic composition of the arthropods varied between both ecosystems. Scarabaeidae, Silphidae, Micropezidae, Phoridae, Vespidae and one species of ant, were collected only in the cloud forest. Dermestes maculatus, Chrysomya albiceps, Termitidae and most species of ants, were found only in the savanna. Fourteen species were considered to be of primary forensic importance: D. maculatus, Oxelytrum discicolle, Calliphora sp., Cochliomyia macellaria, Compsomyiops sp., C. albiceps, Phaenicia cuprina, P. sericata, P. eximia, Fannia sp., Puliciphora sp., Megaselia scalaris, Ravina sp. and Sarcophaga sp.