Photoperiod Differences in Sand Fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) Species Richness and Abundance in Caves in Minas Gerais State, Brazil.

Caves are unique habitats that are inhabited by a diverse and singular biota. Among these inhabitants are sand flies, which are of great epidemiological interest in the Neotropical region because they are vectors of Leishmania The period of activity of these insects is usually crepuscular and nocturnal, but there are reports of diurnal activity of sand flies in caves. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the periodicity of daily activity of sand flies in cave environments in the municipality of Pains, Minas Gerais. Sand flies were collected with light traps, which were operated for 5 consecutive days in the rainy season and in the dry season. Samples were collected every 12 h and separated between photophase and scotophase periods. In total, 1,777 sand flies of 23 species were collected. The most abundant species was Lutzomyia renei (Martins, Falcão, and Silva) (44%), followed by Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva) (15%), Evandromyia edwardsi (Mangabeira) (11%), and Micropygomyia quinquefer (Costa Lima) (6%). The richness and abundance of total sand flies and the abundance of male and female sand flies in the aphotic zone of the caves did not differ between the photophase and scotophase, but differed between photoperiods at the entrance and at sites surrounding the caves. From our study of the daily activity of these insects in this ecotope, it will be possible to know which period of the day is of greatest risk of exposure of vertebrates who visit or live in these environments, including the human population.

Intermittent lighting programs for layers with different photophases in the beginning of the laying phase / Programas de iluminação intermitentes para poedeiras com diferentes fotofases ao início da fase de postura

ABSTRACT: It was possible to evaluate the effect of continuous and intermittent lighting programs with different photophases on the performance and eggs quality of laying hens, applied to the beginning of the laying phase. The authors used 420 Hy-line Brown laying hens with 21 weeks of age, bred on bedding and submitted for six periods of 28 days between the solstice of summer and winter. The three lighting programs were: (PIC) 16 hours of continuos light, intermittent program with initial and final photophases of 15 minutes (PII15) and an intermittent program with initial and final photophases of 30 minutes (PII30). A completely randomized design with ten repetitions of 14 birds was used. The mean values were subjected analysis of variance and analyzed by the Tukey test (5%). The PIC program showed higher feed intake and eggs' mass about the PII15, and the eggs production of birds, in the PIC, was 1.8% greater than the intermittent photoperiods. Programs of light did not change the egg quality. The intermittent programs for semi-heavy laying hens bred on bedding in an open shed, applied at the beginning of the laying phase, reduced the productive performance of the birds without affecting the eggs quality.

RESUMO: Avaliou-se o efeito de programas de iluminação contínuo e intermitentes com diferentes fotofases sobre o desempenho produtivo e a qualidade de ovos de poedeiras aplicados ao início da fase de postura. Foram utilizadas 420 poedeiras da linhagem Hy line Brown com 21 semanas de idade, criadas sobre cama, submetidas durante seis períodos de 28 dias, entre o solstício de verão e de inverno, a três programas de iluminação: contínuo (PIC) de 16h de luz; programa intermitente com fotofases inicial e final de 15min (PII15); e programa intermitente com fotofases inicial e final de 30min (PII30). Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualisado, com dez repetições de 14 aves. Os resultados das médias foram submetidos à análise de variância e analisadas pelo teste de Tukey (5%). O programa PIC apresentou maior consumo de ração e massa de ovos em relação ao PII15, a produção de ovos das aves no PIC foi 1,8% superior aos fotoperíodos intermitentes. Os programas de luz não alteraram a qualidade de ovo. Programas intermitentes para poedeiras semipesadas, criadas sobre cama em galpão aberto, aplicados no início da fase de postura reduzem o desempenho produtivo das aves sem afetar a qualidade de ovos.

Intermittent lighting programs for layers with different photophases in the beginning of the laying phase / Programas de iluminação intermitentes para poedeiras com diferentes fotofases ao início da fase de postura

It was possible to evaluate the effect of continuous and intermittent lighting programs with different photophases on the performance and eggs quality of laying hens, applied to the beginning of the laying phase. The authors used 420 Hy-line Brown laying hens with 21 weeks of age, bred on bedding and submitted for six periods of 28 days between the solstice of summer and winter. The three lighting programs were: (PIC) 16 hours of continuos light, intermittent program with initial and final photophases of 15 minutes (PII15) and an intermittent program with initial and final photophases of 30 minutes (PII30). A completely randomized design with ten repetitions of 14 birds was used. The mean values were subjected analysis of variance and analyzed by the Tukey test (5%). The PIC program showed higher feed intake and eggs' mass about the PII15, and the eggs production of birds, in the PIC, was 1.8% greater than the intermittent photoperiods. Programs of light did not change the egg quality. The intermittent programs for semi-heavy laying hens bred on bedding in an open shed, applied at the beginning of the laying phase, reduced the productive performance of the birds without affecting the eggs quality.(AU)

Avaliou-se o efeito de programas de iluminação contínuo e intermitentes com diferentes fotofases sobre o desempenho produtivo e a qualidade de ovos de poedeiras aplicados ao início da fase de postura. Foram utilizadas 420 poedeiras da linhagem Hy line Brown com 21 semanas de idade, criadas sobre cama, submetidas durante seis períodos de 28 dias, entre o solstício de verão e de inverno, a três programas de iluminação: contínuo (PIC) de 16h de luz; programa intermitente com fotofases inicial e final de 15min (PII15); e programa intermitente com fotofases inicial e final de 30min (PII30). Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualisado, com dez repetições de 14 aves. Os resultados das médias foram submetidos à análise de variância e analisadas pelo teste de Tukey (5%). O programa PIC apresentou maior consumo de ração e massa de ovos em relação ao PII15, a produção de ovos das aves no PIC foi 1,8% superior aos fotoperíodos intermitentes. Os programas de luz não alteraram a qualidade de ovo. Programas intermitentes para poedeiras semipesadas, criadas sobre cama em galpão aberto, aplicados no início da fase de postura reduzem o desempenho produtivo das aves sem afetar a qualidade de ovos.(AU)

Biological characteristics of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) induced to diapause in laboratory.

In southern Brazil, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) uses diapause as survival strategy during the winter (May-August). In our study, we evaluated the effect of diapause on biological characteristics of the species for 4 months in laboratory. Newly hatched larvae of G. molesta were induced to diapause changing the photoperiod and temperature (T) (12 ± 1°C), relative humidity (RH) (70 ± 10%), and a photophase of 12 h and, when they started diapause in the prepupal stage, the conditions were kept for 4 months. Afterwards, the insects were induced to finalize the diapause process at T 25 ± 1°C, RH 70 ± 10%, and a photophase of 16 h. We evaluated the duration and viability of the larval stages and pupae, pupae weight at 24 h and sex ratio (sr), periods of preoviposition, oviposition, and postoviposition; adult life span (males and females); fecundity (daily and total); embryonic period duration and eggs viability, comparing the data with insects nondiapause. The results show that diapause greatly affected the viability of pupal-adult stages of the population (21.8%) when compared with insects' nondiapause (80.0%). Total fecundity (83.0 eggs) and mean life span (12.0 d) of insects diapause was significantly lower compared with insects nondiapause (173.0 and 17.0), respectively. However, these differences were not observed in the sr, which was similar to insects diapause (sr = 0.41) and insects nondiapause (sr = 0.49). The diapause induced for 4 months negatively affects reproduction and life span of adults of G. molesta.

Diapause initiation and alterations in the life cycle of Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) as induced by photoperiodic conditions

Grapholita molesta (Busck) is one of the major pests of Rosaceae, causing significant damage to buds and fruits. In Southern Brazil, its population density is reduced during Rosaceae dormancy months. The present study evaluated the influence of different photoperiods (L:D) (10:14, 11:13, 12:12, 13:11, 14:10 and 16:8) at 25 ± 1ºC and 60 ± 10 percent RH on diapause induction of G. molesta eggs, larvae, prepupae, and pupae. The effects of the photoperiod on the life cycle of non-diapausing insects and on the second generation were also assessed. Prepupal diapause was observed only when eggs and neonates (< 12h-old larvae) were exposed to photophases from 10h to 14h long. Development of non-diapausing individuals and those from the second generation tended to be longer in photophases between 10h and 14h long.

Influência do fotoperíodo no desenvolvimento e na reprodução de Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) / Influence of the photoperiod on development and reproduction of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

O conhecimento da influência de fatores abióticos sobre os aspectos bioecológicos dos crisopídeos, especialmente das espécies sul-americanas, é importante para a correta utilização desses predadores em programas de controle biológico. Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de estudar, em laboratório, aspectos biológicos do predador Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) em diferentes condições fotoperiódicas (8L:16E, 10L:14E, 12L:12E, 14L:10E e 16L:8E), com luminosidade de aproximadamente 1.500 lux, temperatura de 25 ± 2°C e UR de 70 ± 10 por cento. O número de horas-luz não afetou a duração do período embrionário, o número, a duração e a viabilidade dos ínstares, bem como a mortalidade do adulto e o período de pré-oviposição. A duração das fases larval, pré-pupal e pupal diminuiu em função do aumento da fotofase. A viabilidade de ovos foi menor com 10h (85,6 por cento) e 14h (77,8 por cento) de luz. Observou-se uma relação inversa entre a duração da fotofase e a fecundidade, obtendo-se 778,3 ovos por fêmea a 8h de luz e de 233,0 ovos por fêmea a 16h. Não se constataram mudanças morfológicas, fisiológicas ou comportamentais que caracterizassem um sintoma de diapausa em C. externa. Esses resultados fornecem subsídios para o conhecimento do fotoperíodo ideal, visando melhorar as técnicas de criação dessa espécie em laboratório.

To know the influence of abiotic factors on bioecology of Chrysopidae, especially those from South America, is important in order to use these predators in biological control programs. This research was carried out with the objective of studying, in laboratory conditions, the influence of the photoperiods 8L:16D, 10L:14D, 12L:12D, 14L:10D and 16L:8D on biological aspects of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen), with light intensity near to 1,500 lux, temperature of 25 ± 2°C and 70 ± 10 percent RH. The quantity of light did not affect the duration of the embryonic period, the number, duration and viability of instars, as well as adult mortality and pre-oviposition period. However, duration time of the larvae, pre-pupae and pupae decreased with the increase of the photofase. The eggs survival was smaller at 10h (85.6 percent) and 14h (77.8 percent) light. An inverse relationship was observed between photofase duration and fecundity, thus obtaining 778.3 eggs per female maintained at 8h light, and 233.0 eggs per female at 16h light. No morphological, physiological or behavioural changes were observed that could characterize a diapause symptom in C. externa population. These results help to improve the techniques for rearing the species in laboratory conditions.

Photoperiod influence on the biology and phenological characteristics of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas, 1851) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

The influence of the photoperiod on the biology and seasonal morphs of Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas, 1851) was studied in the laboratory. Four different photoperiods (11, 12, 13, and 14 hL = hours of light) were tested, keeping the temperature at 25 ± 1ºC and the relative humidity at 65 ± 5%. Nymph developmental time tended to be longer under shorter photophases (11 and 12 hL). The 14-hour photophase (long day) resulted in lower nymph mortality rates. Females maintained at 13 and 14 hL showed greater weight gain (1st-28th day) than females under 12 hL. D. melacanthus showed reproductive oligopause induced by short photophases, especially when exposed to 11 hL. Under 13 and 14 hL, 85% and 65% of females oviposited, respectively, in comparison to 10% and 15% of females ovipositing under 11 and 12 hL, respectively. Fecundity (number of egg masses and number of eggs/female) was greater in the longer than under the shorter photophases. Seasonal dimorphism induced by photoperiod was observed in D. melacanthus adults. Under short-day conditions (11 and 12 hL), adults showed short and rounded shoulder spines, grayish brown abdomen (mainly in 11 hL), high lipid contents, and lower percentage of mature reproductive organs. Under long-day conditions (13 and 14 hL), the stink bugs showed greatly developed shoulder spines, green abdomen, low lipid contents, and mature reproductive organs.

A influência do fotoperíodo na biologia e nas formas sazonais de Dichelops melacanthus (Dallas, 1851) foi estudada em laboratório. Foram utilizadas quatro condições fotoperiódicas diferentes (11, 12, 13 e 14 hL = horas de luz), mantendo a temperatura a 25 ± 1ºC e a umidade relativa a 65 ± 5%. O tempo de desenvolvimento das ninfas tendeu a ser mais longo nas fotofases mais curtas (11 e 12 hL). A fotofase de 14 horas (dia longo) foi a melhor condição para o desenvolvimento ninfal, apresentando baixos índices de mortalidade durante esse período. Fêmeas mantidas sob 13 e 14 hL apresentaram maior ganho de peso (1º-28º dia) do que fêmeas sob 12 hL. D. melacanthus apresentou oligopausa reprodutiva induzida por fotofases curtas, principalmente sob 11 hL. Em 13 e 14 hL, 85% e 65% de fêmeas ovipositaram, respectivamente, em comparação a 10% e 15% de fêmeas que ovipositaram sob 11 e 12 hL, respectivamente. A fecundidade (número de massas de ovos e número de ovos/fêmea) foi maior nas fotofases longas do que nas curtas. O dimorfismo sazonal induzido pelo fotoperíodo foi observado em adultos de D. melacanthus. Em condições de dias curtos (11 e 12 hL), os adultos apresentaram espinhos pronotais curtos e arredondados, abdômen marrom-acinzentado (principalmente em 11 hL), teor lipídico alto e baixa porcentagem de órgãos reprodutivos maduros. Sob condições de dias longos (13 e 14 hL), os percevejos apresentaram espinhos pronotais mais desenvolvidos e pontiagudos, abdômen verde, teor lipídico baixo e órgãos reprodutivos desenvolvidos.