First report of Dermatobia hominis resistant to doramectin in cattle.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of 1 % injectable doramectin to control Dermatobia hominis in naturally infested beef cattle in a farm with history of clinical parasitism after avermectin use. The study was conducted in a commercial beef cattle farm in Brazil. Twenty crossbred cattle (Nellore x Angus) were selected based on the minimum number of 10 live larvae. Assessment of infestation was performed based on tactile-visual inspection of the entire body of the animals. The animals were allocated to two experimental groups of ten animals each: treated group - dosed with doramectin 200 µg/kg live weight (LW), and control group - dosed with saline solution 1 mL/50 kg LW. Both treatments were administered subcutaneously in a single dose. After treatment, larval counts were performed at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days post-treatment (DPT). For the treatment to be considered efficient, it should reach an efficacy greater than or equal to 90 % by the 10th DPT and the average larval count in the treated animals should be statistically lower than the average larval count in the control group. The geometric means of larval counts at the beginning of the study were 27.2 and 26.3 for the control and treated groups, respectively. After 72 h of treatment, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in the larvae counts of the treated group, extending to the 14th DPT, at which point maximum efficacy for doramectin (86.3 %) was obtained. After treatment, 90 % of the animals remained parasitized with live larvae on the 7th DPT and 70 % on the 14th DPT, while in the control group, all animals were infested on all dates. The administration of injectable doramectin was not effective in controlling D. hominis in naturally infested cattle.

A new parasitoid wasp, Aphaereta vondelparkensis sp. n. (Braconidae, Alysiinae), from a city park in the centre of Amsterdam.

BACKGROUND: The parasitic wasp genus Aphaereta Foerster, 1863, belongs to the large subfamily Alysiinae Leach, 1815 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and contains solitary or gregarious endoparasitoids of larvae of cyclorrhaphous Diptera living in decaying organic matter. NEW INFORMATION: A new species, Aphaereta vondelparkensis sp. n. (Braconidae, Alysiinae, Alysiini), from a city park in the centre of Amsterdam (Vondelpark) is described and illustrated. The species was discovered on a so-called taxon expedition, in which experts and citizen scientists collaborate on taxonomic projects. The finding highlights the fact that new animal species can still be discovered today, even in the busiest park of the capital of one of the best studied European countries.

Syntomopus parisii and Leptomeraporus sp. parasitizing Melanagromyza sojae in Brazil / Syntomopus parisii e Leptomeraporus sp. parasitando Melanagromyza sojae no Brasil

ABSTRACT: This note is the first report of Syntomopus parisii De Santis 1976 and Leptomeraporus sp. (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) simultaneously parasitizing Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Brazil. The Pteromalidae parasitoids are natural enemies of stem miner flies, opening perspectives for biological control of soybean stem miner fly.

RESUMO: Esta nota é o primeiro registro de Syntomopus parisii De Santis 1976 e Leptomeraporus sp. (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) parasitando simultaneamente Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera, Agromyzidae) no Brasil. Os parasitoides Pteromalidae são inimigos naturais de moscas minadoras do caule, abrindo perspectivas para o controle biológico da mosca minadora do caule da soja.

Eight new species of Strongylophthalmyia Heller from Vietnam with a key to species from Vietnam and neighbouring countries (Diptera, Strongylophthalmyiidae).

Seventeen species of Strongylophthalmyia are recognized in the fauna of Vietnam, including eight new species: Strongylophthalmyia annulipessp. n., Strongylophthalmyia basisternasp. n., Strongylophthalmyia dichroasp. n., Strongylophthalmyia gavryushinisp. n., Strongylophthalmyia obtectasp. n., Strongylophthalmyia orchidanthaesp. n., Strongylophthalmyia strictasp. n., Strongylophthalmyia tomentosasp. n.Strongylophthalmyia angusticollis Frey, Strongylophthalmyia fascipennis Frey, Strongylophthalmyia metatarsata Meijere, Strongylophthalmyia splendida Yang & Wang, and Strongylophthalmyia thaii Papp are recorded for the first time from Vietnam. The male of Strongylophthalmyia splendida and female of Strongylophthalmyia thaii are described for the first time. A key to 34 species of Strongylophthalmyia of the fauna of Vietnam and continental southeast Asia, including the Oriental southern region of China is provided.

To crash or not to crash: how do hoverflies cope with free-fall situations and weightlessness?

Insects' aptitude to perform hovering, automatic landing and tracking tasks involves accurately controlling their head and body roll and pitch movements, but how this attitude control depends on an internal estimation of gravity orientation is still an open question. Gravity perception in flying insects has mainly been studied in terms of grounded animals' tactile orientation responses, but it has not yet been established whether hoverflies use gravity perception cues to detect a nearly weightless state at an early stage. Ground-based microgravity simulators provide biologists with useful tools for studying the effects of changes in gravity. However, in view of the cost and the complexity of these set-ups, an alternative Earth-based free-fall procedure was developed with which flying insects can be briefly exposed to microgravity under various visual conditions. Hoverflies frequently initiated wingbeats in response to an imposed free fall in all the conditions tested, but managed to avoid crashing only in variably structured visual environments, and only episodically in darkness. Our results reveal that the crash-avoidance performance of these insects in various visual environments suggests the existence of a multisensory control system based mainly on vision rather than gravity perception.

Behavioural evidence for a visual and proprioceptive control of head roll in hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus).

The ability of hoverflies to control their head orientation with respect to their body contributes importantly to their agility and their autonomous navigation abilities. Many tasks performed by this insect during flight, especially while hovering, involve a head stabilization reflex. This reflex, which is mediated by multisensory channels, prevents the visual processing from being disturbed by motion blur and maintains a consistent perception of the visual environment. The so-called dorsal light response (DLR) is another head control reflex, which makes insects sensitive to the brightest part of the visual field. In this study, we experimentally validate and quantify the control loop driving the head roll with respect to the horizon in hoverflies. The new approach developed here consisted of using an upside-down horizon in a body roll paradigm. In this unusual configuration, tethered flying hoverflies surprisingly no longer use purely vision-based control for head stabilization. These results shed new light on the role of neck proprioceptor organs in head and body stabilization with respect to the horizon. Based on the responses obtained with male and female hoverflies, an improved model was then developed in which the output signals delivered by the neck proprioceptor organs are combined with the visual error in the estimated position of the body roll. An internal estimation of the body roll angle with respect to the horizon might explain the extremely accurate flight performances achieved by some hovering insects.

Oral myiasis.

Myiasis is a pathologic condition in humans occurring because of parasitic infestation. Parasites causing myiasis belong to the order Diptera. Oral myiasis is seen secondary to oral wounds, suppurative lesions, and extraction wounds, especially in individuals with neurological deficit. In such cases, neglected oral hygiene and halitosis attracts the flies to lay eggs in oral wounds resulting in oral myiasis. We present a case of oral myiasis in 40-year-old male patient with mental disability and history of epilepsy.

Isolation of Bacillus thuringiensis strains that contain Dipteran-specific cry genes from Ilha Bela (São Paulo, Brazil) soil samples / Isolamento de linhagens de Bacillus thuringiensis contendo genes cry díptero-específicos a partir de amostras de solo oriundas de Ilha Bela-São Paulo, Brasil

The entomophatogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produces crystal proteins, named Cry proteins which are encoded by the cry genes. This bacterium is used on biological control of important economical pests, as well as in the control of disease´s vectors, such as Aedes aegypti, a mosquito that transmits the dengue viruses. Isolates of this bacterium can be characterized by the content of cry genes and this prediction helps target different insect orders. In this research, we isolated 76 colonies of B. thuringiensis from 30 soil samples that were taken from Ilha Bela (SP, Brazil), a place where simulids are already biologically controlled by B. thuringiensis, to find bacterial isolates that were capable of controlling A. aegypti. The 16S ribosomal subunit genes of the selected isolates were sequenced, and the isolates were molecularly characterized based on their Dipteran-specific cry gene contents. Eight of the 76 isolates (10.52%) contained the cry4Aa, cry4Ba or cry10Aa genes, these isolates were carried out against A. aegypti larvae on bioassay. The presence or absence of specific cry genes was associated with the observed average larval mortalities. From the 76 isolates, seven (9.2%) were potentially able to control A. aegypti larvae. Therefore these are promising isolates for the biological control of A. aegypti larvae.

Bacillus thuringiensis é entomopatogênica, por produzir proteínas cristais, denominadas proteínas Cry, as quais são codificadas pelos genes cry. Essa bactéria atua no controle biológico de insetos-praga de culturas economicamente importantes, bem como no controle de insetos vetores causadores de doenças, como o Aedes aegypti, mosquito transmissor do vírus da dengue. Os isolados dessa bactéria podem ser caracterizados pelo conteúdo de genes cry que possuem e, assim, predizer o alvo de controle dos mesmos às diferentes ordens de insetos. Com o objetivo de encontrar isolados eficientes no controle do vetor A. aegypti, o presente trabalho isolou 76 colônias de B. thuringiensis a partir de 30 amostras de solo oriundas de Ilhabela-SP, município que se caracteriza por realizar controle biológico de simulídeos com essa bactéria. Os 76 isolados foram sequenciados na região da subunidade ribossomal 16S e caracterizados molecularmente quanto ao conteúdo de genes cry díptero-específicos. No total, oito isolados (10,52% do total) apresentaram bandas para os genes cry4Aa, cry4Ba e cry10Aa, sendo os mesmos testados contra larvas de A. aegypti por meio de bioensaios. A presença e/ou ausência dos genes cry foi associada à mortalidade média de larvas. Dentre os isolados estudados, sete (9,2% do total) apresentaram elevado potencial de controle às larvas de A. aegypti, sendo assim considerados como promissores para o manejo do controle biológico de larvas de A. aegypti com a bactéria B. thuringiensis.

Myiasis by Screw Worm Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a Wild Maned Wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus (Mammalia: Canidae), in Brasília, Brazil

In April 2009, a wild maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, was captured in an area of cerrado in Brasília, DF, Brazil, with screw worm maggots in external wounds. Fifty larvae were bred in the laboratory and eight adults of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) emerged 10 days after pupation. This is the first report of a myiasis by C. hominivorax in a free-living maned wolf in Brazil.

Description of two new species of Sycorax Curtis (Diptera, Psychodidae, Sycoracinae) from the Atlantic Rain Forest of Espírito Santo, Brazil / Descrição de duas espécies novas de Sycorax Curtis (Diptera, Psychodidae, Sycoracinae) da Mata Atlântica do Espírito Santo, Brasil

Two new species of Sycorax Curtis from the Atlantic Rain Forest of Espírito Santo, S. cariacicaensis Santos & Bravo sp. nov. and S. espiritosantensis Santos & Bravo sp. nov., are described and illustrated.

Duas espécies novas de Sycorax Curtis da Floresta Atlântica do Espírito Santo, S. cariacicaensis Santos & Bravo sp. nov. e S. espiritosantensis Santos & Bravo sp. nov., são descritas e desenhadas.

Primeiro relato de Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, 1839 (Hymenoptera: pteromalidae) em pupas de fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: fanniidae) no Brasil / First report of Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, 1839 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in pupae of Fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Fanniidae) in Brazil

Relata-se a primeira ocorrência do parasitóide Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, 1839 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) em pupas de Fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Fanniidae), no Brasil. Pupas de F. pusio foram coletadas em armadilhas utilizando-se fezes humanas como atrativo para os adultos. Obtiveram-se 10 pupas, das quais duas estavam parasitadas por S. nigroaenea, verificando-se uma porcentagem de parasitismo de 20,0 por cento.

The first occurrence in Brazil of the parasitoid Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, 1839 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in pupae of Fannia pusio (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Fanniidae) is reported. Pupae of F. pusio were collected in traps using human feces to attract the adults. Ten pupae were obtained, of which two were parasitized by S. nigroaenea, thus demonstrating a parasitism rate of 20.0 percent.

First record and description of a new species of Sycorax Curtis (Diptera: Psychodidae, Sycoracinae) from the Brazilian Amazon

Sycorax longispinosa sp. nov. is described from Serra do Cachorro, Pará State, Brazil. This new species is the first record of the genus from the Brazilian Amazon. An identification key for males of species of Sycorax from the neotropical region is presented.

Sycorax longispinosa sp. nov. é descrita da Serra do Cachorro, estado do Pará. Essa espécie nova constitui o primeiro registro do gênero na Amazônia brasileira. É apresentada uma chave de identificação para machos das espécies neotropicais de Sycorax.

Dez espécies novas de Alepia Enderlein (Diptera: Psychodidae) do Brasil / Ten new species of Alepia Enderlein (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Brazil

Ten new species of Alepia Enderlein from Brazil are described: A. biapicalis, A. clara, A. fumea, A. maculipennis, A. pinna, A. recurva and A. truncata from Bahia, A. lobata and A. obscura fromSão Paulo, and A. distincta from Paraná.

São descritas dez espécies novas de Alepia Enderlein do Brasil: A. biapicalis, A. clara, A. fumea, A. maculipennis, A. pinna, A. recurva e A. truncata da Bahia, A. lobata e A. obscura de São Paulo, e A. distincta do Paraná.

Espécies novas de Tonnoira Enderlein (Diptera: Psychodidae) do nordeste brasileiro / New species of Tonnoira Enderlein (Diptera: Psychodidae) from northeastern Brazil

Three new species of Tonnoira Enderlein from Bahia, Northeastern Brazil are described: T. bifida sp. n., T. longipennis sp. n. and T. magna sp. n.

São descritas três espécies novas de Tonnoira Enderlein da Bahia: T. bifida sp. n., T. longipennis sp. n. e T. magna sp. n.

Cinco espécies novas de Caenobrunettia (Diptera: Psychodidae, Psychodinae) do Brasil / Five new species of Caenobrunettia (Diptera: Psychodidae, Psychodinae) from Brazil

São descritas cinco espécies novas de Caenobrunettia Wagner do Brasil, Caenobrunettia baiana sp. nov., Caenobrunettia serrajiboiensis sp. nov., Caenobrunettia serrulata sp. nov. e Caenobrunettia variata sp. nov. da Bahia, e Caenobrunettia carioca sp. nov. do Rio de Janeiro. Apresenta-se uma chave de identificação para machos das espécies de Caenobrunettia.

Five new species of Caenobrunettia Wagner from Brazil are described, Caenobrunettia baiana sp. nov., Caenobrunettia serrajiboiensis sp. nov., Caenobrunettia serrulata sp. nov. and Caenobrunettia variata sp. nov. from Bahia state, and Caenobrunettia carioca sp. nov. from Rio de Janeiro state. An identification key for males of species of Caenobrunettia is presented.