Bionomics and Ecological Services of Megaloptera Larvae (Dobsonflies, Fishflies, Alderflies).

Megaloptera belong to a large monophyletic group, the Neuropteroidea, together with Coleoptera, Strepsiptera, Raphidioptera, and Neuroptera. With the latter two, this order constitutes the Neuropterida, a smaller monophyletic subset among which it is the only entirely aquatic group, with larvae of all species requiring submersion in freshwater. Megaloptera is arguably the oldest extant clade of Holometabola with aquatic representatives, having originated during the Permian before the fragmentation of Pangea, since about 230 Ma. It includes 54 genera (35 extant and 19 extinct genera), with 397 extant described species and subspecies. Recent Megaloptera are divided into two families: Corydalidae (with subfamilies Corydalinae-dobsonflies and Chauliodinae-fishflies) and Sialidae (alderflies), both widely yet disjunctively distributed among zoogeographical realms. All species of Megaloptera have aquatic larvae, whereas eggs, pupae, and adults are terrestrial. The anatomy, physiology, and behavior of megalopteran larvae are specialized for an aquatic predatory habit, yet their ecological significance might still be underappreciated, as their role in food webs of benthic communities of many temperate and tropical streams and rivers is still understudied and largely unquantified. In many freshwater ecosystems, Megaloptera larvae are a conspicuous benthic component, important in energy flow, recycling of materials, and food web dynamics.

Description of the larva and pupa of Phileurus truncatus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1806) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Phileurini) with a key to described third instars of New World Phileurini.

The third instar and pupa of Phileurus truncatus (Palisot de Beauvois, 1806) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae: Phileurini) is described for the first time based on specimens from Florida, United States of America. An identification key to the third instars of New World Phileurini is also provided.

Intra-puparial development of Lucilia eximia (Diptera, Calliphoridae) / Desenvolvimento Intra-pupal de Lucilia eximia (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

There are few studies about the intra-puparial development in Diptera, nonetheless its importance has been increased because several dipteran species are of forensic interest. Studies on the life cycles of flies often disregard the changes that occur inside the pupae. The objectives of this research were to analyze the intra-puparial development of Lucilia eximia, and to describe chronological and morphological changes that occur during this stage. Around 1.600 specimens were laboratory-reared. The pre-pupae were identified by the reduction of their size and change in coloration, and 10 individuals were sampled every three hours (n=1.000) until adult emergence. The specimens were fixed in 96% alcohol, subsequently immersed in Canoy solution for 24 hours and in formic acid (5%) for 48 hours, to facilitate dissection and analysis of the morphological changes of the individuals. Four stages of the intra-pupal development of L. eximia were observed: 1) Larva-pupa apolysis, which lasted 23 ± 1.08 h; 2) Cryptocephalic pupa, 5 ± 0.53 h; 3) Phanerocephalic pupa, 92 ± 1.94 h; and 4) Pharate adult: Transparents eyes, 125 ± 2.15 h; Yellow eyes, 23 ± 0.89 h; Pink eyes, 14 ± 0.73 h; and Red eyes, 20 ± 0.60 h. The pharate adult is completely formed after 296 hours and the emergence of the adult occurred after 302 ± 3.81 h. In addition, there were included the stage of pre-pupa, pupariation and the beginning of the adult stage, Imago and adult emergence. Each stage is described and compared with those described for Chrysomya albiceps (Calliphoridae).

No mundo existem poucos estudos sobre o desenvolvimento intrapupal de Diptera. Comumente, os estudos dos ciclos de vida das espécies de moscas são feitos eliminando o desenvolvimento embrionário que é muito importante, principalmente nas espécies de interesse forense. O principal objetivo foi o de analisar o desenvolvimento intrapupal de Lucilia eximia, descrevendo as mudanças morfológicas que ocorrem durante o desenvolvimento intrapupal. Foram analisados cerca de 1.600 espécimes cultivados em laboratório. Foram analisadas as fases de pré-pupa, pupa, o início da fase adulta, a imago e a emergência. Pré-pupas foram identificadas de acordo com a redução no tamanho e na alteração da coloração. Dez espécimes foram coletados a cada três horas (n=1.000), sem interrupção, até a emergência dos adultos. As pupas foram fixadas em etanol a 96%. Em seguida foram imersas em solução Carnoy por 24 horas e ácido fórmico a 5% por 48 horas para facilitar a dissecação e análises das alterações morfológicas. Foram determinados 4 estágios de desenvolvimento intrapupal. 1) Apólise larva-pupa com duração de 23 ± 1,08 h; 2) Pupa criptocefálica: 5 ± 0,53 h; 3) Pupa fanerocefálica: 92 ± 1,94 h e; 4) Adulto farado: olhos transparentes: 125 ± 2,15 h; olhos amarelos: 23 ± 0,89 h; olhos róseos: 14 ± 0,73 h e olhos vermelhos 20 ± 0,60 h. O adulto farado estava completo após 296 horas e a emergência dos adultos ocorreu com 302 ± 3,81 h. Cada fase foi descrita e comparada com o descrito para Chrysomya albiceps (Calliphoridae).

Late-instar Behavior of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae in Different Thermal and Nutritive Environments.

The effects of temperature on ectotherm growth have been well documented. How temperature affects foraging behavior is less well explored, and has not been studied in larval mosquitoes. We hypothesized that temperature changes foraging behavior in the aquatic larval phase of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti L. Based on empirical results in other systems, we predicted that foraging effort would increase at higher temperatures in these insects. We tested this prediction over three temperature conditions at two food levels. We measured behaviors by video recording replicated cohorts of fourth-instar mosquitoes and assessing individual behavior and time budgets using an ethogram. We found both food level and temperature had significant impacts on larval foraging behavior, with more time spent actively foraging at low food levels and at low temperatures, and more occurrences of active foraging at both temperature extremes. These results are contrary to some of our predictions, but fit into theoretical responses to temperature based upon dynamic energy budget models.

Flebotominos adultos e inmaduros (Diptera: Psychodidae): registros para el Caribe colombiano / Adult and immature phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae): records for the Caribbean región of Colombia

Elaborar inventarios de lutzomyia spp., sin considerar los estados inmaduros de dichos insectos, provee información parcial. Investigar los estados inmaduros de lutzomyia, es un reto y necesidad actual especialmente en áreas con transmisión de leishmania spp. El objetivo de este estudio fue detectar sitios de cría naturales, para un inventario de flebotominos adultos e inmaduros del municipio de Colosó (Sucre, Colombia). Los flebotominos fueron recolectados entre mayo y diciembre de 2009, en la estación experimental de fauna silvestre de Colosó. La detección de estados inmaduros se desarrolló por revisión directa de muestras de suelo y árboles, incubación de estos sustratos en laboratorio y por trampas de emergencia. La colecta de adultos se realizó por búsqueda activa diurna con aspiradores bucales en sitios de reposo, principalmente en bases, huecos y raíces tabulares de árboles. Se aislaron 44 inmaduros de flebotominos, de los cuales 32 correspondieron a las especies lutzomyia migonei, Lu. dubitans, Lu. serrana, Lu. cayennensis cayennensis, Lu. micropyga, Lu. evansi, Lu. gorbitzi, Lu. ovallesi y Lu. shannoni. Así mismo, se colectaron 1231 ejemplares adultos entre los cuales Lu. evansi, Lu. micropyga y Lu. trinidadensis fueron, en su orden, las especies más abundantes. Lu. migonei y Lu. gorbitzi constituyen, respectivamente, primeros registros para el departamento de Sucre y la Costa Caribe. Es necesario incluir muestreos de insectos inmaduros como información complementaria en estudios sobre flebotominos y así reunir información sólida para elaborar inventarios de especies señalando los potenciales vectores en focos de leishmaniasis.

Elaborating an inventory for Lutzomyia spp., without considering the immature forms of such insects, gives only a partial information about the species. Investigating immature phlebotomines represents a challenge and urgency especially in Leishmania spp. transmission areas. The objective of this study was to detect natural breeding sites, for an inventory of immature and adult phlebotomine community in the municipality of Colosó, Department of Sucre. Phlebotomine sandflies were collected between May and December of 2009, at the wild life experimental station in Colosó. Detection of immature stages was approached by direct visualization of soil and tree-substrate samples, incubation of substrate in laboratory conditions and use of emergence traps. Adult sampling was conducted by active diurnal search in resting places using bucal aspirators to collect the insects. Resting places were predominantly associated with tree trunks, such as holes in trunks and buttress roots. We collected 44 immatures of phlebotomine sandflies of which 32 belong to the following species: Lutzomyia migonei, Lu. dubitans, Lu. serrana, Lu. cayennensis cayennensis, Lu. micropyga, Lu. evansi, Lu. gorbitzi, Lu. ovallesi and Lu. shannoni. Also, up to 1231 adult individuals were collected and the most abundant species in descending order were Lu. evansi, Lu. micropyga and Lu. trinidadensis. The species Lu. migonei and Lu. gorbitzi are worth noticing given the fact that they represent new records for the Department of Sucre as well as the Caribbean Region in the country. It is necessary to include immature sampling as complementary information on phlebotomine surveys and in this way gather solid information to release proper species inventories with the remarks on potential vectors in leishmaniasis foci.