A Comprehensive Review of the Coffee Leaf Miner Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae)-A Major Pest for the Coffee Crop in Brazil and Others Neotropical Countries.

The coffee leaf miner (CLM) Leucoptera coffeella moth is a major threat to coffee production. Insect damage is related to the feeding behavior of the larvae on the leaf. During the immature life stages, the insect feeds in the mesophyll triggering necrosis and causing loss of photosynthetic capacity, defoliation and significant yield loss to coffee crops. Chemical control is used to support the coffee production chain, though market requirements move toward conscious consumption claiming for more sustainable methods. In this overview, we discuss aspects about the CLM concerning biology, history, geographical distribution, economic impacts, and the most relevant control strategies in progress. Insights to develop an integrated approach for a safer and eco-friendly control of the CLM are discussed here, including bio-extracts, nanotechnology, pheromones, and tolerant cultivars.

The black soldier-fly, Hermetia illucens (Diptera, Stratiomyidae), used to estimate the postmortem interval in a case in Amapá State, Brazil.

The black soldier-fly (Hermetia illucens) is a generalist detritivore which is commonly present in corpses in later stages of decomposition and may be useful in forensic entomology. This paper describes the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) based on the life cycle of the black soldier-fly in a case in northern Brazil. A male child was abducted from his home and 42 days later his corpse was found in an advanced stage of decay. Two black soldier-fly larvae were found associated with the body. The larvae emerged as adults after 25-26 days. Considering the development cycle of H. illucens, the date of oviposition was estimated as 24-25 days after abduction. Since H. illucens usually (but not always) colonizes corpses in more advanced stages of decay, this estimate is consistent with the hypothesis that the child was killed immediately after abduction.

A forensic entomology case from the Amazon rain forest of Brazil.

The first case of application of forensic entomology in the Brazilian Amazonia is described. The corpses of 26 men were found in the rainforest in Rondonia State, Brazil. Fly larvae collected on the bodies during autopsy were identified as Paralucilia fulvinota (Diptera, Calliphoridae). No data or specimens were collected at the crime scene. At the laboratory, the larvae developed into pupae in 58 h and into adults in 110.5 h. The total development time for P. fulvinota was measured in field experiments inside the forest. The age of the larvae when collected from the bodies was estimated as the difference between the time required for them to become adults and the total development time for this species. The estimated age of the maggots and the minimum postmortem interval was 5.7 days.

Structure and ultrastructure of spermatozoa and spermiogenesis in three species of Lucilia Robineau-desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Morphology of male internal reproductive organs, spermatozoa, and spermiogenesis of the blow-flies Lucilia cuprina, Lucilia eximia, and Lucilia peruviana is first described here, using light and transmission electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis follows the characteristics described for others insect species. The spermatozoa of L. cuprina are similar to those described for other Brachycera. However, in L. eximia and L. peruviana, some differences were found. In L. cuprina and L. eximia species, the spermatozoa are long and thin, measuring about 211 µm and 146 µm in length, of which the head region measures approximately 19 µm and 17 µm, respectively. A polymorphism was observed in L. cuprina and L. eximia spermatozoa. In all three species, the head includes a monolayered acrosome with electron-lucent material. The shape of the nucleus, in cross sections, varies from circular to oval with completely condensed chromatin. Implantation of the axoneme was observed in the middle region of the nucleus, known as the "peg" region. In the next region, the beginning of two mitochondrial derivatives of similar diameter and different lengths in L. cuprina and only one in L. eximia and L. peruviana was observed. In the overlap region, the following structures were observed: nucleus, centriolar adjunct, mitochondrial derivatives, and axoneme. The axoneme is of a conventional insectan type with a 9 + 9 + 2 microtubular arrangement. The male internal reproductive tract consists of testis, deferent ducts, a strongly developed seminal vesicle, accessory glands, and ejaculatory duct. These features are consistent with the structural diversity of the dipteran reproductive tract and spermatozoa, comprising an essential tool for understanding the complex variations found in the Diptera.

A checklist of Calliphoridae blowflies (Insecta, Diptera) associated with a pig carrion in central Brazil.

Although the Cerrado is the second major Brazilian biome, few studies have been undertaken about its entomofauna. Blowflies have an important role in forensic entomology, helping in the determination of postmortem intervals. The main goal of this exploratory study was to identify and to catalog the blowfly species associated with a pig carcass. The study was conducted in a pasture in Brasília, Distrito Federal. A pig (Sus scrofa) was killed with a .22 caliber shot in the frontal region of the head. Adult blowflies were surveyed daily from June 1 through 30, 2004. A total of 14,910 adult calliphorids were collected, representing eight species: Chrysomya albiceps, C. megacephala, Cochliomyia macellaria, Chloroprocta idioidea, Hemilucilia semidiaphana, H. segmentaria, Lucilia cuprina, and L. eximia. C. albiceps was the most frequent species, amounting to 94.76% of the catch. Five decomposition stages were observed, and for calliphorids, the most attractive stage was the bloated one.

[Record of Dasypus novemcinctus (Mammalia: Xenarthra) parasited by Tunga terasma (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) in Alegre, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil]. / Registro de Dasypus novemcinctus (Mammalia: Xenarthra) parasitado por Tunga terasma (Siphonaptera: Tungidae) em Alegre, Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil.

During a survey of Mycobacterium leprae in wild armadillos in the State of Espírito Santo, thirty-four armadillos were captured in the municipality of Alegre (20 degrees 45'S, 41 degrees 29'W, 150m). The armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus were examined by clinical and macroscopic examination. In four armadillos (11.7%), were found nodes in the abdomen. The nodules were identified as Tunga terasma. This is the first report of T. terasma in D. novemcinctus armadillos in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

Um novo gênero de Pachygastrinae (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) do Brasil / A new genus of Pachygastrinae (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Brazil

Tijucameru gen. n. is proposed for Panacris maxima Kertész from Brazil. The new genus differs from the allied genera Panacris and Spyridopa in the following characters: head wider than width of humeral callus, front flattenned in profile; antennal flagellum thumb-like narrowed apically, scutellar spines very long, 1.4 length of scutellum.

Tijucameru gen. n. é proposto para Panacris maxima Kertész do Brasil. O novo gênero difere dos gêneros afins Panacris e Spyridopa nos seguintes caracteres: cabeça maior que a largura dos calos umerais, fronte achatada em perfil, flagelo da antena digitiforme, estreitado apicalmente, espinhos do escutelo muito longos, cerca de 1,4 vezes maiores que o comprimento do escutelo.

Descrição do Ultimo ínstar Larval e do Pupário de Ptecticus testaceus (Fabr. ) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) / Description of the Ultimate Instar Larva and Puparium of Ptecticus testaceus (Fabr. ) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)

The larva and the puparium of Ptecticus testaceus are described based on 6 larvae and 45 puparia of imagoes emerged in laboratory. The larvae were reared in the pulp of the "abricó-de-macaco" fruit, Couroupita guianensis (Lecythidaceae). Some notes on the biology of the species are presented.

A larva e o pupário de Ptecticus testaceus (Fabr.) são descritos com base em seis larvas e 45 pupários de adultos emergidos em laboratório. As larvas foram criadas na polpa do fruto do abricó-de-macaco, Couroupita guianensis (Lecythidaceae). São apresentadas algumas notas sobre a biologia da larva.

Descrição da larva e do pupário de Auloceromyia vespiformis Lindner (Diptera: Stratiomyidae, Clitellariinae) / Description of the larva and puparium of Auloceromyia vespiformis Lindner (Diptera: Stratiomyidae, Clitellariinae)

A larva e o pupário de Auloceromyia vespiformis Lindner são descritas pela primeira vez, com base em sete larvas e três pupários, coletados sob a casca de árvores caídas no Município de Lavras (21° 14' 43'' S - 44° 59' 59'' W - 919 m), estado de Minas Gerais. A larva foi comparada com larvas de outras espécies de Clitellariinae com relação a morfologia e a quetotaxia.

Herein we describe the larva and puparium of Auloceromyia vespiformis Lindner for the first time, based on seven larvae and three puparia, collected under the bark of fallen trees at Lavras (21° 14' 43'' S - 44° 59' 59'' W - 919 m), State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The larva was compared to larva of other Clitelariinae species with regard to general external morphology and chaetotaxy.