Behavioral Aspects of Coprophanaeus ensifer (Germar) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) Associataed with Pig Carcasses in Central Brazil.

Coprophanaeus ensifer (Germar) is a large dung beetle species primarily scavenger with paracoprid habits, habitually removing and burying parts of the food resource to build its nest and feed its larvae. This species is widely distributed in central-eastern South America and its association with decomposing carcasses confers great potential for forensic entomology. This study aimed to characterize behavioral aspects of C. ensifer associated with decomposing pig carcasses in the Cerrado of Central Brazil. Observational expeditions were carried out in the National Park of Brasília (PNB), Federal District. Three pig carcasses of approximately 5 kg were exposed for a 30-day period on three typically rainy months. Behavioral observations were made daily in loco at twilight/nighttime throughout the decomposition process. This study comprised 45 h of observation. A total of 34 individuals (11 males and 23 females) of C. ensifer were observed and marked. The following events/behaviors were observed: copulation, flight, feeding/perforation of the carcasses, scattering of carcasses portions, soil turning, opening of tunnels below/around the carcasses, burying of carcasses portions, nesting, and agonistic behavior/fighting. The behaviors of feeding, scattering of the carcasses, turning the soil, and opening of tunnels were observed in a high frequency, regardless of sex. The species is most attracted by substrates on the intermediate stages of active decomposition and causes important actions on the carcasses such as drilling and dismemberment. Behavioral descriptions and forensic implications are discussed in the text.

Going out for dinner-The consumption of agriculture pests by bats in urban areas.

Insectivorous bats provide ecosystem services in agricultural and urban landscapes by consuming arthropods that are considered pests. Bat species inhabiting cities are expected to consume insects associated with urban areas, such as mosquitoes, flying termites, moths, and beetles. We captured insectivorous bats in the Federal District of Brazil and used fecal DNA metabarcoding to investigate the arthropod consumed by five bat species living in colonies in city buildings, and ascertained whether their predation was related to ecosystem services. These insectivorous bat species were found to consume 83 morphospecies of arthropods and among these 41 were identified to species, most of which were agricultural pests. We propose that bats may roost in the city areas and forage in the nearby agricultural fields using their ability to fly over long distances. We also calculated the value of the pest suppression ecosystem service by the bats. By a conservative estimation, bats save US$ 94 per hectare of cornfields, accounting for an annual savings of US$ 390.6 million per harvest in Brazil. Our study confirms that, regardless of their roosting location, bats are essential for providing ecosystem services in the cities, with extensive impacts on crops and elsewhere, in addition to significant savings in the use of pesticides.

A Species of the Genus Eubulus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): A New and More Destructive Cassava Pest in the Brazilian Cerrado.

In 2009, a new pest of cassava crops was observed in the Federal District (Brazil) and identified as Eubulus (Kirsch) sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The pest is currently distributed in the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Paraná. The larvae consume roots, causing the tissue to rot and making it unfit for consumption. The damage can extend to 100% of the roots. Owing to the potential losses that this pest is capable of causing, studies are needed on its biology, ecology, and future management strategies aimed at minimizing the losses, allowing the continuity of cassava cultivation in Brazil. This study reports on the occurrence of the pest in Brazilian Cerrado, its distribution in Brazil, the symptoms of its infestation and estimates the damage caused.

Field biology of the beetle Aegopsis bolboceridus in Brazil, with a list of host plants.

The white grub, Aegopsis bolboceridus (Thomson) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae), is an important vegetable and corn pest in central Brazil. The objective of this study was to examine the biology of A. bolboceridus in the field and to update the list of its host plants. The study was conducted in an area with vegetable crops and corn located in the Federal District of Brazil. Samplings were taken to observe the biological stages of A. bolboceridus, preferred oviposition sites, and the adult swarming period. A. bolboceridus exhibited a univoltine cycle that lasted approximately 12 months from egg to active adults. Its eggs were found from October to November. The larval stage lasted approximately eight months, occurring between October and May. Pre-pupae were observed between April and June, and pupae were found between May and July. Inactive adults were observed in July and August, and the swarming period was between September and October. The females preferred to oviposit in sites with taller plants. Four new plant species were identified as hosts for this pest, and two new locations were recorded for its occurrence. This study is the first to describe the biology of a representative of the tribe Agaocephalini in Brazil.