Temporal resource continuity for egg parasitoids of Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) during winter on irrigated maize crops and edge grasses.

Little is known about winter-season parasitism of eggs of the corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis DeLong (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), an important pest of maize throughout the Americas. Our study, conducted in Mexico, aimed to characterize winter-season parasitism of corn leafhopper eggs on maize crops cultivated with drip irrigation and on wild grasses that grow on the edges of maize crops when maize is not present. Maize leaves baited with D. maidis eggs were used to trap the egg parasitoids in the field. In the first year (2022), parasitism of D. maidis eggs was investigated in maize fields planted contiguously on different dates (asynchronous planting). In the second year (2023), parasitism of D. maidis eggs was evaluated in edge grasses and in adjacent maize crops planted on the same date (synchronous). The highest percentage of parasitism (53%), percentage of emergence, and total abundance of egg parasitoids were found in asynchronous maize fields. Here, Anagrus virlai Triapitsyn (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), Paracentrobia subflava (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), and Pseudoligosita sp. (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) wasps were found parasitizing the D. maidis eggs, with P. subflava being the most abundant. In wild edge grasses, only P. subflava was found, showing low levels of parasitism, while in synchronous maize, P. subflava increased its percentage of parasitism (up to 37%), percentage of emergence, and abundance, during winter. These results suggest that P. subflava acts as an efficient biological control agent of D. maidis in irrigation-grown maize crops during the winter season, and that edge grasses are overwinter habitats for P. subflava.

Genome divergence and reproductive incompatibility among populations of Ganaspis near brasiliensis.

During the last decade, the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, has spread from eastern Asia to the Americas, Europe, and Africa. This fly attacks many species of cultivated and wild fruits with soft, thin skins, where its serrated ovipositor allows it to lay eggs in undamaged fruit. Parasitoids from the native range of D. suzukii may provide sustainable management of this polyphagous pest. Among these parasitoids, host-specificity testing has revealed a lineage of Ganaspis near brasiliensis, referred to in this paper as G1, that appears to be a cryptic species more host-specific to D. suzukii than other parasitoids. Differentiation among cryptic species is critical for introduction and subsequent evaluation of their impact on D. suzukii. Here, we present results on divergence in genomic sequences and architecture and reproductive isolation between lineages of Ganaspis near brasiliensis that appear to be cryptic species. We studied five populations, two from China, two from Japan, and one from Canada, identified as the G1 vs G3 lineages based on differences in cytochrome oxidase l sequences. We assembled and annotated the genomes of these populations and analyzed divergences in sequence and genome architecture between them. We also report results from crosses to test reproductive compatibility between the G3 lineage from China and the G1 lineage from Japan. The combined results on sequence divergence, differences in genome architectures, ortholog divergence, reproductive incompatibility, differences in host ranges and microhabitat preferences, and differences in morphology show that these lineages are different species. Thus, the decision to evaluate the lineages separately and only import and introduce the more host-specific lineage to North America and Europe was appropriate.

Vertical Stratification of Solitary Bees and Wasps in an Urban Forest from the Brazilian Amazon.

Solitary bees and wasps that nest in cavities in tree trunks are important components of terrestrial ecosystems, providing pollination services, and in the case of wasps, the regulation of their prey populations. However, little is known about the vertical strata where bees and wasps build their nests. This is especially the case of urban forest remnants in the Amazon, which is relevant in the context of the global crisis in insect losses. We investigated the existence of vertical stratification in the nesting of solitary bees and wasps in an urban forest in Rio Branco, state of Acre, in the western Brazilian Amazon. We focused on whether wood temperature, ants, and termites are predictors of bee and wasp nesting. We sampled bee and wasp nests in the forest using trap-nests made with wooden blocks containing cavities with three different diameters for twelve months. Trap-nests were installed randomly at three heights in the forest. We collected 145 nests of 25 species, belonging to 11 genera and 6 families. A higher number of nests and species were collected in the upper stratum of the forest, strengthening the hypothesis that there is vertical stratification in the assemblage of solitary bees and wasps. Wood surface temperature and termite attacks on trap-nests were significantly different between strata, which may explain the vertical stratification of bee and wasp assemblages. Considering the importance of these insects for tropical forest ecosystems, the conservation of structurally complex and stratified forests is of paramount importance to maintain the diversity of this insect group.

Leptogenys pujoli, a new amazonian species, and the redescription of Leptogenys famelica Emery, 1896 (Formicidae: Ponerinae)

ABSTRACT We provide an update on the famelica species group, redescribing Leptogenys famelica Emery, 1896 and describing a new species, Leptogenys pujoli n. sp., based on worker specimens. The new species is smaller than L. famelica and can be distinguished by the indistinct mesometanotal suture, and the petiolar node with an anterodorsal margin mostly straight anterior to spiracle in lateral view. Leptogenys famelica is distributed from Costa Rica to Panama, while L. pujoli n. sp. is distributed throughout the Brazilian Amazon, from French Guiana to Bolivia. Some records previously attributed to L. famelica remain uncertain, potentially being either L. famelica or L. pujoli n. sp., or perhaps representing one or more undescribed species. We update the key to Leptogenys workers by Lattke (2011) and include images. We synthesize available knowledge about the possible biology of these species and propose that both L. famelica and L. pujoli n. sp. are generalist predators and that their reproduction is dependent on gamergates.

The Viromes of Six Ecosystem Service Provider Parasitoid Wasps.

Parasitoid wasps are fundamental insects for the biological control of agricultural pests. Despite the importance of wasps as natural enemies for more sustainable and healthy agriculture, the factors that could impact their species richness, abundance, and fitness, such as viral diseases, remain almost unexplored. Parasitoid wasps have been studied with regard to the endogenization of viral elements and the transmission of endogenous viral proteins that facilitate parasitism. However, circulating viruses are poorly characterized. Here, RNA viromes of six parasitoid wasp species are studied using public libraries of next-generation sequencing through an integrative bioinformatics pipeline. Our analyses led to the identification of 18 viruses classified into 10 families (Iflaviridae, Endornaviridae, Mitoviridae, Partitiviridae, Virgaviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Chuviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Xinmoviridae, and Narnaviridae) and into the Bunyavirales order. Of these, 16 elements were described for the first time. We also found a known virus previously identified on a wasp prey which suggests viral transmission between the insects. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of virus surveillance in wasps as its service disruption can affect ecology, agriculture and pest management, impacting the economy and threatening human food security.

Natural parasitism of the coffee leaf miner: climate factors, insecticide, and landscape affecting parasitoid diversity and their ecosystem services in coffee agroecosystems.

Climate factors, pesticides, and landscape in coffee agroecosystems directly affect the populations of the coffee leaf miner and its parasitoids. This study aimed to investigate the effects of climate factors, insecticide use, and landscape on natural parasitism, parasitoid diversity, and infestation of L. coffeella in coffee plantations in the Planalto region, Bahia, Brazil. Mined leaves were collected monthly in six coffee plantations with varying edge density, vegetation cover, landscape diversity in scales of 500 to 3000 m of radius, insecticide use, and climate factors. Closterocerus coffeellae, and Proacrias coffeae (Eulophidae) predominated in the pest's natural parasitism. Our record is the first for the occurrence of Stiropius reticulatus, Neochrysocharis sp. 1, Neochrysocharis sp. 2, and Zagrammosoma sp. in Bahia. Higher temperature and larger forest cover increased the coffee leaf miner infestation. Higher rainfall values, insecticide use, and landscape diversity decreased the pest infestations. Natural parasitism and species diversity are favoured by increase in temperature, forest cover, and edge density, while increase in rainfall, insecticide use, and landscape diversity lead them to decrease.The natural parasitism and diversity of parasitoid species of the coffee leaf miner have been enhancing in the areas with greater forest cover and edge density associated with low use of insecticides. The areas composed of different lands with annual croplands surrounding the coffee plantations showed less natural parasitism and parasitoid species diversity. The ecosystem services provided by C. coffeellae and P. coffeae in coffee crops areas require conservation and these species are potential bioproducts for applied biological control programmes.

Recombinant antigen 5 from Polybia paulista wasp venom (Hymenoptera, Vespidae): Antigen-specific antibody production and functional profile of CD4+ T cells in the immune response.

Polybia paulista is a neotropical social wasp related to severe accidents and allergic reactions cases, including anaphylaxis, in southeastern Brazil. Antigen 5 (Poly p 5) is a major allergenic protein from its venom with potential use for component-resolved diagnostic. Therefore, the previous characterization of the immune response profile triggered by Poly p 5 should be evaluated. Recombinant Poly p 5 (rPoly p 5) was used to sensitize BALB/c mice with six weekly intradermal doses, and the specific antibody production and the functional profile of CD4+ T cells were assessed. rPoly p 5 induced the production of specific immunoglobulins (sIg) sIgE, sIgG1 and sIgG2a, which could recognize natural Poly p 5 presented in the venom of four different wasp species. rPoly p 5 stimulated in vitro the CD4+ T cells from immunized mice, which showed a significant proliferative response. These antigen-specific CD4+T cells produced IFN-γ and IL-17A cytokines and increased ROR-γT transcription factor expression. No differences between the control group and sensitized mice were found in IL-4 production and GATA-3 and T-bet expression. Interestingly, increased CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) frequency was observed in the splenocyte cell cultures from rPoly p 5 immunized mice after the in vitro stimulation with both P. paulista venom extract and rPoly p 5. Here we showed that rPoly p 5 induces antigen-specific antibodies capable of recognizing Antigen 5 in the venom of four wasp species and modulates antigen-specific CD4+ T cells to IFN-γ production response associated with a Th17 profile in sensitized mice. These findings emphasize the potential use of rPoly p 5 as an essential source of a major wasp allergen with significant immunological properties.

Supernumerary B Chromosomes of Tetragonisca fiebrigi Share Repeat Content with Standard Chromosome Set of both T. fiebrigi and Tetragonisca angustula (Apidae: Meliponini).

The stingless bees Tetragonisca angustula and Tetragonisca fiebrigi are widely distributed in Brazil, and both are commonly known as "jataí." Our goal was to investigate the possible origin of the B chromosomes in T. fiebrigi, a cytotaxonomic trait that differentiates T. fiebrigi from T. angustula. We analyzed diploid chromosome number (2n), B chromosome incidence, patterns of constitutive heterochromatin, and in situ localization of different repetitive DNA probes in T. angustula and T. fiebrigi. Both species displayed 2n = 34, with similar karyotype structures. One to three B chromosomes were observed in T. fiebrigi only. Constitutive heterochromatin was distributed on one arm of all chromosomes in both species, and T. fiebrigi B chromosomes were mainly heterochromatic with one euchromatic extremity. The (GA)15 and (CAA)10 microsatellite probes marked the euchromatic arms of all chromosomes in both species without marking the B chromosomes. The 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) probe marked 10 chromosomes in T. angustula and 6 A chromosomes in T. fiebrigi with an additional marking on 1B in individuals with 3B. The Tan-Bsp68I repetitive DNA probe marked the heterochromatic portion of all T. fiebrigi A and B chromosomes. This probe also marked the heterochromatic portion of all T. angustula chromosomes; therefore, both alternative hypotheses to the B chromosome origin are possible: (i) from the A chromosome complement of T. fiebrigi (intraspecific origin); or (ii) a by-product of genome reshuffling following the hybridization between T. fiebrigi and T. angustula (interspecific origin).

The evolutionary history of bees in time and space.

Bees are the most significant pollinators of flowering plants. This partnership began ca. 120 million years ago, but the uncertainty of how and when bees spread across the planet has greatly obscured investigations of this key mutualism. We present a novel analysis of bee biogeography using extensive new genomic and fossil data to demonstrate that bees originated in Western Gondwana (Africa and South America). Bees likely originated in the Early Cretaceous, shortly before the breakup of Western Gondwana, and the early evolution of any major bee lineage is associated with either the South American or African land masses. Subsequently, bees colonized northern continents via a complex history of vicariance and dispersal. The notable early absences from large landmasses, particularly in Australia and India, have important implications for understanding the assembly of local floras and diverse modes of pollination. How bees spread around the world from their hypothesized Southern Hemisphere origin parallels the histories of numerous flowering plant clades, providing an essential step to studying the evolution of angiosperm pollination syndromes in space and time.

Segurança da vacinação contra a COVID-19 em doentes referenciados dos cuidados de saúde primários por alergia ao veneno de himenópteros / COVID-19 vaccination safety in patients with hymenoptera venom allergy referred by primary health care

Introdução: As reações de hipersensibilidade após vacinação contra a COVID-19 têm vindo a ser descritas, embora a anafilaxia seja rara. A hipersensibilidade ao veneno de himenópteros constitui a terceira causa mais frequente de anafilaxia em Portugal, embora não pareça aumentar o risco de anafilaxia à vacinação contra a COVID-19. Objetivos: Avaliar a segurança da vacinação contra a COVID-19 em doentes com história de alergia ao veneno de himenópteros referenciados dos Cuidados de Saúde Primários (CSP). Métodos: Estudo observacional retrospectivo com inclusão dos doentes com alergia ao veneno de himenópteros referenciados pelos CSP ao serviço de Imunoalergologia, para estratificação do risco de reações de hipersensibilidade à vacina contra o SARS-CoV-2, entre janeiro e dezembro de 2021. Resultados: No total, incluíram-se 18 doentes, 72% do sexo feminino, média de idades de 61±18 [21-89] anos. Na caracterização do tipo da reação ao veneno de himenópteros, as reações locais exuberantes corresponderam a 33% de todas as reações referidas. Quanto a sintomas sistêmicos de anafilaxia, foram referidos sintomas mucocutâneos (33%), respiratórios (28%), cardiovasculares (33%) e gastrointestinais (11%). A abelha foi o inseto mais frequentemente implicado (61%). Relativamente aos valores de triptase basal, 3 doentes apresentaram níveis acima do cut-off estabelecido de 11,4 ng/mL, tendo indicação formal para iniciar esquema de vacinação em meio hospitalar. Durante o processo vacinal registrou-se um total de 46 administrações em 18 doentes, todas sem intercorrências. Apenas 5 doentes foram vacinados em meio hospitalar, tendo sido os restantes encaminhados para os CSP. Os doentes com mastocitose confirmada ou suspeita foram submetidos à pré-medicação com anti-histamínico anti-H1 e anti- H2, bem como montelucaste, na véspera e no dia da vacinação. Conclusões: A vacinação contra a COVID-19 é segura em doentes com reação de hipersensibilidade ao veneno de himenópteros. O protocolo utilizado mostrou ser eficaz na segregação de doentes entre CSP e cuidados secundários/terciários.

Introduction: Despite numerous reports of hypersensitivity reactions to COVID-19 vaccination, anaphylaxis is rare. Although hypersensitivity reactions to hymenoptera venom are the third most common cause of anaphylaxis in Portugal, they don't appear to enhance the risk of anaphylactic reaction to COVID-19 vaccination. Objectives: To assess the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in patients with a history of hymenoptera venom allergy. Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients with hymenoptera venom allergy referred by primary health care to the Immunoallergology Outpatient Clinic of a tertiary hospital between January and December 2021 to stratify the risk of hypersensitivity reactions to the SARSCoV- 2 vaccine. Results: A total of 18 patients were included: 72% women; mean age 61 (SD, 18 [range 21-89]) years. One-third of all reported reactions to hymenoptera venom were large and local. Topical systemic symptoms of anaphylaxis were mucocutaneous (33%), respiratory (28%), cardiovascular (33%) and gastrointestinal (11%). The honeybee was the most frequently involved hymenoptera species (61%). The basal tryptase levels of 3 patients were above the established cut-off (11.4 ng/mL) and they were formally indicated for vaccination in a hospital setting. Concerning the vaccination process, 46 doses were administered to the 18 patients and no reactions were recorded. Only 5 patients were vaccinated in a hospital environment; the rest were referred to primary health care centers. Patients with confirmed or suspected mastocytosis were premedicated with anti-H1 and anti-H2 antihistamines, as well as montelukast, the day before and on the day of vaccination. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination is safe for patients with hypersensitivity to hymenoptera venom. The risk assessment protocol effectively designated patients to primary or secondary/tertiary health care.

Anaphylaxis and systemic mastocytosis caused by Solenopsis invicta stings / Anafilaxia e mastocitose sistêmica ocasionada pela Solenopsis invicta

Indolent systemic mastocytosis is a rare disease characterized by an increased number of mast cells in the bone marrow and other tissues, such as the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and skin. Patients with indolent systemic mastocytosis and high serum tryptase levels are at risk for Hymenoptera venom-induced anaphylaxis. Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy in patients with specific IgE is safe and effective. While some patients can receive ultra-rush venom immunotherapy with minimal side effects, omalizumab effectively protects against anaphylaxis during the build-up phase.

A mastocitose sistêmica indolente é uma doença rara caracterizada por um número aumentado de mastócitos na medula óssea e em outros tecidos, como fígado, baço, linfonodos e pele. Pacientes com mastocitose sistêmica indolente e altos níveis séricos de triptase correm risco de anafilaxia induzida pelo veneno dos Hymenoptera. A imunoterapia com veneno de himenópteros em pacientes com IgE específica é segura e eficaz. Embora alguns pacientes possam receber imunoterapia com veneno ultrarrápido com efeitos colaterais mínimos, o omalizumabe protegeu efetivamente contra a anafilaxia durante a fase de acúmulo.

[Basophil activation test to follow-up of patients treated with hymenoptera venom immunotherapy: a review of current evidence]. / Prueba de activación de basófilos en el seguimiento de pacientes que reciben inmunoterapia con veneno de himenópteros: revisión de la evidencia actual.

Hymenoptera venom immunotherapy (HVI) is a long-term effective treatment to avoid new systemic reactions in patients with Hymenoptera allergy. The sting challenge test is considered the gold standard to confirm the tolerance. However, the use of this technique is not generalized in clinical practice, being the basophil activation test (BAT), which functionally explores allergen response, an alternative that does not entail any of the provocation risks associated with the sting challenge test. This study reviews the publications that used the BAT to follow up and evaluate the success of the HVI. Studies assessing the changes between a baseline BAT before the start and BATs performed between the starting and maintenance phases of the HVI were selected. Ten articles were found, comprising information from 167 patients, of which 29% used the sting challenge test. The studies concluded the importance of evaluating the responses with submaximal allergen concentrations, which reflect basophil sensitivity, to monitor the HVI using the BAT. It was also observed that changes in the maximum response (reactivity) could not reflect the clinical status of tolerance, particularly in the initial phases of HVI.

La inmunoterapia con veneno de himenópteros (IVH) es, a largo plazo, un tratamiento eficaz para evitar nuevas reacciones sistémicas en pacientes con alergia a este tipo de insectos. La prueba de repicadura controlada es el estudio de referencia para confirmar la tolerancia del individuo. Sin embargo, no se ha generalizado su indicación clínica, por lo que la prueba de activación de basófilos (TAB) resulta una buena alternativa, pues valora de manera funcional la respuesta al alérgeno y está exenta de los riesgos asociados con la provocación. En esta revisión se explora la utilidad de la TAB en el seguimiento y valoración del éxito de la IVH. Se seleccionaron estudios que evalúan los cambios entre una TAB basal y en otro momento de la fase de inicio o mantenimiento de la IVH. Se incluyeron 10 estudios con datos de 167 pacientes, de los que el 29% había tenido prueba de repicadura controlada. Para vigilar la eficacia de la IVH debe explorarse la respuesta del basófilo, con la determinación de las concentraciones submáximas del alérgeno, que reflejan la sensibilidad del basófilo. Los cambios en la respuesta máxima (reactividad) no pueden aportar información del estado de tolerancia, especialmente en las fases iniciales de la IVH.

The Ground-Dwelling Ant Fauna from a Cerrado Reserve in Southeastern Brazil: Vegetation Heterogeneity as a Promoter of Ant Diversity.

Ants represent one of the most diverse and ecologically important group of insects in tropical ecosystems, including in highly threatened ones such as the Brazilian Cerrado. Yet, a detailed understanding of the species diversity and composition of local Cerrado ant assemblages is lacking in many cases. Here we present the results of a comprehensive ant inventory performed within a region of the Cerrado (in São Paulo state) where most of the original vegetation has already been lost and where few conservation units exist. We performed consecutive surveys of the ant fauna that forage on the ground in replicated plots established in open savanna (campo sujo), dense savanna (cerrado sensu stricto), and forest (cerradão). Our surveys, with an estimated sample coverage of 99.4%, revealed a total of 219 species of ants from 60 genera, of which 36.1% were found in all the three vegetation types and 29.7% in just one. Rarefied species richness did not differ between vegetation types, but species composition differed markedly, especially between the two savannas in one hand and the forest in the other. Several species (60.1% of the 128 species analyzed) were significant "indicator" species due to their strong association with a given vegetation type. Overall, our findings reinforce the idea that habitat heterogeneity enhances ant diversity and that the mosaic of vegetation types that characterizes the Cerrado biome is one of the main factors explaining the elevated number of species that can be found at relatively small scales.

Immunosuppressive, antimicrobial and insecticidal activities of inhibitor cystine knot peptides produced by teratocytes of the endoparasitoid wasp Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

Teratocytes are specialized cells released by parasitoid wasps into their hosts. They are known for producing regulatory molecules that aid the development of immature parasitoids. We have recently reported the primary structures of cystine-rich peptides, including some containing inhibitor cystine knot (ICK) motifs, produced by teratocytes of the parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). ICKs are known for their stability and diverse biological functions. In this study, we produced four putative ICK peptides from the teratocytes of C. flavipes using solid-phase peptide synthesis or recombinant expression in E. coli, and investigated their functions on host immune modulation as well their potential to impair the development of two lepidopterans after ingestion of the peptides. In addition, the peptides were assayed against pathogens and human cells. The peptides did not influence total hemocyte count but suppressed cellular immunity, detectable as a reduction of hemocyte encapsulation (CftICK-I, CftICK-II, CftICK-III) and spread indexes (CftICK-IV) in the host. None of the peptides influenced the activities of prophenoloxidase and phenoloxidase in the hemolymph of larval Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). CftICK-I and CftICK-II with previously unknown function showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans but were non-toxic to human cells. CftICK-I, CftICK-II, and CftICK-III increased larval mortality and reduced leaf consumption of D. saccharalis, a permissive host for C. flavipes. The CftICK-III also increased larval mortality and reduced leaf consumption of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a non-permissive host for C. flavipes. This study highlights biological functions and biotechnological potential of ICK peptides from the teratocytes of C. flavipes.

Social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) in Cerrado and Caatinga conservation units, Minas Gerais, Brazil / Vespas sociais (Vespidae: Polistinae) em unidades de conservação do Cerrado e da Caatinga, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Abstract The Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, northern Minas Gerais, is located in the Cerrado, a global hotspot, and the literature lacks information about its communities of social wasps, insects that perform numerous services for the functioning of ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct an inventory of social wasps (Vespidae: Polistinae) in the Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, and compare its richness and composition with three other fully protected conservation units in northern Minas Gerais and Vale do Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais. A total of 41 species of 14 genera of social wasps were recorded, including a new occurrence in the state: Mischocyttarus campestris Raw, 1985. The presence of distinct social wasp communities in the Cerrado and Caatinga conservation units analyzed in this study, reinforces and justifies the creation of these fully protected areas, which ensure the conservation of this biological heritage and the environmental services provided by these taxa, besides providing subsidies for the management and sustainable use of the natural resources of these conservation units.

Resumen O Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, norte de Minas Gerais, inserido no Cerrado, hotspot mundial, carece de informações sobre a comunidade de vespas sociais, insetos que desempenham inúmeros serviços para o funcionamento dos ecossistemas. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um inventário de vespas sociais (Vespidae: Polistinae) no Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, além de comparar sua riqueza e composição com à de outras três Unidades de Conservação de proteção integral no Norte e no Vale do Jequitinhonha no estado de Minas Gerais. Foram registradas 41 espécies de 14 gêneros de vespas sociais, com um novo registro de ocorrência para o estado, Mischocyttarus campestris Raw, 1985. A presença de comunidades distintas de vespas sociais nas Unidades de Conservação no Cerrado e Caatinga, analisadas no presente estudo, reforça e justifica a criação dessas áreas de proteção integral, que assegura a conservação desse patrimônio biológico, bem como os serviços ambientais prestados por esses táxons, além de fornecer subsídios para o manejo e uso sustentável dos recursos naturais dessas Unidades de Conservação.

[Food anaphylaxis]. / Anafilaxia por alimentos.

Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction, is characterized by acute symptoms affecting various systems and requires immediate medical intervention. While the overall mortality rate is low, anaphylaxis induced by foods and drugs has seen an increase. Common triggers include foods, drugs, and Hymenoptera venom. Epidemiology varies by region and age, with a global incidence of 50-112 episodes per 100,000 people annually. Implicated foods vary by age and region, with peanuts and nuts being common triggers. Two mechanisms of anaphylaxis are recognized: IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and serum tryptase levels. Treatment includes epinephrine, oxygen, and intravenous fluids. Exercise-induced food-dependent anaphylaxis is addressed, where exercise, combined with certain foods, triggers anaphylactic reactions. Proper understanding and management are crucial to mitigate risks.

La anafilaxia, una reacción potencialmente mortal, se caracteriza por la aparición aguda de síntomas que afectan diversos sistemas y requiere intervención médica inmediata. Aunque la tasa de mortalidad general es baja, la anafilaxia inducida por alimentos y fármacos ha experimentado un aumento. Los alimentos, fármacos y veneno de himenópteros son desencadenantes comunes. La epidemiología varía según la región y la edad, con una incidencia global de 50-112 episodios anuales por cada 100,000 personas. Los alimentos más implicados varían según la edad y la región, y los desencadenantes más comunes son cacahuetes y nueces. Se reconocen dos mecanismos de anafilaxia: mediado por IgE y no mediado por IgE. El diagnóstico se basa en criterios clínicos y niveles de triptasa sérica. El tratamiento incluye epinefrina, oxígeno y líquidos intravenosos. Se aborda la anafilaxia inducida por ejercicio dependiente de alimentos, donde el ejercicio, en combinación con ciertos alimentos, desencadena reacciones anafilácticas. La comprensión y el manejo adecuados son cruciales para mitigar riesgos.

High Foraging Fidelity and Plant-Pollinator Network Dominance of Non-native Honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the Ecuadorian Andes.

Pollinator foraging fidelity (i.e., consistent and repeated visitation to a particular plant species or area) is poorly understood for most bee species, but is important information for both the conservation of plant and pollinator species and the ecosystem services they provide to humans. We used plant-pollinator surveys and mark-recapture of floral-visiting Hymenoptera to study the foraging fidelity and species interaction network properties of a plant-pollinator community in the tropical Andes of southern Ecuador. After marking 92 bees visiting six plant taxa along four 100-m transects between July 16th and July 31st of 2019, only honeybees were resighted at a recapture rate of 47.7% (41/86). During our surveys, we observed nine bee and two wasp taxa feeding from the flowers of 10 morphospecies of plants, and we found significantly low network nestedness and significantly high network-level specialization. Specialization (d') was also significant for honeybees and bumblebees and for three plant taxa. Overall, our findings indicated that feral, non-native honeybees in this region dominated the local plant-pollinator network, yet this species is acting as a specialist forager at the individual level. Our results suggest that honeybees may be replacing the pollination services of some native bees and wasps in the region, but more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of honeybee pollination for the local plants.

Application of Optical Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Studying Bee Abundance in Tropaeolum majus L. (Tropaeolaceae).

Tropaeolum majus L. species produce flowers with all sorts of colors, from yellow to red. This work aimed to apply optical fluorescence spectroscopy to study bee abundance in T. majus, answering the following questions: (1) do corolla temperature and weather conditions affect the abundance of visiting bee species? (2) do flower color and corolla fluorescence affect the abundance of visiting bee species? (3) do red flowers attract more visiting bees? (4) is there a relationship between bee visits and flower compounds? The bee species Apis mellifera, Paratrigona lineata, and Trigona spinipes were the most observed in T. majus flowers. The latter was more active in the morning and preferred orange and yellow flowers. These colors also had higher temperatures and fluorescence emissions than did the red ones and those with yellow-red and orange-red nectar guides. Orange flowers emitted a broadband UV spectrum (between 475 and 800 nm). This range might be due to compounds such as hydroxycinnamic acid, flavonols, isoflavonoids, flavones, phenolic acid, and chlorophyll. Extracts from different T. majus corolla colors showed that flowers emit specific fluorescent signals, mainly related to bee color vision and learning, thus acting as a means of communication between bees and flowers. In this way, this information evidences the interaction between bees and T. majus flowers, allowing conservation actions for pollinators.

Profiling hymenopteran venom toxins: Protein families, structural landscape, biological activities, and pharmacological benefits.

Hymenopterans are an untapped source of venom secretions. Their recent proteo-transcriptomic studies have revealed an extraordinary pool of toxins that participate in various biological processes, including pain, paralysis, allergic reactions, and antimicrobial activities. Comprehensive and clade-specific campaigns to collect hymenopteran venoms are therefore needed. We consider that data-driven bioprospecting may help prioritise sampling and alleviate associated costs. This work established the current protein landscape from hymenopteran venoms to evaluate possible sample bias by studying their origins, sequence diversity, known structures, and biological functions. We collected all 282 reported hymenopteran toxins (peptides and proteins) from the UniProt database that we clustered into 21 protein families from the three studied clades - wasps, bees, and ants. We identified 119 biological targets of hymenopteran toxins ranging from pathogen membranes to eukaryotic proteases, ion channels and protein receptors. Our systematic study further extended to hymenopteran toxins' therapeutic and biotechnological values, where we revealed promising applications in crop pests, human infections, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Critical Upper Airway Edema After a Bee Sting to the Uvula.

Hymenoptera stings of the upper airway are rare events, but can result in rapid, life-threatening airway emergencies. The allergenic and toxic mediators that are released from the stings of bees, wasps, and hornets can cause local tissue inflammation and edema with subsequent upper airway obstruction. We report the case of a 15-y-old girl who suffered a bee sting to the uvula while zip-lining in Costa Rica. Shortly thereafter, she developed a choking sensation with associated dysphonia, odynophagia, drooling, and respiratory distress. She was brought to a rural emergency medical clinic where she was noted to have an erythematous, edematous, boggy uvula, with a black stinger lodged within it, as well as edema of the anterior pillars of the tonsils and soft palate. The stinger was removed with tweezers and she was treated with an intravenous corticosteroid and antihistamine. She had persistence of airway edema and symptoms until the administration of epinephrine, which resulted in clinical improvement shortly thereafter. In our review of this case and the existing literature, we emphasize the importance of early recognition and management of hymenoptera stings of the upper airway, which should always include immediate manual removal of the stinger, and in cases with significant upper airway edema, the administration of epinephrine should be considered.