First record of Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in citrus in Brazil.

Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) is recorded for the first time in citrus (Rutaceae) in Brazil. Specimens were obtained from sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) sampled in the municipalities of Belém and Capitão Poço, and from mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) from Tomé-Açu, state of Pará, Brazil.

Fat body of the zoophytophagous predator Brontocoris tabidus (Het.: Pentatomidae) females: impact of the herbivory and age.

The effect of different diets [Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) pupae; T. molitor pupae and Eucalyptus cloeziana plant; T. molitor and Eucalyptus urophylla plant and T. molitor pupae and guava plant (Psidium guajava)] on the morpho-physiological features of the fat body of Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) females was studied in the field. Adult females of B. tabidus have trophocytes about twofold larger (966.32mum(2)) when fed on E. urophylla and T. molitor than those fed on other diets. The trophocytes of B. tabidus showed similar morphological aspects with the different diets and age of this predator. The histochemical tests indicated a reduced quantity of proteins and carbohydrates in the fat body of B. tabidus females with all diets and age of this predator.

Age-dependent fecundity and fertility life tables of the predator Brontocoris tabidus (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) under field conditions.

Reproductive potential, longevity, life expectancy, and fertility life tables of Brontocoris tabidus (Signoret) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a predator of lepidopteran defoliators in eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) plantations, were studied in the field. After a 50-d preoviposition period (emergence of adults to the deposition of the first egg mass), ovipositional activity of B. tabidus continued until females died at 160 d. Females laid an average of 4.2 eggs per day and 601.1 eggs in a lifetime. Gross and net reproductive rates were 216.7 and 75.8 females, respectively. Generation time was 146.1 d, the period for doubling the population was 23.4 d, intrinsic rate was 0.03, and finite population increase was 1.03. Number of females per generation increased at 33.4 times. Results from our field studies indicate that B. tabidus has greater potential reproduction, oviposition period, and longevity than was expected from previous laboratory experiments. This suggests that B. tabidus has potential as a biological control agent to limit economically damaging pests in eucalyptus plantations.

Effect of sub-lethal concentrations of permethrin on ovary activation in the predator Supputius cincticeps (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

Insecticides may cause mortality and deleterious effects on predatory stinkbugs. For this reason, the effect of five concentrations of permethrin applied on third instar nymphs of Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) was investigated on ovary activation in this predator. The nymphs received topical application of permethrin in the following concentrations (mg a.i./ml): 10(-7), 10(-6), 10(-5), 10(-4), and 10(-3). Ovary lengths and oocyte numbers were quantified following first egg mass. Ovary length of S. cincticeps varied from 5.7 mm with 10(-4) mg a.i./ml, to 6.4 mm with 10(-7) mg a.i./ml, with similar values for the other permethrin concentrations and for the control. The number of oocytes per female varied from 13.5 with 10(-3) mg a.i./ml, to 29.2 for the control, with significant differences. The number of oocytes per female of nymphs exposed to a permethrin concentration of 10(-5) mg a.i./ml was similar to that of the control. However, the lower number of oocytes per female from nymphs exposed to other concentrations of permethrin suggests that this insecticide may affect the reproductive capacity of this predator. The results obtained are discussed in relation to tolerance of Heteroptera predators to insecticides and possible hormesis occurrence.

Effect of diet on male reproductive tract of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae).

The morphology and histology of the reproductive tract of males of the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) fed on different diets were studied. P. nigrispinus was fed on diets of: larvae of Alabama argillacea (Hübner), Tenebrio molitor L., Musca domestica L., and an artificial diet. The male reproductive tract, independent of diet, showed testes with intense red coloration in a compact, circular, or slightly oval structure. The vasa deferentia were similar in color to the testes and formed long filaments, which joined with the yellow-cream colored ejaculatory duct. The morphological characteristics of the male reproductive tract were similar under all diets, except for the artificial one. The histological studies demonstrated that independent of the diet the testes of P. nigrispinus were composed of four to six follicles. The testes with six follicles generally had four developed and two atrophied follicles. The morphological and histological differences of the testes of P. nigrispinus when fed with different prey are presented and discussed.

Effect of sub-lethal concentrations of permethrin on ovary activation in the predator Supputius cincticeps (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Inseticidas podem causar mortalidade e efeitos deletérios em percevejos predadores. Por isso investigou-se o efeito de cinco concentrações de permetrina aplicadas em ninfas de terceiro estádio de Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) em sua ativação ovariana. Essas ninfas receberam aplicação tópica de permetrina nas seguintes concentrações (mg i.a./ml): 10ù7, 10ù6, 10ù5, 10ù4, 10ù3. O comprimento dos ovários e o número de ovócitos foram quantificados após a primeira postura. O comprimento do ovário variou de 5,7 mm na concentração de 10ù4 mg i.a./ml a 6,4 mm na concentração de 10ù7 mg i.a./ml, com valores semelhantes para as outras concentrações de permetrina e controle. O número de ovócitos por fêmea variou de 13,5 (10ù3 mg i.a./ml) a 29,2 no controle, com diferenças significativas entre concentrações. O número de ovócitos por fêmea, proveniente de ninfas expostas a concentração de 10ù5 mg i.a./ml, foi semelhante àquele do controle. No entanto, o menor número de ovócitos por fêmea, provenientes de ninfas expostas a outras concentrações de permetrina, sugere que esse inseticida pode afetar a capacidade reprodutiva. Esses resultados são discutidos em relação à tolerância de Heteroptera predador aos inseticidas e a possível ocorrência de hormese.

Effect of diet on male reproductive tract of Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Estudou-se a morfologia e a histologia do órgão reprodutivo de machos do predador Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas), alimentados com diferentes dietas (lagartas de Alabama argillacea (Hübner), larvas de Tenebrio molitor L., larvas de Musca domestica L. e dieta artificial). O órgão reprodutivo dos machos, independentemente da dieta fornecida, apresentou testículos com coloração vermelha intensa, compactos e de aspecto circular ou ligeiramente ovóide. Os canais deferentes apresentaram coloração semelhante a dos testículos e forma de filamentos longos, os quais se conectam a um duto ejaculatório de coloração creme-amarelada. As características morfológicas do órgão reprodutivo dos machos foram similares em todas as dietas, exceto quando alimentados com dieta artificial. Os estudos histológicos demonstraram que, independentemente da dieta, os testículos de P. nigrispinus são compostos por quatro a seis folículos. Os testículos com seis folículos geralmente têm quatro folículos desenvolvidos e dois atrofiados. Este trabalho apresenta e discute as diferenças morfológicas e histológicas dos testículos de P. nigrispinus alimentados com as diferentes dietas.