Eight Decades of Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) in Brazil: What We Know and What We Need to Know.

The corn leafhopper Dalbulus maidis (DeLong & Wolcott) is one of the most important maize (Zea mays L.) pests in Latin America because of its ability to efficiently transmit pathogens [maize bushy stunt phytoplasma (MBSP) and corn stunt spiroplasma-Spiroplasma kunkelli Whitcomb et al. (CSS)] associated with corn stunt disease complex and maize rayado fino virus (MRFV). This leafhopper species, considered a secondary pest until a few years ago, was first reported in Brazil in 1938. Since 2015, corn stunt diseases have been the main phytosanitary threat to corn production in Brazil, and D. maidis has assumed the status of a key pest of the crop. In this study, we gathered pertinent information about the corn leafhopper, from the time it was first recorded in Brazil. Aspects such as origin, association with maize, bioecology, geographical distribution in the Americas, and its congeners are addressed. We present a history of studies performed with this species in the country, its importance as a pest, host plants, and survival strategies during the maize off-season. Based on the available scientific knowledge, the main management strategies for insect vectors and diseases are discussed. Finally, the main knowledge gaps for this insect vector and the prospects for future studies and actions to mitigate the damage caused by insect vectors in maize crops in Brazil are presented and discussed.

Percolaspis cf. ornata (Germar) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae): an Emergent Pest in Soybean, Maize, and Cotton Crops in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Percolaspis ornata (Germar) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) is known in Brazil as an important pest of cocoa in the states of Bahia and Espírito Santo. We recently identified a Chrysomelidae species feeding and causing damage to soybean, corn, and cotton crops in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The species was identified as Percolaspis cf. ornata. Adults feed on young leaves and sprouts and, in many cases, cut the stem of seedlings, causing stand reduction and yield losses. Its attacks have been recorded since 2016 in the central region of Mato Grosso. Because of the importance of the state of Mato Grosso as the main grain producer in the country, it is necessary to monitor crops for the occurrence of this insect in the next harvests and the development of basic and applied studies aimed at defining management strategies for this emerging pest. This is the first record of P. cf. ornata causing damage to soybean, maize, and cotton crops in Brazil.

Diversity of insects under the effect of Bt maize and insecticides / Diversidade de insetos sob a influência do milho Bt e inseticidas

The genetically modified maize to control some caterpillars has been widely used in Brazil. The effect of Bt maize and insecticides was evaluated on the diversity of insects (species richness and abundance), based on the insect community, functional groups and species. This study was conducted in genetically modified maize MON810, which expresses the Cry1Ab protein from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, and conventional maize with and without insecticide sprays (lufenuron and lambda-cyhalothrin) under field conditions in Ponta Grossa (Paraná state, Brazil). Insect samplings were performed by using pitfall trap, water tray trap and yellow sticky card. A total of 253,454 insects were collected, distributed among nine orders, 82 families and 241 species. No differences were observed in the insect community based on the richness, diversity and evenness indices. Predators and pollinators were more abundant in genetically modified maize. Parasitoids, detritivores, sap-sucking herbivores and chewing herbivores were more abundant in conventional maize with insecticide sprays. Significant differences were found for the species Colopterus sp., Colaspis occidentalis (L.) and Nusalala tessellata (Gerstaecker) which were most abundant in Bt maize, and Dalbulus maidis and Condylostylus sp.2 in conventional maize.(AU)

O milho geneticamente modificado visando ao controle de lagartas tem sido amplamente utilizado no Brasil. Em estudo de campo realizado em Ponta Grossa (Paraná, Brasil), compararam-se, com base na diversidade (riqueza de espécies e abundância), os efeitos do milho Bt e do controle químico sobre a comunidade de insetos, grupos funcionais e espécies. A comunidade de insetos foi amostrada no milho geneticamente modificado MON810, que expressa a proteína Cry1Ab de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, e no milho convencional com e sem a aplicação de inseticidas (lufenuron e lambda-cialotrina). As amostragens foram realizadas por meio da coleta de insetos utilizando-se armadilha de queda, bandeja-d'água e cartão adesivo. Foram coletados 253.454 insetos, distribuídos em nove ordens, 82 famílias e 241 espécies. Não foram observadas diferenças na comunidade de insetos para os índices de riqueza, diversidade e equitabilidade nos tratamentos avaliados. Predadores e polinizadores foram mais abundantes no milho geneticamente modificado, e parasitoides, decompositores, sugadores e mastigadores, no milho convencional com inseticida. Diferenças significativas foram detectadas para as espécies Colopterus sp., Colaspis occidentalis (L.) e Nusalala tessellata (Gerstaecker), mais abundantes no milho Bt, e Dalbulus maidis e Condylostylus sp.2, mais abundantes no milho convencional.(AU)

Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) no Cerrado brasileiro: estado atual do conhecimento / Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) in the Brazilian Cerrado: current state of knowledge

Besouros pertencentes à superfamília Scarabaeoidea ocupam habitats variados, possuem hábitos alimentares diversificados, desempenham importante papel ecológico e diversas espécies apresentam importância agrícola. No entanto, estudos com esse grupo na região do Cerrado são escassos. Nesta revisão realizou-se um levantamento dos artigos publicados nos últimos 30 anos a respeito dos Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado. Foram recuperados 64 artigos, realizados em nove unidades da federação, que focavam quatro temas principais: espécies praga, aspectos bioecológicos, biodiversidade e importância ecológica, e técnicas e metodologias de coleta de Scarabaeoidea. Os resultados desta revisão indicam que poucos estudos foram realizados com os Scarabaeoidea no Cerrado brasileiro nas últimas décadas frente à importância e diversidade desse grupo de insetos.

Beetles belonging to the superfamily Scarabaeoidea occupy different habitats, present feeding habits diversified, play an important ecological role and several species have agricultural importance. However, studies with this group in the Brazilian Cerrado are scarce. In this review we carried out a survey of scientific articles published in the past 30 years concerning Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado. Were found 64 studies in nine Brazilian states. The studies focused on four main topics: pest species, bioecology, biodiversity and ecological importance, techniques and methodologies for collecting Scarabaeoidea. The results of this review indicate that few studies have been conducted with Scarabaeoidea in the Cerrado in recent decades compared to the importance and diversity of this group of insects.

Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of a rupestrian field at Cafuringa, Distrito Federal, Brazil: commented list of species / Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) de um campo rupestre na Área de Proteção Ambiental de Cafuringa, Distrito Federal, Brasil: lista comentada de espécies e distribuição geográfica

Our aim was to characterize the Scarabaeinae fauna from a rupestrian field formation at APA de Cafuringa, DF, Brazil. We made seven samples between 2007 and 2009 using baited pitfall traps. We collected 602 individuals belonging to 27 species and 13 genera, of which 17 were identified at species level. The majority of species caught has wide geographical distribution in Brazil and South America and do not seem to be specialized in 'campo rupestre' formation. Two species, Canthidium marseuli and Canthon lamproderes have restricted geographical distribution, being present in the central Brazilian highlands. C. marseuli and C. lamproderes are probably restricted to rupestrian fields since they have been registered only for this formation in Brazil, which indicates that these species need attention in relation to the conservation of theirs populations and habitats.

Nosso objetivo foi caracterizar a fauna de Scarabaeinae de um campo rupestre na APA de Cafuringa, DF, Brasil. Nós realizamos sete amostragens entre os anos de 2007 e 2009 utilizando armadilhas tipo pitfall com isca. Coletamos 602 indivíduos pertencentes a 27 espécies, 13 gêneros, das quais 17 delas estão identificadas até nível específico. A maioria das espécies coletadas apresenta ampla distribuição geográfica no Brasil e América do Sul e não parece ser especializada em formações do tipo campo rupestre. Duas espécies, Canthidium marseuli e Canthon lamproderes tem distribuição geográfica restrita aos campos de altitude do centro-sul do Brasil. C. marseuli e C. lamproderes são provavelmente habitantes restritas dos campos rupestres, visto que foram registradas apenas nesse tipo de formação no Brasil, o que indica que essas espécies necessitam de atenção em relação à conservação das suas populações e dos seus habitats.

Seasonality in insect abundance in the "Cerrado" of Goiás State, Brazil

Seasonality in insect abundance in the "Cerrado" of Goiás State, Brazil. Many studies have provided evidence that tropical insects undergo seasonal changes in abundance and that this is partly due to alternation between the dry and rainy seasons. In the Brazilian "Cerrado" (savannah), this season alternation is particularly evident. The purpose of this work was to study the seasonal abundance of insects in a "Cerrado" area in the municipality of Pirenópolis, Goiás State, Brazil. The insects were captured fortnightly using a light trap between September 2005 and August 2006. The insects collected were separated at the order level and counted. Faunistic analysis was performed to select the predominant insect orders, a multiple linear regression to examine the relation between climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) with the abundance of insects and a circular distribution analysis to evaluate the existence of seasonality in the abundance of insect orders. A total of 34,741 insect specimens were captured, belonging to 19 orders. The orders with the greatest number of specimens were Hymenoptera (8,022), Coleoptera (6,680), Diptera (6,394), Lepidoptera (6,223), Isoptera (2,272), Hemiptera (2,240) and Trichoptera (1,967), which represent 97.3 percent of all the specimens collected. All the orders, except for Diptera, Isoptera and Trichoptera, showed a relationship with the climate variables (temperature), and all the orders, except for Diptera, presented a grouped distribution, with greater abundance in the transition from the end of the dry season (September) to the start of the rainy one (October/November). A discussion about seasonality on the abundance of the insects is presented.

Sazonalidade na abundância de insetos no Cerrado de Goiás, Brasil. Alguns estudos fornecem evidências de que os insetos tropicais possuem variação na abundância entre as estações seca e chuvosa. No Cerrado brasileiro, a alternância entre seca e chuva é particularmente evidente. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar se existe variação sazonal na abundância de insetos em uma área de Cerrado em Pirenópolis, Goiás, Brasil. As amostras foram coletadas quinzenalmente com armadilha luminosa, entre setembro/2005 e agosto/2006. Os insetos coletados foram separados em nível de ordem e contados. Foi realizada uma análise faunística para selecionar as ordens de insetos predominantes, uma regressão linear múltipla para verificar a relação das variáveis climáticas (temperatura e precipitação) com a abundância de insetos e uma análise circular de distribuição para se avaliar a existência de sazonalidade na abundância das ordens de insetos. Foram coletados 34.741 espécimes de insetos pertencentes a 19 ordens. As ordens com mais espécimes foram Hymenoptera (8.022), Coleoptera (6.680), Diptera (6.394), Lepidoptera (6.223), Isoptera (2.272), Hemiptera (2.240) e Trichoptera (1.967), que somaram 97,3 por cento do total coletado. Todas as ordens, com exceção de Diptera, Isoptera e Trichoptera, apresentaram relação com temperatura, e todas as ordens com exceção de Diptera, apresentaram distribuição agrupada, com maior abundância na transição seca (setembro) e chuva (outubro/novembro). Discussão sobre a sazonalidade na abundância dos Insecta é apresentada.

First record of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) in soybean plants under no tillage in Minas Gerais, Brazil

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) is a mite species of economic and medical-veterinary importance, usually found associated with stored products. Presence of this mite was observed in the stems of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants originated from a under non tillage commercial crop in 2003/2004, in the municipal district of Unaí, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is the first record of T. putrescentiae occurring in soybean plants under field conditions in the world.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) é uma espécie de ácaro de importância econômica e médico-veterinária, comumente encontrada associada a produtos armazenados. A presença desse ácaro foi constatada no interior de hastes de plantas de soja [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] sob plantio direto provenientes de um plantio comercial no município de Unaí, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, na safra 2003/2004. Este é o primeiro registro de T. putrescentiae em plantas de soja, em condições de campo, no mundo.