Extensive transcription analysis of the Hyposoter didymator Ichnovirus genome in permissive and non-permissive lepidopteran host species.

Ichnoviruses are large dsDNA viruses that belong to the Polydnaviridae family. They are specifically associated with endoparasitic wasps of the family Ichneumonidae and essential for host parasitization by these wasps. We sequenced the Hyposoter didymator Ichnovirus (HdIV) encapsidated genome for further analysis of the transcription pattern of the entire set of HdIV genes following the parasitization of four different lepidopteran host species. The HdIV genome was found to consist of at least 50 circular dsDNA molecules, carrying 135 genes, 98 of which formed 18 gene families. The HdIV genome had general features typical of Ichnovirus (IV) genomes and closely resembled that of the IV carried by Hyposoter fugitivus. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis with Illumina technology during the course of Spodoptera frugiperda parasitization led to the identification of a small subset of less than 30 genes with high RPKM values in permissive hosts, consisting with these genes encoding crucial virulence proteins. Comparisons of HdIV expression profiles between host species revealed differences in transcript levels for given HdIV genes between two permissive hosts, S. frugiperda and Pseudoplusia includens. However, we found no evident intrafamily gene-specific transcription pattern consistent with the presence of multigenic families within IV genomes reflecting an ability of the wasps concerned to exploit different host species. Interestingly, in two non-permissive hosts, Mamestra brassiccae and Anticarsia gemmatalis (most of the parasitoid eggs were eliminated by the host cellular immune response), HdIV genes were generally less strongly transcribed than in permissive hosts. This suggests that successful parasitism is dependent on the expression of given HdIV genes exceeding a particular threshold value. These results raise questions about the mecanisms involved in regulating IV gene expression according to the nature of the lepidopteran host species encountered.

[Effects of adult feeding on the reproduction and longevity of Noctuidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae and Elachistidae species]. / Efeito da alimentação da fase adulta na reprodução e longevidade de espécies de Noctuidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae e Elachistidae.

This research evaluates the effect of the adult diet on the reproduction of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, Heliothis virescens (Fabr.), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Noctuidae), Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) (Crambidae), Gymnandrosoma aurantianum Lima (Tortricidae) and Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Elachistidae). Adults of all species were fed either water or a 10% honey solution. The egg viability for the 1st and 2nd egg masses, adult fecundity, longevity, number of mating and the ovigeny index (OI) (degree of ovarian maturation) were evaluated. Fecundity of A. gemmatalis and H. virescens was drastically reduced when females were fed only on water. Egg viability from both 1st and 2nd egg masses was variable between treatments. Females of A. gemmatalis, H. virescens and S. frugiperda, and males of some species had a reduced longevity when fed only on water. The number of matings was higher for A. gemmatalis and D. saccharalis when fed on water only. The OI was < 1.0 for all species evaluated indicating that all females may develop new oocytes as they age. Based on the OI and the reduced fecundity of A. gemmatalis and H. virescens, one observes that adult feeding is important for the reproduction of both species, and the IO is not a good parameter to indicate such condition. Spodoptera frugiperda, G. aurantianum, D. saccharalis and S. catenifer do not require any source of carbohydrates as adults to sustain their reproduction.

Efeito da alimentação da fase adulta na reprodução e longevidade de espécies de Noctuidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae e Elachistidae / Effects of adult feeding on the reproduction and longevity of Noctuidae, Crambidae, Tortricidae and Elachistidae species

This research evaluates the effect of the adult diet on the reproduction of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, Heliothis virescens (Fabr.), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Noctuidae), Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) (Crambidae), Gymnandrosoma aurantianum Lima (Tortricidae) and Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Elachistidae). Adults of all species were fed either water or a 10 percent honey solution. The egg viability for the 1st and 2nd egg masses, adult fecundity, longevity, number of mating and the ovigeny index (OI) (degree of ovarian maturation) were evaluated. Fecundity of A. gemmatalis and H. virescens was drastically reduced when females were fed only on water. Egg viability from both 1st and 2nd egg masses was variable between treatments. Females of A. gemmatalis, H. virescens and S. frugiperda, and males of some species had a reduced longevity when fed only on water. The number of matings was higher for A. gemmatalis and D. saccharalis when fed on water only. The OI was < 1.0 for all species evaluated indicating that all females may develop new oocytes as they age. Based on the OI and the reduced fecundity of A. gemmatalis and H. virescens, one observes that adult feeding is important for the reproduction of both species, and the IO is not a good parameter to indicate such condition. Spodoptera frugiperda, G. aurantianum, D. saccharalis and S. catenifer do not require any source of carbohydrates as adults to sustain their reproduction.

[Temperature effects on the mating frequency of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hüebner and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)]. / Influência da temperatura na freqüência de cópula de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner e Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

This paper deals with the influence of temperature on the mating frequency of two lepidopterans, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which use different strategies of allocation, and with the utilization of nutrients for their reproductive activities. The insects were reared on artificial diets at 25 masculineC, and the adults were exposed to five temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 masculineC) to observe the influence of each temperature on their mating frequency, fecundity, fertility and longevity. The temperature affectedthe mating frequency of both species, being more evident at 15 masculineC and 35 masculineC, mainly for A. gemmatalis, which presented a drastic reduction on mating activities. The highest number of matings were observed from 20 masculineC to 30 masculineC, with S. frugiperda presenting mating activity (0-8) much higher than that of A. gemmatalis (0-2), but no correlation was observed among the number of matings and all other biological parameters evaluated (fecundity, fertility and longevity). However, S. frugiperda showed a positive correlation between fecundity and mating activity of females (r = 0.589; P = 0.003) at 25 masculineC. The highest fecundities were observed at temperatures from 20 masculineC to 30 masculineC for S. frugiperda and at 25 masculineC for A. gemmatalis. For both species, the longevity of males and females decreased as temperature increased.

Influência da temperatura na freqüência de cópula de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner e Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) / Temperature effects on the mating frequency of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hüebner and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

This paper deals with the influence of temperature on the mating frequency of two lepidopterans, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner and Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), which use different strategies of allocation, and with the utilization of nutrients for their reproductive activities. The insects were reared on artificial diets at 25ºC, and the adults were exposed to five temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35ºC) to observe the influence of each temperature on their mating frequency, fecundity, fertility and longevity. The temperature affectedthe mating frequency of both species, being more evident at 15ºC and 35ºC, mainly for A. gemmatalis, which presented a drastic reduction on mating activities. The highest number of matings were observed from 20ºC to 30ºC, with S. frugiperda presenting mating activity (0-8) much higher than that of A. gemmatalis (0-2), but no correlation was observed among the number of matings and all other biological parameters evaluated (fecundity, fertility and longevity). However, S. frugiperda showed a positive correlation between fecundity and mating activity of females (r = 0.589; P = 0.003) at 25ºC. The highest fecundities were observed at temperatures from 20ºC to 30ºC for S. frugiperda and at 25ºC for A. gemmatalis. For both species, the longevity of males and females decreased as temperature increased.

Este trabalho estudou a influência da temperatura na freqüência de cópula de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner e Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith, que empregam diferentes estratégias de alocação, e a utilização de nutrientes para suas atividades reprodutivas. Os insetos foram criados em dieta artificial a 25ºC, sendo a influência da temperatura na freqüência de cópula, fecundidade, fertilidade e longevidade de adultos avaliada em cinco temperaturas (15, 20, 25, 30 e 35ºC). A temperatura afetou a freqüência de cópula de ambas as espécies, sendo o seu efeito mais evidente nas temperaturas extremas estudadas (15ºC e 35ºC), principalmente, para A. gemmatalis, que apresentou redução drástica em sua atividade de cópula. Temperaturas intermediárias (20ºC a 30ºC) permitiram o maior número de cópulas, com S. frugiperda apresentando (até oito cópulas) atividade de cópula muito superior à de A. gemmatalis (até duas cópulas). Mesmo com a variação encontrada na atividade de cópula nas diferentes temperaturas, não foi verificada correlação entre o número de cópulas e os demais parâmetros biológicos observados (fecundidade, fertilidade e longevidade), com exceção da fecundidade de S. frugiperda a 25ºC, que apresentou correlação positiva com a atividade de cópula nessa temperatura (r = 0,589; P = 0,003), indicando que as alterações na atividade reprodutiva desse inseto foram decorrentes, basicamente, de sua resposta à temperatura. Fêmeas de S. frugiperda foram mais fecundas nas temperaturas entre 20ºC e 30ºC e as de A. gemmatalis a 25ºC. A longevidade de ambos os sexos decresceu com o aumento da temperatura para as duas espécies estudadas.

[Description of Apiomerus costai sp. nov. from Mato Grosso State, Brazil, with taxonomical notes on Apiomerus Hahn (Hemiptera, Heteroptera: Reduviidae, Harpactorinae, Apiomerini)]. / Descrição de Apiomerus costai sp. nov. do Mato Grosso, com notas taxonômicas sobre Apiomerus Hahn (Hemiptera, Heteroptera: Reduviidae, Harpactorinae, Apiomerini).

Apiomerus costai sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is described and taxonomical notes about Apiomerus Hahn are presented.

Descrição de Apiomerus costai sp. nov. do Mato Grosso, com notas taxonômicas sobre Apiomerus Hahn (Hemiptera, Heteroptera: Reduviidae, Harpactorinae, Apiomerini) / Description of Apiomerus costai sp. nov. from Mato Grosso State, Brazil, with taxonomical notes on Apiomerus Hahn (Hemiptera, Heteroptera: Reduviidae, Harpactorinae, Apiomerini)

Apiomerus costai sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) é descrita. Notas taxonômicas sobre Apiomerus Hahn são apresentadas.

Apiomerus costai sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is described and taxonomical notes about Apiomerus Hahn are presented.

[How to relate concepts and data]. / Comment lier concepts et données.

The researcher have to deal with establishing the link between a theoretical world, world of the concepts and the empirical world, world of the data. Establishing a connection between concepts and data constitutes one of the most important and most difficult steps of the research process. This article explains how this consists of a translation procedure that incorporates two processes; measurement and abstraction. Measurement consists of selecting the instruments or indicators needed to translate a concept into data. Abstraction involves the translation, through coding and classification, of data into concepts. This methodological article focuses on the central questions about the design of his own process of translation by using theoretical references and relevant examples.

Nova planta hospedeira e novos padrões cromáticos de Pachycoris torridus (Scopoli) (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) no Brasil / New record of host plant and new morphs of Pachycoris torridus (Scopoli) (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) in Brazil

The occurrence of Pachycoris torridus (Scopoli) on Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), is recorded for the first time. The specimens were collected in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo; only four out of 43 adults showed new spots morphs of pronotum and scutellum.

Neste trabalho é registrada pela primeira vez a ocorrência de Pachycoris torridus (Scopoli) em Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae). Os espécimes foram coletados em Piracicaba, São Paulo. Dos 43 adultos coletados apenas quatro apresentaram padrões diferentes de manchas da facedorsal não registrados na literatura até o momento.

Influência de três temperaturas na biologia e na capacidade de parasitismo de Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) em laboratório / Influence of three temperatures on the biology and parasitism capacity of Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in laboratory

O objetivo da pesquisa, visando otimizar a criação de Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) em laboratório, foi estudar a capacidade de parasitismo e desenvolvimento do parasitóide a 20, 25 e 30°C. Em testes de livre escolha e confinamento o parasitismo foi semelhante em ovos ou lagartas de 1° ínstar de Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton. A capacidade de parasitismo foi semelhante nas três temperaturas, embora tenha havido diferenças nos outros parâmetros principalmente quanto à duração do período ovo-adulto, que foi 23,6 dias a 20°C, 18,1 dias a 25°C e 13,8 dias a 30°C. A temperatura de 25°C foi a mais adequada para criação do inseto em laboratório, por proporcionar maior sobrevivência, e produzir maior número de pupas por ovo parasitado. Embora a 20°C os resultados tenham sido muito próximos, não se recomenda tal temperatura, pois nesta condição há um alongamento do ciclo e, conseqüentemente, menor número de indivíduos produzidos.

In order to optimize rearing of Ageniaspis citricola Logvinovskaya (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in laboratory the parasitism capacity of the parasitoid was evaluated at 20, 25 and 30°C. After determining that the parasitism was similar in eggs and 1st-instar larvae of Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton in free-choice and no choice tests, the study of the development of the parasitoid on eggs was preferred for the readiness of acquiring and handling this stage of the parasitoid development. The parasitism capacity was similar at all three temperatures, although differences occurred in the other parameters especially the duration of the egg-adult period (23.6 days to 20°C, 18.1 days to 25°C and 13.8 days to 30°C), decreasing with the thermal elevation. However, considering the aim of this work, the 25°C temperature is more adequate for rearing the insect in laboratory for providing higher survival and produced a higher number of pupae per parasitized egg. Although the results at 20°C were very close, such temperature is not recommended because the cycle is extended with a consequent lower number of individuals produced.