Occurrences of Ornithocoris toledoi (Cimicidae) on a free-range chicken farm in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Ocorrência de Ornithocoris toledoi (Cimicidae) em uma fazenda com criação rústica de galinhas no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract Ornithocoris toledoi is a hematophagous insect that parasites birds, particularly, galliformes. Although the occurrence of this arthropod is relatively low in Brazil, this is an important ectoparasite associated with backyarding poultry. The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of O. toledoi in a free-range chicken farm in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including aspects of its taxonomic identification, biology and epidemiology.

Resumo Ornithocoris toledoi é um inseto hematófago que parasita aves, particularmente os galiformes. Embora a ocorrência deste artrópode seja relativamente baixa no país, este é um ectoparasito importante relacionado à criação rústica de galinhas. O objetivo estudo foi relatar a ocorrência de O. toledoi em uma criação rústica de galinhas no estado do Rio de Janeiro, incluindo aspectos sobre a sua identificação taxonômica, biologia e epidemiologia.

Occurrences of Ornithocoris toledoi (Cimicidae) on a free-range chicken farm in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ornithocoris toledoi is a hematophagous insect that parasites birds, particularly, galliformes. Although the occurrence of this arthropod is relatively low in Brazil, this is an important ectoparasite associated with backyarding poultry. The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of O. toledoi in a free-range chicken farm in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, including aspects of its taxonomic identification, biology and epidemiology.

New family host and records of Acanthocrios furnarii (Cordero & Vogelsang, 1928) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) from Argentina, and implications in the transmission mechanism of cimicid bugs among birds' nests.

Acanthocrios furnarii (Cordero & Vogelsang, 1928) [Hemiptera: Cimicidae: Haematosiphoninae] is an ectoparasite on avian hosts from Argentina and Uruguay. It has been mostly found in mud nests of Furnarius rufus (Gmelin, 1788) [Aves: Furnariidae], but its true hosts are some of the inquiline birds that use F. rufus nests. These inquiline hosts belong to the families Emberizidae, Hirundinidae, Icteridae, Passeridae, and Troglodytidae. Outside F. rufus mud nests, A. furnarii has been found in nests of other Furnariidae, Hirundinidae, and Passeridae. The present work adds the first nonpasserine host (Falconidae) of A. furnarii, together with new records in La Pampa, Argentina. The transmission mechanism of A. furnarii, together with all other cimicid bugs from Argentina and adjacent countries, is increased considering this new host; and we also take into account the birds that nidificate in nest boxes, the cavity-nesting birds in trees and earth, and the inquiline birds in stick nests of Furnariidae and Psittacidae.

Genital Evolution: blurring the battle lines between the sexes.

The rapid, divergent evolution of genitalia is a general trend in animals and likely influenced by sexual selection. Contrary to previous ideas, an intriguing new study suggests that sexual selection by sexual conflict can promote the evolution of both male and female genitalia.

Descrição dos estágios imaturos e biologia de Chinavia pengue (Rolston) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) / Description of the immature stages and biology of Chinavia pengue (Rolston) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae)

Adultos de Chinavia pengue (Rolston, 1983) foram coletados em Garopaba, SC, e criados em laboratório sob condições controladas (24 ± 1°C; UR 70 ± 10 por cento; 12hL:12hE). Como alimento, adultos e ninfas receberam vagens verdes de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Os ovos de C. pengue seguem o padrão de coloração e esculturação do cório e coloração e forma dos processos aero-micropilares descrito para as espécies neotropicais de Chinavia. Ninfas de 1° instar possuem uma mancha ovalada no dorso da cabeça e tórax, característica das espécies de Chinavia. Em C. pengue, essa mancha tem coloração laranja-avermelhada, e as manchas abdominais (4+4 manchas laterais e uma mediana) são brancas. Características exclusivas das ninfas de 2° a 5° ínstares de C. pengue são a coloração laranja-avermelhada das manchas do pro- e mesotórax e das manchas circulares no centro das placas abdominais laterais. Não se observou sobreposição nas medidas da largura da cabeça entre os cinco ínstares. Cada fêmea depositou 15,9 ± 4,18 posturas e 218,8 ± 48,60 ovos, sendo 14 ovos/postura o arranjo mais freqüente. A fertilidade foi de 70,0 por cento ± 19,01; a mortalidade no 2° ao 5° estádio foi de 1,6 por cento ± 4,49. A razão sexual obtida foi de 1 macho: 1 fêmea. A duração da fase imatura (ovo a adulto) foi de 45,7 ± 2,99 dias.

Adults of Chinavia pengue (Rolston, 1983) were collected in Garopaba county, SC, and used to establish a laboratory culture under controlled conditions (24 ± 1°C; 70 ± 10 percent RH; 12hL:12hD). Adults and nymphs were fed with green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Eggs of C. pengue follow the pattern of coloration, chorion sculpture, color and shape of the aero-micropylar processes described to other neotropical Chinavia species. The first instar has the dorsal macula of the head and thorax characteristic of Chinavia species. In C. pengue, this macula is orange-red, and the abdominal maculae (4+4 lateral maculae and one median) are white. From second to fifth instars diagnostic characteristics are orange-red maculae at pro and mesothorax, and at middle of abdominal lateral plates. There was no overlapping of the head-capsule measurements between the five instars of C. pengue. Each female laid an average of 15.9 ± 4.18 egg masses and 218.8 ± 48.60 eggs; there was a marked peak at 14 eggs per egg mass. Mean egg fertility was 70.0 percent ± 19.01; mortality in the second to fifth stadium was 1.6 percent ± 4.49. Sex ratio was 1 male: 1 female. The mean duration of the immature stage (egg to adult) was 45.7 ± 2.99 days.

Trauma, disease and collateral damage: conflict in cimicids.

The bed bugs and bat bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) are unusual in being a gonochorist (separate male and female genders) taxon with obligate traumatic insemination. Males of all the species in this family have a lanceolate paramere (intromittent organ) which they use to pierce the female's body wall and inseminate directly into her haemocoel, despite the presence of a functional female genital tract. Mating is tightly linked to the feeding cycle in Cimex lectularius, the common bed bug. In this paper, I examine key aspects of the reproductive anatomy and behaviour of C. lectularius that underpin the nature of the conflict over mating rate in this species. I then examine the consequences of traumatic insemination for female fitness and examine potential mechanisms that might underpin those costs. Finally, the collateral consequences of the male reproductive tactic on other males of C. lectularius and the African bat bug, Afrocimex constrictus are examined.