Angélica Maria Penteado-Dias

Two new species of Hymenoepimecis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Pimplinae) with notes on their spider hosts and behaviour manipulation

The wasp genera included in the Polysphincta genus-group develop exclusively as koinobiont ectoparasitoids of spiders, an unusual pattern within Hymenoptera. All known species of Hymenoepimecis attack orb-web spiders and Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga was previously described inducing a sudden modification of its hosts web-building behaviour. Information on parasitoid–host interactions and even on host identities for most members of the genus-group, however, remain scarce. In this study we describe two new species of Hymenoepimecis and present information on their hosts, spiders of the genera Leucauge (Tetragnathidae) and Manogea (Araneidae). Cocoon webs of both host species are distinct from their normal webs. The modified cocoon web of Leucauge roseosignata constructed under the influence of Hymenoepimecis japi sp. nov. is very similar to the cocoon web described for Leucauge argyra. It is composed of three axes, including several radial threads each, and a hub used by the larva to attach the cocoons suspension line. Spiral viscous threads, present in normal webs and in webs of parasitized spiders carrying larvae in the initial instars, are absent in cocoon webs. In the cocoon web of Manogea porracea the horizontal sheet is poorly structured and the cocoon is attached far from the spiders normal resting position, in an area composed of a densely tangled structure.

Análise faunística de Braconidae (Hymenoptera) em três áreas de mata nativa do Estado do Paraná, Brasil

The material studied comes from three of the several natural environments which still occur in Parana State. The samples were collected during the project PROFAUPAR, developed by Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Parana. The selected sites were: Antonina (in the coastal plain), Sao Jose dos Pinhais (in the coastal mountain range) and Telemaco Borba (in the second plateau). During one year of the project, 2,106 specimens of Braconidae were collected with light trap. These wasps represented 21 subfamilies and 1,966 specimens were identified in 85 genera. Hormiinae, Rogadinae, Microgastrinae, Alysiinae, Doryctinae and Meteorinae were the most frequent subfamilies. Indices of diversity and evenness were used to discuss richness and dominance of genera in each locality. Statistical analyses indicated that the asymptote of actual genera richness have been approached only to Antonina and Telemaco Borba.

Análise da riqueza da fauna de Braconidae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonoidea) em remanescentes naturais da Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) de Descalvado, SP

Analysis of the Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonoidea) fauna richness in natural remnants of the Area de Protecao Ambiental (APA) of Descalvado, SP. A survey of the Braconidae fauna on fragmentary natural environments at northeast Sao Paulo State was conducted using Malaise traps installed in five sites of Area de Protecao Ambiental of Descalvado. A total of 2,262 specimens, representing 22 subfamilies and 94 genera, was sampled throughout a period of sixteen months (from May, 1999 to August, 2000). Biological data were obtained from current literature and behavior patterns of host utilization for the studied fauna, mainly Braconidae which have been successful in control of agricultural insect pests. Statistical analyses indicated that the asymptote of the genera richness has been approached using this sampling method. This is the most complete survey yet available from natural fragmentary areas of the Descalvado Braconidae fauna. Patterns of distribution and richness of the Braconidae genera were established. Cluster Analysis was adopted taking as attribute the number of Braconidae genera.

Parasitoid diversity (Hymenoptera: Braconidae and Figitidae) on frugivorous larvae (Diptera: Tephritidae and Lonchaeidae) at Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, Central Amazon Region, Manaus, Brazil

This study aimed to identify parasitoid species of frugivorous larvae and to describe the tritrophic interactions involving wild fruits, frugivorous insects and their natural enemies at Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve (RFAD) (Manaus, AM, Brazil). Collections were performed in four 1 km2 quadrants in the corners of the RFAD. The wild fruits were collected inside the forest in access trails leading to each collection area and in trails that surrounded the quadrants, up to five metres from the trail on each side. The fruits were placed in plastic containers covered with thin fabric, with a vermiculite layer on the base to allow the emergence of flies or parasitoids. Seven Braconidae species were collected, distributed among Opiinae: Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti, 1911), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck, 1913), and Opius sp., and Alysiinae: Asobara anastrephae (Muesebeck, 1958), Phaenocarpa pericarpa Wharton and Carrejo, 1999, Idiasta delicata Papp, 1969, and Asobara sp. Parasitism rates by braconids and figitids are presented. Doryctobracon areolatus was the most frequent, parasitizing the highest number of fly species, and showing the highest parasitism percentage in larvae feeding on Micropholis williamii fruits. The collected figitids belong to Aganaspis nordlanderi Wharton, 1998 and A. pelleranoi (Brethes, 1924). All 15 tritrophic associations are new records for the Brazilian Amazon region. The RFAD is an important natural reservoir of frugivorous larvae parasitoids.

New species of Hymenoptera associated with galls on Calliandra brevipes Benth. (Fabaceae, Mimosoidea) in Brazil

Four species of Hymenoptera: Tanaostigmodes ringueleti (Brethes, 1924), T. mecanga sp.nov. (Chalcidoidea, Tanaostigmatidae), Allorhogas taua sp. nov. (Braconidae, Doryctinae) and Eurytoma sp. (Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae) were reared from two different types of galls of Calliandra brevipes Benth. (Fabaceae, Mimosoidea) in Juiz-de-Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The two Tanaostigmatidae species are probably the gall inducers; the Braconidae species probably is phytophagous inquiline in round gall type. The two new species are described and illustrated, including their immature stages.

First report of Maconellicoccus hirsutus(Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae) and the associated parasitoid Anagyrus kamali Moursi, 1948 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), in Brazil

The pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and the associated hymenopterous parasitoid, Anagyrus kamali Moursi, 1948 (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), are reported for the first time in Brazil. Specimens of the PHM were collected on nine hosts plants, Annona muricata L. (Anonnaceae), Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabaceae), Centrolobium paraensis Tul. (Fabaceae), Inga edulis Mart. (Fabaceae), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. (Malvaceae), Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae), Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae), Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck (Rutaceae) and Solanum lycopersicum L. (Solanaceae), in four municipalities in the north-northeast of the state of Roraima. The plants C. paraensis, I. edulis and C. sinensis are recorded for the first time as a hosts for PHM. Characteristic injuries observed on the host plants infested by PHM and suggestions for its management are presented.

New record of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) as a parasitoid of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) on maize

Diatraea saccharalis (Fabr.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) spends the largest part of its life cycle inside the stalk of the host plant,which provides protection against the action of conventional control methods. Biological control has been considered a viable alternative to control this pest in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.), two pest preferential hosts. This paper reports the occurrence in Brazil of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera; Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae) parasitizing pupae of D. saccharalis obtained from corn plants. It also includes preliminary biological data about the insect. A single female of T. howardi is able to produce up to 66 offspring using a single pupa of the host D. Saccharalis and apparently does not distinguish between the host pupae of different ages. The life cycle of the parasitoid was around 25.5 days. The presence of the parasitoid in Brazil opens a new perspective on suppression of the sugarcane borer, considering the promising results already obtained in Asian countries. The insect is well adapted to laboratory conditions, can be produced in large scale and may became an additional option for the integrated pest management in those crops where D. saccharalis is a key pest such as the sugarcane, corn and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).

Survey of ear flies (Diptera, Ulidiidae) in maize (Zea mays L.) and a new record of Euxesta mazorca Steyskal in Brazil

Levantamento de mosca-da-espiga (Diptera: Ulidiidae) em milho (Zea mays L.) e primeiro relato de ocorrencia de Euxesta mazorca Steyskal no Brasil. Especies de Euxesta (Diptera, Ulidiidae), conhecidas como moscas do cabelo ou moscas da espiga estao aumentando em importância nas culturas de milho em diferentes paises, embora muito pouco se conheca sobre elas no Brasil. As larvas das especies representativas de Ulidiidae inicialmente danificam a parte reprodutiva feminina da planta e depois os graos em desenvolvimento. Como resultado da alimentacao das larvas ocorre fermentacao e odor forte tornando a espiga inapropriada para o consumo humano ou animal. O principal objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a incidencia de especies de Euxesta em areas de producao de milho e identificar as especies predominantes usando dois atraentes alimentares diferentes a base de proteinas hidrolisaveis, BioAnastrepha® (proteina hidrolisavel de milho) e Torula, colocados no interior de armadilha McPhail. As duas especies identificadas foram E. eluta Loew and E. mazorca Steyskal, registrada pela primeira vez no Brasil. Entre as especies, E. eluta foi predominante no milho. Ambos os atraentes foram eficientes na captura das duas especies. No entanto, as armadilhas com BioAnastrepha® capturaram significativamente mais insetos do que aquelas com Torula.

First record of Schizopyga Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) from Brazil and a description of a new species

Studying material proceeding from samplings carried out in the Southeast of Brazil, we have founded two specimens of the genus Schizopyga (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae Pimplinae). Pertaining to the Polysphincta genus-group, it includes the koinobiont ectoparasitoid species of spiders. All host records for this genus are of species attacking Clubionidae and Miturgidae spiders (Gauld and Dubois, 2006). Two female specimens were obtained from the Campos do Jordão region, São Paulo State, Brazil, at 22° 44’ S and 45° 30’ W, at 600 and 1200 m, respectively using Malaise traps from 27.IX to 12.X.2002. The specimens were deposited in the collection of the Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil (DCBU). This is the first time that this genus has been illustrated visually in a figure. The subfamily Pimplinae and the genus Schizopyga (= Dreisbachia) were recognized using Gauld (1991).

First record of Ticapimpla vilmae Gauld, 1991 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Pimplinae) from Brazil

Studying material proceeding from sampling done during the project “Riqueza e diversidade de Hymenoptera e Isoptera ao longo de um gradiente latitudinal de Mata Atlântica a floresta úmida do leste do Brasil” supported for Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, was found one Ticapimpla vilmae specimen. This genus is caracterized by having a developed submetapleural carina and a densely hirsute mesoscutum. The only species in this genus was described by Gauld (1991) in Costa Rica. Were collected two females with Malaise trap in Golfo Dulce forestry Reserve, in an area relatively intact. From Mata da Esperança in Ilhéus, State of Bahia, Brazil, at the 14° 47’ 47’’ S and 39° 03’ 56’’ W, 0-200 m of altitude, one female specimen was obtained from Malaise trap in 18-21.V.2002. The specimen is deposited in the collection (DCBU) of Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Departamento de Ecologia e Biologia Evolutiva, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. The specimen studied, presented some variation in coloration: the hind tibia is more extensive blackish, as well the last two tergites of metasoma. At the first time photographs (Figures 1, 2) of this species are provided. Recently (Loffredo and Penteado Dias, 2008) Schizopyga, other Pimplinae genus was the first time figured. In South America there are several other undescribed species (I. Saaksjarvi, pers. comm. apud Gauld and Dubois, 2006). Details about its biology are unknown.