Marina Regina Frizzas

First record of Phyllophaga sp. aff. capillata (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) as a soybean pest in the Brazilian "Cerrado".

Insects known in Brazil as “coros” are beetle larvae (Coleoptera) of the family Melolonthidae ( sensu Endrodi 1966; Moron 1997, 2001a; Moron et al. 1997). Many of these species feed on roots of a wide range of cultivated plants and are considered pests worldwide (Moron 1997). The genus Phyllophaga Harris stands out as one of the most important due to the damage many cause to agricultural systems (Saylor 1942). They could be considered one of the most serious pests in Mexico and Central America (Moron et al. 1996). Damage caused by Phyllophaga in the Americas have been recorded in several crops, including corn ( Zea mays L.), potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.), sugar cane ( Saccharum officinarum L.), peanut ( Arachis hypogea L.), bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), pepper ( Capsicum annum L.), coffee ( Coffea arabica L.), pastures, vegetables, ornamental plants (Pardo-Locarno et al. 2005; Moron 1997; King 1984), soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merrill) (Oliveira et al. 2004; Salvadori & Oliveira 2001), and wheat ( Triticum aestivum (L.) Thell) (Salvadori & Silva 2004; Salvadori & Oliveira 2001). About 369 species of Phyllophaga are known in Mexico (Moron 2003). Although many related studies have been conducted in Mexico and Central America, information on their bioecology, lifecycle, host preference, and reproductive behavior are still rare for most species (Moron 1986; King 1984). In South America, the knowledge of Phyllophaga is also critical, and extensive taxonomic reviews are required (Moron 2004). In 1985, serious damage attributed to “coros” in Brazil started being recorded in soybean fields in

Aegopsis bolboceridus (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae): An Important Pest on Vegetables and Corn in Central Brazil

Beetles belonging to the family Melolonthidae (sensu Endr?di 1966; Mor?n 1997, 2001, 2004b; Mor?n et al. 1997) are primary consumers or de composers. The adults feed on leaves, stems, roots, exudates, flowers, fruits and tubercles of an giosperms, as well as on leaves and roots of gym nosperms. Some adults are predators of other in sect species. Usually the larvae develop in the soil, consuming roots or humus, as well as rotting tree trunks. Larvae of a few species are associated with ants and termites, feeding on detritus or on imma tures ofthose insects. Some larvae occur in rodent

Field biology of the beetle Aegopsis bolboceridus in Brazil, with a list of host plants.

Abstract The white grub, Aegopsis bolboceridus (Thomson) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae), is an important vegetable and corn pest in central Brazil. The objective of this study was to examine the biology of A. bolboceridus in the field and to update the list of its host plants. The study was conducted in an area with vegetable crops and corn located in the Federal District of Brazil. Samplings were taken to observe the biological stages of A. bolboceridus, preferred oviposition sites, and the adult swarming period. A. bolboceridus exhibited a univoltine cycle that lasted approximately 12 months from egg to active adults. Its eggs were found from October to November. The larval stage lasted approximately eight months, occurring between October and May. Pre-pupae were observed between April and June, and pupae were found between May and July. Inactive adults were observed in July and August, and the swarming period was between September and October. The females preferred to oviposit in sites with taller plants. Four new plant species were identified as hosts for this pest, and two new locations were recorded for its occurrence. This study is the first to describe the biology of a representative of the tribe Agaocephalini in Brazil.

Scarabaeoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) no Cerrado brasileiro: estado atual do conhecimento

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.

Bio-Ecology of Poekilloptera phalaenoides (Hemiptera: Flatidae) Under the Influence of Climatic Factors in the Brazilian Cerrado

ABSTRACT The planthopper Poekilloptera phalaenoides (L.) (Hemiptera: Flatidae) is a very common species in various regions of Brazil. The aim of this study was to report on P. phalaenoides biology, its behavior, and host plants in agricultural and natural vegetation areas of the Brazilian Cerrado and to relate the bio-ecology of this species with the climatic characteristics of the biome. The study was conducted between 2005 and 2008 in agricultural areas, and areas covered with typical cerrado sensu stricto and cerradão phytophysiognomies (Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil). Weekly field samples were taken to observe the biological stages of P. phalaenoides. Adult population dynamics were studied using light traps. Host plants were observed in natural vegetation areas. P. phalaenoides presented an 11-mo life cycle (egg to adult). The egg stage, which undergoes diapause, lasted ∼6 mo, and the nymphal stage lasted 7 mo. Adults were most abundantly found in October (64.7%). Specimens of P. phalaenoides were observed on nine species of plants; however, all the biological stages were observed only in Maprounea guianensis Aublet, Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel, and Salacia crassifolia (von Martius) Peyr. Our results suggest that the life cycle and behavior of P. phalaenoides are synchronized with the climatic conditions of the Brazilian Cerrado, with adults present during the rainy season, when oviposition sites are more available, and the immature stages present in the dry season, when they can benefit from lower interspecific competition and a lower incidence of natural enemies. This is the first bio-ecological study conducted on a representative of the Flatidae family in Brazil.

ABUNDANCE AND SPECIES RICHNESS OF LEAFHOPPERS AND PLANTHOPPERS (HEMIPTERA: CICADELLIDAE AND DELPHACIDAE) IN BRAZILIAN MAIZE CROPS

Abstract Insects in the Cicadellidae and Delphacidae families, common in grasses, are an important group of vectors of viruses and mollicutes, which cause diseases in several plant species. The goal of this study was to evaluate the abundance and species richness of Cicadellidae and Delphacidae and the presence of potential vectors of viruses and mollicutes in maize crops in Brazil. Insects were collected using sweep nets in maize crops in 48 counties of 8 states, distributed in 4 regions of Brazil in the yr 2005, 2006 and 2007, with a total of 198 samples. The collected material was screened, and the leafhoppers and planthoppers were identified at the species level. A total of 4233 Cicadellidae specimens, including 30 species, and 205 Delphacidae specimens, including 9 species, were collected. The most abundant species was Dalbulus maidis (Delong & Wolcott) representing 90.1% of leafhoppers and planthoppers. Abundance and species richness differences were observed between the northeast and center-south regions of Brazil. Eight species of leafhoppers and planthoppers were identified as vectors or potential vectors of viruses and mollicutes in maize, although some of these viruses are not reported in Brazil. Among these species, we identified the planthoppers, Caenodelphax teapae (Fowler), Peregrinus maidis Ashmed, Pyrophagus tigrinus Remes Lenicov & Varela and Toya propinqua (Fieber) are experimental vectors of Mal de Río Cuarto virus, which is a quarantine virus in Brazil. Two Cicadellidae species and 3 Delphacidae species were reported for the first time in Brazil.

First record of damage by an insect pest in a commercial amaranth crop in Brazil

Insect pests have not been recorded for amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) in Brazil. Generalized plant lodging was observed after the grain-filling period in an irrigated commercial amaranth crop (7 ha), located in Cristalina, state of Goias (Brazil), which was cultivated between Aug. and Dec. 2009. Almost all sampled plants presented internal galleries bored by lepidopteran larvae. The larvae were reared, and the adults were identified as Herpetogramma bipunctalis (F.) (Crambidae). This is the first report of an insect pest causing significant damage in a commercial amaranth crop in Brazil, which indicates the need to develop pest management strategies in order to support the increased production in Brazil.

Biology of Protortonia navesi (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae), a New Cassava Pest in Brazil, with Notes on Its Behavior in the Field

Abstract Protortonia navesi Fonseca (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) is a scale insect recently reported as a new cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) crop pest in central Brazil. The biology P. navesi was studied under controlled and field conditions, and some aspects of its field behavior were recorded. The laboratory experiments were carried out from August to December 2004 under controlled conditions (25 ± 2°C, 70 ± 23% RH, and a photoperiod of 12:12 [L:D] h), and the field experiment from September 2003 to August 2004, at Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil. In the laboratory, P. navesi showed a 69.2-day cycle from oviposition to adult eclosion, going through three nymphal stages in 44.5 d, on average. The females reproduced by thelytokous parthenogenesis, with an average oviposition capacity of 239.6 eggs per female. No males were observed in this species. In the field, P. navesi had a permanent underground population. However, from September to December 2004, the aerial parts of plants were colonized by part of this population, which was controlled by the predator Exoplectra sp. (Coccinellidae). Individuals of P. navesi were observed to be active on cassava roots in the field throughout the year, suggesting that this scale insect may have at least five generations per year in central Brazil. Abstract RESUMO A cochonilha Protortonia navesi Fonseca (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae) foi relatada recentemente como uma nova praga na cultura da mandioca no Brasil Central. Nós estudamos a biologia de P. navesi em condições controladas e observamos alguns aspectos do seu comportamento em campo. Os estudos foram conduzidos em laboratório (25 ± 2°C; UR 70 ± 23%; 12 h fotofase) de agosto a dezembro de 2004 e em campo de setembro de 2003 a agosto de 2004, em Planaltina, Distrito Federal, Brasil. Em laboratório P. navesi apresentou um ciclo (ovo-adulto) de 69,2 dias, passando por três estádios ninfais com duração total de 44,5 dias. As fêmeas se reproduziram por partenogênese telítoca, sendo capazez de colocar em média 239,6 ovos. Não foram observados machos nesta espécie. Em campo, P. navesi apresentou uma população subterrânea permanente. Entretanto, de setembro a dezembro, parte dessa população colonizou a parte aérea das plantas, sendo controlada pelo predador Exoplectra sp. (Coccinellidae). No campo foram observadas fases ativas do inseto, em raízes de plantas de mandioca, durante todo ano sugerindo que a cochonilha pode produzir pelo menos cinco gerações por ano.

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 Unai, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This is the first record of T. putrescentiae occurring in soybean plants under field conditions in the world.

How climate influences the biology and behaviour of Phyllophaga capillata (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) in the Brazilian Cerrado

Phyllophaga capillata (Blanchard) is the most important soil pest in soybean crops in Central Brazil (Federal District and Goiás state). The objective of this work was to study the bio‐ecology of P. capillata in the field in the Cerrado of Central Brazil, relating its biology and behaviour to the climatic characteristics of this biome. The study was conducted over three years in a soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production area (≈6000 ha) in the Federal District. Field samplings were taken to observe the biological stages of P. capillata, preferred oviposition sites and the adult swarming period. Phyllophaga capillata presented an univoltine cycle that lasted about 10 months of egg to inactive adults, and 12 months until the appearance of active adults. Eggs were found in the field in October and November. The larval stage occurred between November and June. Pre‐pupae were observed in June and the pupae between July and August. Inactive adults were observed in August and September, and the swarming period was between September and December. Females preferred to oviposit in sites with taller plants. This species synchronises its active phases (larvae and active adults) with soybean cultivation and the rainy season (October/March) in the Brazilian Cerrado. Alternatives for pest management based on their bio‐ecological characteristics are presented.