Sergio Antonio Vanin

Metabolism of (-)-grandisin from Piper solmsianum in Coleoptera and Lepidoptera species.

The biotransformation of the major Piper solmsianum leaf phenylpropanoids, such as the tetrahydrofuran lignan grandisin and derivatives was investigated in the beetle Naupactus bipes as well as in the caterpillars Heraclides hectorides and Quadrus u-lucida. Analysis of fecal material indicated that metabolism occurred mainly through mono- and di-O-demethylation at para positions of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl rings of tetrahydrofuran lignans during digestion by these insects. Additionally, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxycinnamyl and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamyl alcohols were identified in fecal extracts of N. bipes.

Insect feeding preferences on Piperaceae species observed in São Paulo city, Brazil

Insect feeding preferences on Piperaceae species observed in Sao Paulo city, Brazil. Piperaceae species have been placed among the basal angiosperm and are adapted to a variety of habitats including moist forests, secondary vegetation and dry high lands. The major anatomical/morphology features are of small trees, vines, and shrubs for Piper species, while the epiphytic and succulent characteristics are predominant forms among Peperomia species. Their secondary chemistry can be mostly represented by amides, phenylpropanoids/lignoids, and chromenes in addition to a phletoria of biosynthetically mixed-origin secondary compounds. Although several amides and lignans are known as insecticides, several phytophagous insects, among which some considered pests of economic importance, have been observed feeding vigorously on Piperaceae species. Herein we describe the feeding preferences of fourteen phytophagous species of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera and Hemiptera over approximately fifty Piperaceae species observed in Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil, in a long-term basis.

Coleoptera Larval Fauna Associated with Termite Nests (Isoptera) with Emphasis on the “Bioluminescent Termite Nests” from Central Brazil

Beetle larvae that inhabit termite nests present modifications that allow them to cohabitate with the termites. Some are physogastric and bear special glands and different setae all over their bodies, whereas others are not physogastric. Both kinds of larvae may be termite predators. Some species usually live in the nest cabbage pan, feeding on organic matter, mushrooms, and excrements or eating the nest walls and sometimes causing the nest to be destroyed. Other species live in superficial galleries of the nest and feed on preys that live outside. However, all interactions between these inquilines beetles and their termite hosts are very complex and still little understood. Emphasis was done to the bioluminescent termite nests from Central Brazil and for this reason general aspects of the bioluminescence related to the elaterid fireflies were also given. The adaptations to live in nest environment and functional categories of association of all beetle larvae we have studied, including those not bioluminescent, to termite nests are discussed in this work.

Sequestration of prenylated benzoic acid and chromenes by Naupactus bipes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) feeding on Piper gaudichaudianum (Piperaceae).

The curculionid beetle Naupactusbipes (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Brachycerinae) has shown feeding preference for leaves of Piper gaudichaudianum, demonstrating an unexpected specificity for an insect considered to be a generalist. The leaves of P. gaudichaudianum contain the prenylated chromenes gaudichaudianic acid (4, major compound) and its methyl ester (5) in addition to a chromene (3) lacking one prenyl residue. In addition to 4, roots contain the chromone methyl ester (1) and methyl taboganate (2, major compound). Feeding on roots, larvae of N. bipes sequester exclusively the root-specific compounds 1 and 2. Adult beetles sequester the leaf-specific chromenes 3 and 4, but were found to also contain compounds 1 and 2 that are absent in leaves. Therefore, it is suggested that 1 and 2 are sequestered by larvae and can be found in the body of adult insects after long-term storage. In addition, 3 and 4, the major compounds in leaves were found to be associated with the eggs.

Systematics and cladistic analysis of Cerophytidae (Elateroidea: Coleoptera)

Abstract.  The elateroid family Cerophytidae, originally based on Cerophytum Latreille, is characterized and revised. Detailed morphological studies of adults and a cladistic analysis permitted the recognition of three well‐defined lineages: one in the Holarctic Region, and the other two in the Neotropical Region, each one distributed from southern Mexico to South America. The resulting cladogram for these genera is ((Cerophytum) (Brachycerophytum, Phytocerum)). Cerophytum includes four species: C. elateroides (Latreille) (type species, southern and central Europe), C. convexicolle (LeConte) (western U.S.A.), C. japonicum Sasaji (Japan) and C. pulsator (Haldeman) (eastern U.S.A.). Brachycerophytum gen.n. contains two Neotropical species: B. fuscicorne (Bonvouloir) comb.n. (type species, Mexico to Colombia) and B. sinchona sp.n. (Peru and Bolivia). Phytocerum gen.n. includes fifteen species: P. golbachi sp.n. (type species, Argentina), P. alleni sp.n. (Costa Rica, Nicaragua), P. belloi sp.n. (Brazil), P. birai sp.n. (Brazil), P. boliviense (Golbach) comb.n. (Bolivia), P. burakowskii sp.n. (Trinidad), P. cayennense (Bonvouloir) comb.n. (Mexico, French Guyana, Brazil), P. distinguendum (Soares & Peracchi) comb.n. (Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina), P. serraticorne sp.n. (Guatemala), P. golbachi sp.n. (Argentina), P. ingens sp.n. (Brazil), P. inpa sp.n. (Brazil), P. minutum (Golbach) comb.n. (Argentina), P. simonkai sp.n. (Trinidad), P. trinidadense (Golbach) comb.n. (Trinidad) and P. zikani (Soares & Peracchi) comb.n. (Brazil). Diagnoses for the genera, redescriptions and descriptions for the species, as well as keys to genera and species, are provided. The larva of C. elateroides is redescribed.

On the utility of female genitalia in the systematics of Curculionidae: examples from Entimini and Hylobiina (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract The utility of the female genitalia and associated sclerites (tergite and sternite VIII) in the systematics of the Curculionidae is discussed. Examples from the tribe Entimini (Entiminae) and subtribe Hylobiina (Molytinae: Hylobiini) are given. The female characters prove to be informative for establishing the phylogenetic relationships among genera of Entimini. They are essential in determining species groups within the genus Arniticus Pascoe, Hylobiina.

Review of the Family Brachypsectridae (Coleoptera: Elateroidea)

Abstract The monogeneric family Brachypsectridae is redescribed based on adults and larvae, and distribution, biology, and ideas on the phylogenetic relationships are summarized. Presently available data from both adults and larvae support previous conclusions that the family is a basal member of the Elateroidea. The four described species of Brachypsectra LeConte are reviewed. Brachypsectra moronei Branham sp. n. is described from the Dominican amber; larvae of Brachypsectra fulva LeConte, Brachypsectra lampyroides Blair, and an unnamed species from Australia are described; and keys are given to males of all described species and to known larvae. In addition, a lectotype and paratypes are designated for the six recognized syntypes of Brachypsectra lampyroides Blair, 1930.

Larvae of neotropical Coleoptera. X: Mycteridae, Lacconotinae

Larvae of Stilpnonotus postsignatus Fairmaire, 1889 were collected inside a hard log in Peruibe, Sao Paulo, Brazil; reared adults were identified. A description of the larva, pre-pupa and pupa are provided with ilustrations.

The elytro-femoral stridulatory apparatus in Curculionidae (Coleoptera), with notes on the acoustic behaviour of Arniticus hylobioides (Boheman 1843) and Erodiscus proximus (Viana 1959), and thanatosis display in the latter species

Abstract The elytro-femoral stridulatory apparatus of two species of Curculionidae is described and figured: Erodiscus proximus (Curculioninae: Erodiscini) and Arniticus hylobioides (Molytinae: Hylobiini). Notes on sound generation, acoustical behaviour and phylogenetic implications are given. Thanatosis display is reported for the first time in Erodiscus proximus.

Description of the immature stages of the weevil Anthonomus vis Clark (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), inquiline into the gall of Leandra aurea (Melastomataceae)

Description of the immature stages of the weevil Anthonomus vis Clark (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), inquiline into the gall of Leandra aurea (Melastomataceae). The third instar larva and the pupa of Anthonomus vis Clark, 1992 are described and illustrated, based upon specimens collected in the Serra de Sao Jose, Tiradentes, in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The species was previously known from the type series collected in the states of Amapa and Para. Comparisons with the larva and pupa of A. grandis Boheman, 1843 and A. monostigma Champion, 1903 are included. The larvae of A. vis live as inquilines in the galls induced by a species of momphid moths (Lepidoptera, Momphidae) in the stems of Leandra aurea (Cham.) Cogn. (Melastomataceae).