Sergio Ide

Occurrence, biology and behavior of Liogenys fuscus Blanchard (Insecta, Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae) in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Due to the importance of some Pleurosticti Scarabaeidae as agricultural pests allied to information absence on the species that occur in Brazilian Central-West region, on studies occurrence, biology and behavior on this group of scarabs were conducted. Biology and behavioral studies started with Liogenys fuscus Blanchard, 1850 (Melolonthinae), a very common species and were developed in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul. Adult beetles were collected from light traps from February 2005 to January 2007, at the experimental farm of the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul in Aquidauana (UEMS). In the laboratory adults were placed in plastic containers with soil with sprouts of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf (Poaceae). Eggs were transferred to a climatized chamber at 26 ± 1o C with a 12hourlight, 12hour darkness photoperiod cycle. Adult flight activity occurred in August and in September to December from 06:00 pm to 06:00 am, with the largest number of individuals flying from 07:00 to 10:00 pm. Eggs measured 1 x 1.5 mm and were laid individually or in groups in soil chambers; eggs were initially white and became yellow near hatching. The embryonic period lasted 14.3 days; first, second and third instars lasted 28.5, 48.8, and 68.2 days, respectively. The prepupal period lasted 120.2 days and the prepupa stayed inactive in soil. The mean duration of pupal stage was 27.5 days and the mean longevity of adults was 23.6 days. In laboratory the calling behavior between males and females was observed; copulation lasted, in mean, 25 minutes.

Ocorrência e aspectos biológicos de Anomala testaceipennis Blanchard (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

Beethes of the Scarabaeidae family are important pests in areas of cultivations and pastures, mainly due the action of larvae, which damage the radicular system. The information about this group of pests are rare, thus, this work had as a purpose to study the occurrence and the biologic cycle of Anomala testaceipennis Blanchard, 1856. From November 2005 to November 2006 it was carried out daily collections with a lighting trap, and in laboratories the adult ones were kept in plastic containers, containing soil and seedlings of Brachiaria decumbens, to the biology study. It was collected an amount of 263 adults of A. testaceipennis, in almost all the months of the year, not being registered in March and June. Concerning the biology it was verified that embrionary period took in the average 13.2 days, the 1o instar 26.7 days, the 2o instar 19.4 days, the 3o instar 58.2 days, the pre-pupa phase 50.2 days and the pupa phase 13.6 days. The longevity of the adults was similar to males and females, and it took in the average 14.1 days. In the laboratory the females laid 7.3 eggs in the average. The cycle from the egg to adult took 139.4 days in the average.

Faunistic analysis of Carabidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in five agroecosystems in northeastern São Paulo state, Brazil.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a composicao de especies e a estrutura das comunidades de Carabidae e Staphylinidae, em cinco areas de fragmento florestal e cultura soja/milho ou pomar laranja, de dezembro de 2004 a maio de 2007. Os besouros foram capturados com armadilhas de solo, distribuidas em dois transectos paralelos de 200 m de comprimento, com 100 m no interior da area cultivada e 100 m no interior do fragmento florestal. A fauna foi caracterizada pelos indices de diversidade e equitabilidade de Shannon-Wiener e pelo de similaridade de Morisita. Os carabideos Abaris basistriatus Chaudoir, Calosoma granulatum Perty, Megacephala brasiliensis Kirby, Odontochila nodicornis (Dejean) e Selenophorus seriatoporus Putzeys. sao as especies dominantes com maior distribuicao geografica na regiao nordeste do Estado de Sao Paulo. A maior diversidade de especies de carabideos e estafilinideos ocorreu na transicao entre fragmento florestal e area cultivada. As comunidades de carabideos e estafilinideos de fragmento florestal tiveram maior similaridade com a comunidade do pomar de laranja do que com a de cultura soja/milho.

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.

Monitoramento de coleobrocas associadas à mangueira no município de José de Freitas, Estado do Piauí

This research was developed from June 2004 to May 2005, under field conditions, aiming the recognition of species of coleoborers that are associated to commercial mango orchard (Mangifera indica L.) of varieties Tommy Atkins, Keitt, Kent and Palmer, in Jose de Freitas city, state of Piaui. It was installed two ethanolics traps model Carvalho 47 in each area of the related varieties and weekly collections were realized. Coleoborers were separated of the vegetal residues, dried under light bulb and quantified. Samples of each morphspecies were collected and mounted in entomologic pins then sent for identification. Coleoborers of the families, Bostrichidae, Cerambycidae and Curculionidae are associated to the varieties of mangoes cultivated in Jose de Freitas city, state of Piaui, highlighting the species Hylettus seniculus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), Hypothenemus sp. 1 and sp. 2 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), presenting bigger numerical expression and variety of morphspecies during the period of lower pluviometric precipitation, this factor presenting positive correlation with the Cerambycidae family.

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.

Diversity and habitat preferences of Carabidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in two agroecosystems

The present study had as objective determine the diversity and abundance of adults Carabidae and Staphylinidae in two ar- eas, constituted by forest fragment and soybean/corn crops under conventional tillage and no-tillage systems and to analyze the distribution and preference of those beetles for the habitat. The beetles were sampled with 48 pitfall traps. In both ex- perimental areas, two parallel transects of pitfall traps were installed. Each transect had 100 m in the crop and 100 m in the forest fragment. Four traps were close to each other (1 m) in the edge between the crop and the forest fragment, the other traps were installed each 10 m. The obtained data were submitted to the faunistic analysis and the preference of the spe- cies by habitat was obtained by cluster analysis. The results demonstrated that the type of crop system (conventional tillage or no-tillage) might have influenced the diversity of species of Carabidae and Staphylinidae. The cluster analysis evidenced that the carabids may prefer a specific habitat. In the present study, the distribution of carabids and staphylinids in the three habitats showed that these beetles have potential to be dispersed at great distances inside the crop.

Occurrence of adults and biological aspects of Geniates borelli Camerano (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae) in Aquidauana, MS, Brazil

Occurrence of adults and biological aspects of Geniates borelli Camerano (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Rutelinae) in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Due to the importance of Geniates borelli Camerano as a pest in many crops, studies were developed at Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Aquidauana campus, MS, Brazil. Adults were collected with a light trap from January 2006 to December 2007. 3,320 adults were collected, and the highest quantities were obtained in October 2006 and November 2007, with 1,548 and 802 adults recorded, respectively. Collected adults were kept in plastic containers with soil and Brachiaria decumbens seedlings for oviposition. 535 eggs measuring 2.30 × 1.60 mm were obtained. As the embryonic development progressed, eggs increased in size to 3.00 × 2.70 mm, and this change occurred between 6 and 10 days after oviposition. The embryonic period lasted 17.9 days. The first, second, and third instars lasted 37.6, 49.7, and 74 days, respectively. The prepupal stage lasted 65.9 days and the pupal stage lasted an average of 18.5 days. The biological cycle is completed in 315.8 days, which characterizes the species as univoltine. The average longevity of females was 35.4 days and 28.5 days for males.

Distribution and Habitat Preference of Carabidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) in an Orange Orchard and a Forest Fragment

ABSTRACT A survey of Carabidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) was conducted in a forest fragment and an orange orchard located in the Gavião Peixoto municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil to identify dominant predator species that may be important in the biocontrol of orange pests. Beetles were captured by pitfall traps arranged along 2 parallel transects 200 m long, placed across the orchard/forest boundary, extending 100 m into each habitat. The Shannon-Wiener diversity and Bray-Curtis similarity indices were calculated for both habitats, and habitat preference of abundant species were investigated by analysis of variance. Carabids comprised 91% and 86% of the beetles observed in the fragment and orchard, respectively. Abaris basistriata Chaudoir, Athrostictus sp.1, Tetracha brasiliensis (Kirby), Pseudabarys sp. 1, Selenophorus seriatoporus Putzeys, Selenophorus sp.4, and the staphylinid Xenopygus sp.2 were the dominant species. There was no significant increase or decrease in carabid and staphylinid species richness from the edge to the interior of the fragment and orchard. Abaris basistriata prefered the forest fragment and the orange orchard, while Athrostictus sp.1, Pseudobarys sp., Selenophorus sp.4, and S. seriatoporus were orchard associated. The presence of ground vegetation on the orchard soil can have favored the establishment of ground-dwelling beetles that may be acting to control important orange pests. Dominant species determined in this study should be considered in future researches aiming to enhance the biocontrol in orange orchards.

Beetle (Insecta, Coleoptera) assemblage in a Southern Brazilian restinga: effects of anthropogenic disturbance and vegetation complexity

Restinga is a term used to describe a mosaic of vegetation that occurs in predominantly coastal sandy plains, with physiognomies that range from creeping herbs to forests. In this paper we investigate how the beetle assemblage in a restinga habitat responded to anthropogenic disturbance and vegetation complexity. During four seasons in 2008 and 2009, we sampled beetles using pitfall traps at 10 stations along Pântano do Sul Beach, Santa Catarina Island, Brazil. We compared these beetle assemblages to parameters of anthropogenic disturbance and vegetation complexity at each sampling site. The species composition among the beetle assemblages was considerably different and showed high beta diversity. Disturbed vegetation sites had higher diversity and species richness than most of the undisturbed sites. Although correlations were generally weak, the species of Elateridae were positively correlated with disturbance. These results indicate that restinga vegetation heterogeneity and Coleoptera diversity are related and thus strengthen the importance of chance in beetle distribution across the beach. Despite the low level of endemism in restingas, species found in this habitat should be of greater concern for environmental policies involving Atlantic Forest preservation due to their high diversity. Restinga é um termo usado para descrever uma vegetação em forma de mosaico que ocorre em planícies predominantemente arenosas, com fisionomias que variam de ervas rasteiras a florestas. Neste artigo nós investigamos se a comunidade de besouros apresenta resposta à antropização e à complexidade da vegetação em ambientes de restinga. Os besouros foram amostrados durante quatro estações usando armadilhas do tipo pitfall em dez pontos amostrais na Praia do Pântano do Sul, Ilha de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Também foram medidos parâmetros da antropização e da complexidade da vegetação, usando três transectos para a antropização e um transecto com dez quadrados para a vegetação, em cada ponto amostral. Foram calculadas medidas ecológicas para a comunidade de besouros e as comunidades encontradas em cada ponto amostral e estação do ano foram comparadas. Também correlacionamos os dados ecológicos dos besouros com as medidas ambientais. A similaridade encontrada para as comunidades de besouros foi baixa, e os pontos antropizados apresentaram maior diversidade e riqueza de espécies que a maioria dos pontos não-antropizados. As correlações foram, em geral, fracas, mas Elateridae apresentou correlação positiva com a antropização. A heterogeneidade das restingas e a diversidade de Coleoptera podem ter fortalecido a importância do acaso na distribuição dos besouros ao longo da praia. Apesar do baixo grau de endemismo da restinga, espécies encontradas nestes habitats deveriam receber maior atenção em políticas públicas para a conservação da Mata Atlântica, devido à sua alta diversidade e plasticidade.