ABSTRACT: Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell, 1895) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is globally disseminated on sugarcane plants. In Brazil, this species has been occurred in the same region as the occurrence of the fungal pathogen causing red rot, Colletotrichum falcatum Went, 1893 (Glomerellales). The objective of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that this pseudococcid could act as a facilitator of the penetration of the phytopathogen C. falcatum. Species of this mealybug were reared at laboratory to infest sugarcane plants during the experiment. A total of 320 sugarcane plants were utilized for this study, 160 of CTC4 and 160 of RB86 7515 cultivars (cv.), each group subdivided into four treatments: (1) infested with mealybugs; (2) infected with fungal conidia; (3) infested with mealybugs and infected with fungal conidia; and (4) control. Biometrics of the plants, disease symptoms, Total Reducing Sugars (TRS) and Reducing Sugar (RS) were evaluated. To both cv., there was no difference in the height and diameter of the plants in all treatments; and only in “mealybug + fungus”, significant difference on the lengths of the disease lesions inside the plants was found to each cv. as well as the levels of TRS and RS. The presence of the pseudococcid increased the incidence of the disease in both cv., although RB86 7515 was more susceptible to red rot than CTC4.

Abstract Diadiplosis saccharum sp. nov. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is described based on male and female prey on nymphs of mealybug Saccharicoccus sacchari (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Saccharum spp. (Poaceae) in São Paulo State, Brazil. Herein, the genus is composed by 33 species. The key of the eight species of the Diadiplosis distributed in Brazil is updated.

SUMMARY: Spatial distribution of arthropods in forests has crucial implications for biodiversity conservation and forest management. In this environment, ants represent a good model for studies on vertical stratification of fauna. They are abundantly found in soil and well distributed in all vegetation strata. Factors determining the diversity and distribution of ant communities have deserved attention for years due to the essential role of these insects in many ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, energy turnover, herbivory, seed dispersal and seed predation. The aim of this study was to compare the richness and structure of ant assemblages among vertical strata (soil, shrubs and trees) in two phytophysiognomies of the Brazilian Savanna. The capture of ground-dwelling ants and arboreal ants was carried out with traps containing attractive baits. Sixty-six ant species were identified, and in both phytophysiognomies. Soil (litter) showed higher richness of ant species when compared to the others (Jackkinife 1). There was a distinction between soil and canopy (shrubs/trees) strata, shown in the composition and capture frequency of ant species (ANOSIM, P = 0.001), therefore, evidencing the vertical stratification of the ant assemblage.

RESUMEN: La distribución espacial de artrópodos en los bosques tiene implicaciones cruciales para la conservación de la biodiversidad y la gestión forestal. En este ambiente, las hormigas representan un buen modelo para los estudios de estratificación vertical de la fauna. Se encuentran abundantemente en el suelo y están bien distribuidos en todos los estratos de la vegetación. Los factores que determinan la diversidad y distribución de las comunidades de hormigas han merecido atención durante años debido al papel esencial de estos insectos en muchos procesos ecológicos, como el ciclo de nutrientes, el recambio de energía, la herbivoría, la dispersión de semillas y la depredación de semillas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar la riqueza y la estructura del ensamble de hormigas entre los estratos verticales (suelo, arbustos y árboles) en dos fitofisionomías de la sabana brasileña. La captura de hormigas que viven en el suelo y hormigas arbóreas se llevó a cabo con trampas que contenían cebos atractivos. Se identificaron sesenta y seis especies de hormigas, y en ambas fitofisionomías, el estrato del suelo (epigeo) mostró una mayor riqueza de especies de hormigas en comparación con los otros (Jackkinife 1). Se encontró una distinción entre los estratos de suelo y dosel (arbustos/árboles), que se muestran en la composición y frecuencia de captura de las especies de hormigas (ANOSIM, P = 0,001), lo que evidencia la estratificación vertical de los ensambles de hormigas.

RESUMO: Registra-se a escolha de plantas secas de Conyza spp como local de oviposição pela cigarra Quesada gigas (Olivier, 1790). São apresentadas questões da história natural das cigarras que indicam a impossibilidade dos imaturos completarem seu ciclo de vida nessa espécie vegetal. São discutidas algumas implicações no manejo de culturas onde Q. gigas possui importância econômica.

ABSTRACT: This study recorded the choice of dry plant of Conyza spp as oviposition site by cicada Quesada gigas (Olivier, 1790). We presented issues of natural history of the cicadas that indicate the inability of immatures to complete life cycle in this species of plant. Some implications on cultures where Q. gigas has economic importance are also discussed.

Trata-se do primeiro registro de ocorrência de Guyalna cuta (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) em pinhão-manso, Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul. Adultos desse inseto foram observados na parte aérea da planta, durante novembro e dezembro de 2008 e de 2009. Em Mato Grosso do Sul, existem plantios comerciais e experimentais do pinhão-manso, tornando-se necessários estudos relacionados a este inseto, a fim de prevenir eventuais danos à cultura.

This is the first record of the occurrence of Guyalna cuta (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in physic nut plants, Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, county of Dourados. Adults of this insect were observed in the plant canopy during the months of November and December in 2008 and 2009. As there are commercial and experimental plantations of physic nut in Mato Grosso do Sul, further studies about this insect are necessary for preventing eventual damage to crop production.

As cigarras são importantes pragas de diversas culturas, entre plantas cultivadas e ornamentais. Estudos de taxonomia e morfologia de insetos são primordiais para pesquisas etológicas e para o emprego de métodos de controle. Ao estudar coleções entomológicas de cigarras, foi constatado o primeiro registro de ocorrência de Fidicinoides picea e Fidicinoides poulaini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) no Brasil, espécies coletadas nos Estados do Pará e de Manaus, respectivamente. Neste trabalho, são apresentadas as descrições morfológicas da cabeça, do tórax, do abdome e da asa.

The cicadas are important pests of several cultivations, since cultivated until ornamental plants. Taxonomy and morphology studies of insects are primordial in researches of behavior and for the employment of control methods. Studying entomological collections of cicadas, it was verified the first report of occurrence of Fidicinoides picea and Fidicinoides poulaini (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in Brazil, species collected in States of Pará and Manaus and are presented, morphologic descriptions of the head, thorax, abdomen and wing.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o controle da traça-do-tomateiro em função dos volumes de aplicação. O levantamento da infestação da praga foi realizado avaliando-se o número de lagartas e de lesões com e sem lagarta viva e o número de ovos em folhas e frutos. Os tratamentos realizados foram o inseticida chlorfluazuron na dosagem de 80 mL p.c. 100 L-1, aplicado com as pontas: TJ6011002, TJ6011004, TX04VK e TX12VK cada uma utilizando, respectivamente, o volume de calda de: 200, 600, 200 e 600 L ha-1; e o pulverizador costal motorizado (100 L ha-1); todos com e sem o adjuvante polioxietileno alquil fenol éter (1 mL 10 L-1 de água) e mais uma testemunha. Verificou-se que os tratamentos com e sem adjuvantes não diferiram entre si. Porém, houve diferença entre os volumes utilizados, sendo menor a ocorrência de lesões nas parcelas tratadas com o volume de 600 L ha-1 . Houve também diferença em relação ao uso do adjuvante para o volume de 200 L ha-1 , sendo que o número de ovos foi superior sem a sua utilização. Neste trabalho, foi observada a importância do monitoramento no controle de pragas.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the control of Tuta absoluta with different application volumes in field tomato. The evaluation of pest level infestation was performed recording the number of pinworms, lesions with or without live pinworms, and the number of eggs on tomato leaves and fruits. The treatments were: TJ6011002 (200 L ha-1 ), TJ6011004 (600 L ha-1 ), TX04VK (200 L ha-1 ), TX12VK (600 L ha-1 ) and a knapsack sprayer (100 L ha-1 ); they were all applied with and without adjuvant. A pest check without application was included. Chlorfluazuron was used at the dosage of 100 mL 100 L-1 . No significative differences were observed among treatments with or without adjuvant and the check. However, significant differences were observed between nozzles. The lowest lesion incidence was observed in the treatment with nozzle TJ6011004 (600 L ha-1 ) and significant differences with or without adjuvant were observed with nozzle TJ6011002 (200 L ha-1 ). This study demonstrated the importance of monitoring in pest control.

Há relatos sobre a infestação de Quesada gigas Olivier (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) em paricá Schizolobium amazonicum (Huber) Ducken (Fabales: Fabaceae) nos municípios de Itinga, Estado do Maranhão e Paragominas, Estado do Pará. Observaram-se ninfas nas raízes e adultos e exúvias nos troncos da planta. Orifícios no solo, de saída de ninfas móveis dessa cigarra também foram verificados. A ocorrência de Q. gigas em S. amazonicum mostra o potencial de danos da espécie e a necessidade de se desenvolver programas de manejo integrado de espécies desse grupo, principalmente Q. gigas, em áreas reflorestadas com paricá.

An infestation of Quesada gigas Olivier (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) on "paricá" Schizolobium amazonicum (Huber) Ducken (Fabales: Fabaceae) was reported in the Municipalities of Itinga, Maranhão State and Paragominas, Pará State. Nymphs of this insect on roots and adults and exuvias on trunks of the plant were observed. Exit holes of nymphs in the soil were also observed. The occurrence of Q. gigas on S. amazonicum shows the damage potential of this species and the necessity of developing integrated management programs for species of this group, specially in reforested areas with "paricá".