RESUMO Quatro deutoninfas de ácaros do bulbo (hipopus) da espécie Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) foram encontradas fixadas na cabeça de formigas da espécie Atta sexdens no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Essa espécie de ácaro está comumente associada a plantas ornamentais e plantas com bulbos e tubérculos. Os resultados desse estudo fornecem uma visão sobre a relação forética entre ácaros e formigas, indicando o papel destas últimas na dispersão dos primeiros. Apesar da abundância e da fauna diversa do ácaro em formigas, pouco se sabe sobre a diversidade, a biologia, a ecologia e a natureza dessa associação.

ABSTRACT Four deutonymphs of bulb mites (hypopus) from Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) (Acari: Acaridae) were found attached to the head of Atta sexdens in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This mite species is commonly associated with ornamental plants and trees with bulbs, corms and tubers. The results of this study provided an insight into the phoretic relationship between mites and ants, indicating the role of the latter in the dispersion of the first. Despite the abundant and diverse mite fauna existing in ants, little is known about their diversity, biology, ecology and the nature of their associations.

Resumen Muchas especies de artrópodos principalmente moscas (Diptera) y sus ácaros foréticos son atraídos por la carroña. Este es el primer registro de ácaros foréticos y parásitos Leptus sp., Macrocheles muscaedomesticae y Longoseius brachypoda, en moscas necrófagas en Brasil.

Abstract Many arthropod species, mainly flies (Diptera) and their phoretic mites are attracted by carrion. This is the first record of phoretic and parasitic mites Leptus sp., Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and Longoseius brachypoda associated with necrophagous flies in Brazil.

ABSTRACTPostmortem injuries are a source of misinterpretations in forensic analysis and therefore are subject matter of taphonomic interest. Many types of injuries can cause different artifacts, which deserve attention of the forensic pathologists when evaluating corpses, either at the crime scene or during an autopsy. Insects can be important biotaphonomic agents and their activity may result in artifacts that resemble antemortem injuries. Here, we describe postmortem injuries caused by the Neotropical wasp Agelaia fulvofasciata (Degeer, 1773) on domestic pig carcasses weighting 15 kg. The specimens showed extensive injuries to the lower lip, similar to lacerations, and some minor lesions on the snout and anus. In addition, we observed the same wasp species preying on larvae of Sarcophagidae (Peckia sp.). Besides causing postmortem injuries, the ability of this species to detect carcasses in the early and fresh decomposition stages should be noted. Thus, future applications aiming criminal, any biotaphonomic events caused by carrion insects need to be disclosed.

Ácaros aquáticos são parasitas comuns de alguns insetos aquáticos em habitats de água doce. Este é o primeiro registro do ácaro Arrenurus Dugès, 1834, como parasita de Odonata no Brasil. Ácaros aquáticos foram coletados em Miathyria marcella (Selys, 1857) e Ischnura fluviatilis (Selys, 1876).

Water mites are common and widespread parasites of some aquatic insects in freshwater habitats. This is the first record of acari Arrenurus Dugès, 1834, as a parasite of Odonata in Brazil. Water mites were sampled from Miathyria marcella (Selys, 1857) and Ischnura fluviatilis (Selys, 1876).

Durante o período de 2005-2006 foram estudados os macroinvertebrados associados ao sistema radicular de Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, 1883 na represa Chalons de Santiago de Cuba. A larva de Neoneura maria (Scudder, 1866), endêmica de Cuba, registrada para os três Setores da ilha, foi capturada constituindo o primeiro registro para a Província de Santiago de Cuba.

During the period 2005-2006 the macroinvertebrates associated with the root system of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, 1883 were studied in the overflow Chalons dam in Santiago de Cuba. The larva of Neoneura maria (Scudder, 1866), endemic for Cuba, reported to the three Sectors of the island, was collected and constitute the first report for the Província de Santiago de Cuba.