INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of arboviruses from the Flavivirus genus in asymptomatic free-living non-human primates (NHPs) living in close contact with humans and vectors in the States of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. METHODS: NHP sera samples (total n = 80, Alouatta spp. n = 07, Callithrix spp. n = 29 and Sapajus spp. n = 44) were screened for the presence of viral genomes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and 10% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis techniques. RESULTS: All of the samples were negative for the Flavivirus genome following the 10% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These negative results indicate that the analyzed animals were not infected with arboviruses from the Flavivirus genus and did not represent a risk for viral transmission through vectors during the period in which the samples were collected.

Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) is an exotic Culicidae species in Brazil. Since its first report in this country, the mosquito has been increasing its geographic distribution. This mosquito is a natural dengue and Japanese Encephalitis virus vector in Asia. The females preference for oviposition sites related with homospecific immature presence was assessed. The experiment was performed with Aedes albopictus from laboratory colony since March ]999, in the Laboratório de Entomologia Médica e Veterinária, Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Paraná. The preferred container was the one that kept pupae for 24 hours, with 643 eggs, 30,6% at total. The eggs recipients received 11,45% from total set by the females, and the following numbers to the others: larva 1 (15,79%), larva 2 (14,69%), pupa 1 (20,74%), pupa 2 (30,58%), control (6,75%). Although the ANOVA did not detect significant difference among the treatments, the data possibly indicate that Aedes albopictus prefer laying eggs in containers previously colonized by immature.

The utilization of artificial receptacles to oviposition by mosquitoes in forest environment may indicate a sinantropic tendency or behaviour. Our data revealed that tires were as the most acceptable breeding for Culex (Culex) eduardoi Casal & Garcia 1968.The population density of this species was higher and summer seasons.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência da temperatura sobre os estágios de desenvolvimento de Aedes albopictus sob condições de laboratório. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliado o período de desenvolvimento dos estágios de ovo, larva e pupa em quatro temperaturas constantes de 15ºC, 20ºC, 25ºC e 30ºC em câmaras climatizadas com umidade relativa do ar oscilando entre 70% e 85% e fotoperíodo de CE 12:12 horas. Pela análise de variância, foram testados os efeitos das quatro temperaturas constantes. RESULTADOS: O período de incubação dos ovos compreendeu 38,38; 19,09; 13,10; e 10,44 dias; o período larval dos indivíduos machos atingiu 30,13; 13,83; 7,36; e 5,57 dias; o período larval para fêmeas apresentou duração de 33,22; 15,00; 8,06; e 6,16 dias; o período pupal em machos compreendeu 8,01; 4,92; 2,40; e 1,76 dias, enquanto nas fêmeas foi de 8,15; 5,11; 2,60; e 1,88 dias sob as temperaturas de 15ºC, 20ºC, 25ºC e 30ºC, respectivamente. Em todos os estágios de desenvolvimento, foram encontradas diferenças significativas, entre as temperaturas avaliadas, em torno de 5% no tempo de desenvolvimento. O período de desenvolvimento foi inversamente relacionado à temperatura, com o período larval mais breve em machos que em fêmeas. Nas temperaturas de 20ºC a 30ºC, o desenvolvimento foi mais breve e com maior viabilidade que a 15ºC. CONCLUSÕES: Nas condições em que foram realizados os experimentos, a temperatura afetou de forma significativa e inversamente proporcional os estágios imaturos de Aedes albopictus. Esses resultados mostram que os estágios imaturos são mais suscetíveis durante os períodos de baixas temperaturas devido ao maior tempo necessário para completar o desenvolvimento, informação que pode ser utilizada em estratégias de controle.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the temperature's influence on the Aedes albopictus development stages under laboratory conditions. METHODS: The development period of eggs, larvae and pupas were assessed at constant temperatures, 15ºC, 20ºC, 25ºC and 30ºC, inside acclimatized chambers with 70-85% of relative humidity, and LD 12:12 h. The effect of the four constant temperatures was assessed using variance analysis. RESULTS: The incubation periods of eggs were 38.38, 19.09, 13.10, and 10.44 days. Larval periods for males lasted 30.13, 13.83, 7.36, and 5.57 days; for females it lasted 33.22, 15.00, 8.06, and 6.16 days. Pupil period for males lasted 8.01, 4.92, 2.40, and 1.76 days; and for females it lasted 8.15, 5.11, 2.60, and 1.88 days under the temperatures of 15ºC, 20ºC, 25ºC and 30ºC, respectively. In all development stages for all temperatures, significant differences were found at the level of 5%. The development period was inversely associated to the temperature, and the larval period was shorter in males than in females. Under the temperatures of 20ºC and 30ºC, the development of immature stages was shorter and their viability was greater than at 15ºC. CONCLUSIONS: In the conditions the experiment was performed, the temperature affected significantly and inversely proportional Aedes albopictus immature stages. These results show that immature stages are more susceptible at low temperatures due to the longer time required completing their development. This could be used in vector control strategies.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência da temperatura sobre os estágios de desenvolvimento de Aedes albopictus sob condições de laboratório. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliado o período de desenvolvimento dos estágios de ovo, larva e pupa em quatro temperaturas constantes de 15ºC, 20ºC, 25ºC e 30ºC em câmaras climatizadas com umidade relativa do ar oscilando entre 70% e 85% e fotoperíodo de CE 12:12 horas. Pela análise de variância, foram testados os efeitos das quatro temperaturas constantes. RESULTADOS: O período de incubação dos ovos compreendeu 38,38; 19,09; 13,10; e 10,44 dias; o período larval dos indivíduos machos atingiu 30,13; 13,83; 7,36; e 5,57 dias; o período larval para fêmeas apresentou duração de 33,22; 15,00; 8,06; e 6,16 dias; o período pupal em machos compreendeu 8,01; 4,92; 2,40; e 1,76 dias, enquanto nas fêmeas foi de 8,15; 5,11; 2,60; e 1,88 dias sob as temperaturas de 15ºC, 20ºC, 25ºC e 30ºC, respectivamente. Em todos os estágios de desenvolvimento, foram encontradas diferenças significativas, entre as temperaturas avaliadas, em torno de 5% no tempo de desenvolvimento. O período de desenvolvimento foi inversamente relacionado à temperatura, com o período larval mais breve em machos que em fêmeas. Nas temperaturas de 20ºC a 30ºC, o desenvolvimento foi mais breve e com maior viabilidade que a 15ºC. CONCLUSÕES: Nas condições em que foram realizados os experimentos, a temperatura afetou de forma significativa e inversamente proporcional os estágios imaturos de Aedes albopictus. Esses resultados mostram que os estágios imaturos são mais suscetíveis durante os períodos de baixas temperaturas devido ao maior tempo necessário para completar o desenvolvimento, informação que pode ser utilizada em estratégias de controle.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the temperature's influence on the Aedes albopictus development stages under laboratory conditions. METHODS: The development period of eggs, larvae and pupas were assessed at constant temperatures, 15ºC, 20ºC, 25ºC and 30ºC, inside acclimatized chambers with 70-85% of relative humidity, and LD 12:12 h. The effect of the four constant temperatures was assessed using variance analysis. RESULTS: The incubation periods of eggs were 38.38, 19.09, 13.10, and 10.44 days. Larval periods for males lasted 30.13, 13.83, 7.36, and 5.57 days; for females it lasted 33.22, 15.00, 8.06, and 6.16 days. Pupil period for males lasted 8.01, 4.92, 2.40, and 1.76 days; and for females it lasted 8.15, 5.11, 2.60, and 1.88 days under the temperatures of 15ºC, 20ºC, 25ºC and 30ºC, respectively. In all development stages for all temperatures, significant differences were found at the level of 5%. The development period was inversely associated to the temperature, and the larval period was shorter in males than in females. Under the temperatures of 20ºC and 30ºC, the development of immature stages was shorter and their viability was greater than at 15ºC. CONCLUSIONS: In the conditions the experiment was performed, the temperature affected significantly and inversely proportional Aedes albopictus immature stages. These results show that immature stages are more susceptible at low temperatures due to the longer time required completing their development. This could be used in vector control strategies.

Immature stages of Culicidae were collected in artificial containers in three conditions, between November 1997 and November 1998, in the rural area of São José dos Pinhais, Paraná, Brazil. Eight species were identified: Culex (Culex) eduardoi Casal & Garcia, 1968, Culex (Culex) acharistus Root, 1927, Culex (Culex) group coronator, Culex (Lutzia) bigoti Bellardi, 1962, Aedes (Protomacleaya) terrens (Walker, 1856), Limatus durhamii Theobald, 1901, Txorhynchites theobaldi (Dyar & Knab, 1906) and Phoniomyia sp. The Berger & Parker index was obtained for each condition and kind of container. These results were compared with those of Silva & Lozovei (1996) in the urban area of Curitiba. A greater number of species was observed in the rural area, with different dominance under each condition. The introduction of artificial containers can not show the number of Culicidae species that are present in an area, but it can indicate the species that show the greatest adaptability to environmental modifications produced by human activity.

The collects from mosquitoes' sample that repro-duce in leaf imbricate of bromeliads were done by two differents methods: a conven-tional method where the plants were felled and the water inside were dropped in a recipient and in the second method the samples were collected by sucking the water, so the plant wasn't felled. The number of bromeliads studied in each method was 120 plants from zero to 15 m height. The period of study lasted from january till december 1989. The bromeliads were collected monthly by each method. The score of immature was done at the laboratory. The variables studied were the number of leaf axils with water (Xi, Yi), water volume (cm³) inside each bromeliad (X2, Y2), the number of immature mosquitoes (larvae and pupae) inside each water volume from each bromeliad (X3, Y3), respectivelly, for the methods that the samples were obtained: by sucking or by felling the plant and the time (month) variable. By this study, we concluded that there is no significative difference between the methods done for a = 0,05. There is also no significative difference between both methods in each month. However, there was significative difference between the monlhs for α = 0.05.