Abstract Londrina is the fourth most populous city in southern Brazil. Its subtropical weather with rain in all seasons, as well as its high population density, make the city perfect for the Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) life cycle. Over the last few years, Londrina presented high infestation indexes and was one of the cities with the most reported cases of dengue. Uncontrolled use of synthetic insecticides may influence the mosquito’s genetic composition. In this paper, we studied mitochondrial DNA and kdr mutations in Aedes aegypti. The analysis of the ND4 gene in 330 specimens showed the presence of 27 haplotypes. The pyrethroid resistance alleles (kdr) evaluated are present in the collected populations, with a 50% frequency of the Val1016Ile and 48% of the Phe1534Cys mutations. Such analysis of the mutations in the populations collected at the State University of Londrina’s campus – a microenvironment that differs from the rest of the city – showed frequencies of 57% and 62%, respectively. The low gene flow observed, Nm = 0.11 and Nm = 0.10, along with the elevated differentiation, Fst = 0.19 and Fst = 0.18, among populations suggest an influence of genetic drift. The strong presence of resistance alleles kdr in the city is evident, which demonstrates that even with the interruption of the use of pyrethroids by the National Dengue Control Program, resistance may be maintained due to domestic use. Thus, the results have shown the need for genetic monitoring, alongside other entomological surveillance monitoring tools, to create strategies of mosquito control.

Abstract INTRODUCTION This study registers Ascogregarina spp. infection in field populations of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a subtropical region of Brazil. METHODS Mosquito larvae collected in tires placed in four municipalities of Santa Catarina were identified morphologically and assessed for Ascogregarina sp. infection using morphological and molecular methods. RESULTS Both mosquito species harbored Ascogregarina taiwanensis, whose genomic DNA was confirmed in both the Aedes species by PCR. DNA sequences were deposited in GenBank. Conclusion: Both Ae. albopictus e Ae. aegypti harbor Ascogregarina sp.

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.

Noctuids are phytophagous lepidopterans with some species causing significant damage to agriculture. The host plants, in turn, have developed defense mechanisms to cope with them, for instance chemical defenses. In this study we review the literature on plant volatiles induced by noctuids, and discuss the methodologies used to induce the production of volatiles that are usually employed in plant defense mechanisms. Future prospects involving this line of research in pest control are also discussed.

INTRODUÇÃO: O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar a coexistência de populações de Aedes aegypti e de Aedes albopictus em municípios do Estado do Paraná e Santa Catarina com diferentes formas de urbanização, onde ocorrem casos de dengue, e avaliar a susceptibilidade ao organofosforado temephos. MÉTODOS: O número de ovos por ovitrampa foram contados (sem distinguir a espécie) e colocados para eclosão e posterior identificação das espécies. A análise das populacões foi conduzida para determinar aleatoriedade e agregação usando a razão variância/média (índice de dispersão). A susceptibilidade ao temephos foi avaliada para determinar e estimar as razões de resistência RR50 e RR95. As amostras de Aedes aegypti, obtidas do Estado do Paraná, foram comparadas com a população Rockefeller e as amostras de Aedes albopictus foram comparadas com a população do Estado de Santa Catarina. RESULTADOS: Coexistência entre Aedes aegypti e Aedes albopictus, e a agregação de seus ovos foram observados em todos os locais analisados. CONCLUSÕES: Todas as populações de Aedes aegypti do Estado do Paraná demonstraram alteração no status de susceptibilidade ao organofosforado temephos, evidenciando resistência incipiente. Assim como, todas as populacões de Aedes albopictus avaliadas, do Estado do Paraná e Santa Catarina, apresentaram sobrevivência quando expostas ao organofosforado temefós.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to verify the coexistence between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations in municipalities of the States of Paraná and Santa Catarina with different urbanization profiles where dengue occurs and evaluate their susceptibility to the organophosphate temephos. METHODS: The number of eggs per ovitrap were counted and incubated for hatching to identify the species. Data analysis of the populations was conducted to determine randomness and aggregation, using the variance-to-mean ratio (index of dispersion). Susceptibility to temephos was evaluated by estimation of the resistance ratios RR50 and RR95. Aedes aegypti samples were compared with the population Rockefeller and Aedes albopictus samples were compared with a population from the State of Santa Catarina and with the Rockefeller population. RESULTS: Coexistence between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus and the aggregation of their eggs were observed at all the sites analyzed in the State of Paraná. CONCLUSIONS: All the Aedes aegypti populations from the State of Parana showed alteration in susceptibility status to the organophosphate temephos, revealing incipient resistance. Similarly, all the Aedes albopictus populations (States of Paraná and Santa Catarina) presented survival when exposed to the organophosphate temephos.

A Coleção de Entomologia do Departamento de Zoologia da Universidade Federal do Paraná (DZUP) abriga cerca de 5.000.000 de exemplares de insetos. A coleção de Diptera está representada por aproximadamente 2.000.000 de exemplares, sendo Muscidae; Culicidae e Syrphidae as famílias mais representativas. A ordem Diptera possui cerca de 150.000 espécies descritas e a coleção conta com cerca de 103.000 exemplares representantes de 78 famílias. A lista das espécies pertencentes à família Culicidae conta com 9.579 exemplares, distribuídos em 2 subfamílias, 7 tribos, 17 gêneros, 26 subgêneros e 85 espécies. A maioria dos exemplares foi coletado em remanescentes de mata localizados em áreas urbanas e rurais, ambientes silvestres e urbanos de regiões litorâneas ou áreas urbanas pertencentes a diferentes cidades do Estado do Paraná, e algumas espécies incluídas foram capturadas nos Estados de São Paulo, Mato Grosso, Santa Catarina e no Distrito Federal. As informações específicas de cada exemplar, como local de coleta, latitude, longitude, coletor, data de coleta, método de coleta e nome do pesquisador que identificou, e também informações taxonômicas como ordem, tribo, gênero, subgênero e espécie, foram informatizados em um banco de dados.

The Entomological Collection of Departamento de Zoologia of Universidade Federal do Paraná (DZUP) accommodates about 5,000,000 insect specimens. The collection of Diptera is represented by approximately 2,000,000 specimens, being Muscidae, Culicidae and Syrphidae the most representative families. The Diptera order consists of approximately 150,000 described species and in the Collection about 103,000 specimens within 78 families are registered. The list of species of the family Culicidae presents 9,579 specimens within 2 subfamilies, 7 tribes, 17 genera, 26 subgenera and 85 species. Most specimens were captured in forest remnants in urban and rural areas, wild and urban environments in coastal regions or urban areas of different cities of Paraná State, including some species captured in the States of São Paulo, Mato Grosso and Santa Catarina and at Distrito Federal. The specific information of each specimen, such as collection site, latitude, longitude, collector, collection date, collection method and the specialist's name who identified it, as well as taxonomic data (order, tribe, genus, subgenus and species), was included in a electronic data base.

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.

The activities were performed at a preserved forest named "Capão da Imbuia", in the urban area of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, during march/1990 till march march/1991. The tree holes studied, showed different features: soil distance, area and volume. 303 immatures forms from seven specie of Culicidae were caught: Haemagogus (Conopostegus) leucocelaenus (Dyar & Shannon, 1924), Culex (Culex) acharistus Root, 1927, Toxorhynchites (Lynchiella) theobaldi (Dyar & Knab, 1906), Culex (Culex) eduardoi Casal & Garcia, 1968, Culex (Culex) quinque-fasciatus Say, 1823, Aedes (Protomacleaya) terrens (Walker, 1856). Two species were the most frequent: Haemagogus (C.) leucocelaenus and Toxorhynchites (L.) theobaldi, both of them had the higlest medias during spring and summer. These species were in overposition during the caughts.

In a residual forest patch at Curitiba city, captures of culicidae were performed using human bait, at land levei, between 5:00 to 9:00 hours p.m. The period covered 12 months, march-90 to march-91 and the captures lasted 108 hours. In this período were caught 18 specie distributed in nine genera. The four specie caught that made more than ten percent were Aedes (Ochlerotatus) scapularis (Rondani, 1848), Culex (Culex) group coronator Dyar & Knab, 1906, Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 e Aedes (Ochlerotatus) crinifer (Theobald, 1903). The most frequent specie was Culex coronator. Along the season, the best yield was at autumn. With regard to the meteorological pattern, Aedes scapularis showed a positive and signifícative associalion with the rainfall and so do Aedes crinifer with the mean temperature. However, Culex coronator e Culex quinquefasciatus showed no association between air humidity and rainfall. During the time interval analised, bitting activity was performed firstly by Aedes scapularis and Aedes crinifer and then by Culex coronator and Culex quinquefasciatus.

Mosquitoes ecological features were studied in a preserved forest - Capão da Imbuia - placed in the urban area of Curitiba City, Paraná, Brasil. In this research were noted immature forms in artificial recipients made by different materiais. Five species were found in this recipients: Culex (Culex) acharistus Root, 1927, Culex (Culex) group coronator Dyar & Kanb, 1906, Culex (Culex) eduardoi Casal & Garcia, 1968, Culex (Culex) quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 and Toxorhynchites (Lynchiella) theobaldi (Dyar & Kanb, 1906). It's very important to know the mosquitoes that in urban area due they carry human desease agents by some species.