ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the forest restoration of Guapiaçu river basin in Macacu, RJ, using the families of coleobrocas as tools for environmental assessment. We analyzed the fluctuation of the families of Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, Lyctidae, Anobiidae, Bostrichidae and Curculionidae. Six sampling points were arranged along the river, five points being inferred in reforestation carried out in the basin and a point in the control area of natural regeneration the amount of Guapiaçu river. The collection period started in January 2013, and ended in December 2015. Through quali-quantitative data, there is a greater population density of sub-family Scolytinae in periods of high temperature and humidity and areas more populated by pioneer species used in forest restoration. After the end of the monitoring period, we proposed a model of environmental assessment through the frequency of occurrence of families of coleobrocas collected in forest fragments.

No Brasil, investimentos recentes em projetos de dragagem têm visado à ampliação da eficiência logística dos portos, incluindo obras de dragagem de aprofundamento, recuperação e melhoramento de vias de acesso, sendo imprescindível considerar os impactos positivos e negativos da atividade sobre o meio ambiente. Este trabalho objetiva fazer uma revisão dos principais impactos, tratamentos e usos benéficos dos sedimentos oriundos da obra ou serviço de dragagem portuária, como também os critérios de seleção dos locais para disposição do material dragado, os quais estão no centro de conflitos, pela possibilidade de atingirem ou mesmo eliminarem irreversivelmente ecossistemas aquáticos costeiros. Conflitos ambientais têm sido associados à obra de dragagem em portos clássicos e modernos, destacando a necessidade de uma agenda ambiental portuária que considere essas questões juntamente com grupos relevantes da sociedade no planejamento estratégico de ações para este setor.

In Brazil, recent investments on dredging projects have focused on the improvement of logistic efficiency of harbors, including dredging works to deepen, to recuperate and to improve of access ways, being indispensable to consider positive and negative impacts from that active over environment. The latter players object to make a revision about the principal impacts, treatments and benefic uses of the sediments derived of harbor dredging' works or services, as well as the classification of their degree of contamination, which are in the inner of conflicts and can impact or eliminate irreversibly coastal aquatic ecosystems. Environmental conflicts are being associated with dredging works, in harbors classified as classic and modern, pointing out the necessity to implement a harbor environmental agenda which considers these questions and the participation of relevant social groups on the elaboration of the strategic planning of actions for the harbor sector.

The presence of Triatoma rubrovaria in Brazil has only been confirmed in the States of Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul (RS), where it is found naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. In the wild environment it occurs in rocky habitats and has an eclectic diet, feeding from cockroaches, reptiles and mammals. Data from the Chagas Disease Control Program obtained by the Fundação Nacional de Saúde, between 1975 and 1997, indicate a growing domiciliary and peridomiciliary invasion of T. rubrovaria in RS, where it has become the most frequently Triatominae species captured in this state since the control of Triatoma infestans. In order to monitor this process, we analyzed collection data derived from 22 years of control campaigns against T. infestans. Collection data for triatomines from domestic habitats show an inverse relationship, with high numbers of T. infestans and low numbers of T. rubrovaria during 1976-1987, compared to the following ten years, 1986-1997, when the number of T. infestans dropped drastically and that of T. rubrovaria increased. There are no consistent indications of intradomiciliary colonization by T. rubrovaria, since only low numbers of nymphs have been captured in the intradomiciliary ecotopes. Nevertheless, this species appears to have preadaptive characteristics for anthropic ecotopes, and should be kept under constant epidemiological surveillance.

The Muscoidea community of two adjacent areas was sampled. For eight months one area was of secondary tropical forest and the other was an open field used for cattle grazing. The main purpose of the study was to investigate if there would be any differences in abundance, family diversity, community composition and bait attractiveness. Results suggest that the change in the environment resulted in a reduction of overall abundance, but not a reduced diversity in terms of families. None of the families was led to a marked decrease or increase, as might be expected in a disturbed environment. The changes observed in the community composition were not significant for the distribution and abundance rank of the families within that community. The environmental change also seemed to affect the way the flies responded to the baits.

Triatoma brasiliensis is considered as one of the most important Chagas disease vectors in the northeastern Brazil. This species presents chromatic variations which led to descriptions of subspecies, synonymized by Lent and Wygodzinsky (1979). In order to broaden bionomic knowledge of these distinct colour patterns of T. brasiliensis, captures were performed at different sites, where the chromatic patterns were described: Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte (T. brasiliensis brasiliensis Neiva, 1911), it will be called the "brasiliensis population"; Espinosa, Minas Gerais (T. brasiliensis melanica Neiva & Lent 1941), the "melanica population" and Petrolina, Pernambuco (T. brasiliensis macromelasoma, Galvão 1956), the "macromelasoma population". A fourth chromatic pattern was collected in Juazeiro, Bahia the darker one in overall cuticle coloration, the "Juazeiro population". At the sites of Caicó, Petrolina and Juazeiro, specimens were captured in peridomiciliar ecotopes and in wilderness. In Espinosa the specimens were collected only in wilderness, even though several exhaustive captures have been performed in peridomicile at different sites of this municipality. A total of 298 specimens were captured. The average registered infection rate was 15% for "brasiliensis population" and of 6.6% for "melanica population". Specimens of "macromelasoma" and of "Juazeiro populations" did not present natural infection. Concerning trophic resources, evaluated by the precipitin test, feeding eclecticism for the different colour patterns studied was observed, with dominance of goat blood in household surroundings as well as in wilderness

Os folículos testiculares nas ordens dos insetos, vêm demonstrando papel relevante sob o ponto de vista da Sistemática e Filogenia. Nos triatomíneos, os folículos testiculares são em número de sete, sendo que o comprimento e a espesura variam consideravelmente entre os gêneros, e pouco entre as espécies. Verificou-se que em Rhodnius spp existem dois folículos longos e grossos e cinco curtos e fuinnos; em Triatoma spp existem dois longos e finos, dois médios e grossos e três curtos e finos; e em Panstrongylus spp existem sete aproximadamente iguais. Através das medições do comprimento dessas estruturas, evidenciou-se que os valores das médias e desvios padrão das médias, foram muito próximos entre as espécies do mesmo gênero, tornando-se inviável estabelecer limites que pudessem caracterizá-las. Em busca de resultados mais precisos, fizeram-se comparações interespecíficas através da análise de variância: entre as diferentes espécies do mesmo gênro (comparação simultânea); entre cada duas espécies do mesmo gênro (comparação aos pares); e entre espécies iguais de procedência diferentes. Os resultados obtidos não demostraram possibilidades de utilização na Sistemática, contudo foram promissores no que concerne à Filogenia, desde que seja observado um número maior de espécies.

The testicular follicle in the varous insect orders, has given evidence of relevance from the point of view of Systematics ans Phylogeny. In the triatomines, the testicular follicles are in number of seven, their lenght and thickness ranging considerabley between the genera and with less variation between the species. It was observed that in Rhodnius spp there exist two long and thick follicles and five short and thin; in Triatoma spp there extist two long and thick, two medium and thick and three short and thin; and in Panstrongylus spp seven, almost identical. Through the measurements of length of these structures, it was observed that the medium value of the averages and the standard deviation of the averages were very close, between the species of the same genus, consequently it was impossible to establish limits characterizing the species. Seecking precise results, interspecific comparisons were made through analysis of variance, as follows: - between different species of the same genus (simultaneous comparison); - between every two species of the same genus (couple comparison); - between identical species of different origin. The results didn't demonstrate the possibility of using this character in Systematics, although they seem to be promising as regards Phylogeny, provided that a great number of species is observed.

Efetuou-se, em laboratório, um estudo sobre a fecundidade, fertilidade e duração de vida de casais de Panstrongylus megistus e da fecundidade e duração de vida de fêmeas virgens dessa espécie, submetidos a jejum, após a última ecdise. Das fêmeas acasaladas, 22,2% puseram ovos, dos quais 4,4% estavam férteis. As fêmeas tiveram maior resistência ao jejum que os machos. Das fêmeas virgens em jejum, apenas 10% puseram ovos, com baixa de ovipostura por fêmeas (0,47). A resistência ao jejum foi mais baixa nas fêmeas virgens do que naquelas que permaneceram sempre com os machos.

A laboratory study was conducted on the fecundity, fertility and life span of Panstrongylus megistus pairs and on the fecundity and life span of P. megistus virgin females submitted to starvation after the last moulting. Of the mated females, 22.2% laid eggs, 4.4% of which were fertile. Females resisted starvation more than males. Of the starved virgin females, only 10% laid eggs, with a low egg-laying rate (0.47) per female. Resistance to starvation was lower in virgin than in mated females.

Estudou-se, em laboratório, a influência do acasalamento na fecundidade e fertilidade de fêmeas de P. megistus, alimentadas a cada 14 dias. Foram formados dois grupos: I - fêmeas que copularam uma única vez; II - fêmeas que permaneceram sempre com os machos. Das fêmeas do grupo I, apenas 56,7% puseram ovos férteis, enquanto que 90% das fêmeas do grupo II tiveram ovos férteis. A duração da ovipostura fértil foi também maior nas fêmeas do grupo II. Destas últimas, algumas foram capazes de copular até sete vezes ao longo de sua vida, o que inviabiliza o uso de machos estéreis no controle desses insetos. Os autores discutem também a influência na fecundidade e fertilidade das fêmeas dos dois grupos e na longevidade dos insetos, de componentes no sangue dos pombos que serviram de repasto aos triatomíneos.

A study of the effect of mating in the fecundity and fertility of females of P. megistus fed on pigeon blood every 14 days, was carried out in the laboratory. Two groups were constituted: I - females which mated only once; II - females which stayed always with the males. Only 56.7% of group I females laid fertile eggs, while as much as 90% of group II females laid fertile eggs. The duration of the fertile oviposition was greater in the females which stayed always with the males. Some females of this group were able to mate up to seven times throughout their life-span. This fact render useless sterile males in the control of these insects. It is suggested that the components of pigeon's blood used for feeding the triatomines could have an influence upon the fecundity and fertility of the female sof the two groups.

Avaliou-se a influência de dois tipos de dieta na cronologia da ontogênsese de Dipetalogaster maximus. Alimentou-se um grupo em sangue de camundongos normais (C) e outro em sangue de pombos (P). Ambos foram mantidos em estufa B.O.D. a 28ºC e 65% U.R. O grupo alimentado em C, atingiu a fase adulta com X=130,1 dias e o grupo alimentado em P com X=145,68 dias. A percentagem total de mortalidade foi significativamente superior nos alimentados em P (63,71%) em relação aos alimentados em C (31,18%). Quanto á resistência ao jejum, o período de sobrevivência foi acentuadamente maior para o grupo alimentado em C. Principalmente nos 3º, 4º e 5º estádios. Estas observações complementam nossos registros anteriores desta espécie, mantida nas mesmas condições, sobre: fertilidade das fêmeas, ritmo de postura, viabilidade dos ovos e curva da mortalidade x fertilidade.

Two kinds of blood-meal were assayed in order to broaden the knowledge of the biology of Dipetalogaster maximus: one group of insects was fed on normal mouse blood (C) and another group fed on pigeon blood (P). Both groups were kept in a B.O.D. - chamber (28ºC and 65% R.H.). Significant data concerning their development was registered: the group fed on C reached the adult stage in X = 130,1 days and the group fed on P in X = 145,6 days. Mortality of group fed on P, (63,71%) was doubled that of group fed on C (31,18%). The period of survival, as measured by resistance to starvation, was markedly greater in group fed on C, particularly in the third, fourth and fifth stages. These observations complete our former records of this species, kept under the same conditions of female fertility, egg vialbility and comparative mortality and fertility rates.

Para determinar a influência da alimentação, luminosidade e horário sobre a cópula de Panstrongylus megistus, foram utilizados quatro grupos de 120 casais, testados nas seguintes situações: um grupo sem privação alimentar (P.A.); um grupo com cinco, um com dez e um com vinte dias de P.A. Os testes foram feitos entre 9-12h e 19-22h, no claro (700-1400 lux) e no escuro (1,4-2,8 lux). Registrou-se o comportamento pela técnica de amostragem de tempo. Foram calculadas ainda a velocidade de cópula (VC) e a duração da cópula (DC) para cada situação. A freqüência máxima de cópula observada foi com cinco dias de privação alimentar, à noite, no escuro (n = 16). A mínima foi com casais recém-alimentados, à noite, no claro (n = 4). Os machos deslocaram-se mais em direção às fêmeas do que estas em direção àqueles. A VC foi menor nos casais com 20 dias de privação alimentar, à noite, no claro (X = 23,0 + ou - 16,0 minutos) e maior nos recém-alimentados, de dia, no claro (X = 2,9 ± 2,5 minutos). A DC foi menor nos recém-alimentados, de dia, no escuro (X = 23,5 ± 6,4 minutos) e maior naqueles recém-alimentados, à noite, no escuro (X = 38,3 ± 6,9 minutos).

To determine in influence of feeding, lighting and time of day on the copulating behavior of Panstrongylus megistus, 480 insect pairs were divided into four groups of 120 each and tested in the following respective situations: without food deprivation (F.D.), with five days of F.D., with ten days of F.D., and with 20 days of F. D. The tests were performed between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with light (700-1400 lux) and in the dark (1.4-2.8 lux) and behavior was recorded by the time sampling technique. Mating spped (MS) and duration of copulation (DC) were also calculated for each situation. The maximum frequency of copulation was observed after five days of F.D., at night, in the dark (n = 16), and the minimum was observed for recently-fed pairs, at night, with light (n = 4). Males approached females more often than females approached males. MS was lowest in pairs with twenty days of F.D., at night, with light (X = 23.0 ± 16.0 minutes), and highest in recently-fed pairs, during the day, with light (X = 2.9 ± 2.5 minutes). DC was shortest in recently-fed insects, during the day, in the dark (X = 23.5 ± 6.7 minutes), and longest in recently-fed animals, at night, in the dark (X = 38.3 ± 6.9 minutes).

A dieta alimentar teve influência marcante na bionomia de Dipetalogaster maximus. Os registros obtidos, são resultantes de observações diárias durante dez meses em relação à postura e à mortalidade dos adultos. Utilizaram-se dois grupos de dez casais da mesma idade (A e B), alimentados semanalmente em sangue de camundongos normais e dois grupos de dez casais (C e D) que nas mesmas condições se alimentaram em sangue de pombo. Todos os grupos mantidos em estufa B.O.D a 28ºC e 65% ± 2,5% U.R, condições consideradas adequadas ao seu desenvolvimento. No grupo A registraram-se 101 posturas com total de 1.018 ovos; em B observaram-se 118 posturas, totalizando 1.318 ovos. Nos grupos alimentados em pombo observou-se produtividade inferior: 70 posturas em C, com 398 ovos e 66 posturas em D com 495 ovos. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na curva de motalidade das fêmeas.

The bionomics of Dipetalogaster maximus (Uhler, 1894) was greatly influenced by the source of boold meal. The data were obtained upon daily observation of adult insects for a ten month period, in relation to oviposition and mortality. Two groups of ten couples (A and B) of the same age were fed weekly on normal mouse blood and two other groups of ten couples (C and D) which were fed under the same conditions on pigeon blood. All the groups were kept in a B.O.D chamber at saitable conditions (28ºC and 65% ± 2,5% R.H.) for their development. The A group registered 101 ovipositions with a total of 1018 eggs; and B group registered 118 ovipositions with 1318 eggs. The groups C and D fed on pigeon blood showed a lower productivity: 70 ovipositions in C, with 398 eggs and 66 ovipositions in D, with 495 eggs. Significant differences were not observed in the mortality of the females.

O estudo do comportamento de cópula de Panstrongylus megistus foi feito em laboratório. Foram utilizados 55 casais virgens, recém-alimentados. As experiências efetuaram-se de dia (9-12h) e à noite (19-21h). O registro do comportamento foi feito por observação direta, constatando-se uma seqüência de padrões comportamentais caracterizados por: o macho se aproxima e salta sobre a fêmea; assume posição dorso-lateral e imobiliza a fêmea, dorsal e ventralmente, com os três pares de patas; a genitália masculina se coloca abaixo da feminina; os parâmeros do macho atuam na imobilização da genitália da fêmea; iniciam a cópula. A aproximação dos casais se dá por iniciativa do macho, podendo a fêmea estar receptiva, facilitando a cópula, ou não receptiva, rejeitando o macho. A cópula é mais freqüente na primeira tentativa do macho. A duração do período de cópula foi de X = 29.3 + ou - 9.1 min (CV = 83%). Não houve diferenças comportamentais entre os casais testados durante o dia e à noite.

A study of the courship and copulation behaviour of Panstrongylus megistus was carried out in the laboratory. fifty-five newly-fed virgin couples were used. Experiments were performed during the day (9:00 to 12:00 a.m.) and at night (7:00 to 10:00 p.m). Behaviour was recorded by direct observation and was found to consist of the following sequence of behavioral patterns: the male approached the female and jumped on her or mounted her; he took on a dorsolateral position and immobilized the female dorsally and ventrally with his three pairs of legs; the male genital was placed below those of the female; the paramers of the male immobilized the female's genitals; copulation started. The couple joined by the iniciative of the male. The female could be receptive and accept copulation, or nonreceptive and reject the male. Copulation occurred more often on the occasion of the first attempt by the male. Duration of copulation was X = 29.3 ± 9.3 min (CV = 83%). No behavioral differences were observed couples tested during the day or at night.