Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade da água do Rio Carahá no município de Lages (Brasil), utilizando o conceito de carga de poluentes e comparar a representação dos resultados com aquela expressa por meio do índice de qualidade da água. Para este estudo foram selecionados 13 pontos ao longo da calha do rio e realizadas 8 coletas durante o período de 16 meses. As análises realizadas envolveram os parâmetros necessários para o cálculo do índice de qualidade da água (IQA). Foram ainda realizadas medições de vazão, o que possibilitaram a realização do cálculo da carga poluidora. Os resultados do IQA mostraram que a pontuação varia entre 24,95 para a nascente, chegando a 40 no exutório da bacia, classificando a água de “péssima” a “ruim”. O cálculo da carga orgânica demonstrou uma adição constante de poluentes ao rio, o que demonstra que a qualidade da água é continuamente degradada. Esta informação não foi possível de ser obtida analisando-se somente o IQA, o qual apresentou uma qualidade praticamente constante a partir do ponto 4. Desta forma, para o rio Carahá, a utilização do cálculo da carga constitui-se em uma ferramenta de avaliação da poluição que pode trazer informações mais adequadas para a gestão de deste recurso hídrico.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the water quality of Carahá River in Lages (Brazil), using the concept of pollutant load and comparing the results with the water quality index. Thirteen points along the river were selected and eight collections were carried out over a period of 16 months. The parameters analysed were those required for the calculation of the water quality index (WQI). Flow measurements were also carried out, which enabled the calculation of the polluting load. The results showed that the WQI score ranges between 24.95 at the source and peaks at 40 at the outlet. The water classification, therefore, ranges from “very bad” to “bad”. The calculation of the pollutant load showed a constant disposal of contaminants into the river, which demonstrates that the quality of the water is continuously degraded. This information could not be obtained by analysing only the WQI, which presented a nearly constant quality at point 4 and beyond. The use of the calculation of pollutant load for Carahá River is, therefore, a tool for assessment of pollution that can provide more appropriate information for the water resources management.

Pineus boerneri Annand, 1928 (Hemiptera, Adelgidae) _ uma espécie nova para o Brasil: morfologia de ovos, ninfas e adultos. Pineus boerneri representa a primeira espécie de Adelgidae registrada no Brasil. Esta espécie de Adelgidae forma densas colônias em ramos e tronco de Pinus spp., com fêmeas ovíparas ápteras, ovos e ninfas recobertos por lanugem branca. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo estudar a morfologia de ovos, ninfas e de fêmeas adultas, visando à identificação correta da espécie, para solucionar problemas taxonômicos. O estudo das formas baseou-se na morfometria e microscopia ótica e eletrônica de varredura. As ninfas de primeiro instar são ativas, de coloração amarelada, diferenciadas das demais pelo formato alongado do corpo; pernas bem desenvolvidas com um par de cerdas sensoriais no ápice do segundo segmento tarsal; antenas com três segmentos, com um rinário e cerdas apicais bem distintas. A partir do segundo instar, as ninfas são sésseis, apresentam corpo arredondado de coloração avermelhada, perdem o terceiro segmento antenal e as cerdas e estruturas sensoriais do segundo segmento tarsal. As fêmeas adultas são marrom-avermelhadas, apresentam corpo arredondado, com aproximadamente 0,76 mm de diâmetro; pernas reduzidas; um único segmento antenal bem reduzido; ovipositor distinto; e numerosas glândulas de cera, principalmente, na região da cabeça. A caracterização da espécie e distinção dos ínstares é possível pela análise canônica dos dados morfométricos e caracteres morfológicos.

Pineus boerneri Annand, 1928 (Hemiptera, Adelgidae) _ a new species to Brazil: morphology of eggs, nymphs and adults. Pineus boerneri represents the first Adelgidae species recorded in Brazil. This aphid species forms extensive colonies on branches and trunk of Pinus spp., with apterous oviparous females, eggs and nymphs covered with white wax. The aim of this research is to study the morphology of eggs, nymphs, and adults to provide useful data for species identification in order to solve taxonomic issues. The study was based on morphometric data and optical and scanning electron microscopy images. First instar nymphs are active and can be easily distinguished from the others by their elongate minute yellowish body; well developed legs bearing a pair of sensorial setae at the apex of the second tarsomere; and antenna with three segments with a large rhinarium and distinct apical setae on the last segment. From the second to the fourth instar, nymphs are sessile, with round red body; they loose the third antennal segment and its sensorial structures, as well as the setae on the second tarsomere. The oviparous female is reddish-brown, with round body with about 0.76 mm diameter; legs reduced; antennae one-segmented; ovipositor distinct; numerous wax glands are present, mainly on the head. Accurate characterization of the species and distinction of the nymphal instars of P. boerneri were made possible by canonical analysis of morphometric data and morphological characters.

A espécie Sitobion graminis Takahashi, 1950 (Hemiptera, Aphididae) foi detectada no Brasil pela primeira vez em 1998, em Curitiba, PR, associada às gramíneas Erianthus sp., Calamagrotis sp. e Paspalum urvilei. Os espécimes coletados e criados apresentavam uma notável variação intrapopulacional no comprimento do corpo e apêndices e na esclerotinização dorso-abdominal. Esta espécie é reconhecida na Malásia, Nova Guiné, Índia, Filipinas e África, colonizando várias espécies de Poaceae. S. graminis diferencia-se das demais espécies do gênero Sitobion associadas a gramíneas no Brasil, por apresentar a cauda e sifúnculos negros e o último segmento rostral constrito na base. Dados de biologia foram obtidos em laboratório, onde ninfas recém-nascidas criadas sobre as inflorescências das gramíneas hospedeiras, desenvolveram-se em quatro instares. A duração média do estágio ninfal foi de 11,4 dias, com mortalidade de 36,5%. O período médio de pré-larviposição foi de 1,8 dias; longevidade média das fêmeas de 25,2 dias; fecundidade média de 18,7 ninfas/fêmea, variando de 2 a 41 ninfas/fêmea.

The species Sitobion graminis Takahashi, 1950 (Hemiptera, Aphididae) was first detected in Brazil in 1998, in Curitiba, Paraná state, associated with the grass species Erianthus sp., Calamagrotis sp. and Paspalum urvilei. Both the field-collected and laboratory-reared specimens presented a noticeable intrapopulational variation in body and appendix length and in dorso-abdominal sclerotization. This species has been recorded in Malaysia, New Guinea, India, Philippines and Africa, where it colonizes several species of Poaceae. S. graminis differs from other Sitobion species from Brazil associated with grasses, as it presents black cauda and siphunculi and exhibits a constriction in the base of the last rostral segment. Biological data were obtained in the laboratory by rearing newborn nymphs on the inflorescence of the host plants. They passed through four nymphal instars. The mean duration of the nymphal stage was of 11.4 days, with a mortality ratio of 36.5%. The mean pre-larviposition period was of 1.8 days; mean longevity of the females was 25.2 days; and mean fecundity was 18.7 nymphs/female, ranging from 2 to 41 nymphs/female.

Adults and larvae of coccinellids were observed feeding on populations of the giant conifer aphids Cinara spp. on Pinus spp., in Southern Brazil. The objective of this research is to evaluate the consumption capacity of Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763) and Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842 (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) on these aphid species, in order to obtain information for biological control programs. Ten larvae of each predator species were fed with aphids of small size (nymphs of 1st and 2nd instars), and 10 with aphids of medium size (nymphs of 3rd and 4th instars), maintained under 15ºC, 20ºC and 25ºC, 12 h photophase and 70 ± 10% relative humidity. The aphids were counted every 24 hours, replacing those that were consumed. The total consumption of Cinara by the larvae of C. sanguinea was not statistically different at the three temperatures: 325.5; 322.2 and 324.8 of small aphids and 121.3; 140.4 and 109.9 of medium ones, respectively at 15ºC, 20ºC and 25ºC. The consumption by H. convergens was higher than by C. sanguinea and increased noticeably with temperature: 444 aphids at 15ºC; 491.3 at 20ºC and 513.3 at 25ºC, considering the small aphids, and 187.1; 205.1 and 216.6 of medium aphids at the three temperatures. The small aphids weigh about half as much as medium ones and were preferred by all larval instars probably because they are easier to manipulate than the large ones. Both predators, especially the 4th instar larvae, showed high consumption capacity on the Cinara nymphs at all temperatures and can be regarded as promising biological control agents.

The giant conifer aphids Cinara pinivora (Wilson, 1919) and Cinara atlantica (Wilson, 1919) (Hemiptera, Aphididae) have been observed attacking Pinus spp. in Southern and Southeastern Brazil. The coccinellids, on the other hand, were found feeding on these aphids in the field, which can be regarded as potential biological control agents. The biological cycle and mortality rate of larvae of Cycloneda sanguinea (Linnaeus, 1763) and Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, 1842 (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) were evaluated using twenty larvae of each predator species fed with nymphs of Cinara. The vials with the insects were kept under 15 ºC, 20 ºC and 25 ºC, with 12h photophase and 70 ± 10% relative humidity. The consumption was evaluated every 24 hours and the nymphs replaced. For C. sanguinea, the egg incubation time was 10.5, 5.0 and 4.0 days; the average larval development period was 33.3, 15.8 and 8.6 days and the larval mortality rate 20%,0% and 15%, respectively at 15 ºC, 20 ºC and 25 ºC. For H. convergens, the larval development time was 41.9, 19.3 and 10.9 days at 15 ºC, 20 ºC and 25 ºC, respectively. The larval mortality rate was 35%, 15% and 0% under the three temperatures. Both species developed adequately when fed nymphs of Cinara, however, C. sanguinea performed better than H. convergens, even at 15 ºC, at which temperature the biological cycles of the coccinellids are prolonged, but the temperature is favorable for the development of Cinara populations in the field.

The lacewings are very voracious predators of aphids. The objective of this research was to evaluate the occurrence of adult chrysopids in areas of Pinus reforestation where the giant conifer aphid Cinara spp. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is causing severe damages. A total of 47 specimens were collected during one year and identified as: Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861), Leucochrysa (Nodita) intermedia (Scheneir, 1851) and Leucochrysa (Nodita) vieirana (Navás, 1913). The captures in the area where the plants were one year old represented about 75% of the adults probably due to the high Cinara infestation on the trees in this area. The chrysopids were recorded mostly during the summer, possibly influenced by temperature.

This paper reports the first record of a bamboo aphid Takecallis arundinariae (Essig, 1917) on bamboo plants in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Specimens were also collected in yellow pan traps from June-August (fall-winter), and a few specimens from October-December (late spring-early summer). Individuals were found feeding on the underside of leaves, parallel to the veins on Dendroclamus sp. and Merostachys sp. (Bambusoideae). Individuals collected were represented mainly by alate viviparous females bearing a characteristic clypeus with an anterior tubercle. A brief diagnosis and morphometric data are presented to distinguish T. arundinariae from Takecallis taiwanus (Takahashi, 1926), another bamboo aphid recorded recently in Brazil. T. arundinariae is a medium-sized pale yellow aphid, distinguished by a series of elongate black spots on the abdominal tergites and found mainly on mature bamboo leaves. T. taiwanus is pale green and has been found on young leaves and shoots.