Biological collections are of extreme importance in acquiring knowledge of the biodiversity of a specific environment. In this article, we organise, list and catalogue the adult specimens belonging to the family Culicidae housed in the Parasitology Collection of the Basic Pathology Department at the Federal University of Paraná, southern Brazil. To this end, a data bank was created, containing information on the taxonomy and collecting of each sample. The culicids were collected using different methodologies in 18 municipalities in the state of Paraná, between 1967 and 1999. There are 5,739 catalogued specimens of which 4,704 (81.96%) are identified at a specific level, with a diversity of 205 species. Of these, 18 are new recorded samples for the state of Paraná and 3 for Brazil. This being the case, we propose, in honour of the 30 years dedicated to the study of culicids in the state of Paraná, the creation of the Ana Leuch Lozovei Entomological Collection, which is composed of insect vectors or potential vectors, of agents that cause diseases in humans.nbsp;

Um estudo foi realizado sobre mosquitos adultos de abril 1995 a março 1996 na Mata Atlântica do município de Morretes, Paraná, Brasil. A investigação foi procedida com auxílio de duas armadilhas luminosas CDC-M instaladas em estratos verticais diferentes. Os mosquitos foram capturados mensalmente durante um ano, com início às 18 horas e término às 6 horas do dia seguinte, totalizando 144 horas de trabalho de campo. Obteve-se 1.408 exemplares de mosquitos (409 na copa e 999 próximo ao solo), pertencentes a 10 gêneros e 31 espécies. Anopheles cruzii e Culex ribeirensis foram predominantes e são objetos do presente estudo. Não foi observada diferença entre as armadilhas para Anopheles cruzii. Mas Culex ribeirensis foi coletado em maior número pela CDC-M/solo. Anopheles cruzii, quanto à freqüência horária, apresentou picos nas primeiras horas da noite, depois a sua atividade decresceu progressivamente até o crepúsculo matutino, sem apresentar um pico secundário. Em referência a distribuição mensal, Anopheles cruzii foi mais freqüente nos meses de abril e maio de 1995 e março de 1996. Não houve correlação do número de exemplares com a temperatura ou precipitações pluviométricas. Culex ribeirensis apresentou maior atividade de vôo de 22h às 4h, mas não houve picos significativos. Nas coletas obtidas por mês, Culex ribeirensis teve picos em dezembro e janeiro. Houve correlação do número de espécimes deste culicíneo com a temperatura e precipitações pluviométricas. Constituem os primeiros registros para o Estado do Paraná: Ochlerotatus rhyacophilus, Culex misionensis, Culex pedroi, Culex ribeirensis e Culex zeteki.

A study of adult mosquitoes was performed from April 1995 to March 1996 in the Atlantic Forest near to Morretes city, Paraná, Brazil. The research was carried out by using two CDC-M light traps installed in different vertical stratification levels. Mosquitoes were collected monthly throughout the year from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., with total work hours of 144. A number of 1,408 specimens of mosquitoes was obtained (409 at canopy level and 999 near the ground), belonging to 10 genera and 31 species. Anopheles cruzii and Culex ribeirensis were predominant and are the main subjects of the present study. Difference was not observed between the traps for Anopheles cruzii. However, the higher number of Culex ribeirensis was collected in CDC-M/ground. According to time intervals, Anopheles cruzii showed peaks in the early hours of the night, and decreased progressively until dawn, without a secondary peak. As for the monthly distribution, Anopheles cruzii was more frequent in April and May 1995 and March 1996. Correlations between specimens and temperature or rainfall were not significant. The flight activity of Culex ribeirensis was more intense from 10 p.m. until 4 a.m., but significant peaks were not observed. The monthly distribution of Culex ribeirensis showed peaks in December and January. Significant correlation of this culicine was found for temperature and rainfall. First records for Paraná State: Ochlerotatus rhyacophilus, Culex misionensis, Culex pedroi, Culex ribeirensis and Culex zeteki.

Foram estudados o índice de fertilidade de ovos de espécies de Simulium e o ciclo biológico das fases aquáticas em posturas trazidas de criadouro natural localizado na área rural. A fertilidade de ovos mostrou-se altíssima, das 213 posturas coletadas, contendo 74.906 ovos, o índice médio percentual geral foi de 99,13%. Entre as diferentes posturas, a variação oscilou de 94% a 100%. O ciclo biológico a partir da incubação do ovo até a emergência de adulto em Simulium orbitale foi de 30 a 32 dias; Simulium perflavum de 32 a 35 dias; Simulium subnigrum de 33 a 39 dias, Simulium inaequale de 41 a 47 dias; Simulium pertinax de 42 a 48 dias e Simulium distinctum de 48 a 49 dias em temperaturas com variação de 16,5ºC a 28ºC.

Eggs fertility rate and some biological aspects of the immature forms were studied on six Simulium species from ovipositions collected in natural breeding places located in rural area. The fertility was considerably high. For a total of 213 ovipositions containing 74,906 eggs, the average fertility rate was 99.13% with variation from 94 to 100%. The developmental cycle of the immature forms was observed from egg eclosion to adult emergence under temperature from 16.5 to 28ºC. In S. orbitale the life cycle duration was 30 to 32 days, for S. perflavum 32 to 35 days, for S. subnigrum 33 to 39 days, for S. inaequale 41 to 47 days, for S. pertinax 42 to 48 days, and finally, the longest duration was observed for S. distinctum to range 48 to 49 days.

No Riacho dos Padres na Chácara Evíssima, numa microempresa de agronegócio com criação de peixes e animais domésticos, área de lazer e salão de eventos, localizada na Região Metropolitana de Curitiba, os simulídeos em grande proliferação causaram sério impacto com as picadas a tal ponto que dificultaram o convívio habitual. De janeiro a agosto de 2002, coletou-se 24.021 pupas por meio das quais foram identificadas as espécies: Simulium inaequale, Simulium perflavum, Simulium pertinax com 85,98% e Simulium orbitale, Simulium subnigrum, Simulium distinctum e Simulium incrustatum com somente 14,02% de freqüência. O combate a estas populações iniciado em 28 de fevereiro terminou em 08 de agosto de 2002. O controle integrado consistiu na aplicação de biopesticida Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) e em manejos mecânicos não só removendo os imaturos (ovos, larvas e pupas) por meio de escovação de vertedouros, mas também pela retirada de substratos naturais e antrópicos do leito. A densidade larvária média inicial, antes da aplicação de Bti no leito do riacho (75 m) e no último vertedouro, verificada em substratos antrópicos fitilhos (área 13.500 cm²), foi de 6,7 e 11,5 larvas/cm², respectivamente. Nestes habitats, o controle integrado com Bti de 1,77 a 2,09 mg/litro do ingrediente ativo, suplementado com manejos mecânicos, monitorado em substratos fitilhos (área 20.250 cm²), resultou em redução larvar de 72,61% a 99,97% e de 74,91% a 99,45%, respectivamente, nas vazões de 0,39 a 0,45 e de 0,38 a 0,43 m³/min. No primeiro vertedouro (área 5.110 cm²), porém, só com manejos mecânicos, atingiu-se a redução larvária de 53,81% a 99,59%. O controle efetuado reduziu as picadas hematófagas ao nível esperado, surtindo o efeito positivo almejado.

At Riacho dos Padres, Chácara Evíssima, a small agribusiness venture featuring fish, poultry and cattle farming; a recreation outdoor facility and Event Hall, ubicated in Curitiba's Metropolitan Area, simuliid populations boast high proliferation rates, delivering serious impact to local people with their noxious bites, to such an extent as to impair the daily meetings of people. From January to August 2002, 24,021 pupae were collected from which the following species and respective frequencies were identified: Simulium inaequale (55.24%), Simulium perflavum (16.81%), Simulium pertinax (13.93%), Simulium orbitale (8.03%), Simulium subnigrum (4.92%), Simulium distinctum (1.03%) and Simulium incrustatum (0.04%). Local pest control measures were carried out from the February 28 to August 8, 2002. Main integrated pest control measures taken consisted in the application of biopesticide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and mechanical handling, not only by removing the immatures (eggs, larvae and pupae) by means of drain brushing, but also by removing natural and artificial substrates from the bed. Larval mean density, monitored at artificial polythene strips substrates (area 13,500 cm²), averaged 6.7 and 11.5 larvae/cm² before the application of Bti at the creek bed extension 75 m and on the dam spillway, respectively. Larval mass reduction at creek bed and at the spillway with application of Bti from 1.77 to 2.09 mg/litre of active ingredient for one minute exposure time and means of mechanical handlings monitored at polythene strips substrates (area 20,250 cm²) varied, respectively from 72.61% to 99.97% and from 74.91% to 99.45 with outflows from 0.39 to 0.45 and from 0.38 to 0.43 m³/minute. At the one of the dam spillways with area of 5,110 cm², average larval density in the first mechanic handling was 10.27 larvae/cm². However, at this spillway, larval reduction by means of mechanical handlings was from 53.81% to 99.59%. Integrated pest control did down sized the number of bytes to the level wished, thus obtaining the positive effect aimed.

De janeiro a agosto de 2002, quinzenalmente, foi levada a efeito a coleta de simulídeos imaturos em substratos naturais e antrópicos no Riacho dos Padres. O trabalho visou proceder ao inventário das espécies e verificar as freqüências relativas. A área de propriedade particular localizada na Região Metropolitana de Curitiba constitui uma microempresa de agronegócio, com criação de peixes, coelhos, ovinos, bovinos, aves domésticas e, ainda, área de lazer com eqüinos para cavalgada de visitantes. A presença constante de animais hospedeiros e a ração fornecida aos peixes garantiram farta alimentação aos simulídeos, o que favoreceu a explosão desta praga. Em todos os substratos foram coletadas 24.021 pupas e um total de 197.812 larvas. A partir de pupas, foram identificadas com as seguintes freqüências: Simulium inaequale (55,24%), Simulium perflavum (16,81%), Simulium pertinax (13,93%), Simulium orbitale (8,03%), Simulium subnigrum (4,92%), Simulium distinctum (1,03%) e Simulium incrustatum (0,04%). Verificou-se também a quantidade de larvas que colonizaram todos os substratos.

From January to August 2002, collections of simuliid larvae, both in natural and anthropic substrates, were carried out biweekly in Riacho dos Padres. This study provides a local inventory of species and their relative frequencies. The area is a private property located in the Curitiba metropolitan area, and it is dedicated mainly to farming fish, rabbits, sheep, cattle, poultry and also featuring recreational activities for visitors such as horse back riding. The constant presence of vertebrate hosts and food given to the fish provided a constant supply of food resources, thus leading to a local explosion of this insect nuisance. A total of 24,021 pupae and 197,812 larvae were collected on all kinds of substrate. From the pupae, the following species and respective frequencies were identified: Simulium inaequale (55.24%), Simulium perflavum (16.81%), Simulium pertinax (13.93%), Simulium orbitale (8.03%), Simulium subnigrum (4.92%), Simulium distinctum (1.03%) and Simulium incrustatum (0.04%). The total number of larvae colonizing all substrates was also computed.

A fauna de flebotomíneos de uma reserva de floresta primária em Morretes (leste do Estado do Paraná) foi estudada, utilizando armadilhas luminosas tipo CDC, uma noite por mês, no nível do solo e da copa, entre abril de 1995 e março de 1996. Um total de 3.106 insetos foi coletado. Lu. ayrozai e Lu. geniculata foram predominantes, além de outras sete espécies. A temperatura média mensal, a pluviosidade e a temperatura na noite de coleta influenciaram significativamente as quantidades de Lu. ayrozai e os dois primeiros fatores influenciaram Lu. geniculata, além das quantidades de fêmeas coletadas de ambas as espécies. A influência do aumento dos fatores nas quantidades de Lu. ayrozai foi mais imediata que nas de Lu. geniculata. As quantidades coletadas de ambas as espécies e das fêmeas de Lu. geniculata nas estações, mas não nas alturas, foram significativamente diferentes. As diferenças entre os comportamentos de Lu. ayrozai em Morretes e em outras regiões poderiam ser atribuídas a diferenças ambientais e/ou a variações regionais na espécie, que poderia constituir um complexo de espécies. As variações horárias nas coletas foram diferentes nas espécies e estações.

The phlebotomine sandfly fauna of a primary forest reserve at Morretes (eastern Paraná State) was studied, using CDC-like light traps, one night per month, at canopy and ground level, between April 1995 and March 1996. A total of 3,106 insects were collected, identified as belonging to nine species. Lutzomyia ayrozai and Lu.geniculata were predominant, seven other species also being present. Monthly mean temperature, rainfall and the temperature of the collection night significantly influenced the numbers of Lu. ayrozai while the two first factors influenced the numbers of Lu. geniculata, besides the collected quantities of females of the two species. The influence of the factors on Lu. ayrozai numbers was more immediate than in those of Lu. geniculata. Numbers of both species and of the females of Lu. geniculata collected in different seasons, but not at the different heights, varied significantly. Differences between the behaviour of Lu. ayrozai in Morretes and in other regions could be attributed to environmental differences and/or to regional variations in the species, which could constitute species complexes. Hourly variations of collections were different in the species and seasons.

From October 1995 to January 1996 a survey of the culicid species mentioned above was carried out in a restrict Atlantic Forest area, located in the Marumbi mountain (approximately 6,5 km from the town of Morretes). Shannon light trap was used during 48 nights, in the four lunar phases: full moon, first quarter, new moon and last quarter between evening and morning twilights. A total of 594 Coquillettidia (Rhynchotaenia) venezuelensis (Theobald, 1912) specimens were collected and the different night flight activity in the four moon phases was observed. Regarding the hourly activity, the peak higher numbers of Coquillettidia venezuelensis were collected in the first three hours. Concerning the environmental factors, temperature was found to be the more relevant one for the flight activity of Coquillettidia venezuelensis.

During two consecutive years, from January 1985 to December 1986, a comparative study of mosquitoes preferences for breeding habitat was carried out in the Atlantic Forest of the Serra do Mar, Paraná State, Brazil. To achieve it, 1875 bamboo internodes aligned vertically in live green, bamboo plants Merostachys speciosa Munro and Merostachys sp. were used, in which metabolic water was exuded from the plant itself, and presenting different size/pattern holes at their lateral walls, bored by the local sylvan fauna. Another group of 1200 individual internode traps was used as comparative element, carved out with a transversal cut by a saw, filled with local stream water and held in branches at different heights in the vegetal strata nearby. At both microhabitat types, a total of 17 culicid species was registered. Culex (Microculex) neglectus Lutz, 1904, Cx. (Carrollia) soperi Antunes & Lane, 1937, Sabethes (Sabethes) batesi Lane & Cerqueira, 1942 and Sa. (Sabethinus) melanonymphe (Dyar, 1924)colonized exclusively live plant internodes, while Culex (Microculex) elongatus Rozeboom & Lane, 1950, Cx. (Carrollia) iridescens (Lutz, 1905), Cx. (Carrollia) kompi Valencia,1973and Trichoprosopon (Trichoprosopon) soaresi Dyar & Knab, 1907 bred only in internode traps. The remaining nine species colonized both habitats indistinctly. Quantitatively, was detected the abundance of 60.1% at live green internodes, against 39.9% for internode traps. Concerning the different patterns of bored live internode holes, 40.3% of the total computed specimens were collected in square or rectangular holes, 31.9% in two hole internodes, one minute circular, the other wider, and the remaining 28.8% of specimens distributed in other pattern type internodes. The mosquitoes breeding at these microhabitats fall in the culicid entomofauna specialized at locating and detecting peculiar and propitious mesogen conditions for breeding purposes.

From October 1995 to January 1996 Aedes (Ochlerotatus) scapularis (Rondani, 1948) was studied in a small area of the Atlantic Forest, Serra do Marumbi, Morretes, Paraná, Brazil. Adults were captured with Shannon light traps for 48 nights, representing 12 nights for seven time intervals. Traps were operated from dusk to dawn. The influences on flight activity of the lunar phase, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall were analyzed. Ae. scapularis had a flight behaviour different in each of the four lunar phases. In relation to flight period, the species showed higher activity during the first three lunar intervals. Among the climatic variables, temperature and relative humidity positively influenced flight activity during the night.

The influence of altitude and latitude on some structure sizes of Lutzomyia intermedia was noted; several structures of insects collected in higher localities were greater, according to Bergmann's rule. This influence was more remarkable in two localities of the State of Espírito Santo, probably due to greater differences in altitude. Comparing insects from different latitudes, more differences were noted in comparisons of insects from low altitude localities than in those of material from higher altitudes. The small number of differences between insects collected in July and in December does not indicate a defined influence of season and temperature on the size of adults. The possible epidemiological implications of these variations are discussed.

Foram comparados os resultados de coletas de flebotomíneos, realizadas na fazenda Jussara, no Município de Jussara, Paraná, Brasil. As primeiras coletas foram realizadas no ano de 1992, nos meses de Fevereiro, Março e Abril, antes de ter sido feito saneamento ambiental. Seis armadilhas de tipo Falção foram instaladas no domicílio e peridomicílio. Foram realizadas uma coleta por mês e um total de 35,783 flebotomíneos foram coletados. As espécies predominantes foram Lu. whitmani (84.4%), Lu intermedia (8.1%), Lu migonei (5.0%), e outros (2.5%). Na primeira coleta a média horaria foi de 3.976 (353783/9). Baseado nestes dados foi realizado uma limpeza no peridomicílio em Janeiro de 1994 (canalização das águas usadas, retirada de madeiras empilhadas e de matéria orgânica, afastamento das habitações dos animais das residências humanas e corte de árvores). Após estas medidas foi realizado nova coleta nos meses de Fevereiro, Março e Abril de 1994, totalizando 42 horas. A média horária foi de 150 (6.311/42) insetos. Prevaleceram Lu. whitmani (70,4%), Lu neivai (27,1%) e outros (2,5%). As medidas de saneamento ambiental e o afastamento dos animais domésticos do peridomicílio podem servir como medidas auxiliares para o controle de flebotomíneos , atenuando a transmissão de Leishmania para o homem no peridomicílio, em áreas endêmicas de leishmaniose tegumentar.

Studies were conducted to compare the results of the collections of phlebotomines, in two distinct periods, i.e. before and after changed environmental conditions in Jussara county, Paraná State, Brazil. Collections were made near to a forest in Jussara farm, between February and April 1992. Six Falcão light traps were installed in houses and animals' shelters. Catches were made once a month and 35,783 phlebotomines were captured. Based on these data, sanitation was done in peridomiciliary area and domestic animals shelters were separated from domiciles in January 1994. Then during February to April 1994 using the same methodology new phlebotomines catches were made. The results showed that an average of just 150 (6,311/42) phlebotomines per hour were collected at this time in contrast with an average of 3,976 (35,783/9) in 1992. The separation of domestic animals shelters from human dwelling may contribute to diminish the phlebotomine population and attenuate the risk of Leishmania transmission in endemic areas of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

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.

During two consecutive years, from january 1985 to december 1986, studies were carried out on mosquitoes living in the internodes of bamboo in two distinct regions, the Atlantic Forest of the Serra do Mar and the First Plateau, both in the state of Paraná, Brazil. These dendricolous habitats are very different from other recorded mosquito breeding sites. The internodes of the green, living bamboo are closed reservoirs of water with only some small, lateral holes made by boring insects Eucalyptra barbara Schaus, 1894 and Eucalyptra fumida Schaus, 1894 (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), and other animals. The water in the internodes derives from the bamboo itself. These are the first observations of this breeding behavior. Some females entirely enter the hole to oviposit while others dont't. Similar, artificially constructed habitats were studied at the same time by producing transvere openings and introducing water into the reservoir. Seventeen species of dendricolous mosquitoes were observed utilizing this unique habitat. Additional studies have elaborated other behavioral aspects of these mosquitoes.