Resumo: Adultos do besouro Cyclocephala literata Burmeister, 1847 desempenham importantes funções de polinização em plantas da família Magnoliaceae. É conhecido que muitos insetos encontram plantas hospedeiras pela detecção de voláteis pelas sensilas antenais. Cyclocephala possui os três antenômeros distais lamelados e na superfície de cada lamela possuem sensila trichodea, caética, placódea, coelocônica, basicônica e ampulacea. Foram encontrados três tipos de sensilas placódeas (tipo I, II e III), e dois tipos de sensilas coelocônicas (tipo I e II). Fêmeas apresentam em média 10.776 sensilas, das quais 10.214 são sensilas placódeas, 536 são sensilas coelocônicas e 26 são sensilas basicônicas. Os machos apresentaram em média 10.386 sensilas, das quais 9.873 são sensilas placódeas, 464 são sensilas coelocônicas e 49 são sensilas basicônicas. Machos e fêmeas apresentam quantidades semelhantes de sensilas e as sensilas placódeas são predominantes. As diferenças encontradas nas quantidades de sensilas em machos e fêmeas também foram encontradas em outros besouros e foram atribuídas a detecção de feromônios coespecíficos por um dos sexos, ou para detecção de voláteis de plantas. A sensila antenal de C. literata é descrita e quantificada no presente estudo, e algumas perspectivas sobre as diferenças entre os tipos de comunicação química, polinização e dimorfismo antenal é discutido.

Abstract: Adults of the beetle Cyclocephala literata Burmeister, 1847 are important pollinators to some Magnoliaceae. Is known that insects could find host plants by detecting volatiles through antennal sensilla. Cyclocephala has its three distal antennomeres lamellate, and the surface of each lamella has sensilla trichodea, chaetica, placodea, coeloconica, basiconica and ampullacea. Three kinds of sensilla placodea were found (type I, II and III), and two kinds of sensilla coeloconica were observed (type I and II). Females have on average 10,776 sensilla, of which 10,214 are sensilla placodea, 536 are sensilla coeloconica, and 26 are sensilla basiconica. Males have on average 10,386 sensilla, of which 9,873 are sensilla placodea, 464 are sensilla coeloconica, and 49 are sensilla basiconica. Males and females have similar quantities of sensilla, and sensilla placodea are predominant. The differences observed in the number of sensilla of males and females were found in other beetles and were attributed to the detection of cospecific sexual pheromones by one of the sexes, or to the detection of plant volatiles. The antennal sensilla of C. literata is described and quantified in present study, and some perspectives about the differences kind of chemical communication, pollination, and antennae dimorphism is discussed.

ABSTRACT Antennal sensilla are important functional elements of sensory systems in insects. This study aimed to determine the morphology and structure of the sensilla of two species of the genus Hoplopyga. Adults of Hoplopyga liturata (Olivier, 1789) were collected in traps with sugarcane juice as an attractant. Thereafter, larvae of Hoplopyga albiventris (Gory and Percheron, 1833) were collected in mounds of termites (Cornitermes cumulans (Kollar, 1832) Isoptera). Then, they were reared in the laboratory for adult observations. Antennae of H. liturata and H. albiventris have sensilla chaetica, trichodea, placodea (type I and II), coeloconica (type I and II), and ampullacea (or pore). Females of H. liturata have a total of about 10657 sensilla and males have about 12512, whereas females of H. albiventris have about 16490 sensilla and the males 24565 sensilla. Sensilla placodea are predominant in the antenna of males and females of both species.

Resumo O gênero Cyclocephala é comum no Brasil (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae). Os adultos de algumas espécies são importantes polinizadores, e a larva desenvolve-se no solo, alimenta-se de matéria orgânica e contribui para a ciclagem de nutrientes, mas imaturos de algumas espécies alimentam-se de raízes de plantas, e alguns são registrados causando danos em plantas cultivadas. O processo de cópula de algumas espécies de Scarabaeidae fitófagos, apresentam reconhecimento químico, e nas antenas aparecem várias estruturas responsáveis pela detecção dos odores envolvidos na comunicação. No presente trabalho o comportamento de cópula, ciclo de vida e sensilas antenais de Cyclocephala putrida são descritos. O estudo foi conduzido na Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, Brasil. Adultos foram coletados com armadilha luminosa instalada de Janeiro de 2016 a Dezembro de 2017, e levados para laboratório para estudos. Os adultos revoam por curto período de janeiro a fevereiro, e os espécimes foram coletados em maior quantidade das 20:00 às 22:00 h. O reconhecimento químico possivelmente ocorre durante as etapas que envolvem o comportamento de cópula, no qual o casal mantém as antenas em movimento e as lamelas abertas e as fêmeas selecionam os machos. Em laboratório a cópula dura 7,5 minutos em média. As antenas das fêmeas possuem 3399 sensilas e os machos 4229 sensilas, e as sensilas placódeas dos tipos I, II e III, foram as mais abundantes e sensilas ampuláceas, basicônicas e coelocônicas também estão presentes. O estágio de ovo durou 16,0 dias; o primeiro, segundo e terceiro instar duraram 16,0, 48,3 e 165,3 dias, respectivamente. O período pupal durou 24,0 dias. O período entre deposição dos ovos e emergência dos adultos é de 271,5 dias em média.

Abstract The genus Cyclocephala is common in Brazil (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae). The adults of some species are important pollinators, and the larvae develop in the soil, feed on organic matter, and contribute to nutrient cycle, but immatures of some species feed on plant roots, and some were registered causing damage in crops. The mating process of some phytophagous scarab beetles has a chemical recognition step, and the antenna is the main structure involved in the detection of odorants associated with insect communication. In the present study the mating behavior, life cycle, and antennal sensilla of C. putrida are described. The study was conducted at the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, Brazil. Adults were collected by a light trap installed from January 2016 to December 2017 and were taken to the laboratory for studies. Adults swarms are brief and were registered from January to February, and specimens were mostly collected at 20:00 to 22:00h. Chemical recognition may occur at least during one of the mating steps, during which the couple kept their antennae moving and the lamellae open, while females select males. In laboratory, the mating process lasted 7.5 minutes on average. The antennae of females have about 3399 sensilla and males about 4229 sensilla. Sensilla placodea types I, II, and III are the most abundant, and sensilla ampullacea, basiconica, and coeloconica are also present. The embryonic period lasted 16.0 days; first, second and third instars lasted 16.0, 48.3, and 165.3 days, respectively. The pupal period lasted 24.0 days. The period between egg deposition and adult emergency is about 271.5 days.

ABSTRACT Some species of Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Dynastinae, Cyclocephalini) were reported as crop or pasture pests. Within this genus, Cyclocephla tucumana Bréthes, 1904 was noticed in cultivated areas in South Brazil, 2009 − 2010. Other study found larvae of the species associated with pastures in Aquidauana, Mato Grasso do Sul State (MS), 2009. In the present study, larvae of C. tucumana were collected in pasture areas from August 2015 to July 2016, in Cassilândia, MS. The material was reared in laboratory for the description of immatures, and the regional population was studied to clarify its dynamics. Immatures were abundant throughout the years and are described for the first time. Taxonomic discussion, updated key to larvae and pupae, and a teratological note are also added.

Resumo: Em condições adequadas os adultos de Scarabaeidae geralmente realizam revoadas em busca de alimento e áreas de reprodução. As etapas relacionadas ao comportamento de cópula podem ser intermediadas por comunicação química, e os sensilos antenais são as estruturas que detectam os voláteis como os feromônios sexuais. No presente trabalho o comportamento de cópula e os sensilos antenais de Anomala inconstans Burmeister, 1844 são descritos. Os estudos foram conduzidos na Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, de março de 2015 a dezembro de 2017. Adultos foram coletados com armadilha luminosa e conduzidos para laboratório para estudos. Observações de campo e de laboratório permitiram a descrição das etapas do comportamento de cópula. Os adultos revoaram de setembro a novembro de 2015 das 17:30h as 24:00h. As fêmeas apresentam o comportamento de chamamento das 17:25h as 20:00h, no qual atrita o terceiro par de pernas no abdome e, transcorridos alguns minutos, os machos as localizam. Em laboratório a cópula durou em média 20,4 minutos, sendo verificada a possibilidade de comunicação química entre os adultos. Nas antenas foram encontrados sensilos tricódios, chaéticos, placódios dos tipos I, II e III, e coelocônicos tipo I e II. Os sensilos placódios são os mais abundantes, e as fêmeas possuem mais sensilos do que os machos.

Abstract: When suitable, adults of Scarabaeidae usually form swarms to find food and breeding sites. The steps of mating behavior can be mediated by chemical communication, and antennal sensilla are released volatiles detection structures, as sexual pheromones. In present work the mating behavior and the antennal sensilla of Anomala inconstans Burmeister, 1844 are described. The study was conducted at the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Cassilândia, Brazil from March 2015 to December 2017. Adults were collected through a light trap and taken to the laboratory for studies. Field and laboratory observations provided data for the description of the steps of mating behavior. Adults swarms were registered from September to November 2015 at 05:30 pm to 00:00 am. Females display a calling behavior from 05:25 pm to 08:00 pm, in which they rub their posterior legs against their abdomen, and after a few minutes males are able to locate them. In laboratory, the mating process lasted 20.4 minutes on average, and the possibility of chemical communication between adults was here discussed. The antennae of the species have trichoid, chaetica, placoid types I, II and III, and coeloconic types I and II sensilla. Placoid sensilla are the most abundant and females have more sensilla than males.

ABSTRACT Mating behavior and description of immature stages of Cyclocephala melanocephala (Fabricius, 1775) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae), identification key and remarks on known immatures of Cyclocephalini species. Some species of Cyclocephala Dejean, 1821 are regarded as rhizophagous crop pests and others as beneficial species. The objective of this work was to report the mating behavior and to describe the immature stages of C. melanocephala. The studies were developed at the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul in Cassilândia, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Adults were collected with a light trap from September to December 2014 and 2015 to carry out studies of mating behavior, breeding, and descriptions of immature stages. Copulation lasted 10.4 ± 4.3 min and took place from 19:00 to 24:00 h. Some females refused males for mating and moved away from them. Regarding flight period, adults were collected in larger quantities from 20:00 to 23:00 h. Identification keys to immatures of three genera of Cyclocephalini, including several Cyclocephala species are presented.

Abstract Description of immatures and mating behavior of Liogenys bidenticeps Moser, 1919 (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Melolonthinae). Some species of Melolonthinae are associated with several species of cropped plants, with larvae consuming roots and, in some cases, are considered as crop pests. In some agricultural regions of Brazil, larvae of L. bidenticeps are found associated with cultivated plants, and little information is available about this taxon. This study, aiming at expanding the knowledge about the morphology and behavior of this species, provides the description of immatures and mating behavior of adults. The studies were conducted at the experimental farm of the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, and the adults were collected with light trap and raised in the laboratory. Mating behavior was documented on video both in the field and under laboratory conditions. Descriptions and illustrations of the third instar larva and pupa are presented. Adults have crepuscular flight activity and their copulation lasts an average of 20.25 min, occurring from 19:00 to 22:00 h. On some occasions, females did not accept males for copulation, indicating an active selection of males by females. Field observations demonstrated that adults feed on Brazilian pepper leaves (Schinus terebinthifolius, Anacardiaceae) and cashew flowers (Anacardium occidentale, Anacardiaceae), where male and female meet each other and copulation occurs.

Resumo No Brasil várias são as espécies de Leucothyreus Macleay, 1819 que ocorrem nas diferentes regiões, entretanto, poucos são os trabalhos que descrevem os aspectos biológicos, épocas de ocorrência, associação de adultos e imaturos com plantas nativas ou cultivadas, e comportamento de cópula. Assim o presente trabalho apresentou como objetivo estudar o comportamento de cópula de Leucothyreus marginaticollis Blanchard, 1843. Os estudos foram conduzidos na fazenda experimental da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul em Aquidauana, MS, sendo realizadas coletas de adultos com armadilha luminosa de outubro a novembro de 2013. Com as coletas foram analisados os horários de voo em campo, e em laboratório machos e fêmeas foram separados, posteriormente foram formados casais e as etapas que envolvem o comportamento de cópula, verificadas. Vários adultos realizaram cópula, a qual durou em média 22,71 minutos e ocorreram das 19 às 23 horas. Após a cópula o macho se soltava da fêmea ou permanecia sobre essa, provavelmente para impedir que outro macho realizasse a cópula. Algumas fêmeas não aceitaram os machos para cópula, indicando que a formação de casais ocorre após o reconhecimento químico entre os adultos. O horário de maior coleta dos adultos em campo foi das 20 às 22 horas. Adultos podem se nutrir de folhas e flores de acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC, Malpighiaceae), folhas de aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiacea), frutos de uva (Vitis vinifera L., Vitaceae), maçã (Malus domestica Borkh., Rosaceae) e banana (Musa sp. L., Musaceae), ampliando-se as informações sobre o hábito alimentar dos adultos. Foram elucidadas as etapas relacionadas ao comportamento de cópula de L. marginaticollis, a qual pode auxiliar nos processos de extração e identificação de feromônio sexual.

Abstract In Brazil, there are several species of the genus Leucothyreus Macleay, 1819 occurring throughout the country; however, there are only a few studies describing their biological aspects, times of occurrence, associations of adults and juveniles with native or cropped plants, as well as their mating behavior. Thus, this study aimed to assess the mating behavior of Leucothyreus marginaticollis Blanchard, 1843. The study took place in an experimental area of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Aquidauana, MS, Brazil. Firstly, we sampled adult insects using light traps, from October to November 2013. Simultaneously, we registered the flight period in the field. Afterward, in the laboratory, males and females were separated and then combined into couples for observations of the mating steps. A large number of the adults mated, which lasted on average 22.71 min and occurred from 7 to 11 pm. After mating, part of the males released the females and the other part remained attached to them, which must have happened as an attempt to inhibit other males from mating with them. Moreover, a few females refused to mate with the established male, reinforcing the fact that the pairing of couples occurs after chemical identification among adults. In the field, the largest amount of adults was collected from 8 to 10 pm. Regarding eating habits, adults feed mostly on acerola leaves and flowers (Malpighia emarginata DC, Malpighiaceae), mastic gum leaves (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Anacardiaceae), grapes (Vitis vinifera L., Vitaceae), apples (Malus domestica Borkh., Rosaceae), and bananas (Musa sp. L., Musaceae). To the end of the experiment, we could clarify the mating steps of L. marginaticollis in order to assist in further extraction and identification of sexual pheromone.

ABSTRACT Liogenys fusca is a rizophagous insect pest in various crops of economic importance in Brazil. Here we investigated the morphology of immature stages and mating behavior of this species. The redescription of the 3rd instar larvae of L. fusca in this work allows identification and registration of occurrence independently of adults, which occur sporadically in a certain period of the year. Male and female of L. fusca remained confined in the soil during the day and exited between 19:00 and 23:30 h. The copulations occurred between 19:30 and 21:00 h, and were characterized by a typical behavioral sequence. Copulation durations in L. fusca lasted on average 512.23 s. Adults were observed feeding before the copulations on leaves and inflorescences of plant species belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, Myracrodruon urundeuva, Schinus terebinthifolius, Astronium fraxinifolium and Anacardium occidentale.

ResumenEn el género Leucothyreus se describen varias especies, sin embargo, hay poca información sobre este grupo. El presente trabajo tuvo por objetivo estudiar los aspectos biológicos y el comportamiento de copula de Leucothyreus albopilosus. Los estudios se realizaron en la Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, en los municipios de Aquidauana y Cassilândia, MS, Brasil. Fueron recolectados adultos con trampa de luz desde febrero 2011 hasta febrero 2012 para realizar estudios biológicos y desde septiembre hasta diciembre de 2014 para estudios de comportamiento. Para los estudios biológicos, se inspeccionaron los huevos cada tres días, y cuando las larvas eclosionaban, eran separadas para monitorear su desarrollo. Para supervisar el desarrollo y diferenciar las etapas larvarias fueron medidas las cápsulas cefálicas de las mismas. El ciclo de vida se determinó a partir de la ovoposición hasta la muerte de los adultos. Para realizar los estudios del comportamiento de la cópula, los adultos obtenidos con trampas de luz fueron llevados al laboratorio, y al atardecer cuando iniciaron el vuelo, se formaron parejas, permitiendo observar y registrar los pasos que involucran este comportamiento. En campo, se observó que los adultos fueron recolectados principalmente en los períodos más calientes y húmedos entre los meses de agosto y marzo. El período embrionario de L. albopilosus duró 20.5 días. La primera, segunda y tercera etapa duraron 31.0, 33.1 y 85.6 días, respectivamente. La etapa de pupa duró 20 días y el período desde huevo hasta adulto fue completado en 185.5 días. Estos resultados sugieren que L. albopilosus puede ser caracterizado como una especie univoltina. Con respecto al comportamiento de copula en el laboratorio, al iniciar la noche, los adultos primeramente proyectan una pequeña porción del clípeo próximo a la superficie del suelo, en seguida realizan el vuelo buscando una hembra para iniciar la cópula. La hembra puede aceptar o no al macho para realizar la cópula. Cuando la hembra aceptó al macho para la copula, esta ocurrió desde 19:00 hasta las 23:00 horas durando 19.45 minutos en promedio. Cuando la hembra rechazó al macho para la copula, se debió probablemente a que ella o el no estaban maduros sexualmente, ocurriendo un reconocimiento químico entre ellos. Se observó en el laboratorio que los adultos se alimentaban de plátanos maduros (Musa sp., Musaceae) y flores de mangabeira (Hancornia speciosa, Apocynaceae). En este trabajo se concluye que el ciclo biológico se completa en menos de un año y se describen las primeras etapas del comportamiento de copula del género Leucothyreus.

AbstractThe genus Leucothyreus has been linked to some commercial plant crop pests. Eventhough several species have been described for this genus, information about this group is still scarce. This study investigated some biological aspects and mating behavior in Leucothyreus albopilosus. Studies were conducted at the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in the municipalities of Aquidauana and Cassilândia, MS, Brazil. For biological studies, adults were collected with light traps from February 2011 to February 2012, and for behavior analyses from September to December 2014. Biological studies were undertaken every three days and included the eggs inspection, and the separation of the newly hatched larvae to observe and describe their developmental stages; to monitor larval growth and differentiate larval instars, we measured the larvae cephalic capsule. Life cycle was determined starting from the newly laid eggs until adult death. For mating behavior studies, adults obtained with light traps were taken to the laboratory. As soon as they started flying in the evening, couples were formed and copulation steps were recorded. in the field, we observed that adults were mostly collected during warmer and wetter periods (from August to March). Our results showed that the embryonic period of L. albopilosus lasted 20.5 days, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars lasted 31.0, 33.1 and 85.6 days, respectively. The pupal stage lasted 20 days, and the egg to adult period was completed in 185.5 days; these results suggest that L.albopilosus can be characterized as a univoltine species. Observations of mating behavior in the laboratory showed that, after the sunset, adults projected a small portion of clypeus near the soil surface and flew off seeking a female to mate. The female could accept or reject the male for mating. When the female accepted the male, copulation occurred from 19:00 to 23:00 hours, and lasted 19.45 minutes on average. Sometimes females refused to mate, probably because the male or female were not sexually mature to perform copulation, and there might be a chemical communication between the adults. Adults were observed feeding on ripe bananas (Musa sp., Musaceae) and on mangaba flowers (Hancornia speciosa, Apocynaceae) in the laboratory. With this work we contributed with the description of mating behavior in the genus Leucothyreus and concluded that the biological cycle was completed in less than 200 days. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 547-557. Epub 2016 June 01.

Resumo Larvas, pupas e adultos de Gymnetis rufilateris (Illiger, 1800) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae: Cetoniinae) foram coletados em Rochedo, MS. Estudos sobre a biologia e morfologia foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Entomologia da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul em Aquidauana, MS. Fêmeas de casais formados em laboratório ovipositaram e foram iniciados os estudos de biologia. O período embrionário dura 15,5 dias. As larvas de primeiro, segundo e terceiro instares duram 13,5, 30,6 e 113,1 dias, respectivamente. O período pupal dura 12,8 dias. O período de ovo a adulto completa-se em 186,8 dias. As larvas se alimentam de fezes de aves em decomposição. Em laboratório, os adultos foram alimentados com pedaços de banana (Musa sp.) (Musaceae) madura. As descrições da larva de terceiro instar e pupa de G. rufilateris são apresentadas. Uma chave para larvas de Gymnetis conhecidas também está incluída.

Abstract Larvae, pupae and adults of Gymnetis rufilateris (Illiger, 1800) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae: Cetoniinae) were collected in the municipality of Rochedo, Mato Grosso do Sul State. Studies on biology and morphology were conducted at the Laboratory of Entomology of the Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Females of couples formed in the laboratory oviposited and allowed the biology studies. The eggs lasted for 15.5 days. Larvae of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars lasted 13.5, 30.6 and 113.1 days, respectively. The pupal period lasted 12.8 days. The egg-to-adult period lasts 186.8 days. The larvae fed on decomposing feces of poultry. In the laboratory, adults fed on ripe banana (Musa sp.) (Musaceae). Descriptions of the 3rd larval instar and pupa of G. rufilateris are presented. A key to known larvae of Gymnetis is also included.

Biological aspects of Leucothyreus ambrosius Blanchard (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Rutelinae). Coleopterans of the family Melolonthidae comprise a large group of species that feed on different food sources, including plant roots, stems, and leaves, in addition to plant materials at different decomposition stages. Several species are found in the genus Leucothyreus, occurring in different regions of Brazil, including the various biomes in the country. Information on the biology of species of the genus Leucothyreus is scarce, therefore, we conducted studies on the biological aspects of Leucothyreus ambrosius Blanchard, 1850. The period of adult occurrence was determined with a light trap installed between a cropped and pasture area in the municipality of Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Adults collected in the field were used to form insect pairs and the studies were initiated in the entomology laboratory as the adults began ovipositing. Adults were observed flying in the field from October to December. Eggs were obtained as pairs were formed and a colony was established, the embryonic period lasting 14.6 days on average. The larval period in the 1st instar lasted 21.6 days, in the 2nd instar 19.6 days, and in the 3rd instar, 85.6 days. The head capsule width was 1.48 mm in the 1st instar, 2.44 mm in the 2nd, and 3.83 mm in 3rd larval instar. The pupal stage had an average duration of 35.5 days. The egg to adult period lasted 173.3 days. Morphometric information for the larval and adult stages is presented in this study.

Biological aspects of Leucothyreus alvarengai Frey and Leucothyreus aff. semipruinosus Ohaus (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Rutelinae) in crop succession at central Brazil. Beetles of the family Melolonthidae make up a large group and some species are considered pests of planted crops. Little information is available on the basic biological aspects of the genus Leucothyreus, such as association with cultivated crops and their occurrence periods. Therefore studies were developed in soybean and corn crops in Tangará da Serra, Mato Grosso, Brazil, with the objective of studying the occurrence and biological aspects of Leucothyreus alvarengai Frey and Leucothyreus aff. semipruinosus Ohaus. For acquisition of immature specimens of both species, in April 2011 sampling was performed in corn fields, in July and October in the fallow area, and in soybeans fields planted in December; in 2012 sampling was performed in January and February in soybean fields and in March in corn fields. In 2011 the total number of larvae obtained in April, July, October and December were 100, 6, 30 and 27, and in January, February and March of 2012 these quantities were 32, 52 and 65 larvae, respectively. In all sampling events the larvae of L. alvarengai were collected in greater quantity. At the beginning of the reproductive period of L. alvarengai and L. aff. semipruinosus, it was observed that the adults began to fly and soon after started oviposition in the field in September. The appearance of larvae coincides with the time of soybean planting in the field, thus the larvae feed on roots of soybean plants at the beginning of their development and the cycle from egg to adult of the two species was completed in one year.

Fruit flies (Diptera, Tephritidae) and their parasitoids on cultivated and wild hosts in the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Information on frugivorous flies in cultivated or wild host plants and their parasitoids in the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul is presented and discussed. Fruit fly samples were collected weekly in specific fruit trees, and McPhail® traps were installed in the same trees for a period of two years. The fruit flies infested ripe and unripe fruits of Averrhoa carambola L., Schoepfia sp., Psidium guajava L. and Pouteria torta (Mart.) Radlk and mature fruits of Anacardium occidentale L. and Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd. Nineteen fruit fly species were obtained with the combination of sampling methods (collecting fruits and trapping), nine of them obtained with both methods, five found only in fruits and five only in traps. This is the first record of Anastrepha striata Schiner in a species of Sapotaceae, as well as for A. castanea Norrbom and A. daciformes Bezzi in Schoepfia sp. (Olacaceae), and for A. distincta Greene in fruits of P. guajava in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Fruit collections simultaneously associated with capture of fruit flies by McPhail traps in the same host plants are essential to understand the diversity of fruit flies and their relationship with hosts and parasitoids. Species of Braconidae and Pteromalidae were recovered, where Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti) was the most abundant parasitoid in larvae of tephritids infesting both cultivated and wild host fruits.

Os coleópteros da família Melolonthidae desempenham importante função na decomposição e reciclagem de nutrientes no meio ambiente, assim, foram desenvolvidos estudos com o objetivo de se conhecer as espécies saproxilófagas ocorrentes e os aspectos biológicos. Os estudos foram desenvolvidos na fazenda experimental da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, em Aquidauana, de março de 2011 a abril de 2012. Em área de fragmento de mata de cerrado, troncos de árvores caídos, eram cortados em pequenas partes para realizar a extração e obtenção de imaturos e adultos. As larvas coletadas foram levadas para o laboratório para realizar a sua criação até a emergência dos adultos, sendo obtidos os dados biológicos e biométricos. Foram coletadas 145 larvas e 11 adultos. Larvas de terceiro instar de Strategus surinamensis Burmeister, 1847, coletadas duraram 230 dias nessa fase e 31,3 dias na fase de pupa. Larvas de terceiro instar dePhileurus valgus (Linnaeus, 1758) duraram 49 dias nessa fase e 13 dias na fase de pupa. Larvas de terceiro instar de Pelidnota fulva Blanchard, 1850, após serem coletadas permaneceram por 61 dias nessa fase e 25,3 dias na fase de pupa. Foram coletados adultos de Pelidnota aff. vazdemeloi dentro de troncos de árvores. Para Macraspis festiva Burmeister, 1844, as larvas de terceiro instar coletadas duraram por 39 dias nessa fase, e as pupas duraram 17 dias. Larvas de terceiro instar deRutela lineola (Linnaeus, 1767) duraram 23 dias nessa fase, e as pupas duraram 16,3 dias. Para Hoplopyga liturata (Olivier, 1789) as larvas de terceiro instar coletadas duraram 21 dias e as pupas duraram 18 dias. ParaHoplopyga boliviensis (Moser, 1918) larvas de terceiro instar duraram 33 dias e as pupas 16 dias. Larvas de segundo e terceiro instar de Marmarina maculosa(Olivier, 1789) coletadas, duraram respectivamente, 105 e 171,3 dias e as pupas duraram 26 dias. As espécies coletadas em maior quantidade foramM. festiva com 75 larvas, R. lineola com 20 larvas e H. boliviensis com 18 larvas. As larvas foram coletadas em vários meses, sendo que em julho amostrou-se 32 larvas e em agosto 39 larvas, sendo as maiores quantidades encontradas.

Coleoptera of the family Melolonthidae plays an important role in decomposition and nutrient recycling in the environment, however the information of this group is scarce in Brazil; therefore studies were developed with the objective of understanding the biological aspects of saproxylophagous. The studies were developed in the experimental farm of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Aquidauana, from March 2011 to April 2012. In a forest fragment of the cerrado, when encountering fallen tree trunks, they were cut into small pieces for extraction and acquisition of immature and adult Melolonthidae. Larvae were taken to the laboratory where they were reared until emergence of adults, obtaining biological and biometric data. A total of 145 larvae and 11 adults were collected. Third instar larvae of Strategus surinamensis Burmeister, 1847, collected in this phase lasted 230 days and 31.3 days in the pupal stage. Third instar larvae of Phileurus valgus (Linnaeus, 1758), in this phase lasted 49 days and 13 days in the pupal stage. Third instar larvae Pelidnota fulva Blanchard, 1850, after being collected remained for 61 days in this phase and 25.3 days in the pupal stage. AdultsPelidnota aff. vazdemeloi were collected inside tree trunks. ToMacraspis festiva Burmeister, 1844, the third instar larvae collected lasted for 39 days at this stage, and pupae lasted 17 days. Third instar larvae of Rutela lineola(Linnaeus, 1767), in this phase lasted 23 days, and pupae lasted 16.3 days. ToHoplopyga liturata (Olivier, 1789), third instar larvae collected lasted 21 days and pupae lasted 18 days. To Hoplopyga boliviensis (Moser, 1918), third instar larvae lasted 33 days and pupae 16 days. Second and third larval instarMarmarina maculosa (Olivier, 1789) collected lasted respectively, 105 and 171.3 days and pupae lasted 26 days. The species collected in greatest quantity were M. festiva with 75 larvae,R. lineola with 20 larvae and H. boliviensis with 18 larvae. Larvae were collected during several months, where in July 32 larvae were sampled and in August 39 larvae, the largest quantities encountered.