ABSTRACT The significant role of Aedes aegypti as a vector of several arboviruses has intensified studies on vector control tools, including Attractive Toxic Sugar Baits containing Pyriproxyfen (ATSB-PPF). PPF is an insect growth regulator (IGR) that has been used to control immature mosquitoes, but it also has direct effects on female reproduction. This study evaluated the effect of physical exposure of Ae. aegypti females with ATSB-PPF on fecundity and fertility at different times before and after blood meal. Females were confined in cages impregnated with ATSB-PPF at different concentrations (5, 50, and 500 ppm). One group of females was exposed to the baits 24 and 48 hours Before the Blood Meal (BBM), and in the other group, exposure occurred 24 and 48 hours After the Blood Meal (ABM). The number of eggs laid, larvae, and pupation rate were analyzed. Exposure of Ae. aegypti females to ATSB-PPF bait 24 hours after the blood meal was able to reduce the number of eggs laid, especially at the higher concentrations used, but the number of larvae obtained was reduced regardless of the exposure time to ATSB-PPF, i.e., 24 hours before or after the blood meal, or the concentration of PPF used. No changes were observed in the number of pupae from larvae obtained from eggs laid by mosquitoes exposed to ATSB-PPF. Physical exposure of mosquitoes to sugar baits is sufficient to reduce the investigated reproductive parameters of Ae. aegypti. tools ATSBPPF. ATSBPPF ATSB . (ATSB-PPF) IGR (IGR reproduction Ae 5, 5 (5 50 ppm. ppm ppm) 2 4 BBM, BBM , (BBM) ABM. ABM (ABM) analyzed ATSBPPF, PPF, ie i e i.e. PPF. (ATSB-PPF ( (BBM (ABM i.e

ABSTRACT Mansonia Blanchard mosquitoes are aggressive and opportunistic, making it difficult for habitation in certain areas. However, there is no data regarding their rearing in laboratory in Brazil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different diet composition on the development of Mansonia humeralis immatures. The plant Pistia stratiotes was used as a substrate for larval attachment, and fish food (Tetra Marine® Flakes) and baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in various combinations were used as feed. Eggs and larvae were obtained from mosquitoes collected in the field using protected human catches, and the experiments were conducted in the laboratory (25-27°C and 70-80% relative humidity) with 200 larvae per container (n=15). Mortality rate, larval development time, pupation rate, emergence rate, and the number of eggs and larvae were recorded. Overall, a high mortality rate (0.5 – 0.7) was observed in the first 12 days of the experiment in all diets, up to 50% of adults emerged from the remaining larvae with a male to female ratio of 1.1 to 1.3. The use of yeast in combination with fish food resulted in lower mortality rate (0.52), a shorter larval development time (34 days), a higher pupation rate (0.21) and number of eggs (21 eggs) compared to the other diets. However, fertility was very low (1%) regardless of the diet used. The use of yeast is recommended as part of the diet offered to this mosquito species under the laboratory conditions used in our study. opportunistic areas However Brazil Therefore immatures attachment Tetra Marine Flakes bakers baker s Saccharomyces cerevisiae feed catches 2527°C 2527C C 25 27°C 27 7080% 7080 70 80% 80 70-80 humidity 20 n=15. n15 n n=15 . 15 (n=15) recorded Overall 0.5 05 0 5 (0. 0.7 07 7 1 diets 50 11 1. 13 3 1.3 0.52, 052 0.52 , 52 (0.52) 34 (3 days, days) 0.21 021 21 (0.21 (2 1% (1% 2527 2 27C 708 8 70-8 n1 n=1 (n=15 0. (0 (0.52 ( 0.2 02 (0.2 (1 252 70- n= (n=1 (n= (n

ABSTRACT Species of the genus Mansonia Blanchard are disease pathogen vectors in some regions of the world and can cause considerable inconvenience due to their bites when present in high numbers. However, little is known regarding their biology in Brazil. The objective of this work was to investigate some reproductive parameters of Mansonia from the western Brazilian Amazon. Females were captured in the field using human landing catches in rural areas of Porto Velho, Rondonia, Brazil. The mosquitoes were identified and separated into two groups for oviposition: forced, i.e., with wing removal, and free oviposition, without wing removal. Daily observations of oviposition and female survival were conducted until oviposition. The eggs and subsequent larvae were counted for fecundity and fertility evaluation, respectively. The species collected in this study were Mansonia amazonensis (Theobald), Mansonia humeralis Dyar & Knab and Mansonia titillans (Walker). The oviposition percentage for Ma. amazonensis was much lower than for Ma. humeralis and Ma. titillans. Forced oviposition resulted in a higher number of ovipositing females only for Ma. humeralis. Fecundity and fertility were not affected by the oviposition method. Egg and larval numbers were generally lower for Ma. amazonensis compared with the other species. Forced oviposition may be a tool to increase the number of ovipositing females depending on the Mansonia species studied in order to establish colonies in the laboratory.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Bioprospection of plant products is used to discover new insecticides. METHODS: The larvicidal activity of ethanolic extract and triterpene (tingenone B) from the bark of Maytenus guianensis and their effect on pupation and emergence were evaluated against Aedes aegypti. RESULTS: Crude extract LC50 was 11.3 ppm and caused ejection of the larvae intestine; tingenone B LC50 was 14.8 ppm. Pupation was reduced by 20% and 10%, respectively; however, the emergence was not affected. CONCLUSIONS: The crude bark extract exhibited a higher larvicidal effect against the vector.

Copaifera spp. is a common tree species found in the tropical region of Latin America, popularly known as copaiba or pau-d'alho. Oil-resin from different Copaifera species and its components present several biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and insecticidal, including larvicidal activity against mosquitoes. Thus, bark and leaf ethanolic extracts, oil-resin, essential oil and alepterolic acid from Copaifera multijuga Hayne, Fabaceae, were tested as larvicides against the main malaria vector in the north of Brazil, Anopheles darlingi and also Aedes aegypti, the dengue vector. A. darlingi larval mortality was significantly higher than A. aegypti for most tested compounds. Bark and leaf extracts resulted in lower Lethal Concentrations (LC50) values for A. darlingi, 3 and 13 ppm, respectively, while the essential oil provided the lowest LC50 value for A. aegypti, 18 ppm. Despite of that, the lowest LC values were from the alepterolic acid for both species, i.e. 0.9 and 0.7 ppm for A. darlingi and A. aegypti, respectively.

Braconidae é uma família altamente diversificada dentro da ordem Hymenoptera, possuindo grande importância no controle biológico tanto em sistemas agrícolas como em sistemas naturais. Contudo, a diversidade do grupo ainda é pouco conhecida para a região amazônica. Neste sentido, o presente estudo vem contribuir para este conhecimento através do inventariamento da assembléia de braconídeos do Parque Natural Municipal de Porto Velho, Rondônia. As coletas foram realizadas pelo período de um ano, utilizando seis armadilhas Malaise em uma área de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta com palmeiras. Foram coletados 377 espécimes, identificados em 17 subfamílias e 56 gêneros. As subfamílias Braconinae, Microgastrinae, Doryctinae e Rogadinae foram consideradas muito abundantes, assim como os gêneros: Aleiodes, Bracon, Capitonius, Compsobracon, Heterospilus, Hymenochaonia, Opius, Pedinotus, Rogas e Stantonia. O índice de diversidade calculado para as subfamílias (H = 2,15) e gêneros (H = 3,3) coletados neste trabalho foi maior do que o encontrado em alguns trabalhos em outras regiões do Brasil. A abundância desses insetos durante a estação chuvosa foi significativamente maior do que na seca. Este trabalho contribui com novos dados faunísticos sobre Braconidae para o Estado de Rondônia.

Braconidae is a highly diversified family of Hymenoptera and usually known by their role in biological control both in agricultural and natural ecosystems. Despite of that, little is known about its diversity in the Amazon region. The present work inventoried the braconid fauna of an Open Ombrophylous Forest with Palm Trees of the Parque Natural Municipal de Porto Velho, RO. Insects were collect from June/2008 to May/2009 using six Malaise traps in different parts of the reserve. A total of 377 wasps were captured, 17 subfamilies and 56 genera identified. Braconinae, Microgastrinae, Doryctinae and Rogadinae subfamilies were very abundant, and also the genera Aleiodes, Bracon, Capitonius, Compsobracon, Heterospilus, Hymenochaonia, Opius, Pedinotus, Rogas and Stantonia. The calculated Shannon diversity index was 2.15 and 3.3 for subfamily and genera, respectively, which were, generally, higher than the values found for other regions in Brazil. Generally, parasitoids were more abundant during the rainy season. The present work contributes with new genera records and faunistic data of Braconidae in Rondonia State, western Amazon.

Piper is a notable genus among Piperaceae due to their secondary metabolites such as lignans, amides, esters and long chain fatty acids used as anti-herbivore defenses with comparable effects of pyrethroids, that holds a promise in insect control, including malaria vectors such as Anopheles darlingi, the main vector in the North of Brazil. Methanolic extracts of Piper tuberculatum Jacq., Piperaceae, and P. alatabaccum Trel. & Yunck., Piperaceae, and some isolated compounds, i.e, 3,4,5-trimetoxy-dihydrocinamic acid, dihydropiplartine; piplartine, piplartine-dihydropiplartine and 5,5',7-trimetoxy-3',4'-metilenodioxiflavone were tested as larvicides against A. darlingi. The Lethal Concentrations (LC50 and LC90) of methanolic extracts were 194 and 333 ppm for P. tuberculatum and 235 and 401 ppm for P. alatabacum, respectively. Isolated compounds had lower LC values, e.g. the LC50 and LC90 of the piplartine-dihidropiplartine isolated from both plant species was 40 and 79 ppm, respectively.

Cerambycidae representa uma das maiores famílias de besouros e estima-se que existam cerca de 25000 espécies de Cerambycidae no mundo. No entanto, pouco se conhece sobre a distribuição geográfica de muitas espécies, conseqüência da escassez de coletas em algumas regiões, como a Amazônia. Os cerambicídeos desempenham um papel imprescindível na cadeia ecológica, contribuindo na reciclagem de madeira morta na floresta. Neste estudo, é apresentado um inventário de Cerambycidae do Parque Natural Municipal de Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas durante o período de junho de 2008 a maio de 2009 utilizando as armadilhas Malaise e luminosa (modelo Luiz de Queiroz). Um total de 61 espécies foram identificadas, das quais 33 são novos registros para Rondônia e um para a região amazônica Anisopodus melzeri Gilmour, 1965.

Cerambycidae is one of the largest families of beetles and it is estimated that there are about 25,000 species of longhorned beetles in the world. However, little is known about the distribution of many species in some regions, including the Amazon. The longhorned beetles are indispensable in the ecological chain, contributing mostly to the recycling of dead wood in forest. The present study is an inventory of the Cerambycidae of the Parque Natural Municipal de Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brazil. Insects were sampled from June 2008 to May 2009 using Malaise and light traps. A total of 61 species were identified, of which 33 are new records for Rondônia and one for Amazon region, i.e., Anisopodus melzeri Gilmour, 1965.

We surveyed areas of the state of Rondônia in western Amazon for phlebotomine, which are potential vectors of leishmaniasis. A total of 5,998 specimens were captured, resulting in the identification of 48 species within the Lutzomyia (99.98%) and Brumptomyia (0.02%) genera. The predominant species was Lutzomyia davisi, followed by Lutzomyia umbratilis, Lutzomyia llanosmartinsi, Lutzomyia c. carrerai, Lutzomyia dendrophyla, Lutzomyia nevesi and Lutzomyia whitmani. All sand flies identified as vectors for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil, i.e., Lu. davisi, Lu. umbratilis, Lu. c. carrerai and Lu. whitmani, were found in the surveyed areas.

Em Rondônia, prevê-se a construção de mais duas usinas hidrelétricas (UHE) no rio Madeira, a montante da cidade de Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brasil (de Santo Antônio e Jirau). O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a prevalência da malária antes do início da implantação das obras civis e fazer considerações sobre os impactos da doença com o ingresso de milhares de trabalhadores e agregados atraídos pelas oportunidades de emprego e comércio. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a malária se faz presente em toda região, em variados graus de prevalência. Além disso, a existência de potenciais portadores assintomáticos de malária entre a população nativa pode ter relevância epidemiológica e deve ser considerada nos programas de controle da malária, vinda tanto das autoridades públicas quanto das empresas responsáveis pela instalação das UHE, visando o diagnóstico e tratamento precoce, controle vetorial, abastecimento de água e aplicação de infra-estrutura nos centros urbanos.

In Rondônia State, Brazil, two new hydroelectric plants, Santo Antônio and Jirau, are scheduled for construction on the Madeira River, upriver from the State capital, Porto Velho. The current study analyzes malaria prevalence before the construction and provides information on the possible impacts of malaria burden related to the influx of thousands of persons attracted by direct and indirect employment opportunities. According to the findings, malaria is present throughout the region, with varying prevalence rates. The existence of potential asymptomatic malaria carriers among the local population may be epidemiologically relevant and should be considered in the malaria control programs organized by public authorities and companies responsible for building the power plants, aimed at early diagnosis and treatment, vector control, water supply, and infrastructure in the urban areas.

Em Rondônia, prevê-se a construção de mais duas usinas hidrelétricas (UHE) no rio Madeira, a montante da cidade de Porto Velho, Rondônia, Brasil (de Santo Antônio e Jirau). O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a prevalência da malária antes do início da implantação das obras civis e fazer considerações sobre os impactos da doença com o ingresso de milhares de trabalhadores e agregados atraídos pelas oportunidades de emprego e comércio. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a malária se faz presente em toda região, em variados graus de prevalência. Além disso, a existência de potenciais portadores assintomáticos de malária entre a população nativa pode ter relevância epidemiológica e deve ser considerada nos programas de controle da malária, vinda tanto das autoridades públicas quanto das empresas responsáveis pela instalação das UHE, visando o diagnóstico e tratamento precoce, controle vetorial, abastecimento de água e aplicação de infra-estrutura nos centros urbanos.

In Rondônia State, Brazil, two new hydroelectric plants, Santo Antônio and Jirau, are scheduled for construction on the Madeira River, upriver from the State capital, Porto Velho. The current study analyzes malaria prevalence before the construction and provides information on the possible impacts of malaria burden related to the influx of thousands of persons attracted by direct and indirect employment opportunities. According to the findings, malaria is present throughout the region, with varying prevalence rates. The existence of potential asymptomatic malaria carriers among the local population may be epidemiologically relevant and should be considered in the malaria control programs organized by public authorities and companies responsible for building the power plants, aimed at early diagnosis and treatment, vector control, water supply, and infrastructure in the urban areas.

A quimioterapia é o único procedimento farmacológico validado para a terapêutica da leishmaniose e da malária, consideradas doenças negligenciadas para o desenvolvimento de fármacos pelas indústrias farmacêuticas. Com a não renovação medicamentosa, o surgimento de resistência, os efeitos colaterais e o longo período de tratamento indicam a necessidade do desenvolvimento de novos e mais eficientes fármacos. A Floresta Amazônica é a região com a maior biodiversidade do planeta, com uma riqueza de animais e plantas produtoras de moléculas com atividades biológicas relevantes para o desenvolvimento e exploração biotecnológica. Algumas destas moléculas, obtidas de extratos vegetais e de venenos de anuros, apresentam atividade leishmanicida e plasmodicida, o que demonstra o potencial desta biodiversidade para a investigação de novas drogas. A moderna abordagem na pesquisa de novos fármacos envolve a associação de química combinatória, high-throughput screening, bioinformática, interação molecular, cristalografia e o estudo dinâmico de toxicidade sistêmica e celular, que atualmente no Brasil, estão distribuídas em poucos grupos acadêmicos sem a devida associação industrial. Esta deficiência, agregada ao excesso de regulamentação para o acesso ao material biológico, sobretudo, proveniente de unidades de conservação, populações tradicionais e nações indígenas, é um importante entrave para o desenvolvimento deste tipo de pesquisa. A associação de grupos de pesquisa do Brasil, estimulados por políticas governamentais de financiamento acadêmico e industrial, são essenciais para a superação destas dificuldades, de forma que nos próximos anos possam surgir novos produtos para terapia de doenças negligenciadas oriundas da biodiversidade amazônica.

Chemotherapy is the only validated therapy for the treatment for the neglected diseases leishmaniasis and malaria. However, the emergence of drug resistance, collateral effects and long-term treatment encourage the development of new and more efficient drugs. The Amazon tropical forest includes the richest areas of biodiversity in the world, including a great number of microbes, plant and animal species that produce a source of interesting biologically active molecules. Several of these molecules, obtained from plant extracts and frog venom have leishmanicidal and plasmodicidal activity, highlighting the potential of this biodiversity for the development of new drugs. In research, modern approaches in new drug development are carried out using combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening, bioinformatics, molecular interaction, crystallography and dynamic studies of cellular and systemic toxicity. In Brazil, these techniques are mainly present in only a few academic groups with no efficient connection to industry. The problem associated with over-regulation for accessing the biological material in restricted areas, local populations and indigenous areas places major barriers in the path of research and development of new drugs. Thus, the association of academic research groups in Brazil, encouraged and supported by government and industry, is essential to overcome these major barriers related to the development of new products for treatment of neglected diseases from Amazonian biodiversity in future years.

É importante entender os efeitos do clima, da densidade dos insetos e da cultivar sobre a abundância de insetos para se predizer e prevenir perdas na produção das culturas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar a influência desses fatores sobre afídeos em alfafa no período de um ano. Os dados foram coletados de setembro/1997 a agosto/1998 na Fazenda Canchin (CPPSE-EMBRAPA), São Carlos, São Paulo, Brasil. As condições climáticas, em geral, tiveram pequeno efeito sobre a variação populacional dos afídeos, mas a abundância de Therioaphis maculata esteve negativamente correlacionada à umidade. Além disso, as altas temperaturas máximas e os baixos níveis de precipitação pluvial possivelmente favoreceram a alta abundância dessa espécie nas cultivares Crioula e P3. Portanto, torna-se importante o manejo desse afídeo durante períodos quentes e secos. As variações populacionais de Acyrthosiphon spp., T. maculata e Aphis craccivora parecem ser reguladas principalmente por processos dependentes da densidade. Na cultivar resistente CUF 101 observou-se menor abundância de T. maculata e A. craccivora e uma variação populacional menos pronunciada do que nas demais cultivares, podendo ser utilizada para redução da população dessas espécies em campo. Estudos de longa duração, incluindo os efeitos do clima e da densidade sobre a qualidade da planta, vão contribuir para o manejo de afídeos nos alfafais.

It is important to understand the effects of weather, insect density and plant cultivar on insect abundance to predict and prevent crop production loss. The present work investigated the influence of such factors on aphid in alfalfa during one year (short term). Data was collected from September/1997 to August/1998 at Canchin Farm (CCPSE-EMBRAPA), São Carlos, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Weather conditions had, in general, little effect on the variation of aphid populations, but Therioaphis maculata abundance was negatively correlated to humidity. Moreover, high maximum temperatures and low levels of rainfall possible favored T. maculata high abundance on Crioula and P3 cultivars. Therefore, appropriate management of this species is required during hot and dry periods. Population variation of Acyrthosiphon spp., T. maculata and Aphis craccivora seems to be regulated by density dependent processes. Resistant cultivar CUF 101 had a lower abundance of T. maculata and A. craccivora and a narrower population variation than the other cultivars and may reduce their abundance on field. Long-term studies on population dynamics including the effect of climatic conditions and density-dependent factors on plant quality will contribute to pest management in alfalfa fields.

As plantas têm variação inata do conteúdo de minerais e seu estado nutricional afeta sua fisiologia cloretos. A variação inata na concentração de minerais (Ca, S, Mg, N, P, K e também a razão C:N) e na população de afídeos (Acyrthosiphon spp., Therioaphis maculata, Aphis craccivora) em três cultivares de alfafa (M. sativa) - P3; Crioula, as mais cultivadas no Brasil, e CUF 101, resistente a afídeos - foi estudada entre setembro/1997 a agosto/1998 neste trabalho. A concentração de minerais e as populações de pulgões variaram significativamente entre os diferentes períodos de coleta e cultivares. As correlações encontradas entre as concentrações de Mg, N, P, S e a razão C:N e a variação no número de pulgões sugerem que os minerais da planta afetam a dinâmica populacional dos pulgões em campo.

Plants have inherent variability of mineral content which affects their physiology and consequently the herbivorous insects feeding on them. Besides, insects need considerable amounts of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium in their diets, whereas little calcium, sodium and chloride are required. In this study, the inherent variation on mineral (Ca, S, Mg, N, P, K and also C:N ratio) concentrations and aphid (Acyrthosiphon spp., Therioaphis maculata, Aphis craccivora) populations on three alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cultivars (P3; Crioula, the most widely cultivated in Brazil, and CUF 101, an aphid-resistant) were studied between September/1997 and August/1998. A significant variation on mineral concentrations and aphid populations was observed among different sampling times and cultivars. The correlations between C:N ratio, Mg, N, P and S concentrations and aphid density variation suggest that the mineral status affects aphid population dynamics under field conditions.