The calyptrate dipterans are the most important decomposers of human cadavers. Knowledge of their species and distribution are of great importance to forensic entomology, especially because of the enormous diversity in Brazil. Carcasses of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa, L) were the experimental models used to attract calyptrates of forensic interest during the winters of 2006 and 2007 and the summers of 2006 and 2008. A total of 24,423 specimens from 44 species were collected (19 Muscidae, 2 Fanniidae and 23 Sarcophagidae), three of which were new records of occurrence and 20 of which were new forensic records for the state of Rio de Janeiro. Fourteen of these species were newly identified as forensically important in Brazil.

Este trabalho visou descrever a morfologia e o tempo de desenvolvimento das larvas de Chrysomya putoria, um importante díptero para saúde pública e medicina legal. As amostras foram coletadas a cada duas horas e, a partir da 56ª hora, as coletas foram realizadas com intervalos de 12 horas até o abandono das larvas maduras do meio de criação. As larvas de C. putoria apresentaram um tempo total de desenvolvimento de 92 horas quando mantidas a 27 ºC com comprimento médio de 13,42 mm e características morfológicas peculiares que as diferenciam das outras espécies exóticas e autóctones do Brasil. O esqueleto cefalofaringeano das larvas de terceiro ínstar é robusto e esclerotizado; o gancho labial é completamente pigmentado e curvo, a parte posterior é mais larga que a anterior, mostrando-se levemente pontiagudo. Estas larvas não possuem esclerito oral acessório e o corno dorsal e o ventral apresentam áreas menos pigmentadas. Nota-se uma região não pigmentada em continuação aos cornos, destacando-se no tamanho na região do corno ventral com uma incisão média bem demarcada. Apresentam de 10 a 11 ramificações no espiráculo anterior, peritrema incompleto e presença do botão espiracular, a partir do segundo ínstar.

The objective of this work was to describe the morphology and the developmental time of Chrysomya putoria larvae, a fly of public health and forensic importance. The samples were collected at 2 hr intervals, during the first 56 hr and at 12 hr intervals thereafter, until all mature larvae had abandoned the diet. The total developmental time for Chrysomya putoria larvae at 27 ºC was 92 hr, with a mean length of 13.42 mm. The larvae presented unique morphological characteristics which differentiated them from other exotic and autochthonous species found in Brazil. The cephalopharyngeal skeleton of the third instar larvae is robust and sclerotized; the mouth hook is completely pigmented and curved; the posterior end is wider than the anterior, being slightly pointed. The accessory oral sclerit is absent and the dorsal and ventral horns have areas with less pigmentation. It is possible to visualize an area with no pigmentation adjacent to the horns, outstanding in size near the ventral corn with a well delimited medial incision. The anterior spiracles presented 10 to 11 ramifications, open peritrema and the presence of a spiracular bud from the second instar on.

Durante experimento de pesquisa envolvendo o parasitismo de larvas de terceiro ínstar e pupas de Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) em dois locais da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, observou-se a ocorrência de multiparasitismo em 1,83% das pupas expostas no Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC) e em 2,16% expostas no Jardim Zoológico (ZOO). O experimento foi conduzido semanalmente de agosto de 1999 a julho de 2000. Em ambos os locais, houve a co-ocorrência de duas espécies por pupa e os parasitóides encontrados foram os himenópteros Tachinaephagus zealandicus Ashmead, 1904, Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani, 1875) e Nasonia vitripennis (Walker, 1836). 72,73% do multiparasitismo ocorreu no ZOO em julho de 2000. Em condições de multiparasitismo, T. zealandicus e P. vindemiae mantiveram seu hábito gregário e solitário, respectivamente, mas N. vitripennis foi encontrado solitário em algumas pupas.

During research experiment involving parasitism of third instar larvae and pupae of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) in Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil, it was found 1.83% of multiparasited pupae in Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC) and 2.16% in Jardim Zoológico (ZOO). The exposition were conducted weekly from August 1999 to July 2000. The multiparasited pupae contained two Hymenoptera parasitoids species [Tachinaephagus zealandicus Ashmead, 1904 and either Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani, 1875) or Nasonia vitripennis (Walker, 1836)]. 72.73% of the multiparasitism occurred at ZOO in July. T. zealandicus and P. vindemiae supported their respective gregarious and solitary natural conditions, respectively, but N. vitripennis sometimes behaved as solitary.

Este estudo foi realizado no período de agosto de 1999 a julho de 2000 com o objetivo de conhecer os parasitóides de Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) e avaliar sua dinâmica populacional no Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/ FIOCRUZ) e Jardim Zoológico, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ. As coletas foram realizadas semanalmente através da exposição de larvas de terceiro instar da mosca e seu substrato de criação, carne bovina moída em putrefação. Foram identificadas três espécies de himenópteros parasitóides: Tachinaephagus zealandicus Ashmead, 1904 (Encyrtidae), Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani, 1875) (Pteromalidae) and Nasonia vitripennis (Walker, 1836) (Pteromalidae). Nos dois locais, T. zealandicus foi a espécie com maior taxa de parasitismo de C. megacephala, seguida por P. vindemiae e N. vitripennis. A população de parasitóides diminuiu drasticamente no verão (temperatura média = 28°C; precipitação = 6,5 mm).O pico populacional desses insetos foi verificado no final do outono e durante todo o inverno. No Jardim Zoológico, o lixo acumulado no local de coleta exerceu forte influência na dinâmica populacional dos himenópteros parasitóides identificados nesse estudo e o pico populacional de parasitismo foi verificado em junho e julho de 2000.

This study was carried out from August 1999 to July 2000 to evaluate the population dynamics and to know the parasitoids of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) at the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/ FIOCRUZ) and Jardim Zoológico, in Rio de Janeiro City. Samplings were conducted weekly with third instar larvae of the fly and putrefying ground beef. It was identified three species of hymenopterans parasitoids: Tachinaephagus zealandicus Ashmead, 1904 (Encyrtidae), Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani, 1875) (Pteromalidae) and Nasonia vitripennis (Walker, 1836) (Pteromalidae). In both sampling areas, T. zealandicus was the species with the highest parasitism rate of C. megacephala, followed by P. vindemiae and N. vitripennis. Parasitoid population decreases drastically in the summer (average temperature = 28°C; precipitation = 6.5 mm). The population peak of parasitoids was verified at the end of autunm and during the whole winter. At Jardim Zoológico, supply of garbage was a strong influence in the population dynamics of himenopteran parasitoids identified in this study, and the population peak in this area was verified in June and July 2000.

Foram estudados aspectos da ecologia de anofelinos (Diptera, Culicidae) em áreas da Usina Hidrelétrica de Serra da Mesa, Estado de Goiás, Brasil. Foram analisados a incidência das populações de anofelinos e os fatores climáticos. Foram realizadas capturas bimestrais, em isca humana e armadilha Shannon, ao longo de 36 meses consecutivos (janeiro de 1997 a dezembro de 1999). Capturamos um total de 5.205 anofelinos adultos, pertencentes a cinco espécies. Anopheles darlingi foi o anofelino mais freqüente (61,4%), seguido de An. albitarsis s.l. (35,4%), An. triannulatus (2,5%), An. oswaldoi (0,4%) e An. evansae (0,2%). O nível da água e a vegetação às margens do reservatório foram determinantes para a freqüência das espécies de anofelinos. Os fatores climáticos tiveram influência secundária. A estabilidade do reservatório, o aumento na freqüência do An. darlingi e a chegada de garimpeiros foram responsáveis pelos casos de malária diagnosticados.

The ecology of anopheline species (Diptera, Culicidae) was studied in the vicinity of the Serra da Mesa Reservoir, State of Goiás, Brazil. Climatic factors and frequency of anopheline populations were analyzed. Bimonthly human-bait and Shannon trap captures were conducted for 36 consecutive months (January 1997 through December 1999). A total of 5,205 adult anophelines belonging to five species were collected. Anopheles darlingi was the most frequently collected anopheline (61.4%), followed by An. albitarsis s.l. (35.4%), An. triannulatus. (2.5%), An. oswaldoi (0.4%), and An. evansae (0.2%). The water level and vegetation along the banks of the reservoir were crucial to the frequency of the various anopheline species. Climatic factors had a secondary influence. The reservoir's water-level stability, increased frequency of An. darlingi, and the arrival of gold prospectors were responsible for the increase in malaria cases.

Foram estudados aspectos da ecologia de anofelinos (Diptera, Culicidae) em áreas da Usina Hidrelétrica de Serra da Mesa, Estado de Goiás, Brasil. Foram analisados a incidência das populações de anofelinos e os fatores climáticos. Foram realizadas capturas bimestrais, em isca humana e armadilha Shannon, ao longo de 36 meses consecutivos (janeiro de 1997 a dezembro de 1999). Capturamos um total de 5.205 anofelinos adultos, pertencentes a cinco espécies. Anopheles darlingi foi o anofelino mais freqüente (61,4%), seguido de An. albitarsis s.l. (35,4%), An. triannulatus (2,5%), An. oswaldoi (0,4%) e An. evansae (0,2%). O nível da água e a vegetação às margens do reservatório foram determinantes para a freqüência das espécies de anofelinos. Os fatores climáticos tiveram influência secundária. A estabilidade do reservatório, o aumento na freqüência do An. darlingi e a chegada de garimpeiros foram responsáveis pelos casos de malária diagnosticados.

The ecology of anopheline species (Diptera, Culicidae) was studied in the vicinity of the Serra da Mesa Reservoir, State of Goiás, Brazil. Climatic factors and frequency of anopheline populations were analyzed. Bimonthly human-bait and Shannon trap captures were conducted for 36 consecutive months (January 1997 through December 1999). A total of 5,205 adult anophelines belonging to five species were collected. Anopheles darlingi was the most frequently collected anopheline (61.4%), followed by An. albitarsis s.l. (35.4%), An. triannulatus. (2.5%), An. oswaldoi (0.4%), and An. evansae (0.2%). The water level and vegetation along the banks of the reservoir were crucial to the frequency of the various anopheline species. Climatic factors had a secondary influence. The reservoir's water-level stability, increased frequency of An. darlingi, and the arrival of gold prospectors were responsible for the increase in malaria cases.

O objetivo do estudo foi levantar os principais parasitóides de Chrysomya megacephala, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, devido a importância dessa mosca como vetor de patógenos para o ambiente urbano. As coletas foram realizadas semanalmente, no período de agosto de 1999 a julho de 2000, por meio da exposição de larvas e pupas da mosca em carne putrefata. Foram identificadas três espécies de microhimenópteros no local: Tachinaephagus zealandicus (Encyrtidae), Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Pteromalidae) e Nasonia vitripennis (Pteromalidae), cujos testes posteriores poderão mostrar seu potencial para utilização em futuros programas de controle.

The study was carried out with the purpose of identifying the main parasitoids of Chrysomya megacephala in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, given the importance of these flies as vectors of pathogenic agents in the urban environment. Samplings were conducted every week from August 1999 to July 2000. The substrate used to grow fly pupae and to trap parasitoids was decomposing meat. It was identified three species of microhimenopterans: Tachinaephagus zealandicus (Encyrtidae), Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Pteromalidae) and Nasonia vitripennis (Pteromalidae). Further analysis will be performed in order to show the potential of these insects as agents in biological control programs.

O objetivo do estudo foi levantar os principais parasitóides de Chrysomya megacephala, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, devido a importância dessa mosca como vetor de patógenos para o ambiente urbano. As coletas foram realizadas semanalmente, no período de agosto de 1999 a julho de 2000, por meio da exposição de larvas e pupas da mosca em carne putrefata. Foram identificadas três espécies de microhimenópteros no local: Tachinaephagus zealandicus (Encyrtidae), Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Pteromalidae) e Nasonia vitripennis (Pteromalidae), cujos testes posteriores poderão mostrar seu potencial para utilização em futuros programas de controle.

The study was carried out with the purpose of identifying the main parasitoids of Chrysomya megacephala in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, given the importance of these flies as vectors of pathogenic agents in the urban environment. Samplings were conducted every week from August 1999 to July 2000. The substrate used to grow fly pupae and to trap parasitoids was decomposing meat. It was identified three species of microhimenopterans: Tachinaephagus zealandicus (Encyrtidae), Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Pteromalidae) and Nasonia vitripennis (Pteromalidae). Further analysis will be performed in order to show the potential of these insects as agents in biological control programs.

Estabelecemos a influência exercida pela cobertura vegetal de quatro diferentes biótopos em áreas do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (PNI) sobre a fauna local de mosquitos. Realizaram-se capturas bimestrais, em isca humana e armadilha Shannon, em três diferentes períodos do dia, em ambiente silvestre e domiciliar, durante 24 meses consecutivos. Dentre os 20.273 espécimes de fêmeas adultas capturadas, pertencentes a 44 espécies, Ochlerotatus serratus (10,3%), Haemagogus leucocelaenus (9,7%), Mansonia titillans (9,6%) e Chagasia fajardoi (8,8%) foram predominantes. Anopheles cruzii, Runchomyia theobaldi, Wyeomyia aporonoma e Wy. confusa ocorreram exclusivamente em áreas com vegetação bem preservada e densa configuração. Culex nigripalpus, Oc. pennai, Oc. serratus, Sabethes purpureus e Sa. albiprivus foram capturados nos três biótopos essencialmente silvestres. Na mata no entorno da represa foram capturadas principalmente An. albitarsis s.l., An. galvaoi, An. evansae, An. fluminensis, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cq. juxtamansonia, Wy. quasilongirostris e Onirion personatum. As espécies que apresentaram maiores incidências na área sob ação antrópica foram Ch. fajardoi, Cq. fasciolata, Cq. nitens e Ma. titillans.

A study of the mosquito fauna in the Iguaçu National Park focused on population behavior in four biotopes with different types of plant cover inside the Park. Systematic bimonthly diurnal and nocturnal human bait and Shannon trap captures were conducted in both forest and domiciliary environments over the course of 24 months. A total of 20,273 adult mosquito specimens belonging to 44 species were collected: Ochlerotatus serratus (10.3%), Haemagogus leucocelaenus (9.7%), Mansonia titillans (9.6%), and Chagasia fajardoi (8.8%) were the most frequently captured mosquitoes. Anopheles cruzii, Runchomyia theobaldi, Wyeomyia aporonoma, and Wy. confusa were captured almost exclusively in well-preserved areas with dense forest cover. Culex nigripalpus, Oc. pennai, Oc. serratus, Sabethes purpureus, and Sa. albiprivus were captured in three essentially sylvatic biotopes. Species captured in the forest areas around a dam were: An. albitarsis s.l., An. galvaoi, An. evansae, An. fluminensis, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cq. juxtamansonia, Wy. quasilongirostris, and Onirion personatum, Ch. fajardoi, Cq. fasciolata, Cq nitens, and Ma. titillans were the most frequently captured species in a residential area.

Estabelecemos a influência exercida pela cobertura vegetal de quatro diferentes biótopos em áreas do Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (PNI) sobre a fauna local de mosquitos. Realizaram-se capturas bimestrais, em isca humana e armadilha Shannon, em três diferentes períodos do dia, em ambiente silvestre e domiciliar, durante 24 meses consecutivos. Dentre os 20.273 espécimes de fêmeas adultas capturadas, pertencentes a 44 espécies, Ochlerotatus serratus (10,3%), Haemagogus leucocelaenus (9,7%), Mansonia titillans (9,6%) e Chagasia fajardoi (8,8%) foram predominantes. Anopheles cruzii, Runchomyia theobaldi, Wyeomyia aporonoma e Wy. confusa ocorreram exclusivamente em áreas com vegetação bem preservada e densa configuração. Culex nigripalpus, Oc. pennai, Oc. serratus, Sabethes purpureus e Sa. albiprivus foram capturados nos três biótopos essencialmente silvestres. Na mata no entorno da represa foram capturadas principalmente An. albitarsis s.l., An. galvaoi, An. evansae, An. fluminensis, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cq. juxtamansonia, Wy. quasilongirostris e Onirion personatum. As espécies que apresentaram maiores incidências na área sob ação antrópica foram Ch. fajardoi, Cq. fasciolata, Cq. nitens e Ma. titillans.

A study of the mosquito fauna in the Iguaçu National Park focused on population behavior in four biotopes with different types of plant cover inside the Park. Systematic bimonthly diurnal and nocturnal human bait and Shannon trap captures were conducted in both forest and domiciliary environments over the course of 24 months. A total of 20,273 adult mosquito specimens belonging to 44 species were collected: Ochlerotatus serratus (10.3%), Haemagogus leucocelaenus (9.7%), Mansonia titillans (9.6%), and Chagasia fajardoi (8.8%) were the most frequently captured mosquitoes. Anopheles cruzii, Runchomyia theobaldi, Wyeomyia aporonoma, and Wy. confusa were captured almost exclusively in well-preserved areas with dense forest cover. Culex nigripalpus, Oc. pennai, Oc. serratus, Sabethes purpureus, and Sa. albiprivus were captured in three essentially sylvatic biotopes. Species captured in the forest areas around a dam were: An. albitarsis s.l., An. galvaoi, An. evansae, An. fluminensis, Coquillettidia venezuelensis, Cq. juxtamansonia, Wy. quasilongirostris, and Onirion personatum, Ch. fajardoi, Cq. fasciolata, Cq nitens, and Ma. titillans were the most frequently captured species in a residential area.

The study was set up to evaluate the impact of two commercial larvicide formulations, Bacillus thuringiensis serovar israelensis base (Bti) at 15 ppm/1 min and temephos at 0.03 ppm of active ingredient, used to control Simulium pertinax populations, on associated non-target entomofauna occupying the same breeding sites. The experiments were carried out on the Pedra Branca and Muricana rivers, on the slopes of Serra do Mar massif, municipality of Paraty, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Bti was applied to the river Pedra Branca and temephosto theriver Muricana. On both rivers, treatment and control sections were labeled as such, each one with two observation posts: slow moving water and fast water regions respectively. Artificial substrata was used to evaluate the abundance of associated entomofauna. Attached immature stages of arthropods were removed from both of its surfaces fortnightly. Were collected, from the two rivers, 28 477 specimens of the entomofauna associated with S. pertinax. The families Hydropsychidae, Chironomidae, Bactidae, Simuliidae, Blephariceridae and Megapodagrionidae were represented. These was an impact of temephos on the entomofauna associated with S. pertinax only in Simuliidae and Chironomidae, and to Bti only in Simuliidae. However, the reduction in their numbers was not statistically significant.

OBJETIVO: Verificar as espécies de dípteros muscóides capazes de veicular ovos e larvas de helmintos e avaliar o potencial de contaminação dos dípteros capturados. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa foi realizada em dois pontos distintos do Jardim Zoológico da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, no período de maio de 1996 a abril de 1998. As capturas dos dípteros foram realizadas semanalmente com armadilhas contendo peixe em putrefação, que permaneceram expostas durante uma hora nos dois pontos: local 1- próximo à lixeira do zoológico e o local 2- perto do recinto do hipopótamo e das aves de rapina. Foram capturadas 41.080 moscas, sendo a espécie Chrysomya megacephala mais representativa com 69,34%, seguida de Chrysomya albiceps 11,22%, Musca domestica 7,15%, Chrysomya putoria 4,52%, Fannia sp. 3,12%, Ophyra sp. 2,53% e Atherigona orientalis 2,08%. As moscas capturadas tiveram a superfície dos corpos lavadas com água destilada e os tubos digestivos dissecados. RESULTADOS: Das espécies estudadas, C. megacephala e M. domestica apresentaram maior quantidade de ovos de helmintos na superfície do corpo e no conteúdo intestinal. Ovos de Ascaridoidea e Trichinelloidea prevaleceram no conteúdo intestinal de C. megacephala. Dos ovos de helmintos encontrados na superfície do corpo e no conteúdo intestinal foram identificados: Ascaris sp., Toxascaris sp., Toxocara sp., Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp., Oxiurídeos, Triconstrogilídeos e Acantocephala. Também foram encontradas larvas de helmintos na superfície do corpo dos dípteros. Houve diferenças significativas (nível de 5%, pelo teste F) entre os diferentes pontos de capturas em relação ao número de ovos de helmintos encontrados nos dípteros. CONCLUSÕES: As fezes dos animais do jardim zoológico, encontradas freqüentemente nos abrigos e lixeiras, contribuíram para a proliferação dos dípteros muscóides, que assumem importante papel na veiculação de ovos de helmintos, principalmente pelo contato direto do corpo do díptero com o alimento dos animais.

OBJECTIVE: To assessmuscoid dipterae species who are able to carry helminth eggs and larvae and to evaluate the potential contamination of trapped dipterae. METHODS: The study was conducted in two different sites of the Zoological Garden of Rio de Janeiro from May 1996 to April 1998. Flies were captured weekly using traps containing putrefied fish, left out in the open for an hour at two sites in the zoo: Site 1 was next to the garbage and Site 2 was near the hippopotamus and birds of prey cages. Of the 41,080 flies captured, Chrysomya megacephala was the most representative species (69.34%), followed by Chrysomya albiceps (11.22%), Musca domestica (7.15%), Chrysomya putoria (4.52%), Fannia sp. ( 3.12%), Ophyra sp. ( 2.53%), and Atherigona orientalis (2.08%). Captured flies had their body surface washed out with distilled water and their gut dissected. RESULTS: Among the species studied, C. megacephala and M. domestica presented higher helminth eggs on their body surface and in their intestinal content. Ascaroidea and Trichinelloidea eggs prevailed in the intestinal content of C. megacephala. The helminth eggs found on the body surface and in the intestinal content were identified as Ascaris sp., Toxascaris sp., Toxocara sp., Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp., Oxyuridae, Trichostrongylidae and Acantocephala. Besides eggs it was also found helminth larvae on the body surface of flies. There were significant differences between the two different capture sites related to the number of helminth eggs found on the flies. CONCLUSIONS: Faeces of zoo animals frequently found in their cages and in the zoo garbage contributed to the proliferation of muscoid dipterans who play an important role in spreading helminth eggs, mainly by direct contact of the flies' body with the animals' food.

OBJETIVO: Verificar as espécies de dípteros muscóides capazes de veicular ovos e larvas de helmintos e avaliar o potencial de contaminação dos dípteros capturados. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa foi realizada em dois pontos distintos do Jardim Zoológico da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, no período de maio de 1996 a abril de 1998. As capturas dos dípteros foram realizadas semanalmente com armadilhas contendo peixe em putrefação, que permaneceram expostas durante uma hora nos dois pontos: local 1- próximo à lixeira do zoológico e o local 2- perto do recinto do hipopótamo e das aves de rapina. Foram capturadas 41.080 moscas, sendo a espécie Chrysomya megacephala mais representativa com 69,34%, seguida de Chrysomya albiceps 11,22%, Musca domestica 7,15%, Chrysomya putoria 4,52%, Fannia sp. 3,12%, Ophyra sp. 2,53% e Atherigona orientalis 2,08%. As moscas capturadas tiveram a superfície dos corpos lavadas com água destilada e os tubos digestivos dissecados. RESULTADOS: Das espécies estudadas, C. megacephala e M. domestica apresentaram maior quantidade de ovos de helmintos na superfície do corpo e no conteúdo intestinal. Ovos de Ascaridoidea e Trichinelloidea prevaleceram no conteúdo intestinal de C. megacephala. Dos ovos de helmintos encontrados na superfície do corpo e no conteúdo intestinal foram identificados: Ascaris sp., Toxascaris sp., Toxocara sp., Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp., Oxiurídeos, Triconstrogilídeos e Acantocephala. Também foram encontradas larvas de helmintos na superfície do corpo dos dípteros. Houve diferenças significativas (nível de 5%, pelo teste F) entre os diferentes pontos de capturas em relação ao número de ovos de helmintos encontrados nos dípteros. CONCLUSÕES: As fezes dos animais do jardim zoológico, encontradas freqüentemente nos abrigos e lixeiras, contribuíram para a proliferação dos dípteros muscóides, que assumem importante papel na veiculação de ovos de helmintos, principalmente pelo contato direto do corpo do díptero com o alimento dos animais.

OBJECTIVE: To assessmuscoid dipterae species who are able to carry helminth eggs and larvae and to evaluate the potential contamination of trapped dipterae. METHODS: The study was conducted in two different sites of the Zoological Garden of Rio de Janeiro from May 1996 to April 1998. Flies were captured weekly using traps containing putrefied fish, left out in the open for an hour at two sites in the zoo: Site 1 was next to the garbage and Site 2 was near the hippopotamus and birds of prey cages. Of the 41,080 flies captured, Chrysomya megacephala was the most representative species (69.34%), followed by Chrysomya albiceps (11.22%), Musca domestica (7.15%), Chrysomya putoria (4.52%), Fannia sp. ( 3.12%), Ophyra sp. ( 2.53%), and Atherigona orientalis (2.08%). Captured flies had their body surface washed out with distilled water and their gut dissected. RESULTS: Among the species studied, C. megacephala and M. domestica presented higher helminth eggs on their body surface and in their intestinal content. Ascaroidea and Trichinelloidea eggs prevailed in the intestinal content of C. megacephala. The helminth eggs found on the body surface and in the intestinal content were identified as Ascaris sp., Toxascaris sp., Toxocara sp., Trichuris sp., Capillaria sp., Oxyuridae, Trichostrongylidae and Acantocephala. Besides eggs it was also found helminth larvae on the body surface of flies. There were significant differences between the two different capture sites related to the number of helminth eggs found on the flies. CONCLUSIONS: Faeces of zoo animals frequently found in their cages and in the zoo garbage contributed to the proliferation of muscoid dipterans who play an important role in spreading helminth eggs, mainly by direct contact of the flies' body with the animals' food.

The ecology of mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) was studied in areas of the Serra do Mar State Park, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The influence of the lunar cycle and the daily biting rhythms of mosquito populations were analyzed. Systematized biweekly human bait collections were made in a silvatic environment for 24 consecutive months (January 1991 to December 1992). A total of 20,591 specimens of adult mosquitoes belonging to 55 species were collected from 545 catches. Sabethini species were captured exclusively during daylight periods, with the exception of Trichoprosopon digitatum, while members of Anophelinae predominated during nocturnal hours. Members of the subfamily Culicinae that were collected primary during nocturnal periods included Culex nigripalpus, Coquillettidia chrysonotum and Cq. venezuelensis while daytime catches included Psorophora ferox and Ps. albipes. Others members of culicines mosquitoes that were collected during both day and night included: Aedes serratus, Ae. scapularis and Ae. fulvus. Lunar cycles did not appear to influence the daily biting rhythms of most mosquito species in the area, but larger numbers of mosquitoes were collected during the new moon. Ae. scapularis were captured mainly during the full moon.

The mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) ecology was studied in areas of Serra do Mar State Park, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Systematized biweekly human bait collections were made three times a day, for periods of 2 or 3 h each, in sylvatic and rural areas for 24 consecutive months (January 1991 to December 1992). A total of 24,943 adult mosquitoes belonging to 57 species were collected during 622 collective periods. Aedes scapularis, Coquillettidia chrysonotum, Cq. venezuelensis, Wyeomyia dyari, Wy. longirostris, Wy. theobaldi and Wy. palmata were more frequently collected at swampy and at flooded areas. Anopheles mediopunctatus, Culex nigripalpus, Ae. serratus, Ae. fulvus, Psorophora ferox, Ps. albipes and the Sabethini in general, were captured almost exclusively in forested areas. An. cruzii, An. oswaldoi and An. fluminensis were captured more frequently in a residence area. However, Cx. quinquefasciatus was the only one truly eusynanthropic. An. cruzii and Ae. scapularis were captured feeding on blood inside and around the residence, indicating that both species, malaria and arbovirus vectors respectively, may be involved in the transmission of these such diseases in rural areas.