Resumo Diferentes citótipos na mesma espécie têm sido associados a mudanças na reprodução das plantas, da sexualidade à apomixia, e podem explicar o isolamento entre populações e espécies. Os híbridos resultantes de cruzamentos de interploidia podem contribuir para o entendimento de como essas populações e espécies podem ter se originado e evoluído. A morfometria estomática e as análises de citometria de fluxo foram realizadas para plântulas de diferentes populações de Eriotheca estevesiae, E. gracilipes e E. pubescens, espécies arbóreas dos Cerrados do Brasil Central. Polinizações cruzadas controladas entre indivíduos de citótipos distintos de E. gracilipes (2n = 2x = 92 e 2n = 6x = 276) e entre citótipos sexuais de E. gracilipes (2n = 2x = 92) e E. pubescens (2n = 4x = 184 ) foram realizadas. Apenas uma semente viável foi obtida a partir de cruzamentos interploidias de E. gracilipes. A hibridização entre citótipos sexuais não produziu frutos. As análises do tamanho do genoma indicaram que aparentemente não havia híbridos naturais ou população de ploidia mista entre as plântulas analisadas. O tamanho dos estômatos das plântulas era consistente com os citótipos e o nível de ploidia supostos; e quando comparados com os estômatos do híbrido de interploidia viável de E. gracilipes, indicou um nível de ploidia intermediário, tetraplóide. Embora os dados tenham confirmado a possibilidade de hibridização interploidia, os citótipos pareceram relativamente estáveis e a hibridização interploidia natural parece ser menos comum em árvores Eriotheca.

Abstract Hybridization and changes in ploidy have been associated with shifts from sexuality to apomixis, and may explain isolation among populations and species. Hybrids resulting from interploidy crosses may contribute to a broader understanding of how these populations and species have originated and evolved. Stomatal morphometrics and flow cytometry analyses were carried out for seedlings from different populations of Eriotheca estevesiae, E. gracilipes and E. pubescens, a group of closely related tree species in the Central Brazilian Cerrados. Controlled cross-pollinations between individuals of different cytotypes of E. gracilipes (2n = 2x = 92 and 2n = 6x = 276) and between sexual cytotypes of E. gracilipes (2n = 2x = 92) and E. pubescens (2n = 4x = 184) were performed. Only one viable seed was obtained from interploidy crosses of E. gracilipes. The hybridization between sexual cytotypes did not produce fruits. Genome size analyses indicated that there were apparently no natural hybrids or mixed ploidy populations among the seedlings analyzed. Seedlings stomatal size was consistent with previously reported cytotypes and ploidy levels; and when compared with the stomata of the viable interploidy hybrid of E. gracilipes, indicated a tetraploid, intermediate ploidy level. Although the data suggest the possibility of interploidy hybridization, cytotypes appeared relatively stable and natural interploidy hybridization seems to be uncommon among Eriotheca trees.

RESUMEN La toxina iota (ITX) es una enterotoxina binaria producida como protoxina por Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) tipo E que es activada por enzimas proteolíticas en el intestino delgado de los animales infectados. Mediante la despolimerización de los filamentos de actina, la ITX provoca la desorganización del citoesqueleto de las células promoviendo el aumento de la permeabilidad celular. Aquí, realizamos esta revisión con el objetivo de avanzar en la comprensión de las enfermedades entéricas clostridiales causadas por las toxinas de C. perfringens y la especificidad de ITX en las lesiones de la mucosa intestinal. La ITX consta de un componente enzimático (Ia) y un componente de unión (Ib). Examinamos los hallazgos histológicos recientemente publicados sobre los efectos de la ITX y su relación con las enfermedades entéricas intestinales. Histológicamente, se ha observado necrosis hemorrágica y hemorragia multifocal en la mucosa del yeyuno-ileo, el intestino delgado y el abomaso. Aunque el diagnóstico sigue basándose en la presencia de toxinas en el contenido intestinal y en la historia clínica y/o histológica, es importante desarrollar nuevos indicadores enterotóxicos capaces de establecer métodos precisos para diferenciar las acciones de la ITX y de otras toxinas implicadas en el proceso infeccioso de C. perfringens tipo E.

ABSTRACT The iota toxin (ITX) is a binary enterotoxin produced as a protoxin by Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type E that is activated by proteolytic enzymes in the small intestine of infected animals. By depolymerization of the actin filaments, ITX causes cytoskeleton disorganization of cells promoting the increase of the cell permeability. Here, we conducted this review aiming to advance the understanding of enteric clostridial diseases caused by C. perfringens toxins and the specificity of ITX in the intestinal mucosa lesions. ITX consists of an enzymatic component (Ia) and a binding component (Ib). We screened the recently published histological findings of the ITX effects and its relationship with intestinal enteric diseases. Histologically, hemorrhagic necrosis and multifocal hemorrhage have been observed in the jejunum-ileum mucosa, the small intestine, and the abomasum. Although the diagnosis is still based on the presence of toxins in the intestinal contents and the clinical and/or histological history, it is important to develop novel enterotoxemic indicators capable of establishing precise methods for differentiate the actions of ITX and other toxins involved in the infectious process of C. perfringens type E.

Abstract The spittlebugs Mahanarva spectabilis economically challenges cattle production of neotropical regions, due to its voracious feeding on tropical grasses. Here, we evaluated biochemical responses of the interaction between M. spectabilis and the widely cultivated tropical grasses Brachiaria spp. (i.e., brizantha and decumbens) and elephant grasses (cvs. Roxo de Botucatu and Pioneiro), regarding lipoxygenases, protease inhibitors, phytohormones, and proteolytic activities in the midgut of M. spectabilis. The M. spectabilis-infested grasses increased lipoxygenases activity, except for cv. Pioneiro. The levels of the phytohormones jasmonic and abscisic acids were similarly low in all genotypes and increased under herbivory. Furthermore, salicylic acid concentration was constitutively higher in Brachiaria sp., increasing only in spittlebug-infested B. decumbens. M. spectabilis infestations did not induce increases of protease inhibitors in any forage grass type. The trypsin activity remained unaltered, and the total proteolytic activity increased only in B. decumbens-fed insects. Our findings revealed that most forage grasses exposed to spittlebugs activate the lipoxygenases pathway, resulting in increased abscisic and jasmonic acids. However, greater amounts of these hormones do not induce protease inhibitory activity in response to spittlebug attack. This knowledge certainly helps to guide future projects aiming at reducing the impact of spittlebugs on forage production.

Resumo: Neste trabalho, usando o levantamento bibliográfico como metodologia, buscamos analisar a importância acadêmica, para o campo da criminologia, dos relatos de experiências produzidos por mulheres. Primeiramente, a partir de Sandra Harding, veremos como a exclusão de mulheres e de seus relatos da produção dos saberes está ligada à invisibilização de certos fenômenos sociais, inclusive criminais. Nesse ponto, também apresentaremos a relevância, tanto para a criminologia, quanto para o feminismo, do critério de necessidade elaborado por Eugenio Zaffaroni. Em um segundo momento, de acordo com narrativas de mulheres encarceradas trazidas, principalmente, por Debora Diniz e Nana Queiroz, identificaremos conceitos feministas e situações de opressão de gênero que devem ser trazidos para a criminologia para que esta compreenda a criminalidade feminina e seus efeitos de forma mais ampla.

Abstract: This research, using the bibliographic survey as methodology, seeks to analyze the academic importance, for the field of criminology, of the narratives of personal experiences produced by women. First, from Sandra Harding, it will be seen how the exclusion of women and their narratives from the production of knowledge is linked to the invisibility of certain social phenomena, including criminal. At this point, the relevance, for both criminology and feminism, of the criterion of necessity, elaborated by E. Zaffaroni, will also be presented. Secondly, according to narratives of incarcerated women, brought mainly by Debora Diniz and Nana Queiroz, feminist concepts and situations of gender oppression that must be brought to criminology in order to understand female criminality and its effects more broadlywill be identified.

RESUMEN El gorgojo Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) es una plaga cosmopolita que causa grandes pérdidas en frijoles almacenados, ya sea em pequenas unidades o en fincas. Aquí, se probó la eficacia del polvo inerte de la tierra de diatomeas (DE) como una alternativa para controlar A. obtectus en frijoles comunes Phaseolus vulgaris L., en diferentes temperaturas de almacenamiento e intervalos de exposición. Usando un diseño completamente al azar, cuatro dosis (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 y 1.00g kg-1) de tierra de diatomeas en frijoles mantenidos a diferentes temperaturas (25, 28, 30, 32 y 35 °C). La mortalidad de los insectos se evaluó después de dos o cinco días de exposición. Se evaluaron los impactos de la tierra de diatomeas en la descendencia de adultos de A. obtectus expuestos a cinco días. La producción de descendencia (adultos emergentes) se evaluó 60 días después de la exposición. Los resultados mostraron que la mortalidad por A. obtectus causada por la tierra de diatomeas dependía de la dosis, la temperatura y el período de exposición. Por ejemplo, a la temperatura más baja (25 °C), la dosis de tierra de diatomeas (0.25 g kg-1 de frijoles) y el período de exposición de dos días, la eficacia de la tierra de diatomeas se redujo significativamente en comparación con los otros tratamientos. Cuando se aplica a temperaturas superiores a 30 °C, los tratamientos con tierra de diatomeas siempre dieron como resultado una mortalidad de A. obtectus de al menos 90%. Curiosamente, la producción de descendencia (F1) se redujo a más del 95% en todos los tratamientos de tierra de diatomeas, temperaturas y períodos de exposición. Por lo tanto, los resultados demostraron que la tierra de diatomeas tiene el potencial de ser utilizada como una herramienta para controlar las infestaciones de A. obtectus en frijoles almacenados, considerando que dicha práctica de control redujo adecuadamente estas infestaciones de insectos en varios escenarios posibles.

ABSTRACT The weevil Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) is a cosmopolitan pest that causes high losses in stored beans in small storage units and especially on-farm storages. Here, it was tested the efficacy of the inert dust diatomaceous earth (DE) as an alternative to control A. obtectus in common beans (i.e., Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on different storage temperatures and exposure intervals. Using a Completely Randomized design four doses (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00g kg-1) of diatomaceous earth on beans kept at different temperatures (25, 28, 30, 32 and 35°C). Insect mortality was evaluated after two or five days of exposure. The impacts of diatomaceous earth in the offspring of five days-exposed A. obtectus adults were evaluated. The offspring production (emerged adults) was evaluated 60 days after the exposure. The results revealed that A. obtectus mortality caused by diatomaceous earth was dose, temperature and exposure period dependent. For instance, at the lowest temperature (25°C), diatomaceous earth dose (0.25g kg-1 of beans) and exposure period of two days, the efficacy of diatomaceous earth was significantly reduced when compared to the other treatments. When applied at temperatures above 30°C, the diatomaceous earth treatments always resulted in A. obtectus mortality of at least 90%. Curiously, offspring production (F1) was reduced to over 95% in all diatomaceous earth, temperatures and exposure period treatments. Therefore, the results demonstrated that diatomaceous earth has the potential to be used as a tool to manage A. obtectus infestations in stored beans, considering that such control practice adequately reduced these insect infestations in several possible scenarios.

RESUMEN La aplicación de agroquímicos desempeña un papel clave en el suministro mundial de alimentos y productos agrícolas. Brasil, como uno de los actores globales agrícolas más relevantes, depende en gran medida de la aplicación de dichos productos, lo que seguramente atrajo no solo a las empresas que comercializaban lícitamente los pesticidas, sino también a los llamados contrabandistas de pesticidas. Aquí, realizamos una encuesta retrospectiva (es decir, de 2010 a 2017) sobre la captura de productos ilegales, la productividad agrícola y la intoxicación alimentaria en el estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (MS). Los datos estadísticos fueron obtenidos por agencias oficiales como el Sector Técnico-Científico del Departamento de Policía Federal del Estado de MS, el Sistema de Control de Bienes Incautados, el Sistema Nacional de Información Tóxico-Farmacológica y el Instituto Brasileño de Geografía y Estadística, y por la agencia no oficial de la Unión Nacional de la Industria de Productos para la Protección Fitosanitaria. Los resultados indicaron que en 2011 el estado de MS tuvo el mayor número de incautaciones de pesticidas ilegales en comparación con otros años. Además, de 2010 a 2013, el estado estuvo entre las regiones con el mayor número de incautaciones. En el mismo período, la productividad agrícola de los cultivos de algodón, caña de azúcar, maíz y soja fue menor en comparación con los otros años. Con respecto a la intoxicación alimentaria, el porcentaje de intoxicación humana por agroquímicos para uso agrícola fue bajo en comparación con todos los casos de intoxicación por diversos agentes tóxicos. Se concluyó que el estado MS presentó una gran cantidad de incautación de pesticidas ilegales.

ABSTRACT The application of agrochemicals plays a key role in the world's food and agricultural products supply. Brazil, as one of the most relevant agricultural global players is highly dependent on the application of such products, which surely attracted not only companies that licitly commercialized the pesticides but also the so termed pesticide smugglers. Here, we conducted a retrospective survey (i.e., from 2010 to 2017) regarding the apprehension of illegal products, agricultural productivity and food poisoning in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS). The statistical data were obtained by official agencies Such as Technical-Scientific Sector of the Federal Police Department of the MS State, The System of Control of Seized Goods, The National Toxic-Pharmacological Information System and The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, and by the non-official National Union of the Product Industry for Plant Protection agency. The results indicated that in 2011 the MS state had the largest number of seizures of illegal pesticides compared to other years. In addition, from 2010 to 2013, the state was among the regions with the highest number of seizures. In the same period, the agricultural productivity of the cotton, sugarcane, corn and soybean crops was lower compared to the other years. Regarding the food poisoning, the percentage of human intoxication by agrochemicals for agricultural use was low compared to all cases of intoxication by various toxic agents. It was concluded that the state MS presented a large amount of seizure of illegal pesticides.

Resumen Los efectos de los pesticidas sobre los enemigos naturales en un agroecosistema son de suma importancia para los programas de manejo integrado de plagas. Los enemigos naturales pueden estar sujetos a la exposición directa e indirecta de insecticidas y moléculas sinérgicas (por ejemplo, cloruro de sodio - NaCl) que se utilizan para controlar diversas plagas de cultivos agrícolas como la soja. Aquí, evaluamos los posibles efectos del imidacloprid y su interacción con NaCl como un potenciador de la supervivencia y las capacidades reproductivas del depredador no objetivo Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae Los insectos fueron expuestos a una tasa de campo de imidacloprid, recomendado para controlar los chinches en campos de soya. La solución de imidacloprid fue mezclada (o no) con NaCl (0.5%, w/v). El NaCl como potenciador de pesticidas no afectó la supervivencia de los adultos de P. nigrispinus después de 48 h de exposición (siempre se registró menos del 12% de mortalidad). Sin embargo, la mortalidad de la ninfa del quinto estadio fue casi del 50%. Los efectos de imidacloprid sobre los parámetros reproductivos de P. nigrispinus incluyeron una disminución en la oviposición, mostrando menos huevos por día. Sin embargo, la fertilidad no se vio afectada. La adición de NaCl, por lo tanto, no tuvo efecto sobre la mortalidad, supervivencia y reproducción del depredador no objetivo. El uso de NaCl asociado a imidacloprid y otros pesticidas en presencia de P. nigrispinus demostró compatibilidad, sin embargo, requiere una evaluación adicional para respaldar el conjunto de estas estrategias de control de plagas.

Abstract Pesticide effects on natural enemies in an agroecosystem are of paramount importance for integrated pest management programs. Natural enemies can be subject to direct and indirect exposure to insecticides and synergistic molecules (e.g., sodium chloride - NaCl) which are used to control various pests of agricultural crops such as soybean. Here, we evaluated the potential effects of imidacloprid and its interaction with NaCl as an enhancer on the survival and reproductive abilities of the non-target predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). The insects were exposed to the stink bugs control field recommended dose of imidacloprid associated or not with the salt at the concentration of 0.5% (w/v). NaCl as a pesticide enhancer did not affect the survival of P. nigrispinus adults after 48 h of exposure (less than 12% of mortality was always recorded). However, the fifth instar nymph mortality was almost 50%. The effects of imidacloprid on the reproductive parameters of P. nigrispinus included a decrease in the oviposition, showing fewer eggs per day. However, the fertility was not affected. The NaCl addition, therefore, had no effect on the mortality, survival, and reproduction of the non-target predator. The use of NaCl associated to imidacloprid and other pesticides in the presence of P. nigrispinus demonstrated compatibility, however, it requires further evaluation to endorse the set of these pest control strategies.

RESUMEN El uso de aceites esenciales de plantas há sido adoptado como menos peligroso para el medio ambiente y la salud humana que los insecticidas sintéticos utilizados para el control de insectos portadores de enfermedades. A pesar de ejercer actividades insecticidas contra varios insectos vectores de enfermedades, los impactos potenciales en los organismos no objetivo ejercidos por los aceites esenciales extraídos de Lippia sidoides (Cham.) no han recibido la atención adecuada. Evaluamos la susceptibilidad y los posibles cambios en las tasas de consumo de las abejas melíferas, Apis mellifera (L.), cuando se exponen a aceites esenciales extraídos de L. sidoides. Se expuso a las abejas recolectoras a jarabe de miel (50% v / v) que contenía aceite esencial de L. sidoides durante 5 h. Después de este período de exposición, las abejas recibieron jarabe de miel regular durante otro período de 19 h. Se utilizaron seis concentraciones de aceite essencial: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 y 3.5 µL de aceite esencial / mL de jarabe, y se evaluó el consumo de jarabe y la mortalidad de las abejas en ambos períodos (5 y 24 h). Los resultados revelan que, independientemente de la concentración de aceite esencial, las abejas recolectoras se alimentaron significativamente menos de jarabe de miel que contenía aceite esencial de L. sidoides. Sin embargo, la alimentación con jarabe de miel que contiene aceites esenciales de L. sidoides no causó una mortalidad significativa en comparación con las abejas que no estuvieron expuestas a los aceites esenciales. Por lo tanto, los resultados demuestran que los aceites esenciales de L. sidoides exhibieron una selectividad adecuada contra las abejas melíferas.

ABSTRACT The use of plant essential oils has been adopted as less hazardous to the environment and human health than synthetic insecticides used for the control of insects that transmit diseases. Despite of exerting insecticidal activities against several insect disease vectors, the potential impacts on non-target organisms exerted by essential oils extracted from Lippia sidoides (Cham.) have not received adequate attention. Here, we evaluated the susceptibility and potential changes in consumption rates of honey bees, Apis mellifera (L.), when exposed to essential oils extracted from L. sidoides. Was exposed forager bees to honey syrup (50% v/v) containing L. sidoides essential oil for 5 h. After this exposure period, the bees received regular honey syrup for another 19 h period. Six essential oil concentrations was used, namely 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 µL of essential oil/mL of syrup, and evaluated the syrup consumption and bees mortality in both periods (at the 5th and 24th h). The results reveal that independent of the essential oil concentration, the forager bees fed significantly less on L. sidoides essential oil-containing honey syrup. However, feeding on L. sidoides essential oil-containing honey syrup did not cause significant mortality when compared with bees that were not exposed to the essential oils. Thus, the results demonstrate that L. sidoides essential oils exhibited adequate selectivity against honey bees.

In this work, it was described the preparation and the characterization of a solid acid catalyst obtained by the mixture of Cr/Al oxides (CRAL). The catalyst was tested in the transesterification reaction of babassu oil with 5% of free fatty acid (FFA). The results of textural and acidity characteristics of CRAL were: area (56 m2 g-1), pore size (7.0 µm), total acidity (182.28 µmol g-1), wherein Brönsted sites are the most active. Powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) show three phases of the catalyst (Cr2O3/Na2Cr2O3/Al2O3), 0.25:0.25:0.50, respectively. The reaction reached conversion about 98.6% under the conditions: alcohol/oil molar ratio (24:1), catalyst to oil mass ratio of 3.0%, 15 h and 70 ºC. The turnover frequency (TOF) found was 24.5 × 10-4 s-1. Kinetic of the reaction was researched over a temperature range of 60-80 ºC. A pseudo first-order model was proposed with the activation energy (Ea) of 49.18 kJ mol-1. CRAL is active in the biodiesel production for just one cycle, because in the second one it loses its activity. The leaching of catalyst is about 13%, demonstrating that the catalyst is not totally heterogeneous.

Las toxicidades letal y subletal del aceite de nim, Bioneem®, sobre el ácaro depredador Proprioseiopsis neotropicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fueron evaluadas mediante la combinación de dosis letales (DL), el crecimiento demográfico y estudios de los parámetros biológicos. Se llevaron a cabo bioensayos de dosis-mortalidad para estimar las dosis letales del aceite de nim sobre P. neotropicus mediante análisis de probit. Después, la tasa instantánea de crecimiento poblacional (r i) se utilizó para evaluar los efectos subletales del aceite de nim a P. neotropicus basado en la reproducción y datos de mortalidad. Además, los efectos fueron evaluados mediante la comparación de algunos parámetros de la historia de vida de P. neotropicus expuestos a una dosis subletal de aceite de nim. La dosis de aceite de nim que mata al 50% de la población (DL50) del ácaro depredador P. neotropicus fue estimada en 7,5 ul/ cm². La tasa instantánea de crecimiento poblacional del ácaro depredador P. neotropicus no varió con el aumento de las dosis de aceite de nim. De manera similar, la dosis subletal de aceite de nim no afectó los parámetros biológicos del ácaro depredador. Basado en nuestro enfoque letal y subletal llegamos a la conclusión de que el aceite de nim Bioneen® es generalmente selectivo para el ácaro depredador P. neotropicus.

Lethal and sublethal toxicity of the neem oil Bioneem® to the predatory mite Proprioseiopsis neotropicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were evaluated by combining lethal doses (LD) with population growth and biological parameter studies. Dose-mortality bioassays were conducted to estimate the lethal doses of the neem oil to P. neotropicus using probit analyses. Afterwards, the instantaneous rate of increase (r i) was used to evaluate the sublethal effects of the neem oil to P. neotropicus based on reproduction and mortality data. The effects were further assessed by comparing some life history parameters of P. neotropicus exposed to a sublethal dose of neem oil. The dose of neem oil which kills 50% of the population (LD50) of the predatory mite P. neotropicus was 7.5 ul/ cm². The instantaneous rate of increase of the predatory mite P. neotropicus did not vary with increases of dosages of neem oil. Similarly, the LD25 of the neem oil did not affect biological parameters of the predatory mite. Based on our lethal and sublethal approach we conclude that the neem oil Bioneem® is generally selective to the predatory mite P. neotropicus.

Cuphea melvilla é uma espécie peculiar dentro de um gênero majoritariamente melitófilo. Dois agrupamentos de indivíduos, em bordas das matas de galeria do Córrego do Panga, Uberlândia, MG, foram estudados com o objetivo de investigar o sistema de polinização e sistema de reprodução da espécie na região. O estudo foi realizado de janeiro a junho de 1999. Cuphea melvilla é uma espécie arbustiva com características morfológicas e eventos florais que confirmam sua adaptação à polinização por beija-flores. A floração foi longa, com início em Janeiro, em plena estação chuvosa, e término em Julho, no início da seca. O tubo floral formado pelo hipanto é calcarado na base, onde se acumula o néctar produzido por nectário localizado na base do ovário. As flores são marcadamente protândricas, mas flores em diferentes fases podem ser encontradas nos racemos. Os dados mostraram que a espécie é autocompatível e não apomítica, mas devido à dicogamia marcada, necessita polinização ativa para formar frutos. Phaethornis pretrei, Amazilia fimbriata, Thalurania furcata, Eupetomena macroura e Chlorostilbon lucidus (fêmea) foram as espécies de beija-flores observadas visitando e polinizando as flores de C. melvilla. Amazilia fimbriata e C. lucidus apresentaram ocasionalmente comportamento territorial, P. pretrei apresentou forrageamento em linhas de captura, e T. furcata e E. macroura apresentaram forrageamento do tipo oportunístico, visitando as populações estudadas esporadicamente. Amazilia fimbriata, C. lucidus e P. pretrei foram considerados os polinizadores mais importantes, dada a sua constância. As características morfológicas das flores de Cuphea melvilla relacionadas a adaptações aos beija-flores parecem ser derivadas no gênero, sendo que a polinização por beija-flores nas distintas seções indica adaptação convergente a este modo de polinização.

Cuphea melvilla is a peculiar species of a mostly melittophilous genus. Various aspects of the floral and reproductive biology of two groups of individuals, which occur on the edge of gallery forests on the Panga stream (in Uberlândia, southeastern Brazil), were studied. Observations were carried out during the flowering season of 1999. Cuphea melvilla is a shrub with floral features adapted to hummingbird pollination. It has a long flowering period, from January to July, but flowers the most during the rainy season. The flower tube of this species is of hypanthial origin, has a spur at the base, and accumulates nectar, which is produced by a nectary at the base of the ovary. The flowers were protandrous but different floral phases were present from the top to the bottom of the simple racemes. The species appears to be self-compatible but non-apomictic and needs active pollination to form fruits. Pheathornis pretrei, Amazilia fimbriata, Thalurania furcata, Eupetomena macroura and Chlorostilbon lucidus (female) were the hummingbird species observed visiting and pollinating the C. melvilla flowers. Amazilia fimbriata and C. lucidus showed occasional territorial behaviour in relation to the C. melvilla populations, whereas P. pretrei seemed to be trapliner. Thalurania furcata and E. macroura visited the studied populations sporadically. Amazilia fimbriata, C. lucidus and P. pretrei were considered the main pollinators for the studied populations due to their frequency. The flower features of Cuphea melvilla that are related to hummingbird pollination appear to be derived within the genus, and bird pollination, within different sections of the genus, indicate a convergent adaptation.

Estudos sobre evolução da resistência a inseticidas geralmente associam o fenômeno a um custo adaptativo ao indivíduo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se a resistência a piretróides em populações de Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky incorre em desfavorecimento adaptativo na ausência de inseticidas. Duas populações da praga (uma suscetível e outra resistente a piretróides) foram submetidas a competição por duas gerações consecutivas na ausência de inseticidas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi do tipo fatorial bivariado obtido da expansão de uma série aditiva com dois níveis de densidade inicial de insetos (baixa densidade = 50 indivíduos de uma das populações e série crescente de 0 a 50 indivíduos da outra população; e alta densidade = 100 indivíduos de uma das populações e série crescente de 0 a 100 indivíduos da outra população). O número total de indivíduos, a mortalidade ocasionada por exposição a deltametrina e massa corpórea média da população foram os parâmetros avaliados. Não se constatou desvantagens adaptativas na população resistente em relação à população suscetível na ausência de inseticidas, uma vez que ambas populações apresentaram incrementos populacionais semelhantes. Isto acarreta complicações práticas para o manejo da resistência nessa espécie, pois estratégias de manejo que se baseiem na interrupção de uso de inseticidas piretróides visando o retorno de aplicações desses inseticidas no futuro, podem não surtir os efeitos esperados. Isto porque, mesmo passado um longo tempo sem exposição inseticida, as populações resistentes da praga podem ainda se manter como tal.

Studies on insecticide resistance evolution usually associate the phenomenon with an adaptative cost to the individual carrying this trait. Our objective was to verify if insecticide resistance in a population of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky incurs in fitness cost under an insecticide-free environment. Two populations of the species (a susceptible and a pyrethroid resistant population) were submitted to competition against each other for two consecutive generations in the absence of insecticide. A factorial bivariated derivated from an additive series was used in the experimental design with two initial density levels (lower, with 50 individuals of one population and a crescent series of individuals from 0 to 50 from the other population; and higher, with 100 individuals of a population and a crescent series of individuals from 0 to 100 from the other). The total number of adult insects, mortality by deltamethrin and insect body mass for each treatment were recorded. Adaptative disadvantage was not found on the resistant population compared with the susceptible population in an insecticide-free environment since both populations showed similar growth rate. This finding brings about practical complications for insecticide resistance management in this species because management strategies based on the interruption of pyrethroid use aiming their future reintroduction may not achieve the desired effects. This may take place because even after a long period without insecticide use, the resistant populations may still maintain themselves as such since there is no perceptible adaptative disadvantage associated with this trait.

Este trabalho teve como escopo definir uma estratégia de manejo eficiente da irrigação que permita a maximização da produção da cultura da manga, combinada com o uso mais eficiente, racional e sustentável da água. Os trabalhos foram desenvolvidos em área da empresa Mangal - Frutas Tropicais de Exportação Ltda, situada no km 35 da rodovia Teresina - Palmeirais, PI. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com seis tratamentos (seis regimes de irrigação) e quatro repetições, com a parcela experimental composta de quatro plantas. Os tratamentos, depois de estabelecidos, apresentaram-se da seguinte maneira: sem irrigação e com irrigação de 0,44, 0,55, 0,86, 1,00 e 1,37 da evapotranspiração de referência (ETo) determinada a partir da evaporação do tanque "Classe A". Foram avaliados os componentes de produção (produtividade, peso e número de frutos por planta). O teor de água do solo foi monitorado usando-se uma sonda de nêutrons, através de tubos de acesso de PVC de 60 mm de diâmetro, instalados a 1,0 m da planta, nas profundidades de 0,3; 0,5 e 0,7 m, para os seis regimes de irrigação em todos os blocos. As leituras das umidades foram feitas antes da irrigação, duas vezes por semana. O máximo rendimento comercial estimado (12,491 t ha-1) foi obtido com uma lâmina total de irrigação no período produtivo de 601,05 mm.

The purpose of this study was to define a strategy of efficient irrigation water management to allow maximization of mango crop yield. This goal was sought to obtain irrigation sustainability, by means of an efficient use of water for this crop. The experiment was carried out at Mangal - Frutas Tropicais de Exportação Limited farm, located at 35 km on Teresina - Palmeirais highway, in the State of Piaui. The experiment followed a random block design with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: no irrigation, irrigation depth equivalent to 0.44, 0.55, 0.86, 1.00 and 1.37 of ETo, determined by using Class A pan evaporation. The variables evaluated were: productivity, weight and number of fruits per plant. Soil water content was monitored using neutron probe in 60 mm PVC tubes, installed at a distance of 1,0 m from trunk at depths of 0.3; 0.5 and 0.7 m for the six irrigation regimes in all blocks. Soil water content was measured twice a week, before irrigation. Estimated maximum commercial yield (12.491 t ha-1) was obtained for the water depth of 601.05 mm.

Desenvolvimento e reprodução foram estudados no predador Podisus distinctus (Stal) submetido a doses subletais do inseticida permetrina em condições de laboratório. Ninfas de 3º instar foram submetidas a aplicação tópica de permetrina nas doses de 0; 0,0172; 0,172; 1,72; 17,2 e 172 ppb. O único parâmetro significativamente afetado foi a viabilidade de ovos. Esse parâmetro teve um máximo de estímulo na dose 0,172 ppb provendo evidência do fenômeno de hormese.

Development and reproduction were studied in the predator Podisus distinctus (Stal) subjected to sublethal doses of the insecticide permethrin under laboratory conditions. Third instar nymphs were subjected to topical application of permethrin at the doses of 0, 0.0172, 0.172, 1.72, 17.2 e 172 ppb. The only parameter statisticaly different was egg viability. This parameter had the gratest increase at the dose 0.172 ppb provinding evidence for the phenomenon of hormesis.