Arthropod fauna on the abaxial and adaxial surfaces of Acacia mangium (Fabaceae) leaves

Acacia mangium (Willd., 1806) (Fabales: Fabaceae) is a fast growing, rustic, pioneer species, with potential to fix nitrogen, and for programs to recover degraded areas. The objective was to evaluate the distribution and the functional diversity of interactions and the K-dominance of arthropod groups on A. mangium saplings. The number of individuals of eleven species of phytophagous insects, three bee species, and fourteen natural enemy species were highest on the adaxial leaf surface of this plant. Abundance, diversity and species richness of phytophagous insects and natural enemies, and abundance and species richness of pollinators were highest on the adaxial A. mangium leaf surface. The distribution of five species of sap-sucking hemipterans and six of protocooperating ants (Hymenoptera), with positive interaction between these groups, and three bee species (Hymenoptera) were aggregated on leaves of A. mangium saplings. Aethalion reticulatum (L.) (Hemiptera: Aethalionidae) and Bemisia sp. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae); Brachymyrmex sp. and Camponotus sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae); and Trigona spinipes Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were the most dominant phytophagous insects, natural enemies, and pollinators, respectively, on A. mangium leaves. Knowledge of preferred leaf surfaces could help integrated pest management programs.

A Vertical stratification of arthropods in the dry ecosystems of Colombian Guyana: morphological patterns and their ecological implications

Introduction: Despite growing interest by the ecosystems derived from the Guyanese formations, the vertical structure of the communities and relationships of the biota with the climatic conditions in these ecosystems are unknown. Objective: Characterize the structure and vertical composition of the arthropod fauna associated with three of the most representative ecosystems of the Northern area of the serranía de La Lindosa in Colombia based on morphological and ecological parameters. Methods: The arthropod fauna was sampled, from the subsurface soil level to the shrub and tree stratum. The fauna was determined up to the level of family or supraspecific group and the values of Alfa and Beta diversity were determined. Body length measurements were made, and the coloration and trophic level of each group were determined. Results: The composition and diversity of the arthropod fauna was different in each ecosystem and vertical stratum and most of the groups in all the ecosystems studied present low abundances. Groups of phytophagous and predatory habits were frequent in all ecosystems and the highest biomass of arthropod fauna comes from groups of polyphagous habits, of medium size and great abundance. Light and dark colorations are the most frequent in landscape-scale. Conclusion: The ecosystems studied are characterized by the low values of diversity and replacement and the large number of non-shared groups that apparently respond to the microclimatic characteristics; however, there are some generalities on a landscape scale such as the greater richness and abundance of groups in the intermediate strata, the greater proportion of groups with phytophagous habits and medium body sizes, and the predominance of dark colorations in the lower strata.

Synanthropy of dipterans collected in cattle feces in Brazil

Cattle feces accumulated in pastures and stables constitute an especially favorable microhabitat for the development of a rich and heterogeneous arthropod fauna. This study determined the species of Diptera of Medical, Veterinary and Agricultural importance present in forest, rural and urban areas in the municipality of Monte Alegre, state Minas Gerais Southeast region, Brazil in the period from March to November 2006. The dipterans pupae were individually placed in glass jars until the emergence of the dipterans. A total of 372 dipteran pupae were collected, 107 in the forest area, 194 in the rural area and 71 in the urban area. Percentage of dipterans in forest, rural and urban areas were 28.7%, 52.2% and 19.1%, respectively. Sorcophagula occidua (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) was the most frequent species with 42.2%. Regarding the synanthropy index of the species Archisepsis scabra (Loew, 1861) (Diptera: Sepsidae) Palaeosepsis pusio (Schiner, 1868) (Diptera: Sepsidae), Brontaea quadristigma (Thomson, 1869) (Diptera: Muscidae) and S. occidua presented an index of 16.0%, - 64%, +18.4% and +7.7%, respectively. Dipterans constitute the adequate model for the study of synanthropy, not only for their ecological importance, but also for their medical-sanitary aspect.

Traditional knowledge regarding entomophagy in San Martín, Peruvian Amazon

The consumption of insects is a widespread practice among indigenous or native peoples of the Amazon. To assess the knowledge of the diversity of resources for entomophagy from the perspective of these peoples, testimonies or references about knowledge and feeding traditions of 100 people were collected in 37 localities in seven provinces of the department of San Martín in the basin of the Huallaga River. One cumulative species curve and the probability function of new species were estimated, then the probability of not finding a new species (99.5 %) to n100 was determined. The specimens that were captured in the field (54 %) were compared with representative specimens and databases, and the information provided by the participants was analysed to approximate the preliminary taxonomic locations of the remaining part of the sample. We found 46 resources for entomophagy and reported for first time in the Peruvian Amazon, the feeding with Chrysophora chrysochlora, Podalia sp., Lusura chera, and Cymothoidae, among others. Entomophagy is a deeply rooted practice in the native and riverine populations of the Huallaga basin, where Rhynchophorus palmarum, Rhinostomus barbirostris, Atta cephalotes sspp. and Brassolis sophorae were the most consumed for 78 % – 97 % of people. The least consumed species have the common characteristic of being scarce and they were part of the diet of the oldest segment in previous decades. At least 10 resources ceased to be consumed by the members of the sample. In addition to nutritional potential, the diversity of edible arthropod fauna represents complementary values for community health and cultural identity; however, most of these resources (87 %) are threatened and could disappear in brief time, as is the knowledge related to their use.

Undarobius, a new genus of cavernicolous weevils (Curculionidae: Entiminae: Leptopiini) from the Undara Lava Caves in north-eastern Australia, with an overview of anophthalmic and microphthalmic Australian Curculionidae

Undarobius gen. n., a new genus of cavernicolous weevils with two new species, U. howarthi sp. n. and U. irvini sp. n., is described from the Undara Lava Cave system in north-eastern Queensland, Australia. These are the first cavernicolous weevils to be described from Australia, and U. howarthi is a new addition to the rich arthropod fauna of Bayliss Cave. Undarobius weevils are relatively large in size (4.0–5.5 mm long), anophthalmic and apterous with a robust, flattened body and long legs. The genus has affinities with Leptopiini, but its placement in the tribe is uncertain. We also provide a list of the known anophthalmic and microphthalmic weevils in Australia, spanning 65 species classified in 20 genera, eight tribes and about seven subfamilies and found in diverse hypogean habitats, mainly leaf litter but also soil, beach sand, subterranean aquifers and mosses.

The Arthropod Fauna of Oak (Quercus spp., Fagaceae) Canopies in Norway

(1) We document the invertebrate fauna collected from 24 oak canopies in east and west Norway as a contribution to the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre’s ‘The Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative’. (2) A snap-shot inventory of the canopies was recorded by means of emitting a mist of natural pyrethrum into the canopies at night using a petrol-driven fogger and collecting the specimens in butterfly nets spread on the ground under the canopy. (3) Almost the entire catch of more than 6800 specimens was identified to 722 species. Out of 92 species new to the Norwegian fauna, 21 were new to science and, additionally, 15 were new to the Nordic fauna. Diptera alone constituted nearly half of the species represented, with 61 new records (18 new species). Additionally, 24 Hymenoptera (one new species), six oribatid mites (two new species) and one Thysanoptera were new to the Norwegian fauna. (4) Our study emphasizes the importance of the oak tree as a habitat both for a specific fauna and occasional visitors, and it demonstrates that the canopy fogging technique is an efficient way to find the ‘hidden fauna’ of Norwegian forests. The low number of red listed species found reflects how poor the Norwegian insect fauna is still studied. Moreover, the implication of the IUCN red list criteria for newly described or newly observed species is discussed.

Arthropod fauna associated with organic and conventional maize crop

The corn crop has a marked sensitivity to biotic and abiotic stresses. As a control method, basically, transgenic plants have been used in association with chemical control. However, frequent applications of insecticides affect the conservation of biodiversity, and consequently, the natural regulation of insect populations. Thus, the objective of the work was to compare the diversity of arthropodofauna associated with the cultivation of corn in organic and conventional systems. The experiments were carried out at Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida, in Hidrolândia/GO, in two areas: one in a consolidated organic system and the other in a conventional system. The organic area (1 ha) was sown with the Creole variety Palha Roxa and no type of cultural treatment was carried out. The conventional area (10 ha) was sown with a transgenic hybrid resistant to the herbicide glyphosate 30F53VYHR and two chemical fertilizers were applied, for planting and cover, two applications of herbicides and an application of insecticide. To survey the arthropodofauna, in each area, two collections were made with six pitfall soil traps. The first collection was carried out in the vegetative stage and the second in the reproductive stage, approximately at 35 and 80 days after planting, respectively. The traps were kept in the field for a week. In addition, a collection with entomological net was carried out in 10 plants chosen at random. The collected insects were stored in plastic pots containing 70% alcohol and taken to the laboratory for quantification and identification. The data referring to the total of insects collected were submitted to the T test at 5% probability. In the two collected with pitfall traps, the largest number of arthropods was collected in the area of ​​organic cultivation, with greater diversity of orders and families in this area. In the collection performed with entomological network, there was no difference between the places of cultivation. Organic crops provide better conditions for establishment and development for insects, especially those that spend some life in the soil. Therefore, the diversity of arthropods is greater in this cultivation system.

Variation of insect succession in summer on decomposing rabbit carrions treated with aluminum phosphide in Beheira governorate, Egypt

The present study aimed to record the arthropod fauna of medico-legal importance in an urban city: El Delengat, Beheira governorate, Egypt, by studying the succession of insects and the duration of the decomposition of rabbit carrions injected with Aluminum phosphide (AlP). In our study the total of twelve male rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus L, each weighing 1,25 kg were used. The experiment was conducted in summer. Three replicate experiments were conducted, for each experiment, 3 rabbits were administered intragastrically dosages of 27.4 mg, 13.7 mg, 54.8 mg of aluminum phosphide by body weight representing LD50, ½ LD50, 2 LD50, respectively. The fourth rabbit was used as a control, injected by saline solution. The recorded entomofauna was denoted in 5 orders, 12 families, and 17 genera and species. Necrophagous arthropods that colonized rabbit carrions were substantially of Diptera and Coleoptera orders. Calliphorid insects was the foremost family that colonizing the different carrions. AlP appeared to delay the decomposition process in ½ LD50 and 2 LD50 carrions. These results are the primary record of the arthropod successive pattern on aluminum phosphide remains, it will provide useful data in any future case studies involving AlP intoxication.