Report of the mite Lasioseius prorsoperitrematus Abo-Shnaf, Sánchez & Moraes, 2016 (Acari: Blattisociidae) in Brazil associated with the insect Sphenophorus levis Vaurie, 1978 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The sugarcane weevil, Sphenophorus levis Vaurie, 1978 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a pest of sugarcane in Brazil. Lasioseius prorsoperitrematus Abo-Shnaf, Sánchez & Moraes, 2016 (Acari: Blattisociidae), described from the Dominican Republic, is reported from Brazil in association with S. levis in Iracemápolis, São Paulo state. The actual role of each organism in this association needs to be verified. A key to species of Lasioseius Berlese, 1916 recorded from Brazil associated to Coleoptera is provided.

Sugarcane Weevil Borer (Rhabdoscelus Obscurus) in Fiji Islands and Recommendations Towards Its Control

Pests have been a constant threat to agriculture the world over. In the Fiji Islands where the major agricultural export commodity is raw sugar, the Sugarcane weevil borer is one such agricultural pest that poses a real threat to an already ailing industry. The Sugarcane weevil borer (Rhabdoscelus obscure) is a pest originally found in Papua New Guinea whose introduction into Fiji has resulted in crop damage particularly to the soft variety of sugarcane found in Fiji. This review highlights the emergence of the weevil borer and explains a possible control that could be implemented by the Fijian farmers. The current method of control in Fiji uses the split billet trap. While this method has been recognized as an economically viable method of controlling the spread of the weevil borer, it has not been completely effective in eradicating the pest. This paper highlights and puts forth recommendations on other methods which could be used by the sugarcane industry.

Nematodes associated with palm and sugarcane weevils in South Florida with a description of Acrostichus floridensis n. sp.

During a 2016 survey of the nematode associates of the native palmetto weevil,Rhynchophorus cruentatus, and the recently introduced West Indian sugarcane weevil,Metamasius hemipterus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae), from southern Florida, a new species ofAcrostichuswas cultured from a single dissectedR. cruentatusfrom Fort Pierce, FL, USA. Morphological and molecular studies showed that it was new to science and it is described herein asA. floridensisn. sp. The new species is characterised by its male tail characters, spicule morphology with rounded manubrium separated from other parts by clear constriction, smoothly ventrally curved blade, slightly dorsally recurved and pointed tip, more or less straight gubernaculum with widely rounded anterior end and a triangular (arrowhead-like) appendage at the distal tip, and the arrangement of male genital papillae, ⟨(v1, v2), v3 / v4, ad, ph, (v5, v6, v7, pd)⟩. In addition toA. floridensisn. sp. and the previously described nematode associates ofR. cruentatus,i.e.,A. rhynchophori,Teratorhabditis palmarumandMononchoidessp., we recovered a putative new species ofDemaniellaand a new association record withRhabditidoides humicolusandDiplogastrellus metamasiusin Homestead, FL. Dissections and subsequent culturing attempts withM. hemipterusrevealed the previously described nematode associates ofCaenorhabditis angariaandD. metamasiusas well as a new association withR. humicolusin Homestead, FL, USA.