Aeneolamia Fennah, 1949 (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) attacks pastures in Roraima, with first report in Brazil

Spittlebugs (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) are the predominant pasture pests in Brazil, mainly the Amazonia region. Despite frequent reports of attacks by these spittlebugs in Roraima, information on this insect group is scarce. Therefore, we conducted surveys and a population dynamic study in pastures in Roraima from May 2015 to July 2019. We identified the spittlebugs Aeneolamia flavilatera (Urich, 1914) and Aeneolamia reducta montana (Lallemand, 1944). This is the first report of A. reducta montana in Brazil, and the first report of A. flavilatera attacking pastures. We discuss the possible impacts of these pests on Brazilian agriculture and livestock.

Breeding technique of Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard, 1901) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on roses leaflets

The development of adequate methods for maintaining populations of arthropod organisms in the laboratory has been a challenge due to the characteristics of each species. This work has aimed to define a method for breeding Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard, 1901) in rose leaflets in order to study this species in the laboratory. A condition which could maintain the leaflets turgor for a longer time was sought, in order to guarantee both the survival and multiplication of the insects, and less influence of abiotic factors. Four types of substrates were tested: a) a filter paper disk moistened with distilled water covering the bottom of a Petri dish and; b) a vegetable sponge moistened with distilled water surrounding the base of the leaflet; c) a potato, dextrose and agar (BDA) in a microcentrifuge tube surrounding the base of the leaflet; and d) hydrogel in a microcentrifuge tube surrounding the base of the leaflet. The filter paper moistened with distilled water allowed 65% of the leaflets to remain turgid over a 10-day period and was the most suitable substrate for thrips breeding. With the results at hand, we described S. rubrocinctus breeding in the laboratory. The adopted methodology provided the population density stability of the bred insects, as well as the obtainment of specimens of S. rubrocinctus in quantity and quality throughout the entire period of development of studies on the biology of the species.

First report of the phytoseiid mite Neoparaphytoseius charapa Jiménez, McMurtry & Moraes, 2014 (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Brazil, with notes on the occurrence of the genus

Phytoseiid mites collected on Inga edulis L. (Leguminosae) in three localities in the Amazonas State, Brazil, were identified as Neoparaphytoseius charapa Jiménez, McMurtry & Moraes, 2014. This is the first report of this species in Brazil. Notes on geographic occurrence and association of Neoparaphytoseius Chant & McMurtry, 2003 species with host plants are presented.

Distributional range expansion of the parasitic wasp Lirata batesella (Westwood, 1874) (Hymenoptera, Eucharitidae)

This study is focused on the expansion of the distributional range of Lirata batesella (Westwood, 1874) (Hymenoptera, Eucharitidae) and based on a single female specimen deposited at Coleção Entomológica do Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Predadores e Parasitoides of the Instituto Biológico, in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil. Santarém, in Pará state, Brazil, the type locality, is the only known distribution record for the species. Here, we provide a new distribution record for L. batesella, in Luiz Antônio, São Paulo state, about 2,200 km south of the type locality, which represents a significant increase in its distribution range. A map showing the geographical distribution of L. batesella based on the new record and literature is provided.

Contributing to the knowledge of Brazilian Sphingidae diversity: the first record of Adhemarius daphne daphne Boisduval, 1785 and Amphimoea walkeri Boisduval, 1785 in South Brazil

Three individuals (two males and one female) of Adhemarius daphne daphne Boisduval, 1785 and an exemplar of Amphimoea walkeri Boisduval, 1785, were caught in Maquiné and Cerro Largo municipalities, respectively, indicating the first occurrence of these two taxa in the Rio Grande do Sul state, South Brazil.

SIBAC (Simpósio Brasileiro de Acarologia) em tempos de conectividade

Although not readily recognizable by humanity (mainly due to their small size), mites are found in many environments, directly or indirectly affecting humans. The study of mites in Brazil has become a topic of great relevance. Acarologists periodically meet at SIBAC (Brazilian Symposium of Acarology) events to exchange experiences and professional debates. So far, seven symposia have been held. The last one has just been held in a virtual format, involving the participation of 292 subscribers, coming from 24 federative units in Brazil and 17 other countries.

A new locality record for Radfordiella desmodi Radovsky, 1967 (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) parasitizing the vampire bat in Brazil

Macronyssid mites are ectoparasites of reptiles, birds, and mammals (mainly bats). Out of 35 genera in this family, Radfordiella Fonseca, 1948 is a genus from the Neotropical region with six valid species, found parasitizing phyllostomid bats. Only Radfordiella desmodi Radovsky, 1967 and Radfordiella oudemansi Fonseca, 1948 have been registered in Brazil. The present study provides a new locality record for the species R. desmodi, microscopy images to aid in the identification, and a distribution map.

New records of oribatid mites from Michoacán state, Mexico

Eleven species of oribatid mites are reported from Michoacán state, Mexico for the first time: Ceratozetidae: unidentified species of Adoribatella Woolley, 1967; Damaeidae: Belbodamaeus (Lanibelba) palaciosi (Iglesias & Guzmán, 2012); Eremobelbidae: Eremobelba piffli Mahunka, 1985; Microzetidae: Acaroceras (Acaroceras) similis Balogh, 1962; Nothridae: Nothrus anauniensis Canestrini & Fanzago, 1877; Oppiidae: unidentified species of Cheloppia Hammer, 1971; Oppiella (Oppiella) nova (Oudemans, 1902); Pseudoamerioppia barrancensis (Hammer, 1961); Ramusella (Insculptoppia) merimna (Balogh & Mahunka, 1977); Wallworkoppia cervifer (Mahunka, 1983); and Scheloribatidae: Scheloribates (Scheloribates) elegans Hammer, 1958. The genera Cheloppia and Adoribatella are reported for the first time from Mexico.

Further records of phytoseiid (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) species for Brazil

Phytoseiidae Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata) is a family of predatory mites found mostly on the aerial plant parts. Several phytoseiid species are commercialized as biological control agents. Even though Brazil is the fifth country with the highest number of valid species, knowledge about the phytoseiid fauna in different Brazilian states is highly variable. The objective of this paper is to report unpublished records of phytoseiids on different Brazilian states. The list includes 20 species belonging to 13 genera. New records are reported for 11 states; the largest number of new records is reported for Santa Catarina (7), followed by Paraná (4).

Artificial feeding of Ornithodoros fonsecai (Acari: Argasidae) with the anticoagulant Alsever

Ornithodoros fonsecai is a species of argasid tick endemic to Brazil, described in the “São Miguel” cave located in the municipality of Bonito, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, central-western region of Brazil. The artificial feeding technique makes it possible to study the biology of hematophagous arthropods using artificial or natural membranes, as well as different types of blood and anticoagulants. Thus, the aim of the present study was to feed artificially O. fonsecai second instar (N2) nymphs with rabbit blood using parafilm membrane and the anticoagulant Alsever. Ninety percent of the total N2 nymphs engorged and molted to N3 nymphs between 27 and 30 days after feeding, indicating that the use of this anticoagulant is efficient for artificially feeding O. fonsecai N2 nymphs under laboratory conditions.