Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:31:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLE.pdf: 3386240 bytes, checksum: c736eb4f7c4ef3739d8139ef44d99689 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-07-20 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / This work was carried out in three different areas of Universidade Federal de São Carlos. We studied the Geometridae associated to Rapanea umbellata (Mart.) Mez, 1902 (Myrsinaceae). The samples were collected at each two weeks, during the period of October of 2005 to april of 2007. It was used the method of entomological umbrella. The larvae were grown in the laboratory, using the host plant as food. Rapanea umbellata had the first register as plant hostess of Geometridae in the present study. It occured 14 species of Geometridae arranged in 11 genus, seven genus of Hymenoptera Parasitica and one Diptera. The common species that occured was Phrygionis polita (Cramer, 1780), whose relative abundance was 48,9%. Other Geometridae recordered were: P. paradoxata (Guenée, [1858]), Argyrotome melae (Druce, 1892), Opisthoxia sp. Hübner, [1825], Pero refellaria (Guenée, [1858]), Glena bipennaria (Guenée, [1858]), G. unipennaria (Guenée, [1858]), Hymenomima amberia (Schaus, 1901), Iridopsis chalcea (Obertür, 1883), Ischnopteris miseliata (Guenée, [1858]), Patalene Herrich-Schäffer, [1854], Oxydia apidania (Cramer, [1779]), O. vesulia (Cramer, [1779]), Prochoerodes tetragonata (Guenée, [1958]). The Hymenoptera parasitoids were: Euplectrus Nestwood, 1832 (Eulophidae), Charops Homgren, 1859 (Ichneumonidae), Hyposoter Foerster, 1869 (Ichneumonidae), Mesochorus Gravenhorst, 1829 (Ichneumonidae), Diolcogaster Asmed, 1900 (Braconidae), Hymenochaonia Dalla Torre, 1898 (Braconidae), Glyptapanteles Ashmed, 1905 (Braconidae). The density of larvae shows two peaks, one at the dry season and one at the raining season. In the same time occurs the smaller percentage of parasitism. The cycle of development of Phrygionis polita was studied, being the first description of the immature stages of a species of the Palyadini tribe. / Este trabalho foi realizado em três diferentes áreas da Universidade Federal de São Carlos. Foram estudados os Geometridae associados à Rapanea umbellata (Mart.) Mez, 1902 (Myrsinaceae). As coletas foram realizadas quinzenalmente, durante o período de outubro de 2005 a abril de 2007 por meio de guarda-chuva entomológico. As larvas coletadas foram criadas em laboratório, utilizando a planta hospedeira para alimentá-las. Rapanea umbellata teve o primeiro registro como planta hospedeira de Geometridae no presente estudo. Ocorreram 14 espécies de Geometridae distribuída em 11 gêneros, 7 gêneros de Hymenoptera Parasitica e um Diptera Tachinidae. Dentre as espécies de Geometridae, a mais comum, com densidade relativa de 48,9%, foi Phrygionis polita (Cramer, 1780) Outros geometrídeos registrados foram: P. paradoxata (Guenée, [1858]), Argyrotome melae (Druce, 1892), Opisthoxia sp. Hübner, [1825], Pero refellaria (Guenée, [1858]), Glena bipennaria (Guenée, [1858]), G. unipennaria (Guenée, [1858]), Hymenomima amberia (Schaus, 1901), Iridopsis chalcea (Obertür, 1883), Ischnopteris miseliata (Guenée, [1858]), Patalene Herrich- Schäffer, [1854], Oxydia apidania (Cramer, [1779]), O. vesulia (Cramer, [1779]), Prochoerodes tetragonata (Guenée, [1958]). Os parasitóides Hymenoptera foram: Euplectrus Nestwood, 1832 (Eulophidae), Charops Homgren, 1859 (Ichneumonidae), Hyposoter Foerster, 1869 (Ichneumonidae), Mesochorus Gravenhorst, 1829 (Ichneumonidae), Diolcogaster Asmed, 1900 (Braconidae), Hymenochaonia Dalla Torre, 1898 (Braconidae), Glyptapanteles Ashmed, 1905 (Braconidae). A densidade de larvas apresentou dois picos, um na estação seca e um na estação chuvosa. Nesta mesma época, ocorreram as menores porcentagens de parasitismo. O ciclo de desenvolvimento de Phrygionis polita foi estudado, sendo a primeira descrição dos estágios imaturos de uma espécie da tribo Palyadini.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:42:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 370964 bytes, checksum: 4fbb1985432d879bf053fe1416468899 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-06 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / B chromosomes, called supernumerary or accessory too, has been founded in fungi, plants and animals. This chromosomes have a rate of no mendelian segregation and he can occurs, since one to many copies by individual. In the gender Partamona, of six citogenetic characterazed species nowadays, only P. helleri owned B chromosome. RAPD mark has been identified as associated to this chromosome in a colony from Viçosa City-MG. After this, it has been cloned, sequenciated and transformated in a SCAR mark. This same mark has been identified in P. cupira, P. criptica and P. rustica, what suggested this species have B chromosome, too. Moreover, this same mark has been identified in a colony of Salvador City-BA. whose individuals have a big heterochromatic B chromosome. How it's possible that there is a association between the presence of B chromosomes, this work had as aim detect the presence of B chromosome in P. cupira and verified a possible association between them and the presence of SCAR mark described above. Another object was the sequenciation of SCAR fragment from P. cupira, P. criptica, P. rustica and P. helleri (Salvador City-BA), with the aim of comparer the level of identity between the SCAR sequences. As resulted, the four colony at all from P. cupira analised, only two ownied the chromosomic number 2n=34, otherwise the other two colonies ownied same individuals that demonstrated have the presence of a great B chromosome (GUI 1 E GUI 11). Another observation was CMA3 mark in the short arm of this supernumerary chromosomes, what suggest that them may have owned ribossomal DNA sequeces. Moreover, it has been verified a clear association between the presence of SCAR mark and B chromosomes in the individuals from colonies GUI 1 E GUI 11. It's considered that sequences compared at all, have been only same gaps and almost none variable site, between them, what suggests that the level of identity between sequences is extremely high. It's suggests some kind of importance in relation to the adaptation of chromosome B, nowadays unknown, or the born of B, throw interspecific mating no detected yet. Future studies will analyze the different hypothesis about the origin of B chromosomes in the genera Partamona and the association between fragments from SCAR primers with the presence of Bs in P. criptica, P. rustica e P. helleri (Salvador City-BA). / Cromossomos B, também chamados de cromossomos extra- numerários ou acessórios ocorrem em fungos, plantas e animais. Estes cromossomos possuem um padrão de segregação não mendeliano, podendo existir de uma a várias cópias por indivíduo. No gênero Partamona, de seis espécies caracterizadas citogeneticamente até então, somente P. helleri apresentou cromossomo B. Um marcador RAPD foi identificado como associado a esse cromossomo em uma colônia oriunda de Viçosa-MG, sendo posteriormente clonado, sequenciado e transformado em marcador SCAR. Este mesmo marcador foi identificado em P. cupira, P. criptica e P. rustica, o que sugere que estas espécies também possuem cromossomos B. Além disso, esse mesmo marcador foi detectado em indivíduos de um ninho de P. helleri de Salvador - BA, cujos indivíduos possuíam um grande cromossomo B heterocromático. Podendo haver uma ligação entre a presença do marcador SCAR nestas espécies e a presença de cromossomos Bs, este trabalho teve como objetivo detectar a presença de cromossomos B em P. cupira e verificar se existe uma associação entre ele e a presença do marcador SCAR descrito acima. Um outro objetivo foi o sequenciamento dos fragmentos SCARs de P. cupira, P. criptica, P. rustica e P. helleri de Salvador-BA, com o propósito de comparar o nível de identidade entre as sequencias de SCAR. Como resultado, das 4 colônias de P. cupira analisadas, duas apresentaram o número de 2n=34, ao passo que as outras duas apresentaram em alguns indivíduos um cromossomo B de grande tamanho (colônias GUI 1 e GUI 11). Observou-se ainda, uma marcação de CMA3 no braço curto destes cromossomos extranumerários, o que sugere que o mesmo pode conter sequencias de genes de DNA ribossomal nesta espécie. Verificou-se também uma clara associação entre a presença do marcador SCAR e a de cromossomos B, nos indivíduos das colônias GUI 1 e GUI 11. Levando em conta que as sequências, comparadas em conjunto possuíam apenas alguns gaps e quase nenhum sítio variável entre elas, pode-se dizer que o nível de identidade entre elas é extremamente alto, o que sugere algum tipo importância adaptativa em relação ao cromossomo B, ainda desconhecida, ou o surgimento deste último, através de cruzamentos interespecíficos, ainda não detectados entre as espécies do gênero. Estudos futuros deverão analisar as diferentes hipóteses levantadas sobre a origem dos cromossomos B no gênero Partamona, bem como a associação dos fragmentos oriundos dos primers SCAR de P. helleri com a presença destes cromossomos em P. criptica, P. rustica e P. helleri de Salvador BA.

Trichogramma demoraesi Nagaraja, 1983, T. manicobai Brun, Moraes e Soares, 1984 e T. marandobai Brun, Moraes e Soares, 1986 têm sido referidos como parasitoides de ovos do mandarová-da-mandioca, Erinnyis ello (L., 1758), em plantações de mandioca no Brasil. Entretanto, com base na a análise comparativa dos caracteres morfológicos do parátipo (macho) de T. demoraesi, depositado no The Natural History Museum, Londres, com os exemplares, obtidos de ovos do mandarová-da-mandioca, identificados anteriormente como T. demoraesi (coleção da ESALQ), verificou-se que esses exemplares não pertencem a T. demoraesi, mas são realmente espécimes de T. marandobai. Portanto, T. demoraesi não parasita ovos de E. ello no Brasil. Assim, apenas T. manicobai e T. marandobai foram caracterizadas e ilustradas detalhadamente, pois as descrições originais dessas espécies são sucintas e não foram adequadamente ilustradas. O processo intervolselar de T. marandobai apresenta variações no ápice (arredondado ou truncado). Entretanto, com base nas análises biológicas (cruzamentos), morfométricas e moleculares, comprovou-se que os espécimes com processo intervolselar truncado ou arredondado são variações intraespecíficas de T. marandobai. / Trichogramma demoraesi Nagaraja, 1983, T. manicobai Brun, Moraes e Soares, 1984 e T. marandobai Brun, Moraes e Soares, 1986 have been reported as egg parasitoids of Erinnyis ello (L.) on cassava in Brazil. However, the comparative analysis of the morphological characters of the paratype (male) of T. demoraesi, deposited at The Natural History Museum, London, with specimens from eggs of Erinnyis ello, previously identified as T. demoraesi (ESALQ collection), indicated, in fact, that these specimens do not belong T. demoraesi, but to T. marandobai. Therefore, T. demoraesi does not parasitize eggs of E. ello in Brazil. Then, only T. manicobai and T. marandobai were characterized and illustrated in detail, because original descriptions for both species are succinct and poorly depicted. The intervolsellar process (blunt or truncated apically) of T. marandobai was found to be plastic. However, based on biological (crossings), morphometric and molecular analyses, it was proved that specimens with blunt or truncated intervolsellar process are intraspecific variations of T. marandobai.

O presente estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de investigar: 1. o comportamento da diversidade de Vespoidea solitários ao longo do gradiente altitudinal no Morro do Cuzcuzeiro, no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar, São Paulo, Brasil, 2. a presença de padrões de diversidade ao longo do gradiente, 3. verificar a influência das condições climáticas no estabelecimento destes padrões e 4. acessar a organização estrutural da assembléia de Vespoidea solitários ao longo do gradiente adotado. Para isso, adotei seis cotas altitudinais (50, 200, 400, 600, 800 e 1000 metros acima do nível do mar) na face sudoeste do Morro do Cuscuzeiro, coletando 12 amostras de Malaise e 24 de Möericke (pratos amarelos) em cada uma delas, ao longo de dois transectos de 200m cada e em duas estações chuvosas consecutivas, a primeria em 2006 e a segunda em 2007, distanciados respectivamente a 100 e a 50 metros um do outro. Cada amostra de Malaise foi agrupada aleatoriamente a duas amostras de Möericke para compor 12 unidades amostrais para cada cota. As 72 unidades amostrais compuseram então a matriz de dados que serviu de base para as análises de diversidade. A riqueza observada em todo o gradiente foi de 76 espécies solitárias de Vespoidea (incluindo as espécies de Mutillidae, Pompilidae, Rhopalosomatidae, Scoliidae, Tiphiidae e Vespidae Eumeninae). Contudo, apenas a assembléia de Tiphiidae apresentou padrão com pico de riqueza nas altitudes intermediárias (cota dos 600 metros de altitude). Os modelos regressivos utilizados não foram capazes de explicar o comportamento da diversidade de espécies ao longo do gradiente dos outros dois grupos investigados (Vespoidea solitários e Pompilidae). De acordo com o teste de &quotMid-domain&quot, o padrão de riqueza observado para a fauna de Tiphiidae não é influenciado pelos fatores climáticos. Considerando os níveis taxonômicos mais altos da classificação de Vespoidea, a diversidade taxonômica total foi maior na cota dos 50 metros, que no caso apresentou distinção taxonômica apenas marginalmente significativa. A única cota que apresentou distinção significativa foi a dos 600 metros, sugerindo uma assembléia estruturada de forma distinta das demais cotas do gradiente. Estes resultados e os valores de diversidade de Shannon indicam que esta região do gradiente é aquela que apresenta maior complexidade. Para descrever a organização estrutural da assembléia de Vespoidea solitários ao longo do gradiente altitudinal em questão, utilizei metodologias de análises que empregam índices de similaridade, considerando a posição relativa das espécies solitárias de Vespoidea no espaço geográfico que define o gradiente em questão. Os resultados destas análises sugerem que a assembléia de Vespoidea solitários está estruturada num continnum e que a variação na composição faunística ao longo do gradiente varia de maneira significativa. / The present study aims to investigate: 1. the diversity of solitary Vespoidea along an altitudinal gradient on the Cuzcuzeiro Mountain in the Serra do Mar State Park, São Paulo, Brazil, 2. to investigate the presence of diversity patterns along the gradient, 3. to check the influence of climatic conditions on the establishment of these patterns and 4. to access the structural organization of the solitary Vespoidea assemblage along the adopted altitudinal gradient. For this, I adopted six altitudinal quotas (50, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 meters above sea level) on the Cuzcuzeriro Mountains southwest face, collecting 12 Malaise and 24 Möericke trap samples (yellow pans) at each quota, along two transects of 200 meters length each in two consecutive rainy seasons, 2006 and 2007, spaced respectively 100 and 50 meters one from each other. Each Malaise trap sample was randomly grouped with two Möericke trap samples to compose 12 sampling units for each quota. So, the 72 sampling units make the data matrix used for the diversity statistic analyses. The richness observed throughout the gradient was 76 solitary Vespoidea species (including those of Mutillidae, Pompilidae, Rhopalosomatidae, Scoliidae, Tiphiidae and Vespidae Eumeninae). Only the Tiphiidae assemblages presented a diversity peak at intermediate elevations (600 meters quota); the regressive models used were not able to explain the species diversity of other studied assemblages (solitary Vespoidea and Pompilidae, in this case analyzed in separate) along the adopted altitudinal gradient. According to the mid-domain test, the richness pattern of Tiphiidae is not influenced by the climatic agent. Considering the higher taxa of Vespoidea, the taxonomic diversity was more evident in the 50 meters quota, which presented only marginally significant taxonomic distinctness in relation to the other quotas. The 600 meters quota was the only one that presented significant taxonomic distinctness from the others, suggesting that there the solitary Vespoidea assemblage presents a distinct structure from the others. These results and the Shannon diversity values indicate that the middle of gradient presents higher complexity. To describe the structural organization of the solitary Vespoidea assemblage along the altitudinal gradient, I used analytic methodologies that employ similarity indexes, considering the relative position of the solitary Vespoidea species in the geographic space that defines the adopted altitudinal gradient. The results of these analyses suggest that the solitary Vespoidea assemblage is structured as a continnum and that the faunistic composition changes significantly along the altitudinal gradient on the Cuzcuzeiro Mountain.

Orientadores: Mohamed Ezz El-Din Mostafa Habib, João Vasconcellos Neto / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T03:26:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maioralli_CamilaPozzo_M.pdf: 1303903 bytes, checksum: 6b1377da2e05d3892bdd803735875771 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Embora os agroecossistemas resultem da ação humana sobre os ecossistemas naturais, sua estrutura e funcionamento se matem a partir de princípios e processos ecológicos. Dadas as externalidades negativas causadas pela agricultura convencional, alguns setores acadêmicos e movimentos em prol da agricultura de base ecológica buscam por um novo paradigma de agricultura, pautado na sustentabilidade. Dentre as práticas utilizadas pela agricultura de base ecológica para o controle de pragas está o controle biológico, incluindo o uso dos himenópteros parasitoides. Estes são responsáveis por grande parte da regulação populacional de insetos fitófagos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a fauna de himenópteros parasitoides associada a um agroecossistema de manejo orgânico, e comparar três áreas com estruturas distintas ¿ bananal, horta e mata ¿ em relação à diversidade de famílias de himenópteros parasitoides presentes em cada área. Foram realizadas coletas mensais de janeiro a março de 2013, com o uso de armadilhas Malaise. Foram coletados 1990 indivíduos, distribuídos em 8 superfamílias e 25 famílias. As famílias mais abundantes foram Braconidae, Ichneumonidae e Figitidae. O maior número de indivíduos e a maior riqueza de famílias foram obtidos na área da horta. O maior número de famílias raras foi obtido na área de mata. As três áreas apresentaram valores muito próximos para os índices de diversidade, o que indica que as duas áreas manejadas, do bananal e da horta, apresentam diversidade razoável de famílias de himenópteros parasitoides, tomando como referência a área da mata. Bananal e horta apresentaram maior similaridade segundo o índice de Morisita, possivelmente por ambas as áreas servirem como área de forrageamento para os parasitoides. Segundo o índice de Bray-Curtis, bananal e mata apresentaram maior similaridade, talvez devido ao bananal apresentar estrutura mais complexa e mais semelhante à área de vegetação nativa, o que possibilita melhores condições para as famílias mais dominantes de himenópteros parasitoides. Os dados a respeito das famílias de himenópteros parasitoides obtidos neste estudo indicam que sistemas agrícolas mais diversificados e com manejo de base ecológica são importantes ferramentas na conservação da biodiversidade / Abstract: Although agroecosystems are a result of human action on natural ecosystems, their structure and function are maintained by means of ecological principles and processes. Due to the negative externalities caused by conventional agriculture, some ecologically-based agriculture researches and movements seek for a new paradigm of agriculture, based on sustainability. The biological control is one of the practices used by ecologically-based agriculture for pest control, including the use of parasitoid Hymenoptera. Such parasitic insects are responsible for a significant regulation of herbivorous insect populations. In this work we studied the parasitic Hymenoptera fauna associated with an organic managed agroecosystem, comparing the abundance and diversity of the hymenopterous families in three different ecosystems (banana plantation, horticulture area and forest). From January to March 2013, insect samples were collected monthly, using Malaise traps. We collected 1990 individuals, distributed in 8 superfamilies and 25 families of parasitic Hymenoptera. The most abundant families were Braconidae, Ichneumonidae and Figitidae. The largest number of individuals and richer families were obtained in the horticulture area. The largest number of rare families was obtained in the forest. The areas presented very close values for diversity indices, indicating that the two managed areas, banana and horticulture, have considerable parasitic Hymenoptera families diversity, in comparison to the forest. Banana plantation and horticulture area showed higher similarity according to Morisita index, possibly because both areas serve as foraging area for the parasitoids. According to the Bray- Curtis index, banana plantation and forest showed greater similarity, perhaps due to the more complex structure of both situations, and thus can provide better shelter conditions for the most dominant families of parasitic Hymenoptera. The data about families of parasitic Hymenoptera obtained in this study indicate that more diversified and ecologically-based agricultural management systems are important tools for insect biodiversity conservation / Mestrado / Ecologia / Mestra em Ecologia

Die in der vorliegenden Arbeit verwendeten wissenschaftlichen Namen und die vorgenommenen nomenklatorischen Handlungen sollen nicht für nomenklatorische Zwecke im Rahmen des International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) berücksichtigt werden. Die Namen der neu beschriebenen Taxa wurden daher in Einvernehmen mit der Prüfungskommission in Anführungszeichen gesetzt. Um die Namen und nomenklatorischen Handlungen nach den Bestimmungen des ICZN verfügbar zu machen, erfolgt eine separate Publikation der Dissertation in abgeänderter Ausführung im European Journal of Taxonomy. The scientific names and nomenclatural acts in this paper are not to be considered for nomenclatural purposes as defined by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). All newly established names are therefore written in quotation marks. In order to make these names officially available, a separate publication based on this dissertation is being published in the European Journal of Taxonomy. / Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt eine umfassende Revision der Grabwespengattung Sphex (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) für die afroropische Faunenregion sowie Madagaskar und die umliegenden Inseln dar. Die Ergebnisse basieren auf dem Studium von knapp 4000 aus dem Untersuchungsgebiet stammenden, genadelten Exemplaren von Sphex aus 16 international bedeutsamen Museumssammlungen. Insgesamt werden 46 Taxa behandelt, bei 16 von ihnen handelt es sich um Erstbeschreibungen. Für ihre systematische Einordnung wurden sieben neue Artengruppen postuliert, von denen einige höchstwahrscheinlich auch in weiteren biogeografischen Regionen vertreten sind. Es wurde ein dichotomer Bestimmungsschlüssel für alle nachgewiesenen Arten und Unterarten der Afrotropis angefertigt, außerdem erfolgt für jedes Taxon eine detaillierte Darstellung der wichtigsten morphologischen Merkmale sowie eine geografische Repräsentation der Verbreitung. In Kombination mit den morphologischen Daten konnte unter Zuhilfenahme von Methoden zur Extraktion und Sequenzierung von DNA außerdem zum ersten Mal eine Phylogenie innerhalb der Gattung Sphex erstellt werden. / A revision of the genus Sphex (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) for the Afrotropical realm, Madagascar and the surrounding islands is presented. Results are based on the study of approximately 4000 pinned individuals from 16 international museum collections. Forty-six taxa are treated, 16 of which are described for the first time. Seven new species groups are proposed, dichotomous identification keys which include all known Sphex species and subspecies from Sub-Saharan Africa are created, detailed redescriptions and images of morphological characters are provided and geographical distributions of all taxa are depicted in maps. Using a combination of morphological data and genetic sequences obtained from some of the specimens, the first hypothesis for an intrageneric phylogeny of Sphex is proposed.

Thesis (MScAgric (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ant infestations comprising the Argentine ant Linepithema humile (Mayr), common pugnacious ant Anoplolepis custodiens (F. Smith) and cocktail ant Crematogaster peringueyi Emery are a widespread pest problem in South African vineyards. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes aimed at suppressing the problematic honeydew excreting vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on grapes must include ant control to optimize the effectiveness and efficacy of mealybug natural enemies. If ants are eliminated, natural enemies are able to contain mealybugs below the Economic Threshold Level (ETL). Current strategies for ant control are limited and generally include the application of long term residual insecticides that are detrimental to the environment, labour intensive to apply and can disrupt natural biological control if applied incorrectly. A more practical method of ant control using low toxicity baits was therefore investigated. Field bait preference and bait acceptance assessments aimed at determining bait repellency and palatability, respectively, were carried out during spring, summer and autumn in three vineyards of the Cape winelands region during 2007/08. Five toxicants comprising gourmet ant bait (0.5%), boric acid (0.5%), fipronil (0.0001%), fenoxycarb (0.5%) and spinosad (0.01%) dissolved in 25% sugar solution were tested against a 25% sucrose solution control. Gourmet ant bait was significantly more preferred and accepted by all ant species than the other baits. Laboratory bait efficacy assessments using four insecticides (gourmet, boric acid & spinosad) at concentrations of 0.25; 0.5; 1; 2 and 4 times the field dose and fipronil at 0.015625; 0.03125; 0.0625; 0.125; 0.25 times the field dose were carried out. Results revealed that boric acid (2%), gourmet ant bait (2%) and fipronil (1.0 X 10-5%) exhibited delayed toxicity for L. humile and C. peringueyi while spinosad (0.01%) showed delayed action on L. humile. Field foraging activity and food preference tests were also carried out for the three ant species during 2007/08. Foraging activity trials revealed that vineyard foraging activity of L. humile is higher relative to A. custodiens and C. peringueyi. This means fewer bait stations are required for effective L. humile control making low toxicity baits a more affordable and practical method of controlling L. humile than the other two ant species. Food preference trials showed that L. humile and C. peringueyi have a high preference for sugar while A. custodiens significantly preferred tuna over other baits. However, all ant species had a preference for wet baits (25% sugar water, 25% honey, tuna & agar) as opposed to dry ones (fish meal, sorghum grit, peanut butter & dog food). This research concludes that low toxicity baits show potential in ant pest management and can offer producers with a more practical, economical and environmentally friendly method of ant control which is compatible with vineyard IPM programmes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Mierbesmetting wat uit die Argentynse mier Linepithema humile (Mayr), die gewone malmier Anoplolepis custodiens (F. Smith) en die wipstertmier Crematogaster peringueyi Emery bestaan, is ’n plaagprobleem wat wydverspreid in Suid-Afrikaanse wingerde voorkom. Programme vir geïntegreerde plaagbeheer (GPB) wat daarop gemik is om die wingerdwitluis Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) – wat ’n probleem is weens die heuningdou wat dit afskei – op druiwe te beheer, moet mierbeheer insluit om sodoende die uitwerking en doeltreffendheid van die witluis se natuurlike vyande die beste te benut. As miere uitgeskakel kan word, sal dit vir die natuurlike vyande moontlik wees om die witluis sodanig te beheer dat dit onder die ekonomiese drempelvlakke (EDV) bly. Huidige strategieë om miere te beheer, is beperk en sluit gewoonlik die toediening van insekdoders in wat lank neem om in die grond af te breek, wat skadelik vir die omgewing is, waarvan die toediening arbeidsintensief is en wat die natuurlike biologiese beheer kan versteur indien dit verkeerd toegepas word. Daarom is ’n meer praktiese metode ondersoek waar miere deur die gebruik van lae toksisiteit lokase beheer word. Ondersoeke na lokaasvoorkeure en lokaasaanvaarbaarheid in die praktyk, wat daarop gemik is om te bepaal of die lokaas onderskeidelik afstootlik en smaaklik bevind word, is oor lente, somer en herfs in drie verskillende wingerde in die Kaapse wynlandstreek gedurende die 2007/08-seisoen uitgevoer. Vyf gifstowwe, bestaande uit gourmet ant bait (0.5%), boorsuur (0.5%), fiproniel (0.0001%), fenoksiekarb (0.5%) en spinosad (0.01%) wat in ’n 25%-suikeroplossing opgelos is, is getoets teenoor ’n kontrole wat uit ’n 25%-sukrose-oplossing bestaan. Al die mierspesies het gourmet ant bait bo die ander lokase verkies en aanvaar. In die laboratorium is ondersoeke gedoen om die doeltreffendheid van die lokase te bepaal deur vier insekdoders (gourmet ant bait, boorsuur en spinosad) te gebruik in konsentrasies van 0.25; 0.5; 1; 2 en 4 keer die dosis in die praktyk en fiproniel teen 0.015625; 0.03125; 0.0625; 0.125; 0.25 keer die dosis in die praktyk. Resultate het getoon dat boorsuur (2%), gourmet ant bait (2%) en fiproniel (1.0 X 10-5%) vertraagde toksisiteit getoon het vir L. humile en C. peringueyi, terwyl spinosad (0.01%) ’n vertraagde uitwerking getoon het op L. humile. Toetse om kossoekaktiwiteite in die praktyk en die voedselvoorkeure van die drie mierspesies te ondersoek, is ook gedurende die 2007/08-seisoen gedoen. Proewe oor kossoekaktiwiteite het getoon dat hierdie aktiwiteite in die wingerd by L. humile hoër is in verhouding met A. custodiens en C. peringueyi. Dit beteken dat minder lokaasstasies nodig is om L. humile doeltreffend te beheer en lei daartoe dat lae toksisteit lokaas ’n beter manier is om L. humile te beheer as die ander twee mierspesies. Proewe oor voedselvoorkeure het aangedui dat L. humile en C. peringueyi ’n groot voorkeur toon vir suiker, terwyl A. custodiens ’n duidelike voorkeur vir tuna het. Alle mierspesies het egter ’n voorkeur vir nat lokaas (25% suikerwater, 25% heuning, tuna en agar), eerder as droë lokaas (vismeel, sorghumgruis, grondboontjiebotter en hondekos) getoon. Uit hierdie navorsing word afgelei dat lae toksisteit lokaas potensiaal toon in mierbeheer en dat dit produsente ’n meer praktiese, ekonomiese en omgewingsvriendelike metode van mierbeheer kan bied wat met GPB-programme in die wingerd versoenbaar is.

Processes structuring bee communities in agricultural landscapes are well-documented compared to those in other anthropogenic landscapes, like production forests. Forests across the temperate zone have historically been under-sampled, in part due to the perception that they provide little habitat to support diverse bee communities. While research suggests that early successional habitats support high levels of bee species richness and abundance, little empirical evidence exists to support the notion that forests, in turn, do not. To understand the relationship between forest successional age and major elements of the bee community, I sampled bees in a southern production pine forest in Hancock County, MS across 2012 and 2013. I found that while bee abundance declines with successional age, species richness does not. Combining this work with other recent research, I propose a generalized framework for understanding the role of disturbance and forest structure in structuring bee communities of southern forests.

Orientador: Luiz Carlos Forti / Banca: Juliane Santos Lopes / Banca: Carlos Frederico Wilcken / Resumo: As formigas cortadeiras, insetos pertencentes aos gêneros Atta e Acromyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), recebem no Brasil, os nomes populares de saúvas e quenquéns. Devido a seu hábito alimentar polífago ocupam diversos ambientes, acarretando danos econômicos em áreas cultivadas. As partes vegetais cortadas são transportadas para suas colônias e preparadas para servir de substrato ao fungo simbionte do qual se alimentam. Apesar de inúmeros estudos sobre esses insetos sociais, novas descobertas sobre o comportamento das formigas, seus atos ou estratégias comportamentais que levam esses organismos a encontrar e utilizar as fontes de energia e nutrientes para a sua sobrevivência são regularmente divulgadas na literatura, evidenciando uma grande diversidade dos seus padrões de organização social. Dessa maneira, o presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a percepção de odores de diferentes substratos por Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) através de catálogos comportamentais. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no Laboratório de Insetos Sociais - Praga, pertencente ao Departamento de Proteção Vegetal - Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) - Campus de Botucatu, SP. O estudo foi dividido em três capítulos. No primeiro capítulo foram desenvolvidos estudos de percepção de odores através da utilização de olfatômetro, bem como estudo do comportamento das formigas cortadeiras submetida a voláteis atrativos através da elaboração de catálogo comportamental. No segundo capítulo estudos de percepção de voláteis repelentes e elaboração de catálogo comportamental. No terceiro capítulo foram realizados estudos para determinar a distância em que as formigas cortadeiras percebem a fonte de odor. Os principais resultados demonstraram que as formigas cortadeiras na percepção de voláteis,... / Abstract: The leaf-cutting ants, insects belonging to the gems Atta and Acromyrmex genre (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), are called in Brazil "saúvas" and "quenquéns". Due to their polyphagous food habit they occupy several environments, resulting in economic damage to cultivated areas. The plant parts that are cut and transported to their colonies and prepared to serve as a substract for the symbiotic fungus from which they feed. In spite of the númerous studying about these social insects, new discoveries about the ants' behavior, their acts or behavioral strategies that lead these organisms to find and use the energy resources and nutrients for their survival are regularly disclosed in literature, showing a great variety in their social organization patterns. This way, the present study was performed having as its goal to evaluate the smelling perception of different substracts in Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) through behavioral catalogues. The experiments were conducted in the Social pest Insects Lab, belonging to the Plant protection Department - Agronomic Science University - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). The sturdy was divided in three chapters. In the first chapter studies of smelling perception were developed using a olfactometer, as well as the study of leaf-cutting ants exposed to volatile attractive by developing behavioral catalog. In the second chapter, studies of volatile repellents and preparation of a behavioral catalog. In the third chapter studies were carried out to determine the distance in which the leaf-cutting ants notice the smell source. The main results showed that leaf-cutting ants notice the volatile ones, either attractive ones or the repellent ones, showing different behavior in relation to the offered material. The results obtained demonstrated that the third chapter ants realize the volatile attractive distances of ... / Mestre

Orientador: Carlos Frederico Wilcken / Coorientador: Leonardo Rodrigues Barbosa / Banca: Regiane Cristina O. de Freitas Bueno / Banca: Valmir Antonio Costa / Banca: Luís Cláudio Paterno Silveira / Banca: José Cola Zanúncio / Resumo: O potencial de Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian & Margabandhu, 1942 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) como agente de controle biológico no Brasil é pouco conhecido e, por isso, esta pesquisa avaliou a viabilidade de pupas de Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) como hospedeiro alternativo. Devido à sua facilidade de criação em dieta artificial esse inseto tem sido utilizado na criação massal de parasitoides em vários programas de controle biológico. Estudos sobre o comportamento dos parasitoides devem incluir a interferência direta do alimento sobre o parasitismo. Pupas de S. frugiperda, com 48 horas de idade, foram individualizadas em tubos de vidro e submetidas ao parasitismo em seis tratamentos com mel puro, mel a 10%, hemolinfa, hemolinfa + mel, água destilada e ausência de alimentação. Os parâmetros avaliados foram taxa de parasitismo, emergência, número de parasitoides emergidos, não emergidos, progênie total, duração do ciclo ovo-adulto e razão sexual. Quando alimentado, T. diatraeae teve suas taxas de parasitismo e emergência acima de 85%. O número de parasitoides emergidos e a progênie total aumentaram quando T. diatraeae foi alimentado com mel puro, com 264 parasitoides emergidos e progênie total de 267 parasitoides. A alimentação teve grande influência na longevidade de T diatraeae. Nos tratamentos onde foram oferecidos alimentos açucarados a longevidade foi acima de 18 dias . Porém, no tratamento onde não foi oferecido alimento a longevidade média foi de quatro dias, e no tratamento com oferecimento de água destilada aos parasitoides a longevidade foi de apenas 2,9 dias. O mel mostrou ser o alimento mais adequado, por propiciar altos níveis de parasitismo, emergência, progênie total e longevidade, sendo de fácil aquisição, pouco dispendioso e interfere positivamente na biologia destes insetos. / Abstract: The potential of Trichospilus diatraeae Cherian&Margabandhu, 1942 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) as a biological control agent in Brazil is little known; thus, this research evaluated the viability of pupae of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as an alternative host since its ease of production on an artificial diet has led to its use in mass cultivation of parasitoids in several biological control programs. Studies on parasitoid behavior must include the direct interference of diet in parasitism. Pupae of S. frugiperda, at 48 hours of age, were individualized in glass tubes and submitted to parasitism in six treatments: pure honey, 10% honey, hemolymph, hemolymph + honey, distilled water and absence of food. The parameters evaluated were parasitism rate, emergence, numbers of emerged and non-emerged parasitoids, total progeny, egg-adult cycle duration and sex ratio. When fed, T. diatraeae showed parasitism and emergence rates above 85%. The numbers of emerged parasitoids and total progeny increased when T. diatraeae were fed pure honey, with 264 emerged parasitoids and total progeny of 267 parasitoids. The diet exerted great influence on T diatraeae longevity. In treatments where they were offered sweetened diets, longevity exceeded 18 days. However, in the treatment where food was not offered, the mean longevity was four days, while the distilled water treatment produced parasitoid longevity of only 2.9 days. Honey was demonstrated the most suitable food, by providing high levels of parasitism, emergence, total progeny and longevity, and is easily acquired, inexpensive and interferes positively in the biology of these insects / Doutor