Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) are modulators of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which functions as a regulator of cartilage and bone development. Rapid growth and high starch diets have been associated with increased circulating concentrations of IGF-I, which lead to developmental orthopedic disorders in foals. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of age, diet, growth and season on plasma IGFBP and IGF-I concentrations from birth to 16 mo of age in Thoroughbred foals. Twenty-two mares maintained on mixed grass/legume pasture were randomly divided into two dietary groups and fed either a high starch and sugar supplement (SS) or a starch-restricted fiber and fat supplement (FF) for 3 mo prior to and after foaling. Monthly blood samples were obtained from SS and FF foals up to 16 mo of age and analyzed for IGF-I using an RIA and IGFBP using western ligand blot analysis. Auxilogical measurements of foals were also obtained each month. The effect of diet, month, and diet*month interactions upon the subject horse (diet) were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures, and correlations of normally distributed data were calculated using Pearson's correlation. Six IGFBP bands of molecular weights 109, 39, 36, 35, 34, and 33 kDa were identified in foal plasma. Doublet bands were recognized at 109, 39, and 35 kDa, however they were not all believed to be singular pure IGFBP. A band with a molecular weight of 213 kDa was observed and presumed to be a ternary complex of IGFBP-3, IGF-I, and an acid labile subunit. The IGFBP 109 kDa has been previously recognized as a band unique to the equine, it was not a singular pure IGFBP because of its high molecular weight. No effect of diet on plasma IGFBP was found in individual sampling of yearlings, but an effect of month was noted when testing May - August 2001 against May - August 2002 in pooled plasma samples with concentrations of the IGFBP 39 kDa increasing (P < 0.0003). In contrast, concentrations of the IGFBP's 33, 34 and 36 kDa decreased (P < 0.003, P < 0.0002, and P < 0.0003 respectively). Environmental effects were noted upon IGFBP's 33, 36, 39, and 109 kDa (P < 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.04, and P < 0.01) with a temperature*daylength interaction. Correlations existed between ADG and IGFBP 33 (r = 0.64; P < 0.0001), 34 (r = 0.40; P < 0.0001), 35 (r = 0.33; P < 0.0006), 36 (r = 0.47; P < 0.0001), and 39 kDa (r = - 0.18, P < 0.02). A correlation was also found between IGF-I and ADG (r = 0.11; P < 0.04), confirming the previously reported relationship of IGF-I in growth rate of foals. These results underline the importance of characterizing the activity of IGFBP's in relation to growth, age and season when interpreting changes of the somatotropic axis. Further, the increase in certain IGFBP's and simultaneous decrease in others stress the need for further research on the tissue specific modulating effects that IGFBP's have on IGF-I. / Master of Science

The accuracy of the growing season used by regulators in hydric soil and wetland hydrology and the validity of ignoring land use in these definitions is questionable. This study compared measured air and soil temperature with various growing season dates and indicators, and determined the relationships between the hydrology, air and soil temperature. Water table depths, air temperature at 1-m height, soil temperature at 15-, 30-, and 50-cm depths, and CO₂ efflux were measured at 12 plots representing three landuse treatments (forest, field, and bare ground) at two restored wet flats in the thermic Great Dismal Swamp ecosystem. The forest was driest treatment. The forest air was the warmest in winter and coldest in summer, opposite of the bare ground. The forest soil at 50 cm was the warmest in winter and coolest in summer, opposite of the bare ground. Land use affected hydrology, air, and soil temperatures through the presence of surface litter and differences in shading, albedo, and ET. The regulatory frost-free period fell in between the measured frost-free period and the measured 5°C soil temperature period. Based on CO₂ efflux and soil temperature at 50 cm, the biological growing season of native plants and microbes should be year-round for forested areas, one week shorter for early-successional fields, and two weeks shorter for active cropland rather than March to November for all land uses. Changing the growing season definition of forested, thermic wet flats to year-round designation must be considered and studied carefully to avoid jeopardizing wetland hydrology qualifications. / Master of Science

The focus of this research was to evaluate commonly used insecticides and plant based scouting practices in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.), prior to bloom for tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), management. As well as determine the influence of ThryvOn technology on these research objectives. Data indicate that imidacloprid may have a limited fit in non-ThryvOn cotton, while the additional mode of action afforded by ThryvOn technology could extend imidacloprid and other insecticide’s effective use prior to bloom. Additionally, sulfoxaflor and acephate remain the best products for pre-bloom management. When evaluating differences between plant based scouting methods prior to bloom used among cotton consultants across the Mid-Southern region, cotton technology and tarnished plant bug control did not cause variability in square retention monitoring methods, while sample date, or cotton growth did. However, based off these results, plant-based extension scouting recommendations do not need altering at this time.

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is an important economic pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.), in the Midsouth region of the United States. Continuous season long infestations may result in four or more insecticide applications per growing season. However, late season applications may only be preventing minor losses when compared to overall yield. Results from this study suggest an opportunity to increase thresholds and potentially eliminate one to two insecticide applications in late bloom. Results from this experiment show no significant differences in yield when all square removal levels were simulated in the fourth and fifth week of bloom. Other factors included irrigation and cotton seed technology. Use of threshold irrigation and ThryvOn cotton resulted in greater yields than non-irrigated cotton and non-ThryvOn cotton. Information from these experiments will be used in future integrated pest management programs for more sustainable cotton production in Mississippi.

O rio do Peixe, um dos principais afluentes do rio Tietê (Reservatório de Barra Bonita/Hidrovia Tietê Paraná), juntamente com seus formadores (microrregião geográfica de Botucatu - SP) constituem os principais mananciais das cidades que se localizam em suas bacias. A maior parte da bacia hidrográfica do rio do Peixe desenvolve-se sob rochas sedimentares arenosas, favoráveis às atividades de extração de areia, fato que aliado ao manejo incorreto do solo favorece a ocorrência de processos erosivos. Foram realizadas amostragens de água durante dez dias consecutivos e de sedimento durante três dias alternados, em dois períodos hidrológicos (seca e chuva), para a determinação de variáveis físicas, químicas e biológicas,com o objetivo principal de caracterizar do ponto de vista limnológico esse rio e sua foz. As análises das diferentes variáveis seguiram os métodos que são utilizados rotineiramente no Laboratório de Limnologia do CRHEA/EESC/USP. As águas do rio do Peixe apresentaram, principalmente altas concentrações de sólidos em suspensão. Os maiores valores de turbidez, condutividade, alcalinidade, HCO3-, CO3-, nitrito, nitrogênio amoniacal, nitrogênio Kjedhal, fosfato inorgânico, carbono orgânico e sólidos em suspensão foram obtidos durante o período de chuvas, influenciados principalmente pelo escoamento superficial que promove o carreamento de materiais da bacia hidrográfica. Foi possível ainda através das características limnológicas, agrupar as estações de amostragem ao longo do contínuo do rio em três regiões (alto, médio e baixo curso), e diferenciar do ponto de vista trófico as estações da foz com o rio Tietê. Um aumento da biomassa fitoplanctônica, no período de seca, no baixo curso do rio do Peixe foi favorecido pela menor vazão na barragem de Barra Bonita. / Peixe river, one of the main Tietê river\'s tributaries (Barra Bonita Reservoir/ Hydrovia Tietê Paraná), connected to its formers (geographic micro region of Botucatu- SP) are the main water sources to the cities located in their basins. Most of the Peixe river hydrographic basin runs through sandy sedimentary rocks, propitious to sand extraction activity. This fact, allied to improper use of the soil, lead to erosive processes occurrence. In the present work, water and sediment samples (dry and raining season) were taken during ten consecutive days and three alternate days, respectively. Physical, chemical and biological analyses were determined to characterize, under the limnological point of view, this river and its mouth; all these analysis were made following the methodology used in the Limnology Laboratory of CRHEA/EESC/USP. Peixe River waters showed high concentrations of suspended solids. The higher values of turbidity, conductivity, alcalinity, HCO3-, CO32-, nitrite, ammonium, Kjeldahl nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, organic carbon and suspended solids were obtained during the raining season, influenced by the surface water running that causes an input of material from the hydrographic basin. It was possible, by using the limnological characteristics, to duster the sampling stations throughout the river continuum in three regions: high, medium and low course, setting them apart from the Tietê\'s mouth sampling stations in account of distinct trophic state. Phytoplankton biomass increased during the dry season, in the low course of Peixe river, due to the lower flow towards Barra Bonita reservoir.

Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / This work was carried out in the county of Valen?a - RJ, with the objective to evaluate production and quality of the stargrass, in function of: two irrigation levels (with and without); four cut intervals (21, 28, 35 and 42 at the rainy season and 28, 35, 42 and 49 days at the dry season of the year); as well as four levels of nitrogen (0, 150, 300 e 600 kg/ha/year). The dry matter production (DMP) and the efficiency of the nitrogen utilization (ENU) in plots of 6,25 m2, were estimated from October 2004 to October 2005. In the months of January, June/July and September/October samples were collected to determine chemical composition and digestibility such as: crude protein (CP), neutral-detergent fiber (NDF) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The Irrigation when increased DMP and ENU, reduced the forrage quality and only had significative effect (P<0,05) during the rainy season. The harvest intervals does not affected (P>0,05) on DMP. However, there was tendency to increase. Harvest intervals should be 42/49 days to obtain good forage quality and yield. The chemical composition and digestibility of the dry matter decreased with the spacing of the cuts and the effect of the interval of cuts on ENU was dependent of the irrigation. At that time it dries the irrigated treatments had her ENU increased with the decrease of the frequency of the cut. The nitrogen fertilization was the only factor that increased (P<0,05) DMP and the quality of the stargrass. However, the answer of DMP to the nitrogen fertilization was reduced and ENU was not affected in function of the nitrogen levels. In the conditions of experiment was realized, it is approved as the most appropriate handling of the studied factors: The interval of cuts of 42/49 days, that formed an alliance high yield with a satisfactory quality and the irrigation, only accomplished in favorable climatic conditions. / Este trabalho foi conduzido no munic?pio de Valen?a - RJ, com o objetivo de avaliar a produ??o e a qualidade do capim-estrela, em fun??o de: dois regimes h?dricos (irrigado e n?o-irrigado); quatro intervalos de cortes (21, 28, 35 e 42 na ?poca chuvosa e 28, 35, 42 e 49 dias na ?poca seca do ano); e quatro doses de nitrog?nio (0, 150, 300 e 600 kg/ha/ano). Durante o per?odo de outubro de 2004 a outubro de 2005, foram estimadas a produ??o de mat?ria seca (PMS) e a efici?ncia da aduba??o nitrogenada (EAN) em parcelas de 6,25 m2. Nos meses de janeiro, junho/julho e setembro/outubro coletaram-se amostras para a estimativa do valor nutritivo e digestibilidade, determinando a prote?na bruta (PB), a fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e a digestibilidade in vitro da mat?ria seca (DIVMS). Os resultados mostraram que a irriga??o aumentou a PMS e a EAN, reduziu o valor nutritivo e DIV da mat?ria seca. Entretanto somente houve resposta (P<0,05) ao regime h?drico apenas quando as condi??es clim?ticas n?o foram limitantes ao crescimento da forrageira. O intervalo de cortes n?o alterou (P>0,05) a PMS, embora tenha sido observada a tend?ncia de incremento da mesma em fun??o da diminui??o da freq??ncia de cortes, sendo a maior produ??o obtida nos tratamentos 42/49 dias. A qualidade da forrageira diminuiu com o espa?amento dos cortes e o efeito do intervalo de cortes sobre a EAN foi dependente da irriga??o. Na ?poca seca do ano os tratamentos irrigados tiveram sua EAN aumentada com a diminui??o da freq??ncia do corte. A aduba??o nitrogenada foi o ?nico fator que aumentou (P<0,05), simultaneamente, a PMS e a qualidade do capim-estrela. No entanto, a resposta da PMS ? aduba??o nitrogenada foi pequena e a EAN n?o foi alterada (P>0,05) em fun??o das doses de nitrog?nio. Nas condi??es experimentais, preconiza-se como o manejo mais adequado: o intervalo de cortes de 42/49 dias, que aliou rendimentos elevados a uma qualidade satisfat?ria; e a irriga??o deve ser usada apenas quando as condi??es clim?ticas s?o favor?veis.

O rio do Peixe, um dos principais afluentes do rio Tietê (Reservatório de Barra Bonita/Hidrovia Tietê Paraná), juntamente com seus formadores (microrregião geográfica de Botucatu - SP) constituem os principais mananciais das cidades que se localizam em suas bacias. A maior parte da bacia hidrográfica do rio do Peixe desenvolve-se sob rochas sedimentares arenosas, favoráveis às atividades de extração de areia, fato que aliado ao manejo incorreto do solo favorece a ocorrência de processos erosivos. Foram realizadas amostragens de água durante dez dias consecutivos e de sedimento durante três dias alternados, em dois períodos hidrológicos (seca e chuva), para a determinação de variáveis físicas, químicas e biológicas,com o objetivo principal de caracterizar do ponto de vista limnológico esse rio e sua foz. As análises das diferentes variáveis seguiram os métodos que são utilizados rotineiramente no Laboratório de Limnologia do CRHEA/EESC/USP. As águas do rio do Peixe apresentaram, principalmente altas concentrações de sólidos em suspensão. Os maiores valores de turbidez, condutividade, alcalinidade, HCO3-, CO3-, nitrito, nitrogênio amoniacal, nitrogênio Kjedhal, fosfato inorgânico, carbono orgânico e sólidos em suspensão foram obtidos durante o período de chuvas, influenciados principalmente pelo escoamento superficial que promove o carreamento de materiais da bacia hidrográfica. Foi possível ainda através das características limnológicas, agrupar as estações de amostragem ao longo do contínuo do rio em três regiões (alto, médio e baixo curso), e diferenciar do ponto de vista trófico as estações da foz com o rio Tietê. Um aumento da biomassa fitoplanctônica, no período de seca, no baixo curso do rio do Peixe foi favorecido pela menor vazão na barragem de Barra Bonita. / Peixe river, one of the main Tietê river\'s tributaries (Barra Bonita Reservoir/ Hydrovia Tietê Paraná), connected to its formers (geographic micro region of Botucatu- SP) are the main water sources to the cities located in their basins. Most of the Peixe river hydrographic basin runs through sandy sedimentary rocks, propitious to sand extraction activity. This fact, allied to improper use of the soil, lead to erosive processes occurrence. In the present work, water and sediment samples (dry and raining season) were taken during ten consecutive days and three alternate days, respectively. Physical, chemical and biological analyses were determined to characterize, under the limnological point of view, this river and its mouth; all these analysis were made following the methodology used in the Limnology Laboratory of CRHEA/EESC/USP. Peixe River waters showed high concentrations of suspended solids. The higher values of turbidity, conductivity, alcalinity, HCO3-, CO32-, nitrite, ammonium, Kjeldahl nitrogen, inorganic phosphate, organic carbon and suspended solids were obtained during the raining season, influenced by the surface water running that causes an input of material from the hydrographic basin. It was possible, by using the limnological characteristics, to duster the sampling stations throughout the river continuum in three regions: high, medium and low course, setting them apart from the Tietê\'s mouth sampling stations in account of distinct trophic state. Phytoplankton biomass increased during the dry season, in the low course of Peixe river, due to the lower flow towards Barra Bonita reservoir.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:57:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 moretti_mh_me_jabo.pdf: 820927 bytes, checksum: 9e02dc45b7bc9474b5acb3d859d4d028 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Objetivou-se verificar o efeito da suplementação de baixo consumo, sobre o desempenho de novilhos Nelore mantidos em pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. O período experimental foi de julho de 2008 a março de 2009 e foi divido em duas fases, secas e águas. Os tratamentos durante o período da seca constituíramse de um controle, sal com uréia, e suplemento mineral enriquecido, este que era acrescido de proteína verdadeira e aditivos. Já no período das águas avaliou-se um tratamento controle, sal mineral e suplemento mineral enriquecido. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema de parcela subdividida. No caso da avaliação conjunta das duas fases o delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2, sendo os fatores os tipos de suplementação em cada uma das fases. Realizaram-se avaliações de pasto e pesagem dos animais a cada ciclo de avaliação dentro dos períodos estudados. No período da seca foi observada diferença estatística em função dos tratamentos avaliados somente no terceiro ciclo. Os animais que receberam suplementação mineral enriquecida (proteína mais aditivos) ganharam 0,600 kg/dia, contra 0,517 kg/dia daqueles receberam sal com uréia. No primeiro e segundo ciclo os tratamentos não apresentaram diferença significativa em relação ao ganho, 0,307 e 0,113 kg/dia. No período das águas os animais que receberam suplementação mineral enriquecida ganharam mais peso do que os animais que receberam suplementação mineral, 0,800 e 0,696 kg/ dia. Concluiu-se que a suplementação mineral acrescida de proteína e aditivos, permite incrementos no ganho de peso dos animais mantidos em regime de pastejo na ordem de 15% / The objective was to test the effect of low intake supplementation on performance of Nelore steers grazing Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. The experiment was from July 2008 to March 2009 divided into two phases, wet and dry seasons. The treatments during the dry season consisted of a control, a salt urea, and mineral supplement, that it was increased with true protein and additives. In the wet season we evaluate a control treatment, mineral salt and a supplement mineral enriched. The lineation experiment was completely randomized in parcel scheme subdivided. In the case of joint evaluation of the two phases, the lineation was completely randomized in scheme factorial 2X 2, the factors being the type of supplementation in each phase. Evaluations were performed on grazing and animals weighed each evaluation cycle within the periods studied. During the dry season was a statistical difference in the treatments evaluated only in the third cycle. The animals that received mineral supplementation enriched (protein more additive) gained 0.600 kg/day, against 0.517 kg/day those who received salt with urea. In the first and second cycle the treatments showed no significant difference in relation to gain, 0.307 e 0,113 kg/day. In wet season the animals receiving mineral supplementation enriched gained more weight than animals receiving just mineral supplementation, 0.800 e 0.696 kg/day. Concludes the mineral supplementation enriched with protein and additive, allows greater weight gains than animals kept in grazing to order 15%

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a medicinal, aromatic and spicy species, consumed in the country and in the world. Faced with the need for information on basil varieties and essential oil production, the present work has the objective of evaluating the influence of the planting season on the production of cultivars and hybrids of basil. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design, with three replications. Twenty-four basil genotypes were evaluated, with 20 commercial cultivars and four hybrids in two dry planting seasons (oct.-dec./2015), and rainy season (apr.-jun/2016). The trials were conducted at the Experimental Farm “Campus Rural da UFS”. Essential oils plants were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS-FID. The evaluated variables were: plant height, canopy width, leaf dry mass, yield and essential oil content; and contents its main constituents.The data of each period were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were grouped by theScott-Knott (p≤0,05). The analysis of individual and joint variance was performed for the experiments of the two seasons. Theparameters were estimatedgenetic variation (CVg), environmental variance (CVe), coefficient of heritability (h2) and CVg/CVe ratio. Leaf dry weight values per plant ranged from 6.23 to 75.00 g plant-1 (dry season) and 9.17 to 26.49 g plant-1 (rainy season). The hybrid Cinnamon x Maria Bonita (1.50 mL plant-1) and the cultivar Mrs. Burns (1.44 mL plant-1) presented higher yields of essential oil in the dry season. The essential oil content ranged from 0.66 to 3.21% in the dry season and from 0.80 to 4.20% in the rainy season. As for the compounds found, the majorities among the genotypes were: linalool, methyl chavicol, neral, geranial, eugenol, and (E)-methyl cinnamate, defining the formation of five groups in each epoch, with: methyl chavicol methyl chavicol (Cluster 1), citral (neral + geranial) (Cluster 2), methyl cinnamate (Cluster 3), linalool (Cluster 4), intermediate linalool (Cluster 5). All evaluated variables showed high heritability (h2) (> 70%) and CVg/CVe ratio (> 1.0), in both seasons, indicating a favorable situation for selection in a breeding program. The season influenced the production and chemical composition of essential oil of basil. / O manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L.) é uma espécie medicinal, aromática e condimentar muito consumida no país e no mundo. Diante da necessidade de informações a respeito das variedades de manjericão e de produção de óleo essencial, o presente trabalho tem o objetivo de avaliar a influência da época de plantio na produção de cultivares e híbridos de manjericão. Para o ensaio utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados, com três repetições. Foram avaliadas 24 genótipos de manjericão, sendo 20 cultivares comerciais e quatro híbridos em duas épocas de plantio seca (out.-dez./2015) e chuvosa (abr.-jun./2016). Os ensaios foram conduzidos na Fazenda Experimental “Campus Rural da UFS”. Os óleos essenciais foram extraídos por hidrodestilação e analisados por CG/MS-DIC. As variáveis avaliadas foram: altura de planta, largura da copa, massa seca de folhas, rendimento e teor de óleo essencial; e teor seus principais constituintes. Os dados de cada época foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias foram agrupadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott (p≤0,05). Realizou-se a análise de variância individual e conjunta para os experimentos das duas épocas. Foram estimados os parâmetros da variância genética (2g), ambiental (2e), coeficientes de variação genética (CVg), ambiental (CVe), razão CVg/CVe e herdabilidade (h2). Os valores de massa seca de folha variaram de 6,23 a 75,00 g planta-1 (época seca) e 9,17 a 26,49 g planta-1 (época chuvosa). O híbrido Cinnamon x Maria Bonita (1,50 mL planta-1) e a cultivar Mrs. Burns (1,44 mL planta-1) apresentaram maior rendimento de óleo essencial na época seca. Na época chuvosa foi de 1,29 mL planta-1 (Mrs. Burns). O teor de óleo essencial variou de 0,66 a 3,21 % na época seca e de 0,80 a 4,20 % na época chuvosa. Quanto aos compostos encontrados, os majoritários entre os genótipos foram: linalol, metil chavicol, neral, geranial, eugenol e (E)-cinamato de metila, definindo a formação de cinco grupos em cada época, sendo: metil chavicol (Grupo 1), citral (neral+geranial) (Grupo 2), cinamato de metila (Grupo 3), linalol (Grupo 4), linalol intermediário (Grupo 5). Todos os caracteres avaliados apresentaram alta herdabilidades (h2) (>70%) e razão CVg/CVe (>1,0), nas duas épocas, indicando situação favorável para seleção num programa de melhoramento. A época influênciou na produção e composição química de óleo essencial de manjericão. / São Cristóvão, SE

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2018-05-25T11:16:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 elisafurtadofernandes.pdf: 1284208 bytes, checksum: e517e00e1c04225884d75d0d8e9ec17e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2018-06-14T11:53:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 elisafurtadofernandes.pdf: 1284208 bytes, checksum: e517e00e1c04225884d75d0d8e9ec17e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-14T11:53:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 elisafurtadofernandes.pdf: 1284208 bytes, checksum: e517e00e1c04225884d75d0d8e9ec17e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-22 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / As formigas do gênero Solenopsis são frequentemente relatadas no ambiente urbano devido a sua facilidade em explorar recursos, competir com outras espécies e condições climáticas favoráveis. Dessa maneira, este estudo se torna de grande importância, pois as lava-pés causam inúmeros prejuízos econômicos, seja no ambiente urbano, na saúde pública e em áreas cultivadas. Este trabalho objetivou determinar a distribuição espacial, os hábitos de nidificação, bem como investigar as variações de temperatura ao longo do dia em colônias de Solenopsis saevissima em uma área urbana no município de Juiz de Fora. Para o estudo de nidificação e distribuição, foram realizadas coletas entre os meses de Outubro de 2013 a agosto de 2015, sendo duas amostragens na estação chuvosa e duas amostragens na estação seca. Para cada colônia ativa foi registrado o tipo de substrato e as dimensões das colônias. Dados de temperatura, umidade relativa do ar e precipitação foram cedidos pelo Laboratório de Climatologia e Análise Ambiental (LabCaa) da UFJF. Para verificar as variações de temperatura ao longo do dia, foi realizada uma amostragem na no período chuvoso (Janeiro/2015) e outra no período seco (Julho/2015). Os dados foram coletados com a utilização de um termômetro do tipo espeto digital e outro termômetro a laser. Os resultados demonstraram que as colônias de lava-pés permaneceram ativas no ambiente urbano durante todo o ano e que os fatores abióticos influenciaram nas nidificações. A distribuição dos ninhos de S. saevissima foi significativamente agregada nas duas estações. O substrato mais utilizado para as nidificações foi o Artificial-Natural. Em relação a temperatura do monte, nos períodos chuvoso e seco, a temperatura da superfície foi a que mais variou ao longo do dia e, a temperatura do interior do monte foi a que menos variou. Os resultados desse estudo são de grande importância para ampliar o conhecimento acerca da biologia e do comportamento de S. saevissima no ambiente urbano, além disso, gera subsídios para futuras estratégias de controle e para a redução do número de acidentes com seres humanos. / Ants of the Solenopsis genus are usually reported on urban environments due to favorable weather conditions and to their ability of exploring resources and competing with other species. On this sense, our study becomes of great importance, since the fire ants are accounted for causing countless economic losses regarding the urban environment, public health and plantation areas. This work aimed to determine the distribution, nesting habits and temperature variation through a day in colonies of Solenopsis saevissima in an urban area in the municipality of Juiz de Fora. In order to study nesting and distribution, samples were taken between October 2013 and August 2015, in which two samplings took place during the rainy season and two during the dry season. For each active colony, we recorded its dimensions and the kind of substrate it was located on. Data on temperature, relative humidity of air and precipitation were given by Laboratório de Climatologia e Análise Ambiental (LabCaa) of UFJF. In order to verify temperature variation through the day, samples were taken once during the rainy season (January 2015) and once during the dry season (July 2015). Measures were taken by using a probe-like digital thermometer and a laser thermometer. Results showed that fire ant colonies remained active in the urban environment for the whole year, and that abiotic factors influenced on their nesting. The nest distribution of S. saevissima was significantly aggregated in both seasons. The most used kind of substrate was the Artificial-Natural. Regarding the mound’s temperature in the rainy and dry seasons, surface values showed greater fluctuation during the day when compared to the mound’s interior. These results are important to build knowledge on the biology and behavior of S. saevissima in urban environments and to generate subsidies for future control strategies and reduction in the number of accidents with human beings.