Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Insects'

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2005.
Adviser: Sara M. Lewis. Submitted to the Dept. of Biology. Includes bibliographical references. Access restricted to members of the Tufts University community. Also available via the World Wide Web;

Orientador: Arlindo Leal Boiça Junior
Coorientador: Ivan Carlos Fernandes Martins
Banca: Antonio Carlos Busoli
Banca: José Carlos Barbosa
Banca: Valter Arthur
Banca: José Roberto Scarpellini
Resumo: A presente pesquisa teve por objetivos estabelecer uma metodologia para criação de O. invirae e identificar genótipos de palma de óleo que apresentem fontes de resistência a esse inseto, nas categorias por não preferência para alimentação, antibiose e tolerância, sendo esta última baseada na produtividade após simulação de desfolha nas plantas. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em laboratório, exceto o teste de tolerância, o qual foi em condições de campo. Para a metodologia de criação, as lagartas foram criadas individualmente em placas de Petri até o quarto ínstar e posteriormente transferidas para recipientes maiores onde permaneceram até a emergência dos adultos. Foram utilizados 5 genótipos de palma de óleo para os testes de não preferência para alimentação, antibiose e tolerância, quais sejam: Deli x LaMe tratamento testemunha, Compacta x Ekona; Deli x Ekona; Compacta x Nigéria e Compacta x Ghana. Os testes com e sem chance de escolha, foram realizados com lagartas de O. invirae recém-eclodidas e com 12 dias de idade. Foram avaliados o consumo e a atratividade a 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 e 30 minutos e 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 e 72 horas, após a liberação dos insetos. No teste de antibiose, as lagartas de O. invirae foram alimentadas com folíolos dos cinco genótipos até o final da fase larval. No teste de tolerância, os genótipos foram submetidos a desfolha simulada, ou seja, 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% e 100%. Avaliando a produção por 14 meses após a desfolha. O ciclo de vida desde o ovo até a ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: This research aimed to establish a methodology for creating O. invirae and identify genotypes palm oil presenting this insect resistance sources in the categories by not feeding preference, antibiosis and tolerance, the latter being based on productivity simulation after defoliation in plants. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory, but the tolerance test, which was under field conditions. For the creation of methodology, the caterpillars were reared individually in Petri dishes until the fourth instar and then transferred to larger containers where they remained until the emergence of adults. 5 oil palm genotypes were used for the test no preference for food, antibiosis and tolerance, which are: Deli x Lame control treatment, Compact x Ekona; Deli x Ekona; Compact x Nigeria and Compact x Ghana. The tests with and without choice, were carried out with crawler O. invirae newly hatched and 12 days old. They were evaluated consumption and attractiveness to 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes and 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the release of the insects. In antibiosis test, Crawler O. invirae were fed leaflets of the five genotypes by the end of the larval stage. In the tolerance test, the genotypes were simulated peeling, is, 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Evaluating production for 14 months after defoliation. The life cycle from egg to the emergence of O. invirae adult was completed in 64.59 days. In the test free choice, the most attractive genotypes were Compacta x ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

Thesis (doctoral)--Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 2002.
Thesis documentation sheet inserted. Appendix reprints three manuscripts and one published paper, three of which are co-authored with others. Includes bibliographical references. Also issued electronically via World Wide Web in PDF format; PDF version lacks abstract, ack., and appendix. One ill. in PDF version is in col.

La demanda mundial d’aliments ha dut al desenvolupament d’una intensa activitat agrícola produint la fragmentació, modificació i simplificació dels hàbitats naturals ja documentats com una de les principals causes de l’extinció i pèrdua de la diversitat d’espècies. La biodiversitat que tenen els ecosistemes proveeix d’una sèrie de serveis ecosistèmics a l’ésser humà i el control biològic natural de plagues es un dels serveis que s’ha vist alterat especialment als agroecosistemes. Tot i que existeix una creixent literatura científica que suggereix que la presència d’hàbitats naturals beneficia als enemics naturals als groecosistemes, l’eficiència del control biològic segueix sent un dels principals reptes en aquests estudis, oncs els efectes varien molt entre espècies i entre estudis. Entendre els patrons d’abundància i moviment de les espècies d’enemics naturals i d’herbívors, així com les interaccions entre aquests en els paisatges agrícoles, es espacialment i temporal complex. Si bé la gestió dels hàbitats agrícoles ofereix solucions per a reduir la pèrdua del rendiment degut a les plagues, en el cas dels virus, la simplificació excessiva de la diversitat dels cultius, els sistemes intensius de cultiu i l’ús de productes fitosanitaris interfereixen amb les funcions ecològiques dels agroecosistemes alterant la epidemiologia de malalties a les plantes. Amb l’objectiu d’oferir una perspectiva general sobre la’influència que el paisatge agrícola pot tenir sobre el control biològic i la epidemiologia viral, aquesta tesis s’ha enfocat en analitzar els efectes del paisatge agrícola des d’una perspectiva de composició espacial i del maneig del camp sobre espècies d’insectes herbívors i depredadors, així com en els principals virus que afecten al cultiu del panís a la zona de la Vall de l’Ebre. La primera part de la tesis està orientada a (1) l’ampliació en el coneixement de quins són els tipus d’estudis que s’estan duent a terme per analitzar els efectes de l’agroecosistema en el control biològic, les diferents metodologies i els resultats més recents (Capítol 1), i (2) els diferents efectes que té l’estructura (composició i configuració) del paisatge i les variables locals en les espècies de depredadors i herbívors presents en el cultiu de panís (Capítol 2). La segona part de la Tesi està orientada a estudiar els efectes del paisatge sobre tres dels principals virus que afecten al cultiu de panís (1) dos virus generalistes de vector: el virus del mosaic de la canya de sucre (SCMV) i el virus del mosaic nanitzant del panís (MDMV) (Capítol 3), i un virus especialista de vector: el virus del nanisme rugós del panís (MRDV) (Capítol 4). Les principals conclusions d’aquesta tesis doctoral són: (1) els estudis de caràcter funcional on s’estudia composició del paisatge han demostrat que les espècies d’enemics naturals necessiten hàbitats specífics, però que altres variables com són els efectes locals del cultiu també poden afectar a les seves dinàmiques i les de les plagues amb més força; (2) la superfície de fruiters afecta negativament als depredadors potencials del panís, però que les cobertes vegetals d’aquests afecten positivament a certes espècies d’herbívors en absència del panís; (3) l’alfals actua com un cultiu que aporta depredadors i herbívors al cultiu de panís actuant com un recurs per a les espècies més importants dels hàbitats seminaturals; (4) la incidència viral al panís està influïda principalment per la data de sembra i per la cobertura i presència d’espècies de gramínies als marges. Aquests resultats obren una via en el coneixement dels efectes que produeixen tant la composició del paisatge agrícola com el maneig del propi camp en l’abundància i distribució d’herbívors, depredadors i de virus en el cultiu de panís. Aquests resultats a més suggereixen que s’han de contemplar mesures de gestió a escala local que garanteixin nivells mínims de biodiversitat i sostenibilitat com a base inicial per al desenvolupament de programes més eficients de control biològic de plagues i virus.
La demanda mundial de alimentos ha llevado al desarrollo de una intensa actividad agrícola produciendo una fragmentación, modificación y simplificación de los hábitats naturales ya documentada como una de las principales causas de la extinción y pérdida de la diversidad de especies. La cantidad, estructura y forma de la superficie de estos hábitats naturales fragmentados genera efectos positivos o negativos sobre la abundancia y diversidad de las especies. La biodiversidad que tienen los ecosistemas provee de una serie de servicios ecosistémicos al ser humano, y el control biológico natural de plagas es uno de los servicios que se ha visto alterado especialmente en los agroecosistemas. Aunque existe una creciente literatura científica que sugiere que la presencia de hábitats naturales beneficia a los enemigos naturales en los agroecosistemas, la eficiencia del control biológico sigue siendo uno de los principales retos en estos estudios, pues los efectos varían mucho entre especies y entre estudios. Entender los patrones de abundancia y movimiento de las especies de enemigos naturales y de herbívoros en los paisajes agrícolas, así como las interacciones entre estos, es espacial y temporalmente complejo. Si bien la gestión de los hábitats agrícolas ofrece soluciones para reducir la pérdida de rendimiento debido a las plagas, en el caso de los virus la simplificación excesiva de la diversidad de los cultivos, los sistemas intensivos de cultivo y el uso de productos fitosanitarios interfieren con las funciones ecológicas de los agroecosistemas alterando la epidemiología de enfermedades en las plantas. Con el objetivo de ofrecer una perspectiva general sobre la influencia que el paisaje agrícola puede tener sobre el control biológico y la epidemiología viral, esta tesis se ha centrado en analizar los efectos del paisaje agrícola desde una perspectiva de composición espacial y del manejo del campo sobre especies de insectos herbívoros y depredadores, así como en los principales virus que afectan al cultivo de maíz en la zona del Valle del Ebro. La primera parte de la tesis está orientada a (1) la ampliación en el conocimiento de cuáles son los tipos de estudios que se están realizando para analizar los efectos del agroecosistema en control biológico, las diferentes metodologías y los resultados más recientes (Capítulo 1), y (2) los efectos que tiene la estructura (composición y configuración) del paisaje y las variables locales en las especies de depredadores y herbívoros presentes en el cultivo del maíz (Capítulo 2). La segunda parte de la tesis está orientada a estudiar los efectos del paisaje sobre tres de los principales virus que afectan al cultivo del maíz (1) dos virus generalistas de vector: el virus del mosaico de la caña de azúcar (SCMV) y el virus del mosaico enanizante del maíz (MDMV) (Capítulo 3), y un virus especialista de vector: el virus del enanismo rugoso del maíz (MRDV) (Capítulo 4). Las principales conclusiones de esta tesis son: (1) los estudios de carácter funcional donde se analiza la composición del paisaje han demostrado que las especies de enemigos naturales necesitan de hábitats específicos, pero que otras variables como son los efectos locales del cultivo también pueden afectar a las dinámicas de los enemigos naturales y los herbívoros con más fuerza; (2) la superficie de frutales afecta negativamente a los depredadores potenciales en el maíz, pero que las cubiertas vegetales de estos afectan positivamente a ciertas especies de herbívoros; (3) la alfalfa actúa como un cultivo que aporta depredadores y herbívoros al cultivo del maíz actuando como un recurso para las especies con mayores efectos que los hábitats semi-naturales; (4) la incidencia viral en el maíz está influenciada principalmente por la fecha de siembra y por la cobertura y presencia de especies de gramíneas en los márgenes. Estos resultados abren una vía en el conocimiento de los efectos que produce tanto la composición del paisaje agrícola como el manejo del propio campo en la abundancia y distribución de herbívoros, depredadores y de virus en el cultivo del maíz. Además, son una base para predecir las consecuencias de la modificación de las prácticas agrícolas en el control biológico de plagas y de virus en el cultivo del maíz. Estos resultados además sugieren que deben de contemplarse medidas de gestión a escala local que garanticen niveles mínimos de biodiversidad y sostenibilidad como base inicial para el desarrollo de programas más eficientes de control biológico de plagas y virus.
The global demand for food has led to the development of intense agricultural activity resulting in fragmentation, modification and simplification of natural habitats already documented as one of the main causes of extinction and loss of species diversity. The quantity, structure and surface shape of these fragmented natural habitats generate positive or negative effects on the abundance and diversity of species. The biodiversity that ecosystems have provides a series of ecosystem services to humans, and natural biological control is one of the services that has been altered, especially in agroecosystems. Although there is growing scientific literature that suggests that the presence of natural habitats benefits natural enemies in agroecosystems, the efficiency of biological control remains one of the main challenges in these studies, as the effects vary greatly between species and between studies. Understanding the patterns of abundance and movement of natural enemies and herbivores, as well as understanding the interactions between them, is spatially and temporarily complex in agricultural landscapes. While agricultural habitat management offers solutions to reduce yield loss due to pests, in the case of viruses, the excessive simplification of crop diversity, intensive cropping systems and the use of phytosanitary products interfere with the ecological functions of agroecosystems, altering the epidemiology of diseases in plants. With the aim of offering a general perspective on the influence that the agricultural landscape can have on biological control and viral epidemiology, this thesis has focused on analysing the effects of the agricultural landscape from a spatial composition and field management perspective on species of herbivorous and predatory insects, as well as in the main viruses that affect the cultivation of maize in the area of the Ebro Valley. The first part of the thesis is aimed at (1) broadening the knowledge of identifying the types of studies that are being conducted to analyse the effects of agroecosystem on biological control, the different methodologies and the most recent results (Chapter 1), and (2) the effects of the structure (composition and configuration) of the landscape and the local variables in the predators and herbivores present in the cultivation of maize (Chapter 2). The second part of the thesis is aimed at studying the effects of the landscape on three of the main viruses that affect the cultivation of maize (1) two generalist vector viruses: the sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and the maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) (Chapter 3), and a vector specialist virus: the maize rough dwarf virus (MRDV) (Chapter 4). The main conclusions of this thesis are as follows: (1) functional studies where landscape composition is studied have shown that natural enemy species need specific habitats, while other variables such as the local effects of the crop can also affect the dynamics of natural enemies and herbivores with greater weight; (2) the surface of orchards negatively affects potential predators in maize, but the plant cover of these positively affects certain species of herbivores; (3) alfalfa acts as a crop that contributes predators and herbivores to the cultivation of maize acting as a resource for species with higher effects than semi-natural habitats; and (4) the viral incidence in maize is mainly influenced by the planting date and the cover and presence of grass species at the edges. These results offer additional knowledge about the effects produced by both the composition of the agricultural landscape and the management of the field itself in the abundance and distribution of herbivores, predators and viruses in the cultivation of maize. In addition, they provide a basis for predicting the consequences of the modification of agricultural practices in the biological control of pests and viruses in the cultivation of maize. These results also suggest that local management measures that guarantee minimum levels of biodiversity and sustainability should be considered as the initial basis for the development of more efficient biological control programmes for pests and viruses.

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Diapriidae (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea) é cosmopolita, com três subfamílias, 194 gêneros e 2080 espécies descritas. Diapriinae, Belytinae e Ambositrinae ocorrem no Neotrópico. Belytinae e Ambositrinae parasitam imaturos de Mycetophilidae e Sciaridae (Diptera) e os Diapriinae parasitam principalmente Diptera, com algumas espécies associadas a formigas. Ismaridae é cosmopolita, com apenas um gênero, Ismarus Haliday, com 32 espécies, das quais 12 relatadas para o Neotrópico e duas delas para o Brasil; são parasitoides secundários de larvas de Dryinidae (Hymenoptera). Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo estudar os Diapriidae e Ismaridae de cinco áreas de preservação da Mata Atlântica do Estado de São Paulo. As coletas foram realizadas mensalmente entre outubro de 2009 e março de 2011 no Parque Estadual Intervales (PEI), em Ribeirão Grande e na Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins (EEJI), em Iguape; entre novembro de 2009 e dezembro de 2010 no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar-Núcleo Picinguaba (PESM-NP), em Ubatuba; entre novembro de 2009 e agosto de 2011 no Núcleo Santa Virgínia (PESM-NSV), em São Luiz do Paraitinga e entre dezembro de 2009 e fevereiro de 2011 no Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo (PEMD), em Teodoro Sampaio. Em cada área foram instaladas cinco armadilhas Malaise distantes 50 m entre si, ativas durante todo o período. O material biológico foi encaminhado ao Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Parasitoides e Predadores da Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), em Ribeirão Preto, SP, onde os Diapriidae foram triados e identificados em subfamílias e gêneros. Exemplares de Szelenyiopria Fabritius, Ismarus e de Propsilomma (Ashmead) foram identificados em espécies. Exemplares de Szelenyiopria e Ismarus pertencentes à Coleção de Hymenoptera da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo foram incluídos neste estudo. Foram coletados 11.464 exemplares ...
Diapriidae (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea) is cosmopolitan, with three subfamilies, 194 genera and 2080 described species. Diapriinae, Belytinae and Ambositrinae occur in the Neotropics. Belytinae and Ambositrinae parasitize immature Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae (Diptera) and Diapriinae parasitize mostly Diptera, with some species associated to ants. Ismaridae is cosmopolitan, with only one genus, Ismarus Haliday, with 32 species, of which 12 related to the Neotropics and two of them to Brazil; are secondary parasitoid larvae of Dryinidae (Hymenoptera). This research aimed to study the Diapriidae Ismaridae and five conservation areas of the Atlantic Forest of State of São Paulo. Samples were collected monthy between Octuber 2009 and March 2011 at Parque Estadual Intervales (Ribeirão Grande) and Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins (Iguape); between November 2009 and December 2010 at Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar-Núcleo Picinguaba (Ubatuba); between November 2009 and August 2011 at Núcleo Santa Virgínia (São Luiz do Paraitinga) and December 2009 and February 2011 at Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo (Teodoro Sampaio). In each área were installed five Malaise traps, distant 50 meters apart and active throughout entire the period. The biological material was sent to the Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Parasitoides e Predadores of the Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo where identified the subfamilies and genera. Specimens of Szelenyiopria Fabritius, Ismarus and Propsilomma (Ashmead) were identified in species. Specimens of Szelenyiopria and Ismarus belonging to Coleção de Hymenoptera da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo were included in this study. Were collected 11.464 specimens of Diapriidae, of three subfamilies: Belytinae (9.833 exemplars/85.8% the total collected), Diapriinae (1.603/14.0%) and Ambositrinae ...

Orientador: Nelson Wanderley Perioto
Coorientador: Rogéria Inês Rosa Lara
Banca: Odair Aparecido Fernandes
Banca: Valmir Antonio Costa
Resumo: Diapriidae (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea) é cosmopolita, com três subfamílias, 194 gêneros e 2080 espécies descritas. Diapriinae, Belytinae e Ambositrinae ocorrem no Neotrópico. Belytinae e Ambositrinae parasitam imaturos de Mycetophilidae e Sciaridae (Diptera) e os Diapriinae parasitam principalmente Diptera, com algumas espécies associadas a formigas. Ismaridae é cosmopolita, com apenas um gênero, Ismarus Haliday, com 32 espécies, das quais 12 relatadas para o Neotrópico e duas delas para o Brasil; são parasitoides secundários de larvas de Dryinidae (Hymenoptera). Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo estudar os Diapriidae e Ismaridae de cinco áreas de preservação da Mata Atlântica do Estado de São Paulo. As coletas foram realizadas mensalmente entre outubro de 2009 e março de 2011 no Parque Estadual Intervales (PEI), em Ribeirão Grande e na Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins (EEJI), em Iguape; entre novembro de 2009 e dezembro de 2010 no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar-Núcleo Picinguaba (PESM-NP), em Ubatuba; entre novembro de 2009 e agosto de 2011 no Núcleo Santa Virgínia (PESM-NSV), em São Luiz do Paraitinga e entre dezembro de 2009 e fevereiro de 2011 no Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo (PEMD), em Teodoro Sampaio. Em cada área foram instaladas cinco armadilhas Malaise distantes 50 m entre si, ativas durante todo o período. O material biológico foi encaminhado ao Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Parasitoides e Predadores da Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), em Ribeirão Preto, SP, onde os Diapriidae foram triados e identificados em subfamílias e gêneros. Exemplares de Szelenyiopria Fabritius, Ismarus e de Propsilomma (Ashmead) foram identificados em espécies. Exemplares de Szelenyiopria e Ismarus pertencentes à Coleção de Hymenoptera da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo foram incluídos neste estudo. Foram coletados 11.464 exemplares ...
Abstract: Diapriidae (Hymenoptera, Diaprioidea) is cosmopolitan, with three subfamilies, 194 genera and 2080 described species. Diapriinae, Belytinae and Ambositrinae occur in the Neotropics. Belytinae and Ambositrinae parasitize immature Mycetophilidae and Sciaridae (Diptera) and Diapriinae parasitize mostly Diptera, with some species associated to ants. Ismaridae is cosmopolitan, with only one genus, Ismarus Haliday, with 32 species, of which 12 related to the Neotropics and two of them to Brazil; are secondary parasitoid larvae of Dryinidae (Hymenoptera). This research aimed to study the Diapriidae Ismaridae and five conservation areas of the Atlantic Forest of State of São Paulo. Samples were collected monthy between Octuber 2009 and March 2011 at Parque Estadual Intervales (Ribeirão Grande) and Estação Ecológica Juréia-Itatins (Iguape); between November 2009 and December 2010 at Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar-Núcleo Picinguaba (Ubatuba); between November 2009 and August 2011 at Núcleo Santa Virgínia (São Luiz do Paraitinga) and December 2009 and February 2011 at Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo (Teodoro Sampaio). In each área were installed five Malaise traps, distant 50 meters apart and active throughout entire the period. The biological material was sent to the Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Parasitoides e Predadores of the Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), in Ribeirão Preto, State of São Paulo where identified the subfamilies and genera. Specimens of Szelenyiopria Fabritius, Ismarus and Propsilomma (Ashmead) were identified in species. Specimens of Szelenyiopria and Ismarus belonging to Coleção de Hymenoptera da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo were included in this study. Were collected 11.464 specimens of Diapriidae, of three subfamilies: Belytinae (9.833 exemplars/85.8% the total collected), Diapriinae (1.603/14.0%) and Ambositrinae ...
Mestre

The quest for patterns in community organisation is a daunting task which may be made easier by concentrating on communities associated with a restricted range of resources and therefore of relative simplicity. Here, the phytophagous insect community on the African fig tree Ficus burtt-davyi Hutch. was studied in an attempt to gain some insight into the factors which influence the composition of insect herbivore communities at a very local level, on individual plants of one host species at a single location. The tree's phenological patterns were detennined, due to their relevance to herbivores, particularly those which are host-specific feeders. The trees exhibited inter-tree asynchrony and intra-tree synchrony in fruit crop initiation, whereas leaf production was synchronous both within and between trees. Sixteen frequently occurring phytophagous insect species fed on the 123 F. burtt-davyi trees in the study area over a period of one year. Factors with the potential to influence the composition of this community were investigated at levels of the whole community (species richness), the guild, and the individual species. At each 'level' the effects of the measured factors on fluctuations in community composition were investigated, both over time (i.e. temporally) and spatially from tree to tree. During the year the phytophage community was influenced largely by temperature, although rainfall and tree phenological changes did exert varying influences on the abundances of guilds and individual species. Tree to tree variation in species richness (and thus commensurately, in the frequencies of occurrence of guilds and individual species) was influenced primarily by tree architectural complexity. Architecturally more complex trees hosted a greater number of species, a relationship largely attributable to effects of passive sampling and within-tree microhabitat heterogeneity and/or the availability of living space. The distributions of the leaf and stem piercing species were strongly associated with the presence of ants and this relationship manifested itself within the community as a whole. The degree of isolation of trees had consequences for individual species and for overall species richness, with the numbers of species present decreasing as trees became more isolated. A detailed analysis of guild distributional patterns revealed that the most important influential factors were those also evident at the level of the whole community and that species within guilds were, on the whole, no more similar to one another with respect to their habitat preferences than species from different guilds. The grouping of species into functional units therefore threw no additional light on the way in which this community is organised. An analysis of possible interspecific interactions between all of the phytophagous species in the community revealed only positive associations, both between species within guilds and between those in different guilds. These were doubtless attributable to autocorrelation as a result of similar habitat preferences. Competition was therefore rejected as an organising force within the community.

Orientador: Sandra Helena Unêda Trevisoli
Coorientador: Antonio Orlando Di Mauro
Coorientador: Antonio Sergio Ferraudo
Banca: Ivana Marino Bárbaro Torneli
Banca: Fabiana Mota da Silva
Resumo: A soja apresenta grande importância econômica para o Brasil, sendo considerada a principal cultura do sistema agrícola brasileiro. No entanto, está sujeita a grandes interferências externas durante todo o seu ciclo, as quais podem afetar consideravelmente seu desempenho produtivo. O ataque de insetos pragas se caracteriza como um dos principais problemas a ser solucionado, em especial, o chamado complexo de percevejos, o qual ataca diretamente às sementes durante o período de enchimento e maturação, depreciando a qualidade das mesmas. Assim sendo, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar linhagens de soja obtidas a partir de hibridações artificiais entre cultivares de soja com resistência ao complexo de percevejos e elevado potencial agronômico, buscando identificar possíveis genótipos que apresentem simultaneamente os bons atributos de ambos os genitores, além de identificar quais os caracteres que melhor auxiliam na seleção de genótipos resistentes ao complexo de percevejos. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no ano agrícola 2014/15, em delineamento experimental alfa-látice 16x16, utilizando 256 genótipos de soja sob infestação natural do complexo de percevejos. Foram avaliados os caracteres altura de planta na maturidade, altura de inserção da primeira vagem, número de dias para a maturação, valor agronômico, retenção foliar, produtividade de grãos, peso de sementes boas, porcentagem de sementes boas, peso de cem sementes, número de ramos por planta, número de vagens por planta e... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Soybean has great agricultural and economic importance to Brazil, being the main culture of the Brazilian agricultural system. However, the productive performance of soybean is greatly affected by external interferences throughout the production cycle. The attack of pests is characterized as one of the main problems to be solved, especially the stink bug complex, which directly attacks the seeds during the filling and maturation, lowering soybean quality. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluated soybean lines derived from artificial crosses between soybean cultivars with resistance to stink bug complex and high agronomic potential, aiming to identify possible genotypes that inherited the good traits of both parents, and which traits best assist in the selection of genotypes resistant to stink bug complex. The experiment was carried out in the 2014/15 growing season, using an alpha-lattice experimental design 16x16 and 256 genotypes of soybean naturally infested with the stink bug complex. The agronomic traits evaluated were: plant height at maturity, height of the first pod insertion, number of days to maturity, agronomic value, leaf retention, grain yield, good seeds weight, good seed percentage, one hundred-seeds weight, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant and number of reproductive nodes. Thirty-three genotypes were resistant to the stink bug complex and performed well regarding agronomically important traits. The traits grain yield, good seed weight, good seed percentage, leaf retention and one hundred-seeds weight can be used for indirect selection of genotypes resistant to the stink bug complex
Mestre

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O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os Dryinidae de três fitofisionomias da Estação Ecológica do Jataí, em Luiz Antonio, SP, Brasil e avaliar sua flutuação populacional e metodologias de coleta. A amostragem foi quinzenal, entre dezembro de 2006 e novembro de 2009, em áreas de cerrado strictu sensu, cerradão e mata ciliar. Em cada área foram instaladas duas armadilhas Malaise e dois conjuntos de cinco armadilhas de Moericke; na mata ciliar também foram instaladas duas armadilhas luminosas, entre novembro de 2007 e novembro de 2009. A análise dos dados incluiu os efeitos de ano de coleta, sexo e método de coleta; os dados de contagem ao longo do tempo foram analisados pelo modelo logístico como medidas no tempo pelo PROC GENMOD. A diversidade dos Dryininae coletados com armadilhas de Malaise foi comparada através de curvas de rarefação (bootstrap) com reamostragem. Foram coletados 1721 exemplares de Dryinidae, das subfamílias Aphelopinae (873 exemplares / 50,7% do total), Dryininae (371 / 21,6%), Anteoninae (300 / 17,4%), Gonatopodinae (159 / 9,2%) e Bocchinae (18 / 1,0%). Em geral o aumento das populações de Dryinidae ocorreu a partir de setembro; foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as abundâncias de Dryinidae coletados em 2007 e 2008 e em 2008 e 2009. De Aphelopinae foram identificados Aphelopus Dalman (858 exemplares / 98,3% do total coletado) e Crovettia Olmi (15 / 1,7%); as maiores frequências de Aphelopinae foram registradas na primavera e no verão de 2008 e 2009, com diferença significativa nos três anos amostrados; a interação entre machos e fêmeas de Aphelopus diferiu significativamente com desvio para machos; Aphelopinae foi mais abundante na mata ciliar, com diferenças significativas entre suas abundâncias na mata ciliar e cerrado e cerradão; Aphelopus e Crovettia foram registrados nas três fitofisionomias estudadas e foram mais abundantes ...
This study aimed to identify the species of Dryinidae in three phytophysiognomies of the Estação Ecológica do Jataí in Luiz Antonio county, Sao Paulo State, Brazil and assess their abundance, population dynamics and collection methodologies. Sampling of Hymenoptera was fortnightly, between December 2006 and November 2009, in areas of Brazilian savannah, riparian vegetation and savannah woodland. In each area were installed two Malaise traps and two sets of five Moericke traps; in riparian vegetation were installed two light traps, between November 2007 and November 2009. The count data Dryinidae included the effect of year of collection, sex, and method of collection; the count data of Dryinidae over time were analyzed using a logistic model as measures in time by using PROC GENMOD. The diversity of Dryininae species caught by using Malaise traps was compared through rarefaction curves, obtained by bootstrapping with resampling. Were obtained 1721 exemplars of Dryinidae from five subfamilies: Aphelopinae (873 exemplars; 50.7% of the total), Dryininae (371; 21.6%), Anteoninae (300; 17.4%), Gonatopodinae (159; 92%), and Bocchinae (18; 1.0%). In the overall population, the increase of Dryinidae occurred from September; significant differences were observed between the abundances of Dryinidae collected in 2007 and 2008 and in 2008 and 2009. From Aphelopinae were identified Aphelopus Dalman (858 exemplars / 98.3 % of the total collected) and Crovettia Olmi (15 / 1.7 %); the highest frequencies of Aphelopinae were recorded in the spring and summer of 2008 and 2009 and, significant differences were observed at the three years; the interaction between males and females of Aphelopus differed significantly with deviation for males; Aphelopinae was more abundant in riparian vegetation, with significant differences between their abundances in riparian vegetation and Brazilian savannah and savannah ...

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Diapriidae é cosmopolita e composta por cerca de 200 gêneros e duas mil espécies distribuídas por três subfamílias: Diapriinae, Belytinae e Ambositrinae. Para o Brasil são relatados cerca de 30 gêneros e 80 espécies. Diapriinae agrupa 50 gêneros distribuídos em três tribos: Psilini, Spilomicrini e Diapriini. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar os Diapriinae coletados em áreas de Cerrado, Cerradão e Mata Ciliar na Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ), em Luiz Antônio, SP, Brasil; As amostragens foram realizadas na EEJ com armadilhas Malaise e Moericke, durante dezembro de 2006 a novembro de 2009. o material biológico coletado foi encaminhado ao Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Parasitoides e Predadores (LSBPP) da APTA, em Ribeirão Preto, SP triados e identificados com o auxilio de Masner e Garcia (2002). Foram obtidos 2610 (1621 fêmeas/62,1% e 989 machos/37,9%) exemplares de Diapriinae de 20 gêneros, dentre os quais 634 exemplares de Doliopria Kieffer (24,29% do total coletado), 492 de Coptera Say (18,85%), 323 de Trichopria Ashmead (12,38%), 306 de Idiotypa Förster (11,72%), 297 de Acanthopria Ashmead (11,38%), 281 de Basalys Westwood (10,77%), 192 de Spilomicrus Westwood (7,36%), 19 de Leucopria Masner & Garcia (0,73%), 18 de Entomacis Förster (0,69%), 11 de Szelenyiopria Fabritius (0,42%), dez de Monelata Förster (0,38%), oito de Megaplastopria Ashmead (0,31%), cinco de Ortona Masner & Garcia (0,19%), três de Caecopria Masner e de Pentapria Kieffer (0,11% cada), dois de Mimopria Holmgren, de Omopria Masner & Garcia e de Paramesius Westwood (0,08% cada) e um de Labidopria Wasmann e de Mimopriella Masner & Garcia (0,04% cada). As armadilhas Malaise capturaram 1378 espécimes de Diapriinae (52,8% do total coletado), resultado que diferiu estatisticamente (p< 0,0001) dos observados com as armadilhas Moericke 1232 (47,2%). A maior quantidade de ...
Diapriidae is cosmopolitan, include about 200 genera e 2000 species described in three subfamilies: Diapriinae, Belytinae e Ambositrinae. To Brazil are described about 30 genera e 80 species. Diapriinae get into 50 genera in three tribes: Psilini, Spilomicrini e Diapriini. This research aimed to study the Diapriinae of Brazilian savannah, riparian vegetation and savannah woodland vegetation from Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ), Luis Antonio municipality, at São Paulo State, Brazil; In each ambient, the samples were taken with two Malaise traps (Townes 1972) and two sets of five yellow pan traps, between December 2006 and November 2009, the biological material was sent to the Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Parasitoides e Predadores (LSBPP) da APTA, Ribeirão Preto, SP, where were identified the subfamilies and genera of Diapriidae through the identification keys proposed by Masner e Garcia (2002). Were collected 2610 (1621 female /62,1% e 989 male /37,9%) of Diapriinae of 20 genera, among which 634 of Doliopria Kieffer (24,29% of the total collected), 492 Coptera Say (18,85%), 323 Trichopria Ashmead (12,38%), 306 Idiotypa Förster (11,72%), 297 Acanthopria Ashmead (11,38%), 281 Basalys Westwood (10,77%), 192 Spilomicrus Westwood (7,36%), 19 Leucopria Masner & Garcia (0,73%), 18 Entomacis Förster (0,69%), 11 Szelenyiopria Fabritius (0,42%), 10 Monelata Förster (0,38%), 8 Megaplastopria Ashmead (0,31%), 5 Ortona Masner & Garcia (0,19%), 3 Caecopria Masner and Pentapria Kieffer (0,11% each), 2 Mimopria Holmgren, 2 Omopria Masner & Garcia and 2 Paramesius Westwood (0,08% each) and 1 Labidopria Wasmann and 1 Mimopriella Masner & Garcia (0,04% each). The Malaise trap captured 1378 of Diapriinae (52,8% of the total collected), result that was statistically different (p< 0,0001) of the observed with yellow pan traps 1232 (47,2%). The largest amount of Diapriinae was ...

Orientador: Nilza Maria Martinelli
Coorientador: Nelson Wanderley Perioto
Banca: Sérgio Antônio De Bortoli
Banca: Juliano Fiorelini Nunes
Resumo: Diapriidae é cosmopolita e composta por cerca de 200 gêneros e duas mil espécies distribuídas por três subfamílias: Diapriinae, Belytinae e Ambositrinae. Para o Brasil são relatados cerca de 30 gêneros e 80 espécies. Diapriinae agrupa 50 gêneros distribuídos em três tribos: Psilini, Spilomicrini e Diapriini. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar os Diapriinae coletados em áreas de Cerrado, Cerradão e Mata Ciliar na Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ), em Luiz Antônio, SP, Brasil; As amostragens foram realizadas na EEJ com armadilhas Malaise e Moericke, durante dezembro de 2006 a novembro de 2009. o material biológico coletado foi encaminhado ao Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Parasitoides e Predadores (LSBPP) da APTA, em Ribeirão Preto, SP triados e identificados com o auxilio de Masner e Garcia (2002). Foram obtidos 2610 (1621 fêmeas/62,1% e 989 machos/37,9%) exemplares de Diapriinae de 20 gêneros, dentre os quais 634 exemplares de Doliopria Kieffer (24,29% do total coletado), 492 de Coptera Say (18,85%), 323 de Trichopria Ashmead (12,38%), 306 de Idiotypa Förster (11,72%), 297 de Acanthopria Ashmead (11,38%), 281 de Basalys Westwood (10,77%), 192 de Spilomicrus Westwood (7,36%), 19 de Leucopria Masner & Garcia (0,73%), 18 de Entomacis Förster (0,69%), 11 de Szelenyiopria Fabritius (0,42%), dez de Monelata Förster (0,38%), oito de Megaplastopria Ashmead (0,31%), cinco de Ortona Masner & Garcia (0,19%), três de Caecopria Masner e de Pentapria Kieffer (0,11% cada), dois de Mimopria Holmgren, de Omopria Masner & Garcia e de Paramesius Westwood (0,08% cada) e um de Labidopria Wasmann e de Mimopriella Masner & Garcia (0,04% cada). As armadilhas Malaise capturaram 1378 espécimes de Diapriinae (52,8% do total coletado), resultado que diferiu estatisticamente (p< 0,0001) dos observados com as armadilhas Moericke 1232 (47,2%). A maior quantidade de ...
Abstract: Diapriidae is cosmopolitan, include about 200 genera e 2000 species described in three subfamilies: Diapriinae, Belytinae e Ambositrinae. To Brazil are described about 30 genera e 80 species. Diapriinae get into 50 genera in three tribes: Psilini, Spilomicrini e Diapriini. This research aimed to study the Diapriinae of Brazilian savannah, riparian vegetation and savannah woodland vegetation from Estação Ecológica de Jataí (EEJ), Luis Antonio municipality, at São Paulo State, Brazil; In each ambient, the samples were taken with two Malaise traps (Townes 1972) and two sets of five yellow pan traps, between December 2006 and November 2009, the biological material was sent to the Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioecologia de Parasitoides e Predadores (LSBPP) da APTA, Ribeirão Preto, SP, where were identified the subfamilies and genera of Diapriidae through the identification keys proposed by Masner e Garcia (2002). Were collected 2610 (1621 female /62,1% e 989 male /37,9%) of Diapriinae of 20 genera, among which 634 of Doliopria Kieffer (24,29% of the total collected), 492 Coptera Say (18,85%), 323 Trichopria Ashmead (12,38%), 306 Idiotypa Förster (11,72%), 297 Acanthopria Ashmead (11,38%), 281 Basalys Westwood (10,77%), 192 Spilomicrus Westwood (7,36%), 19 Leucopria Masner & Garcia (0,73%), 18 Entomacis Förster (0,69%), 11 Szelenyiopria Fabritius (0,42%), 10 Monelata Förster (0,38%), 8 Megaplastopria Ashmead (0,31%), 5 Ortona Masner & Garcia (0,19%), 3 Caecopria Masner and Pentapria Kieffer (0,11% each), 2 Mimopria Holmgren, 2 Omopria Masner & Garcia and 2 Paramesius Westwood (0,08% each) and 1 Labidopria Wasmann and 1 Mimopriella Masner & Garcia (0,04% each). The Malaise trap captured 1378 of Diapriinae (52,8% of the total collected), result that was statistically different (p< 0,0001) of the observed with yellow pan traps 1232 (47,2%). The largest amount of Diapriinae was ...
Mestre

Orientador: Nelson Wanderley Perioto
Coorientador: Rogéria Inês Rosa Lara
Banca: Sérgio Antônio De Bortoli
Banca: Valmir Antônio Costa
Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os Dryinidae de três fitofisionomias da Estação Ecológica do Jataí, em Luiz Antonio, SP, Brasil e avaliar sua flutuação populacional e metodologias de coleta. A amostragem foi quinzenal, entre dezembro de 2006 e novembro de 2009, em áreas de cerrado strictu sensu, cerradão e mata ciliar. Em cada área foram instaladas duas armadilhas Malaise e dois conjuntos de cinco armadilhas de Moericke; na mata ciliar também foram instaladas duas armadilhas luminosas, entre novembro de 2007 e novembro de 2009. A análise dos dados incluiu os efeitos de ano de coleta, sexo e método de coleta; os dados de contagem ao longo do tempo foram analisados pelo modelo logístico como medidas no tempo pelo PROC GENMOD. A diversidade dos Dryininae coletados com armadilhas de Malaise foi comparada através de curvas de rarefação ("bootstrap") com reamostragem. Foram coletados 1721 exemplares de Dryinidae, das subfamílias Aphelopinae (873 exemplares / 50,7% do total), Dryininae (371 / 21,6%), Anteoninae (300 / 17,4%), Gonatopodinae (159 / 9,2%) e Bocchinae (18 / 1,0%). Em geral o aumento das populações de Dryinidae ocorreu a partir de setembro; foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as abundâncias de Dryinidae coletados em 2007 e 2008 e em 2008 e 2009. De Aphelopinae foram identificados Aphelopus Dalman (858 exemplares / 98,3% do total coletado) e Crovettia Olmi (15 / 1,7%); as maiores frequências de Aphelopinae foram registradas na primavera e no verão de 2008 e 2009, com diferença significativa nos três anos amostrados; a interação entre machos e fêmeas de Aphelopus diferiu significativamente com desvio para machos; Aphelopinae foi mais abundante na mata ciliar, com diferenças significativas entre suas abundâncias na mata ciliar e cerrado e cerradão; Aphelopus e Crovettia foram registrados nas três fitofisionomias estudadas e foram mais abundantes ...
Abstract: This study aimed to identify the species of Dryinidae in three phytophysiognomies of the Estação Ecológica do Jataí in Luiz Antonio county, Sao Paulo State, Brazil and assess their abundance, population dynamics and collection methodologies. Sampling of Hymenoptera was fortnightly, between December 2006 and November 2009, in areas of Brazilian savannah, riparian vegetation and savannah woodland. In each area were installed two Malaise traps and two sets of five Moericke traps; in riparian vegetation were installed two light traps, between November 2007 and November 2009. The count data Dryinidae included the effect of year of collection, sex, and method of collection; the count data of Dryinidae over time were analyzed using a logistic model as measures in time by using PROC GENMOD. The diversity of Dryininae species caught by using Malaise traps was compared through rarefaction curves, obtained by bootstrapping with resampling. Were obtained 1721 exemplars of Dryinidae from five subfamilies: Aphelopinae (873 exemplars; 50.7% of the total), Dryininae (371; 21.6%), Anteoninae (300; 17.4%), Gonatopodinae (159; 92%), and Bocchinae (18; 1.0%). In the overall population, the increase of Dryinidae occurred from September; significant differences were observed between the abundances of Dryinidae collected in 2007 and 2008 and in 2008 and 2009. From Aphelopinae were identified Aphelopus Dalman (858 exemplars / 98.3 % of the total collected) and Crovettia Olmi (15 / 1.7 %); the highest frequencies of Aphelopinae were recorded in the spring and summer of 2008 and 2009 and, significant differences were observed at the three years; the interaction between males and females of Aphelopus differed significantly with deviation for males; Aphelopinae was more abundant in riparian vegetation, with significant differences between their abundances in riparian vegetation and Brazilian savannah and savannah ...
Mestre

Western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), are haplodiploids. Virgin females produce sons parthenogenetically but must be mated to produce daughters. As a result, primary and secondary (adult) sex ratios can diverge from the 1:1 ratio commonly observed in diploid systems. Field studies were conducted to examine the spatial distribution of WFT on two greenhouse crops, Bell peppers, Capsicum annuum (Linn.) and Long English cucumbers, Cucumis sativus (Linn.) to determine if there was a correlation between sex ratio and density. Leaf and flower samples were taken weekly. All adult and immature WFT were counted and sex of adults determined. Yellow sticky traps were used to monitor density and sex ratio of the dispersing adult population. Lab studies were also done to investigate if male availability affected the sex ratio and number of offspring produced by individual females. Laboratory experiments were done to assess the effects of sperm availability and maternal age on sex ratio of progeny produced. On both crops, 84 to 95 % of adult WFT in flowers were females and most larvae (> 85 %) were found on leaves. Male WFT were rare on all plant parts even when caught in high numbers on traps. Approximately 75 % of females found on plants in the greenhouse were mated. Most (70 - 90 %) WFT on traps at low densities (< 200 individuals/trap) were males. This suggests that WFT populations are initiated by virgin females that likely overwintered as pseudopupae in the greenhouse. These females initially produce only sons, and may have to wait for these to emerge before they mate and produce daughters. As WFT density within a greenhouse increases, females are probably mated soon after emergence. Sex ratio of adults on traps becomes more female biased as density increases within a greenhouse. Heavily female biased (> 65 %) sex ratios were found on traps at high population densities (> 200 individuals/trap). Sex ratio of adults on traps remained male biased in the pepper greenhouse (WL) where the population density of WFT remained low. Information regarding within-plant distribution of thrips is essential for population monitoring and control. Used together, regular examination of flowers and counts of adults on sticky traps allow quick detection of potential "hot spots" of WFT density. Sex ratio and density are highly correlated. Sex ratio of the dispersing adult population is a good predictor of outbreak potential of the extant WFT population. Two WFT predators found in greenhouses were also monitored to document their effects on WFT population density and sex ratio. Mass introductions of the predatory mite, Amblysieus cucumeris, did not successfully control WFT in most greenhouses monitored. A natural infestation of pirate bugs, Orius tristicolor occurred in the only pepper house monitored. WFT density remained low throughout the growing season. O. tristicolor shows promise for future use in integrated pest management programs designed to control F. occidentalis in commercial greenhouses. Lab studies showed that sex ratio of offspring produced by mated females was influenced by sperm supply and maternal age. Mated females produced sons and daughters which suggests that females control sex of offspring produced through selective fertilization. Once mated, two-thirds of offspring produced are females. Older females produced fewer daughters than younger females. A principle conclusion from this study is that sex ratio of the WFT population within a greenhouse can be used to predict future population dynamics. Male availability may be the most important factor affecting the number of daughters produced by individual females which in turn may determine the potential of WFT populations to increase.
Science, Faculty of
Zoology, Department of
Graduate

Addendum in pocket. Biblography: leaves 162-173. Phytophagous sucking insects, aphids in particular, are common pests of plants. These insects secrete salivary enzymes into their food material. One plant defence mechanism is the induction and/or accumulation of deterrent phytochemicals. In the present study, a model enzyme system was chosen to mimic the oxidative activity of insect saliva. Isolation and sructural identification of the products of plant allelochemicals was achieved for several substrates. Insects were also exposed to individual plant chemicals in feeding "choice" tests. Preliminary examinations suggest that plants containing increased levels of phenolic allelochemicals show correlated increases in resistance to attack by aphids.

The burden of many vector-borne diseases remains high and for some, such as dengue fever, continues to rise. It is estimated that up to half of the global population is at risk from dengue. Treatment of dengue fever is currently limited to case management and there are, at present, no licensed vaccines available. As a result, the front-line defence against dengue fever remains vector control. Modern approaches to vector control are attempting to push forward new techniques to target the mosquito vectors of dengue. One such technique is the release of transgenic insects that are genetically sterile due to a conditional dominant lethal gene. This modern adaptation of the traditional sterile insect technique is at the forefront of current new vector control solutions. The success of a vector control effort using releases of transgenic insects relies on the technology being efficacious as well as effective in the field. To ensure the effectiveness of field-released sterile insects a deep knowledge of the mosquito biology and ecology must be combined with site-specific, logistical and cost considerations. In order to maximise the potential of this technology the field releases of these insects must be optimised. This work includes a specific focus on the exploration of the dynamics of releasing different life stages, investigations into the biology and ecology of the released insects and the development of applied methodology relating to the release and monitoring of transgenic insects. Novel vector control techniques, such as the use of transgenic insects, have an important role to play in addressing the emergence and spread of dengue fever. In order to utilise these technologies to their full potential they must be optimised to maximise their effectiveness. In this thesis I present work towards this optimisation.

Social insects are ecologically dominant because of their specialized, cooperative castes. Reproductive queens lay eggs, while workers take part in brood rearing, nest defense, and foraging. These cooperative castes are a prime example of phenotypic plasticity, whereby a single genetic code gives rise to variation in form and function based on environmental differences. Thus, social insects are well suited for studying mechanisms which give rise to and maintain phenotypic plasticity. At the molecular level, phenotypic plasticity coincides with the differential expression of genes. This dissertation examines the molecular evolution of genes with differential expression between discrete phenotypic or environmental contexts, represented chiefly by female queen and worker castes in social insects. The studies included herein examine evolution at three important levels of biological information: (i) gene expression, (ii) modifications to DNA in the form of methylation, and (iii) protein-coding sequence. From these analyses, a common theme has emerged: genes with differential expression among castes frequently exhibit signatures of relaxed selective constraint relative to ubiquitously expressed genes. Thus, genes associated with phenotypic plasticity paradoxically exhibit modest importance to overall fitness but exceptional evolutionary potential, as illustrated by the success of the social insects.

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Tendo-se em vista a importância da espécie Spodoptera albula (Walker,1857) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) nos últimos anos devido aos prejuízos econômicos, causando desfolha na cultura do amendoim bem como a falta de informações a respeito de metodologias de criação e pesquisa em resistência de plantas a insetos, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar diferentes métodos e materiais visando os estudos de não preferência para alimentação e antibiose dessa espécie, utilizando-se de dietas artificiais e genótipos de amendoim. Os ensaios foram realizados em condições controladas (25 ± 2 ° C, 70 ± 10% umidade relativa e 12 horas de fotofase). Os experimentos iniciais foram para a adequação de uma metodologia de criação para S. albula. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros biológicos: duração, sobrevivência e mortalidade das fases larval, pupal e larva a adulto; peso de lagartas aos 12 dias de idade; peso de pupa com 24 horas de idade; razão sexual; e longevidade dos adultos, em três dietas artificiais, diferentes densidades larvais, densidades de casais e tamanho de gaiolas para oviposição (para o teste de oviposição avaliou-se o número de posturas e de ovos). Observou-se que S. albula conseguiu completar seu ciclo biológico nas três dietas, entretanto, a dieta de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner foi a mais adequada para sua criação em laboratório, proporcionando desenvolvimento mais rápido e com maior sobrevivência em relação às demais. A individualização das lagartas de S. albula favoreceu seu desenvolvimento, permitindo maior ganho de peso e menor mortalidade. O tamanho da gaiola não influencia no número de ovos colocados pelas fêmeas, e o maior número de casais por gaiola não favoreceu um aumento da oviposição. Possíveis adequações a dieta escolhida são recomendadas para que a criação alcance maiores índices de sobrevivência. Quanto à metodologia de pesquisa em resistência...
Taking into consideration the importance of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) species in recent years due to the economic losses, caused defoliation in the peanut crop and the lack of rearing methodologies and research on host plant resistance information, the aim of this study was to evaluate different materials and methods aiming non-preference feeding and antibiosis of this species, using artificial diets and peanut genotypes. The assays were performed under controlled conditions (25 ± 2 ° C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 12 hours photophase). Initial experiments were to adjust a design methodology for S. albula. The following biological parameters were evaluated: larval, pupal and larval to adult phase duration, survival and mortality; 12 days old caterpillars weight; 24 hours old pupal weight; sex ratio; and longevity of adults, in three artificial diets, different larval densities, couples densities and cages size for oviposition (for the oviposition assay were evaluated the number of egg masses and eggs). S. albula managed to complete its life cycle in all three diets; however, the Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner diet was the most suitable for laboratory rearing, providing faster development and higher survival rate in compare to the others. S. albula caterpillar's individualization favored its development, allowing greater weight gain and lower mortality. Cage size does not influence the number of eggs laid by the females, and the largest number of couples per cage did not favor an increase in oviposition. Possible adjustments in the chosen diet are recommended so the rearing can reach higher survival rates. As for research methodology in plant resistance the experiments evaluated the influence of these factors on the expression of non-feeding preference in runner growth habit genotypes IAC Runner 886 and straight growth habit IAC Tatu to S. albula in assays free-choice and no-choice feeding ...

Orientador: Arlindo Leal Boiça Júnior
Banca: Raphael De Campos Castilho
Banca: José Roberto Scarpellini
Resumo: Tendo-se em vista a importância da espécie Spodoptera albula (Walker,1857) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) nos últimos anos devido aos prejuízos econômicos, causando desfolha na cultura do amendoim bem como a falta de informações a respeito de metodologias de criação e pesquisa em resistência de plantas a insetos, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar diferentes métodos e materiais visando os estudos de não preferência para alimentação e antibiose dessa espécie, utilizando-se de dietas artificiais e genótipos de amendoim. Os ensaios foram realizados em condições controladas (25 ± 2 ° C, 70 ± 10% umidade relativa e 12 horas de fotofase). Os experimentos iniciais foram para a adequação de uma metodologia de criação para S. albula. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros biológicos: duração, sobrevivência e mortalidade das fases larval, pupal e larva a adulto; peso de lagartas aos 12 dias de idade; peso de pupa com 24 horas de idade; razão sexual; e longevidade dos adultos, em três dietas artificiais, diferentes densidades larvais, densidades de casais e tamanho de gaiolas para oviposição (para o teste de oviposição avaliou-se o número de posturas e de ovos). Observou-se que S. albula conseguiu completar seu ciclo biológico nas três dietas, entretanto, a dieta de Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner foi a mais adequada para sua criação em laboratório, proporcionando desenvolvimento mais rápido e com maior sobrevivência em relação às demais. A individualização das lagartas de S. albula favoreceu seu desenvolvimento, permitindo maior ganho de peso e menor mortalidade. O tamanho da gaiola não influencia no número de ovos colocados pelas fêmeas, e o maior número de casais por gaiola não favoreceu um aumento da oviposição. Possíveis adequações a dieta escolhida são recomendadas para que a criação alcance maiores índices de sobrevivência. Quanto à metodologia de pesquisa em resistência...
Abstract: Taking into consideration the importance of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) species in recent years due to the economic losses, caused defoliation in the peanut crop and the lack of rearing methodologies and research on host plant resistance information, the aim of this study was to evaluate different materials and methods aiming non-preference feeding and antibiosis of this species, using artificial diets and peanut genotypes. The assays were performed under controlled conditions (25 ± 2 ° C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 12 hours photophase). Initial experiments were to adjust a design methodology for S. albula. The following biological parameters were evaluated: larval, pupal and larval to adult phase duration, survival and mortality; 12 days old caterpillars weight; 24 hours old pupal weight; sex ratio; and longevity of adults, in three artificial diets, different larval densities, couples densities and cages size for oviposition (for the oviposition assay were evaluated the number of egg masses and eggs). S. albula managed to complete its life cycle in all three diets; however, the Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner diet was the most suitable for laboratory rearing, providing faster development and higher survival rate in compare to the others. S. albula caterpillar's individualization favored its development, allowing greater weight gain and lower mortality. Cage size does not influence the number of eggs laid by the females, and the largest number of couples per cage did not favor an increase in oviposition. Possible adjustments in the chosen diet are recommended so the rearing can reach higher survival rates. As for research methodology in plant resistance the experiments evaluated the influence of these factors on the expression of non-feeding preference in runner growth habit genotypes IAC Runner 886 and straight growth habit IAC Tatu to S. albula in assays free-choice and no-choice feeding ...
Mestre

This thesis considers a physical perspective to an insect's maintenance of a clean body surface.  Flying insects are faced with a barrage of particles in their environment, including dust, pollen, pollutants, and parasitic mites, the last of which are responsible for the modern decline of honey bees, of critical importance to agriculture around the world.  In this combined experimental, theoretical, and numerical study, we elucidate the mechanisms by which insects stay clean.  These mechanisms all rely on the insect’s coverage by a dense array of hairs.  We show that these bristles divert incoming flow, reducing deposition of particles, especially onto the eyes.  We replicate this mechanism with microfabricated pillar arrays, demonstrating the feasibility by which they may be incorporated into self-cleaning sensors. During grooming, the bristles on the limbs interact with those on the body and particle removal is achieved through combing and catapulting, driving particles at over 1000 gravities. We show that the three million hairs covering the body of a honey bee are crucial for the efficient removal of accumulated pollen.

Virtually all multicellular organisms are capable of developing differently in response to environmental variation. At the molecular level, such developmental plasticity requires interpretation and perpetuation of environmental signals without changing the underlying genotype. Such non-genetic, heritable information is known as epigenetic information. This dissertation examines epigenetic information among social insects, and how differences in such information relate to phenotypic caste differences. The studies included herein primarily focus on one form of epigenetic information: DNA methylation. In particular, these studies explore DNA methylation as it relates to and impacts (i) alternative phenotype and particular gene expression differences in two social insect species, (ii) histone modifications, another important form of epigenetic information, in insect genomes, and (iii) molecular evolutionary rate of underlying actively transcribed gene sequences. We find that DNA methylation exhibits marked epigenetic and evolutionary associations, and is associated with alternative phenotype in multiple insect species. Thus, DNA methylation is emerging as one important epigenetic mediator of phenotypic plasticity in social insects.

La coopération et les conflits sont les deux facettes de l’évolution sociale. L’objectif principal de cette thèse a été d’étudier chez les fourmis du complexe d’espèces Neoponera apicalis les mécanismes de régulation permettant de maintenir la coopération dans les groupes sociaux face aux risques d’exploitation internes et externes au groupe, à travers une approche comparative et intégrative. Nous montrons que la structure génétique des colonies entraine des conflits d’intérêts liés à la reproduction, notamment en ce qui concerne la production des mâles. L’étude de la régulation du partage de la reproduction révèle que les décisions reproductives des individus sont principalement basées sur la détection de signaux associés à la fertilité grâce à des capacités fines de discrimination de statut. Ces informations permettent aux ouvrières d’ajuster leur comportement reproducteur selon le contexte social et en fonction de leurs intérêts en termes d’inclusive fitness. En effet, alors qu’une auto-restriction reproductive des ouvrières est observée en présence d’une reine fertile, un conflit ouvert se déclare quand celle-ci disparait, régulé par la mise en place d’une hiérarchie reproductive linéaire dans laquelle les ouvrières de haut rang accèdent à la reproduction. Le signalement du statut reproducteur parait jouer un rôle capital dans la régulation des interactions de dominance/subordination, et donc dans la détermination des rangs hiérarchiques. Les signaux associés à la fertilité sont par ailleurs fortement conservés entre les différentes espèces de ce complexe, ce qui souligne leur honnêteté et donc leur stabilité évolutive. Nous montrons enfin l’existence d’une reconnaissance coloniale chez ces espèces, basée sur les mêmes indices de reconnaissance, et permettant de moduler la réponse territoriale selon le niveau de familiarité des colonies étrangères. Cette étude démontre donc l’importance des mécanismes de reconnaissance dans la régulation de la vie sociale
ASocial evolution implies both cooperation and conflicts. The main objective of this thesis was to study the regulatory mechanisms allowing to maintain cooperation in social groups against exploitation from within and outside. We choose a comparative and integrative approach using ants of the Neoponera apicalis species complex. We show that the colony genetic structure gives rise to reproductive conflicts, particularly over male production. The study of the regulation of the partitioning of reproduction reveals that the individuals’ reproductive decisions are mainly based on the detection of fertility-associated signals through fine-scale status discrimination abilities. This information allows the workers to adjust their reproductive behaviour according to the social context and following their inclusive fitness interests. Whereas worker reproductive self-restraint is observed with a fertile queen, an overt conflict arises in queenless conditions, which is regulated through the formation of a linear reproductive hierarchy where high-ranking workers reproduce. Reproductive status signalling seems to play a crucial role in the regulation of the dominance/subordination relationships, and thus in the determination of hierarchical ranks. Furthermore, fertility-associated signals are highly conserved among the species of the complex, which highlights their honesty and thus their evolutionary stability. We finally show that the nestmate recognition processes in these species are based on the same recognition cues and allow to modulate the territorial response depending on the familiarity with non-nestmates. This study demonstrates the importance of recognition mechanisms in the regulation of social life

Science and technology impact most aspects of modern daily life. It is therefore important to create a scientifically literate society. Since the majority of Americans do not take college-level science courses, strong K-12 science education is essential. At the K-5 level, however, many teachers lack the time, resources and background for effective science teaching. Elementary teachers and students may benefit from scientist-led outreach programs created by Cooperative Extension or other institutions. One example is the University of Arizona Insect Discovery Program, which provides short-duration programing that uses insects to support science content learning, teach critical thinking and spark interest in science. We conducted evaluations of the Insect Discovery programming to determine whether the activities offered were accomplishing program goals. Pre-post tests, post program questionnaires for teachers, and novel assessments of children’s drawings were used as assessment tools. Assessments were complicated by the short duration of the program interactions with the children as well as their limited literacy. In spite of these difficulties, results of the pre-post tests indicated a significant impact on content knowledge and critical thinking skills. Based on post-program teacher questionnaires, positive impacts on interest in science learning were noted as much as a month after the children participated in the program. New programming and resources developed to widen the potential for impact are also described.

La FAO ha dichiarato che la popolazione umana è in continua crescita e raggiungerà i 9 miliardi nel 2050, provocando un aumento della domanda di cibo, in particolare di fonti proteiche, che si tradurrà in effetti negativi per l’ambiente. Una possibile soluzione potrebbe essere rappresentata dal consumo di insetti edibili: inannzitutto, per la sostenibilità ambientale legata al loro allevamento, ma anche per il loro contenuto in aminoacidi essenziali, acidi grassi insaturi, minerali, vitamine e fibre. Nel 2015, gli insetti sono stati classificati come “novel food” con il Regolamento No 2015/2283. Nello stesso anno, l’EFSA ha sottolineato la necessità di ottenere maggiori informazioni sugli insetti per definirne il rischio microbiologico e chimico. In questo contesto la presente tesi di Dottorato ha avuto lo scopo di studiare il microbiota associato agli insetti edibili per ottenere informaziori riguardo un loro possibile consumo alimentare. Inoltre, data la loro capacità di agire come serbatoio di geni trasferibili di antibiotico resistenza, che possono essere anche portati da patogeni, parte della ricerca è stata focalizzata sulla presenza di tali geni in campioni di insetto. In breve, è stata riscontrata la presenza di microorganismi commensali, agenti di deterioramento e patogeni ed anche di geni trasferibili di antibiotico resistenza. I risultati ottenuti hanno evidenziato l’influenza di vari fattori tra cui specie di insetto, substrato di crescita, condizioni di allevamento. Infine, per superare lo scetticismo dei consumatori riguardo agli insetti edibili, sono stati ottenuti prodotti in cui la presenza degli insetti è stata mascherata. I campioni prodotti sono stati sottoposti ad analisi microbiologiche, tecnologiche e sensorali per valutarne l’applicabilità. I risultati hanno sottolineato la presenza di batteri sporigeni e l’effetto delle diverse specie di insetto sui parametri tecnologici e sull’accettabilità dei consumatori.
FAO declared that human population is worldwide increasingly growing and in 2050 it will reach 9 billion people. The consequent increase in food demand, and in particular, in proteins will cause several negative effects on the environment due to the intensive animal farming. In this scenario, a potential solution is represented by edible insects. First of all, their rearing is characterized by a higher environmental sustainability than livestock. Moreover, they are a nutritious food especially in terms of essential amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and fibre. In the European Union, insects were defined as “novel food” by the Regulation (EU) No 2015/2283. In the same year, EFSA requested further research to better assess microbiological and chemical risks related to edible insects. In this context, the present PhD. thesis was aimed to investigate about edible insects microbiota to collect information about their feasibility as food. Furthermore, since they can act as reservoir of transferable antibiotic resistance genes which can even be carried by pathogens, part of the research was focused on the occurrence of such genes in edible insects samples. Briefly, results showed the presence of commensal, spoilage and potential pathogen agents and the occurrence of transferable resistance genes. Interestingly, data highlighted the influence of insect species, growth substrate, rearing and environmental conditions. Finally, to overcome consumers scepticism generated by insects consumption as food, the development of insect-based food products where insects are invisible was assessed. To get information about the feasibility of these products, microbiological, technological and sensory analysis were performed. In a few words, the presence of spore-forming bacteria was detected in each bread and in the rusks. Moreover a different insect powder effect on the technological parameters of bread and on the consumers appreciation was observed.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2007.
Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Mar. 3, 2008). Directed by Vincent C. Henrich; submitted to the Dept. of Biology. Includes bibliographical references (p. 43-46).

The larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linne and Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) both aggregated upon substrates treated with aqueous extracts of conspecific larval frass. Lactic acid is a pheromone in the frass of both species. Alphitobius larvae were attracted to lactic acid, while lactic acid caused Tenebrio larvae to arrest.
Propionic acid is a repellent pheromone present in Tenebrio frass, but the lactic acid-induced response is dominant. The role of these chemical factors in population orientation of the larvae of these mealworm species is discussed.
The cuticular lipids of the larvae of both species contained close-range attractants that had a role in aggregate formation. The Tenebrio cuticular lipid pheromone is predominately 8,9-pentacosanediol. The Alphitobius cuticular pheromone is a mixture of at least two compounds.
The ecological preferences of these larvae suggested that these aggregation pheromones increased the density of individuals per unit volume. This increased density had varying effects on the physiological development of Tenebrio individuals.

Com o objetivo de conhecer a composição dos insetos e das plantas visitadas nas áreas de cerradão e cerrado sensu stricto, da Estação Experimental de Itirapina, SP, foram realizadas amostragens sistemáticas dos insetos nas plantas, no período de março de 2003 a fevereiro de 2004. Do total de insetos coletados nas flores, 63,3% e 63,8% são da ordem Hymenoptera, 17,1% e 2,5% da ordem Lepidoptera, 16% e 19,5% da ordem Coleoptera e 3,6% e 12,8% da ordem Diptera, respectivamente, para as áreas de cerradão e cerrado sensu stricto, e 1,4% para Hemiptera-Heteroptera no cerrado sensu stricto. A maioria dos insetos coletados, visitando e/ou forrageando, nas duas áreas, foi no período da manhã, exceto os dípteros que preferiram o período da tarde. Na área de cerradão as espécies dominantes de Hymenoptera foram: Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) sp. e Trigona spinipes; de Lepidoptera foram: Aeria olena e Ithomia agnosia; de Coleoptera foram: Nycterodina sp. e Spintherophyta sp.. Já na área de cerrado sensu stricto os hymenópteros dominantes foram: Apis mellifera, Exomalopsis cf. analis, Tetrapedia rugulosa, Trigona spinipes e Pepsis sp., para Coleoptera foram: Spintherophyta sp., Compsus sp. e Epitragus similis; para Diptera foram: Eristalis sp. e Ornidia obesa. A família Apidae foi a mais rica em espécies e abundância, nas duas áreas de cerrado, seguindo o padrão geral encontrado em outras áreas neotropicais até o momento estudadas, apresentando muitas espécies com poucos indivíduos e poucas espécies com muitos indivíduos. Quanto a composição da flora, em ordem decrescente, as famílias Asteraceae, Melastomataceae, Apocynaceae, Malpighiaceae e Rubiaceae foram as mais representativas na área de cerradão. Na área de cerrado sensu stricto as famílias com maior número de espécies foram Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, Asteraceae, Bignoniaceae e Myrtaceae. As espécies vegetais com maior percentual de insetos visitantes na área de cerradão foram Diplosodon virgatus (Lythraceae), Daphnopsis racemosa (Thymelaeaceae) e Borreria verticillata (Rubiaceae), e no cerrado sensu stricto foram Ocotea pulchella (Lauraceae) e Miconia rubiginosa (Melastomataceae). A família Apidae foi a que visitou maior número de espécies botânicas, seguida por Nymphalidae, Chrysomelidae, Halictidae e Vespidae, na área de cerradão. No cerrado sensu stricto foram Apidae, Syrphidae, Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae, Halictidae, Vespidae e Pompilidae. Dos insetos dominantes, Apis mellifera foi a que visitou o maior número de espécies de plantas, seguida de Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) sp., Aeria olena e Trigona spinipes, no cerradão; e no cerrado sensu stricto foram Apis mellifera, Trigona spinipes, Exomalopsis cf. analis e Tetrapedia rugulosa.
Systematic samplings of insects on plants were carried out with the aim of studying the insect composition and visited plants in cerradao and cerrado areas stricto sensus at the Experimental Station of Itirapina ? SP between March 2003 and February 2004. Considering all insects collected on flowers in the cerradao and cerrado areas stricto sensus , 63.3% and 63.8% were Hymenoptera, 17.1% and 2.5% were Lepidoptera, 16.0% and 19.5% were Coleoptera and 3.6% and 12.8% were Diptera, respectively, while in the cerrado stricto sensus 1.4% were Hemiptera-Heteroptera. Most insects collected were visiting and/or foraging in the areas during the morning, except for diptera, which preferred the afternoon period. The dominant species within each order in the cerradao area were: Hymenoptera - Apis mellifera, Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) sp. and Trigona spinipes; Lepidoptera - Aeria olena and Ithomia agnosia; Coleoptera - Nycterodina sp. and Spintherophyta sp.. In the cerrado area stricto sensus the dominant species were: Hymenoptera - Apis mellifera, Exomalopsis cf. analis, Tetrapedia rugulosa, Trigona spinipes and Pepsis sp.; Coleoptera - Spintherophyta sp., Compsus sp. and Epitragus similis; Diptera - Eristalis sp. and Ornidia obesa. The Apidae Family was the richest in species and most abundant in both cerrado areas, following the general pattern of other Neotropical areas already studied, with many species with few individuals and few species with many individuals. Regarding the floristic composition, the most representative families in the cerradao area were, in order, Asteraceae, Melastomataceae, Apocynaceae, Malpighiaceae and Rubiaceae. Families with most species in the cerrado area stricto sensus were Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, Asteraceae, Bignoniaceae and Myrtaceae. The plant species in the cerradao area with the greatest percentage of visiting insects were Diplosodon virgatus (Lythraceae), Daphnopsis racemosa (Thymelaeaceae) and Borreria verticillata (Rubiaceae), while in the cerrado stricto sensus they were Ocotea pulchella (Lauraceae) and Miconia rubiginosa (Melastomataceae). The Apidae family was the one visiting most plant species in the cerradao area, followed by Nymphalidae, Chrysomelidae, Halictidae and Vespidae families, while in the cerrado stricto sensus the families visiting most plant species were Apidae, Syrphidae, Chrysomelidae, Curculionidae, Halictidae, Vespidae and Pompilidae. Apis mellifera was the species among the dominant insects of the cerradao area which visited the greatest number of plant species, followed by Exomalopsis (Exomalopsis) sp., Aeria olena and Trigona spinipes. In the cerrado stricto sensus the insect species that visited the greatest number of plants were Apis mellifera, Trigona spinipes, Exomalopsis cf. analis and Tetrapedia rugulosa.

Orientador: Diogo Cavalcanti Cabral de Mello
Banca: Ana Paula de Moraes
Banca: Clarisse Palma da Silva
Resumo: DNAs satélites (DNAsat) são sequências usualmente repetidas centenas a milhares de vezes arranjadas consecutivamente uma à outra, enriquecidas geralmente na heterocromatina em regiões específicas ou cromossomos, tais como os cromossomos B. Neste trabalho, isolamos o primeiro DNAsat no gafanhoto Abracris flavolineata, nomeado AflaSAT-1. A sequência foi caracterizada integrando abordagem molecular, genômica e citogenética objetivando compreender a organização estrutural, evolução nos cromossomos A e B e possível atividade transcricional. O AflaSAT-1 é compartilhado entre espécies de gafanhotos, mas revelou uma evidente amplificação em A. flavolineata formando arranjos detectáveis. A sequência apresentou baixa variabilidade em nível interpopulacional; no entanto monômeros do cromossomo B (µB-DNA) da população de Rio Claro/SP exibiram maior variabilidade e quatro mutações exclusivas, refletindo a comum taxa mutacional mais elevada dos cromossomos B. A análise genômica estrutural revelou organizações distintas para o DNAsat, apresentando uma associação alternativa com outro DNAsat, nomeado AflaSAT-2. A análise cromossômica revelou que ambos os DNAsat estão interligados um ao outro formando grandes blocos nos centrômeros de quase todos os cromossomos (exceto para o menor par), e para o cromossomo B apenas um pequeno sinal centromérico foi notado em indivíduos da população de Rio Claro/SP. Nas distintas populações a distribuição cromossômica do AflaSAT-1 revelou variabilidade, como ausência de algumas marcas, blocos adicionais e também heteromorfismo, a qual se correlacionou com a estimativa de número de cópias, sugerindo uma dinâmica de expansão ou eliminação de repetições. Finalmente, a constitutiva atividade transcricional de AflaSAT-1 foi observada nos distintos tecidos de adultos, e em distintas fases de desenvolvimento, tanto em indivíduos portadores e não portadores de cromossomo B
Abstract: Satellite DNAs (satDNA) are sequences usually repeated hundred to thousand times tandemly arrayed, enriched in heterochromatin from specific region or chromosomes, including B chromosomes. Here, we isolated the first satDNA in the grasshopper Abracris flavolineata, named AflaSAT-1. The sequence was characterized by integration of cytogenetic, molecular and genomics approaches, aiming to understand the structural organization, evolution in A and B chromosomes and possible transcriptional activity. The AflaSAT-1 is shared with other grasshopper species, but it was evidently amplified in A. flavolineata forming detectable clustered arrays. AflaSAT-1 presented low variability at interpopulational level; but monomers from B chromosome observed in individuals from Rio Claro/SP were more variable presenting four exclusive mutations, reflecting the common higher mutational rate in this chromosome. Genomic structural analysis revealed distinct organization for the satDNA, with its alternative association with other satDNA, named AflaSAT-2. The chromosomal analysis showed that both satDNAs were also interglimed to each other, forming large blocks in centromeres of almost all chromosomes (except the smallest pair), but in the B chromosome only a small centromeric signal was noticed in individuals from Rio Claro/SP. Chromosomal distribution for AflaSAT-1 revealed variability, at populational level, with absence of marks, additional clusters and heteromorphism. This variation was coincidentally followed by variability in copy number, suggesting dynamic expansion or elimination of repeats. Finally, AflaSAT-1 was constitutively transcriptionally active in five tissues of adults, in distinct life cycle phases, and both in carrier and non-B chromosome carriers
Mestre

No Alentejo (Portugal), os insectos são normalmente desprezados, ou quando estudados, é sobrevalorizada a sua acção negativa. A nossa atitude perante um grupo de animais tão abundante e diversificado, não pode restringir-se às espécies que directa ou indirectamente competem connosco, aplicando frequentemente métodos de gestão e/ou controlo dos insectos baseados na aplicação de insecticidas e outros pesticidas ou produtos agroquímicos. Neste trabalho procurou-se fazer uma revisão sobre a importância ecológica dos insectos, nomeadamente a nível das interacções tróficas que estabelecem. Numa perspectiva antropocêntrica, são apresentadas formas de aproveitamento dos insectos, destacando-se a componente pedagógica (parte experimental educacional do trabalho, onde são apresentadas estratégias, materiais e métodos que podem ser aplicados nos ensinos básico e secundário, de forma a serem desenvolvidas competências essenciais, tais como, a vontade de conhecer e preservar os seres vivos). Com vista à aplicação do método científico, foi feita uma amostragem de entomofauna crepuscular e nocturna, centrada nos lepidópteros noctuídeos, entre Agosto de 2000 e Janeiro de 2001, nas zonas de Arraiolos e Leiria, sendo utilizadas 4 armadilhas luminosas "Pennsylvania". Através da análise estatística dos resultados (índices de diversidade das espécies capturadas - a e constância simultânea – Cs), verificou-se que: a zona de Leiria apresenta maiores índices de diversidade; nas duas zonas em estudo esse índice revela valores mais elevados nos períodos alegadamente "mortos" entomologicamente, nomeadamente nos meses de Dezembro (Leiria) e de Janeiro (Arraiolos); relativamente aos valores de constância simultânea, foi durante o mês de Janeiro que se registaram maiores semelhanças (Cs=0,440) entre as duas zonas, considerando o número de espécies iguais que foram capturadas. Para uma gestão racional do "recurso" insecto, é necessário começar por investir no seu estudo, na sua valorização e na formação da consciência ecológica de todos os cidadãos, com início na escola... /*** Abstract - In the Alentejo region of Portugal, at least, insects are frequently overlooked, and when studied, their negative effects are exaggerated. Our attitude regarding such an abundant and diversified animal group should not be limited to the species that direct or indirectly compete with mankind. Very often methods of management and for control are limited to pesticide or agro chemical product applications. We present an attempt to review part of the ecological importance of insects, especially regarding trophic interactions they establish. Under an anthropocentric perspective, we present forms of profiting insects, stressing also pedagogic points of view (we show strategies, material and methods that can be applied at the basic and secondary level in order to help develop essential competences, like the will to discover and preserve life forms. In order to apply the scientific method, we proceeded to a sampling and monitoring past of the local insect fauna, especially noctuid Lepidopterans, between August 2000 and January 2001, in Arraiolos and Leiria, using to that and 4 black light traps type "Pennsylvania". Through the statistic analyses of results (diversity index of captured species — a and simultaneous constancy — Cs), has been verified that: Leiria presents larger diversity indexes; on the two places of study, Arraiolos and Leiria, that index shows higher numbers on the alleged entomologically "dead" periods, namely on December (Leiria) and on January (Arraiolos); relating to simultaneous constancy numbers, it was during January that were registered bigger similitude (Cs=0,440), considering the number of species that were captured. For a rational management of the "recourse" insect is necessary to start investing on their study, valuation and also on the formation of an ecological conscience of ail citizens, early in school...

Thesis (M.Sc. (Plant Protection)) --University of Limpopo, 2012
Attractiveness of insect pest for use as sources of food may be improved by providing information on preservation and relevant nutritional value. Nutritional composition in edible insects may depend on drying method and/or vegetation (location). Influence of drying method and location on nutritional composition of the African metallic wood boring beetle (Sternocera orissa), widely consumed in certain rural communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa, was investigated. Randomised complete block design in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was used with three drying methods (oven-drying, freeze drying, cooking method) and three locations (Khureng, Magatle, Ga-Masemola), with three replicates. Nutritional composition data were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Turkey Honestly Significant Differences (HSD) at 5 % level of significance. Relative to freeze-drying, oven-drying and cooking methods increased protein, carbohydrates, fat, energy, ash and dry matter content with the exception of cooking method, which decreased the moisture content. Compared to other locations, Ga-Masemola significantly increased fat and energy of the test beetle. Relative to the freeze-drying method, oven-drying and cooking increased (P ≤ 0.05) essential and non-essential amino acids. Location did not have significant effect on the essential and non-essential amino acids of S. orissa across all the villages. Similarly, oven-drying and cooking increased K, P, Fe, Zn and Mg. Compared to locations, Ga-Masemola increased (P ≤ 0.05) Fe of the test beetle. Results of the study suggested that oven-drying and cooking methods improved the nutritional composition of S. orissa, which has the potential of enhancing nutrition in marginal rural communities of Limpopo Province. Providing results of this study to rural communities through extension services has the potential of improving the attractiveness of this beetle to marginal communities, and thus, increasing harvesting and therefore, reduce insects population densities.
the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and the National Research Foundation

Many species of stream invertebrates gain most of their energy by the consumption of coarse detrital materials. While most of these organisms are univoltine or semivoltine, the biomass of assimilable detritus varies seasonally as a result of several processes. The period of detritus input is highly seasonal, decomposition rates are positively temperature dependent, and winter spates result in fragmentation and flushing of detrital materials. From two years of measuring detritus inputs and standing crops, I showed that the abundance of this resource varied by almost two orders of magnitude seasonally. Since many consumers which rely on this resource have generation times equal to that of the period of resource variation, individuals and perhaps populations may be faced with periods of low food abundance. This work addressed the consequences of seasonal food limitation of stream insects. To test this food Limitation hypothesis, I experimentally manipulated detritus input rates to otherwise natural communities of stream benthos using a replicated, 3 - treatment design. These experiments were conducted in experimental streams in the University of British Columbia research forest over the course of one year. Increasing input rates of detritus resulted in large increases in size at maturity and growth rates for 7 of 9 common species. This was true for both summer and winter emerging species. Increased supply of detritus also resulted in increased densities and higher rates of colonization for some species. There was no evidence of change in phenology for any species. The densities of the chironomid Brillia retifinis (the only species studied that had a short generation time) underwent exponential growth during the first 3 months of the experiment, reaching densities 10x those of the control and natural streams. This species apparently fills the role of a "fugitive" in this system. One alternative hypothesis for increased densities following addition of whole leaf detritus was a significantly altered microhabitat. To test this possibility I compared the use of real and artificial (polyester) leaf packs by stream invertebrates. Those species which typically consume coarse detritus were almost never found on the artificial leaf packs, while they attained high densities on the real leaves. In contrast, fine-particle, and algae consuming species were found in similar densities on artificial and real leaf packs, although there was a time lag in colonization of the polyester leaves. These results suggest that microhabitat alone cannot lead to increased densities of detritivores. The densities of species which do not consume large particles of detritus also were affected by whole-leaf additions. Density of total consumers of fine particles of detritus increased when coarse detritus was supplemented and most taxa showed this response. This result was apparently an indirect effect of diminution of detrital particle size by larger detritivores. Predaceous species also increased in density under detritus supplementation. Increased densities of taxa other than large-particle-detritus feeders indicates that effects at one trophic level can affect other trophic levels.
Science, Faculty of
Zoology, Department of
Graduate

Orientador: Odair Aparecido Fernandes
Coorientador: Ivan Cruz
Banca: Sandra Regina Magro
Banca: Guilherme Duarte Rossi
Resumo: A criação de insetos em laboratório é de fundamental importância na obtenção de material biológico puro e de qualidade para a realização de estudos entomológicos básicos ou aplicados, além do controle da praga em campo. Portanto, o objetivo desse trabalho foi promover a seleção de Telenomus remus voadores durante a criação massal em laboratório e comparar os padrões morfométricos e características biológicas ao longo de 15 gerações, assim como a influência de diferentes fontes de alimento na biologia do parasitoide, visando a produção massal de insetos de melhor desempenho a campo. Cartelas contendo posturas de Spodoptera frugiperda foram ofertadas a aproximadamente 1000 parasitoides de duas formas: sem nenhuma dificuldade de acesso ao hospedeiro e cartelas suspensas de forma que os insetos que não voavam não acessariam a cartela. A cada 5 gerações realizou-se medição dos padrões morfométricos e avaliação dos caracteres biológicos (razão sexual, teste de voo e capacidade de parasitismo). Fêmeas e machos adultos de T. remus submetidos ao teste de seleção de voadores não tiveram seus padrões morfométricos afetados significativamente pelos tratamentos (seleção e sem seleção) no comprimento e na largura da asa anterior direita. Fêmeas submetidas à seleção apresentaram tíbia maior na 10ª e 15ª geração, enquanto os machos não apresentaram qualquer variação significativa no tamanho da tíbia ou do corpo. Para a análise de razão sexual e porcentagem de parasitoides caminhadores e voad... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The insect rearing in the laboratory is of fundamental importance when the objective is to obtain pure and quality biological material to perform basic or applied entomological studies, besides the control of the pest in the field, therefore the objective of this work was to promote Selection of flying Telenomus remus during mass rearing in the laboratory and comparing morphometric patterns and biological characteristics over 15 generations, as well as the influence of different food sources on the biology of the parasitoid under study, aiming the mass production of insects of better performance To field and of satisfactory nutrition. Cartels containing Spodoptera frugiperda postures were offered to approximately 1000 parasitoids in two ways: without any difficulty of access to the host and hanging cards so that insects that did not fly would not access the card. Every 5 generations, measurements of morphometric patterns and evaluation of biological characteristics (sexual ratio, flight test and parasitism capacity) were performed. Females and adult males of T. remus submitted to the flight selection test did not have their morphometric patterns significantly affected by the treatments (selection and without selection) on the length and width of the right anterior wing. Females submitted to the selection presented higher tibia in the 10th and 15th generation. The treatments did not significantly influence the size of the tibia, nor in the body of the males. For the analysis o... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Mestre

O milho geneticamente modificado MON810, que expressa a proteína Cry1Ab de Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, está em fase de avaliação e aprovação para liberação comercial no Brasil. Sendo assim, o objetivo da presente pesquisa foi o de estudar os efeitos de MON810 sobre a entomofauna em Barretos/SP e Ponta Grossa/PR no período de 1999 a 2001. O levantamento de insetos foi realizado por meio de diferentes armadilhas (alçapão, bandeja d'água, cartão adesivo e rede de varredura) e contagem de insetos nas plantas de milho, visando avaliar o efeito do milho MON810 sobre a comunidade de insetos, guildas tróficas e dinâmica populacional das espécies predominantes, incluindo organismos benéficos e pragas não-alvo. A interação tritrófica envolvendo milho MON810, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) e Doru luteipes (Scudder) também foi avaliada no presente trabalho. Adicionalmente, um estudo comparativo da comunidade geral de insetos nas diferentes safras de milho foi realizado com o uso de armadilha luminosa. Os tratamentos avaliados foram o milho geneticamente modificado MON810 (MON), milho convencional com aplicação de inseticidas (CCI) e milho convencional sem aplicação de inseticida (CSI). Foi coletado um total de 957.081 espécimes e 409 diferentes espécies. Baseado na análise faunística e índices de riqueza, diversidade, eqüitabilidade e similaridade, não foram observadas diferenças entre os tratamentos na comunidade de insetos. Estes resultados foram também confirmados com as análises de componentes principais e de Kruskal-Wallis. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos quanto à proporção relativa de diferentes guildas tróficas analisadas (predadores, parasitóides, polinizadores, decompositores, sugadores e mastigadores). Também não foi observado efeito do milho MON810 na dinâmica populacional das espécies predominantes de aranhas e insetos de diferentes guildas tróficas, incluindo pragas não-alvo e insetos benéficos (Carabidae, Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Syrphidae, Tachinidae e Apidae). Avaliações de S. frugiperda e D. luteipes nas plantas de milho confirmaram a eficiência de MON810 no controle desta praga e a sua não interferência na dinâmica populacional do predador. E finalmente, diferenças significativas foram observadas na comunidade geral de insetos nas diferentes safras avaliadas. Portanto, nenhum efeito do milho MON810 foi detectado no presente estudo sobre a comunidade de insetos.
The genetically modified corn MON810, which expresses the Cry1Ab protein from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, is under evaluation and approval for commercial release in Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this research was to study the effect of MON810 on insect community in Barretos/SP and Ponta Grossa/PR from 1999 to 2001. The evaluations were based on insect sampling with the use of different traps (pitfall, color tray, sticky trap and sweep net) and insect counts on corn plants to evaluate the effect of MON810 on insect community, throphic guilds and population dynamics of predominant species, including beneficial organisms and non-target pests. Tritrophic interaction involving the corn MON810, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) and Doru luteipes (Scudder) was also evaluated in this study. Additionally, a comparative study of general insect community in different corn growing seasons was conducted with the use of a light trap. The following treatments were evaluated: genetically modified corn MON810 (MON), conventional corn with insecticide application (CWI) and conventional corn without insecticide application (CWI). A total of 957,081 specimens were collected, distributed among 409 different species. Based on faunistic analysis and indexes of richness, diversity, evenness and similarity, there were no differences in the insect community among treatments. These results were also confirmed by principal component and Kruskal-Wallis analysis. No statistical differences were found among treatments in the relative proportion of different trophic guilds evaluated (predators, parasitoids, pollinators, decomposers, suckers and chewers). There was also no effect of MON810 on population dynamics of predominant species of spiders and insects of different trophic guilds, including non-target pests and beneficial insects (Carabidae, Coccinellidae, Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, Syrphidae, Tachinidae and Apidae). Evaluations of S. frugiperda and D. luteipes on corn plants confirmed the efficacy of MON810 in the control of this pest and its no effect on the population dynamics of D. luteipes. And finally, significant differences were found in the general insect community in different corn growing seasons. Therefore, no effect of the corn MON810 was detected in this study on insect community.