A brief observation of morphological and behavioral similarities between the Ichneumonidae wasp Cryptanura sp. and its presumed mimic, Holymenia clavigera (Heteroptera: Coreidae), in Brazil

Some insects use wasps as a model to mimic and previous studies showed cases of Batesian mimicry involving this insect group. However, this relation is poorly known between phytophagous bugs, such as coreids, and Cryptinae ichneumonids. We found in a seasonal secondary forest in Brazil two similar insects representing different orders. The mimic seems to be Holymenia clavigera (Herbst) (Heteroptera: Coreidae) and its model, Cryptanura sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). This study therefore investigated similarities in morphological and behavioural aspects between H. clavigera and the wasp Cryptanura sp. Holymenia clavigera and its ichneumonid model are impressively similar in colour, size, foraging behaviour and sympatric range. The spanning movements of antennae by the coreid bug, which strongly resemble the foraging behaviour of the wasp, were observed frequently. The findings indicate strong evidences that H. clavigera is a mimic of the Ichneumonidae wasp, Cryptanura sp

Biological aspects of Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on different insect pests of maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor L. (Moench.)]

Eriopis connexa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) occurs in several countries of South America and its mass rearing is important for biological control programmes. This work evaluated biological aspects of E. connexa larva fed on eggs of Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) frozen for one day, fresh eggs of Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), S. frugiperda newly-hatched caterpillars, nymphs of Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) and Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Duration of larva, pupa and larva to adult stages differed among prey offered, whereas the prepupa stage was similar. Larva, pupa, prepupa and larva to adult viabilities were equal or major of 87.5% in all prey, except for larva fed on newly-hatched larvae of S. frugiperda. Eriopis connexa has good adaptation to different prey corroborating its polyphagous feeding habit, which evidences the potential of this natural enemy for controlling corn and sorghum pests

Control of the Mutual Arrangement of Cyclometalated Ligands in Cationic Iridium(III) Complexes. Synthesis, Spectroscopy, and Electroluminescence of the Different Isomers

Synthetic control of the mutual arrangement of the cyclometalated ligands (C^N) in Ir(III) dimers, [Ir(C^N)2Cl]2, and cationic bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes, [Ir(C^N)2-(L^L)]þ (L^L = neutral ligand), is described for the first time. Using 1-benzyl-4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (HdfptrBz) as a cyclometalating ligand, two different Ir(III) dimers, [Ir(dfptrBz)2Cl]2, are synthesized depending on the reaction conditions. At 80 C, the dimer with an unusual mutual cis-C,C and cis-N,N configuration of the C^N ligands is isolated. In contrast, at higher temperature (140 C), the geometrical isomer with the common cis-C,C and trans-N,N arrangement of the C^N ligand is obtained. In both cases, an asymmetric bridge, formed by a chloro ligand and two adjacent nitrogens of the triazole ring of one of the cyclometalated ligands, is observed. The dimers are cleaved in coordinating solvents to give the solvento complexes [Ir(dfptrBz)2Cl(S)] (S = DMSO or acetonitrile), which maintain the C^N arrangement of the parent dimers. Controlling the C^N ligand arrangement in the dimers allows for the preparation of the first example of geometrical isomers of a cationic bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complex. Thus, N,N-trans-[Ir- (dfptrBz)2(dmbpy)]þ (dmbpy = 4,40-dimethyl-2,20-bipyridine), with cis-C,C and trans-N,N arrangement of the C^N ligands, as well as N,N-cis-[Ir(dfptrBz)2(dmbpy)]þ, with cis-C,C and cis-N,N C^N ligand orientation, are synthesized and characterized. Interestingly, both isomers show significantly different photophysical and electroluminescent properties, depending on the mutual arrangement of the C^N ligands. Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations give insight into the observed photophysical experimental data