Frugivorous flies (Diptera: Tephritidae; Lonchaeidae) associated with guava tree: species diversity, parasitoids and population fluctuation in the Espírito Santo state, Brazil

The commercial cultivation of guava tree (Psidium guajava L.) occurs in all Brazilian regions, where fruit flies cause direct losses to production and affect fresh fruit exports due to quarantine restrictions. This study aimed to determine the incidence, diversity and population fluctuations of frugivorous fly species that infest guava trees, as well as to survey their associated parasitoids, in the Espírito santo state, Brazil. Fruits and flies captured in traps were sampled in three guava-producing regions. Anastrepha fraterculus (Wied.) was the main species associated with guava trees, particularly in the coastal region. Anastrepha chiclayae was recorded for the first time associated with guava trees in Brazil. Medfly was not considered an important species. Neosilba zadolicha was the most common Lonchaeidae species collected, but with low importance. Higher populations of frugivorous flies were found in hot and humid areas. Two population peaks of A. fraterculus were observed during October (spring) and from March to April (summer-autumn). Tephritid flies occurred in all surveyed regions, with higher infestations in the coastal area, followed by the northern and mountain regions, respectively. Doryctobracon areolatusand Aganaspis pelleranoi were the most common species of parasitoids; however, the natural biological control of frugivorous flies in guava trees was very low and had little impact on fruit fly populations

Effects of pasture management factors on red clover root and stand characteristics and observations of seasonal crawling activity of root-feeding insect pests of red clover.

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a high quality forage; however, its use may be limited by root-feeding insects (Hylastinus obscurus (Marsham), Calomycterus setarius Roelofs, Sitona flavescens Marsham, and S. hispidulus (F.)) and root diseases. Little information is available concerning the impact of pasture management practices on such pests. This study was done from 1988 to 1992 to determine effects of management factors (soil fertility, harvest frequency, and harvest intensity) on red clover root and stand characteristics. Pitfall trapping was conducted during the study to monitor movement of root-feeding insects. Two sets of experimental plots were established at a site near Morgantown, WV by sod seeding Kenstar red clover into natural pasture in April 1988 and April 1989. Each set had a 3 x 3 x 2 factorial randomized complete block design with four blocks. Soil fertility treatments were (1) low (no amendment), (2) medium (4500 kg/ha lime, 49.5 kg/ha P), and (3) high (4500 kg/ha lime, 274.5 kg/ha P). Harvest frequencies were (1) low, (2) medium, and (3) high, harvested 2, 4, and 6 times per season, respectively. Harvest intensities were (1) low and (2) high, cut to 13 and 8 cm, respectively. Clover roots were sampled at the end of the first and second harvest years and forage yield sampled at each harvest. High harvest intensity reduced the number of H. obscurus per root by up to 58% and reduced the percentage of red clover roots infested with H. obscurus by up to 39% compared with low harvest intensity. Forage yield and legume yield were up to 38% and 12% greater, respectively, with high harvest intensity compared to low harvest intensity. Hylastinus obscurus and C. setarius crawling activity occurred primarily during summer. High levels of activity of S. flavescens and S. hispidulus occurred in spring and fall. Sitona hispidulus also had a period of summer activity. Few directional trends in activity were apparent for H. obscurus or S. flavescens. Movement of C. setarius into clover was primarily from the direction of adjacent woods. Summer movement by S. hispidulus was toward adjacent woods: fall and spring movement was towards clover and adjacent pasture. These results indicate that a complex of root-feeding insect pests may be active in areas of sod-seeded red clover. Pasture management techniques such as high harvest intensity may be useful in reducing the impact of such pests

New species of Rhinoleucophenga, a potential predator of pineapple mealybugs Nova espécie de Rhinoleucophenga, potencial predadora da cochonilha-do-abacaxizeiro

The objective of this work was to describe a new species of Rhinoleucophenga (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Rhinoleucophenga capixabensis sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from pineapple (Ananas comosus var. comosus) infested with Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Distinguishing characters of R. capixabensis sp. nov. include hyaline wings, a strong seta on the second antennal segment, body length of about 2-3 mm, uniformly dark brown scutellum, one pair of strong prescutellar setae, ventral epandrial lobes with about 17-18 teeth, and female cerci with approximately 20 long setae.<br>O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever uma nova espécie de Rhinoleucophenga (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Rhinoleucophenga capixabensis sp. nov. foi descrita com base em espécimes coletados em associação com Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em Ananas comosus var. comosus, no Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. As principais características de R. capixabensis sp. nov. incluem asas hialinas, uma seta forte no segundo segmento da antena, comprimento do corpo de aproximadamente 2-3 mm, escutelo uniformemente castanho-escuro, um par robusto de setas prescutelares, lobos epadriais ventrais com aproximadamente 17-18 dentes e cercos da fêmea com aproximadamente 20 setas longas

Nova espécie de Rhinoleucophenga, potencial predadora da cochonilha-do-abacaxizeiro

The objective of this work was to describe a new species of Rhinoleucophenga (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Rhinoleucophenga capixabensis sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from pineapple (Ananas comosus var. comosus) infested with Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Distinguishing characters of R. capixabensis sp. nov. include hyaline wings, a strong seta on the second antennal segment, body length of about 2–3 mm, uniformly dark brown scutellum, one pair of strong prescutellar setae, ventral epandrial lobes with about 17–18 teeth, and female cerci with approximately 20 long setae.O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever uma nova espécie de Rhinoleucophenga (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Rhinoleucophenga capixabensis sp. nov. foi descrita com base em espécimes coletados em associação com Dysmicoccus brevipes (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) em Ananas comosus var. comosus, no Estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. As principais características de R. capixabensis sp. nov. incluem asas hialinas, uma seta forte no segundo segmento da antena, comprimento do corpo de aproximadamente 2–3 mm, escutelo uniformemente castanho-escuro, um par robusto de setas prescutelares, lobos epadriais ventrais com aproximadamente 17–18 dentes e cercos da fêmea com aproximadamente 20 setas longas

Coccidae, Pseudococcidae, Ortheziidae, and Monophlebidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) of Esp\uedrito Santo, Brazil

New plant hosts are recorded for nine scale insect species recently collected in Espírito Santo, Brazil, and eleven scale insect species are recorded for the first time from the state: Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, Coccus longulus (Douglas), Coccus viridis (Green), Eucalymnatus tesselatus (Signoret), Pseudokermes sp., Saissetia coffeae (Walker), Phenacoccus madeirensis Green, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel &amp; Miller, Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti), Icerya purchasi Maskell, and Icerya genistae Hempel. This is also the first record of Co. longulus in Brazil. Information on the host plants and geographic distribution of the 26 species of scale insects of the families Coccidae, Pseudococcidae, Ortheziidae, and Monophlebidae, currently known from Espírito Santo is provided