Do restoration techniques and types of weed control influence the composition of edaphic entomofauna?

Agroforestry systems (AFS) are generally referred to as systems where perennial plants are associated with annual or perennial crops, spanning from relatively simple agroforestry systems characterized by only two associated species to very complex ones, close to natural systems. However, there are few studies on edaphic entomofauna in newly implanted restoration systems. We investigated the composition of edaphic entomofauna in areas managed under different restoration techniques (agroforestry system or mixed-planting) and types of weed control (chemical or mowing). In each treatment, we performed collections with pitfall traps in July and December 2017. A total of 11,727 specimens distributed in 11 orders and 45 families were collected. Most of the individuals collected were Collembola (53.86%) and Hymenoptera: Formicidae (31.50%). No significant interaction was observed between restoration techniques and types of weed control combined. However, for abundance, both restoration techniques and types of weed control were individually significant, with chemical control showing a higher abundance in relation to mowing, and agroforestry concerning mixed-planting. There was no significant difference in richness in any of the variables studied. We conclude that the agroforestry system and the chemical control can be viable for edaphic entomofauna, although future research is necessary to evaluate the dynamic of edaphic entomofauna during the development of agroforestry systems

Leukoencephalopathy resolution after atypical mycobacterial treatment: a case report

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Association of leukoencephalopathy and atypical mycobacteriosis has been rarely reported. We present a case that is relevant for its unusual presentation and because it may shed further light on the pathogenic mechanisms underlying reversible encephalopathies.\ud \ud \ud Case report\ud We report the case of a Hispanic 64-year-old woman with cognitive decline and extensive leukoencephalopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed white-matter lesions with increased water diffusivity, without blood–brain-barrier disruption. Brain biopsy showed tissue rarefaction with vacuolation, mild inflammation, few reactive astrocytes and decreased aquaporin water-channel expression in the lesions. Six months later, she was diagnosed with atypical mycobacterial pulmonary infection. Brain lesions resolved after antimycobacterial treatment.\ud \ud \ud Conclusion\ud We hypothesize leukoencephalopathic changes and vasogenic edema were associated with decreased aquaporin expression. Further studies should clarify if reversible leukoencephalopathy has a causal relationship with decreased aquaporin expression and atypical mycobacterial infection, and mechanisms underlying leukoencephalopathy resolution after antimycobacterial treatment. This article may contribute to the understanding of pathogenic mechanisms underlying magnetic resonance imaging subcortical lesions and edema, which remain incompletely understood.Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of JapanHealth and Labor Sciences Research Grant on Intractable Diseases\ud (Neuroimmunological Diseases) from the Ministry of Health, Labor and\ud Welfare of Japa

The nest architecture of the ant, Pheidole oxyops Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

Pheidole oxyops builds subterranean nests, with an external architecture that is distinctive and easily recognizable by its wide and specific entrance hole, measuring up to 12.2 cm in diameter, denoting a pitfall-trap. In order to study the nests'internal architecture, seven nests were excavated; four were identified with neutral talc, while the others were cast in cement and then excavated. Measurements were made in order to gain a better understanding of their structures, and a photographic documentation was obtained as well. The excavations revealed that the nests are perpendicular relative to the ground, beginning with a cylindrical channel with a mean length of 13.5 cm, containing irregular formations, and whose diameter becomes progressively narrower until the first chamber is formed. As the channel continues, dish-like chambers appear, interconnected by channels that become progressively narrower and longer, while the chambers are arranged at greater distances from each other as nest depth increases. Both channels and chambers are located on the vertical projection of the entrance hole. Nests may reach a depth of up to 5.09 m, with a number of chambers ranging between 4 and 14

Ant Group Effects on the Insecticide and Dye Flow Among Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Workers

Social behavior has conferred many advantages upon insects. Allogrooming and self-grooming, frequently observed among leaf-cutting ants, help to prevent colony contamination by microorganisms and aid in the process of recognizing nest-mates, given the evidence that the grouping effect acts to modulate these behavioral parameters. For Ellis reason, the contamination dynamic was evaluated in workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa by particles adhering externally to the tegument of their bodies, with and without the presence of insecticide added to dye in different groupings. The results demonstrate that although the dye had dispersed rapidly among workers in all groupings, it was eliminated efficaciously only in groups that utilized the dye without insecticide. When compared by the chi-square test (X(005)(2); 3) at 60 minutes only, the group containing the most individuals (128) presented significant values and at 120 minutes only the smallest group (16 individuals) did not present significant values, indicating that the greater the number of individuals the more rapidly it would be dispersed among nest-mates, thus elevating the importance of utilizing active ingredients with a delayed action in the control of leaf-cutting, ants, to avoid detection of insecticide by the colony and enable its propagation to all or most of the colony before triggering, the defense mechanisms of the colony.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Parasitismo de percevejos-praga do maracujazeiro no Brasil por Hexacladia smithii Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

We describe the new association of Hexacladia smithii (Ashmead) parasitizing two passion fruit bugs, Holhymenia histrio (Fabricius) and Anisoscelis foliacea marginella (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Coreidae), in Brazil.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Description and morphometry of the sting apparatus in the three worker casts of Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus (Formicidae, Attini)

We studied the morphometry of the sting apparatus of Acromyrmex subterraneus brunneus workers by dissection and mounting of the structures on slides, and present here a brief description and illustrations. Sting apparatus examinations showed differences in size, but without morphological differences. The seven morphometric variables studied permitted grouping of the Ac. subterraneus brunneus workers into the following three groups: cluster 1 - consisting of 85, 39 large, 45 medium and 1 small workers; cluster 2 - consisting of 44 small workers, and cluster 3 - consisting of 6 large workers. This study demonstrated that all worker castes follow the same morphological pattern, although functional characteristics of the sting apparatus should be highlighted

Preference of Atta capiguara (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) for Different Grasses

The preference of Atta capiguara for young leaves was evaluated and developed for nine grass species. Hyparrhenia rufa, Paspalum notatum cv Comum and Andopogon gayanus were the most preferred. Paspalum notatum cv Pensacola, Brachiaria decumbens and Cynodon dactylon cv Coast Cross presented intermediate preference. Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria humidicola and Melinis minutiflora stood out as the least preferred. In general, H rufa was the most consumed species independent of leaf age. The proportions of crude protein, ethereal extract, calcium, phosphorus, cellulose, lignin and silica extract of grass species did not present any relation with preference by Atta capiguara Goncalve. Grass species less accepted by A. capiguara can guide pasture management and on the other hand, preferred species can aid in the formulation of toxic baits more attractive to this species of leaf-cutting ant.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Microdon tigrinus (Diptera, Syrphidae): Populational fluctuations and specificity to the nest of Acromyrmex coronatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This study was performed in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil, visiting numerous municipalities, over a period of 25 years, excavating nests of 12 species of leaf-cutting ants of the Acromyrmex genus. Larvae and pupae of Microdon tigrinus were found only in nests of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex coronatus, indicating high specificity. Observation showed that larvae and pupae were well accepted in the nests and the adults, immediately after puparia eclosion and prior to wing distension, were not attacked by the workers, suggesting that they produce semiochemicals for a short time period until they arrive outside the Acromyrmex coronatus nest. It was postulated that these larvae feed on the organic detritus of the nest, as shown for Microdon larvae of other species