d(CGGTGGT) forms an octameric parallel G-quadruplex via stacking of unusual G(:C):G(:C):G(:C):G(:C) octads

Among non-canonical DNA secondary structures, G-quadruplexes are currently widely studied because of their probable involvement in many pivotal biological roles, and for their potential use in nanotechnology. The overall quadruplex scaffold can exhibit several morphologies through intramolecular or intermolecular organization of G-rich oligodeoxyribonucleic acid strands. In particular, several G-rich strands can form higher order assemblies by multimerization between several G-quadruplex units. Here, we report on the identification of a novel dimerization pathway. Our Nuclear magnetic resonance, circular dichroism, UV, gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry studies on the DNA sequence dCGGTGGT demonstrate that this sequence forms an octamer when annealed in presence of K(+) or NH(4)(+) ions, through the 5'-5' stacking of two tetramolecular G-quadruplex subunits via unusual G(:C):G(:C):G(:C):G(:C) octads.     

Nasal mites (Gamasida: Rhinonyssidae) of Paroaria coronata (Miller) (Passeriformes: Emberezidae)

With the aim of identifying the species of nasal mites of Paroaria coronata (red-crested cardinal), the nasal cavity of 40 birds were examined. The nasal mites were identified as Ptilonyssus sairae de Castro and Sternostoma pirangae Pence, with 50% and 7.5% of prevalence, respectively. This is the first record of these mite species parasitizing P. coronata. This report also amplifies the area of occurrence of S. pirangae for Brazil and that of P. sairae for Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.     

Host-searching behavior ofVenturia canescens (Grav.) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae): Superparasitism

The foraging behavior ofVenturia canescens, a solitary endoparasitoid of lepidopteran larvae, was investigated in the laboratory. FemaleVenturia canescens with a larger number of mature eggs to lay were found to have higher levels of superparasitism (measured as numbers of eggs laid per parasitized host). Increased parasitoid density was found to result in reduced levels of superparasitism by host-deprived (i.e.,undepleted) wasps. Females which had been allowed access to hosts before the experiment (depleted wasps) laid fewer eggs per parasitized host than undepleted wasps, although there was no significant difference in the levels of superparasitism among the depletion periods of 1, 2, 5, and 7 h. It was also found that an egg which was encountered less than 15 min after oviposition was much less likely to be avoided than one which was encountered after more than 15 min had elapsed.     

形宽刺甲Bioramix(Bioramix) rotundicollis(Kaszab,1940)(鞘翅目:拟步甲科:刺甲族)的再描述

2012年在西藏普兰地区采集到鞘翅目Coleoptera拟步甲科Tenebrionidae刺甲族Platyscelidini一种昆虫:形宽刺甲Bioramix(Bioramix)rotundicollis(Kaszab,1940)。鉴于原始描述过于简单,且缺少特征图和整体照片,本文对其进行了详细描述,并附有特征图和整体照片。检视标本保存于西华师范大学标本馆和俄罗斯楚瓦什国立师范大学标本馆。     

Biology of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of six different temperatures on the development of Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) using eggs of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) as hosts. The temperature affected the development of A. lacunatus. The largest values for the progeny (19 mites in T. castaneum and 15 mites in C. ferrugineus) were obtained at about 30 degrees C, as also observed for the net reproductive rate (Ro), which revealed that the A. lacunatus population increased 18 times in T. castaneum and 14 times in C. ferrugineus in a generation. The intrinsic rate of increase (r m) gradually increased with temperature, reaching the maximum value at 35 degrees C in T. castaneum (1,608) and C. ferrugineus (1,289). The generation time was negatively correlated with temperature, ranging from 1,60 to 4,85 days in T. castaneum and from 1,96 to 5,34 days in C. ferrugineus. These results suggest that the mite A. lacunatus may be used in programs of biological control of T. castaneum and C. ferrugineus in the tropics.     

Interaction between Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) (Prostigmata: Acarophenacidae) and Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) on Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

The interaction between Acarophenax lacunatus (Cross & Krantz) and Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) may be a promising tool for the integrated pest management of stored grain insect pests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of these two natural enemies on Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius). The experimental units were petri dishes (140 x 10 mm) containing 30 g of whole wheat grains (13% water content) infested with 20 adults of R. dominica. The treatments consisted of inoculation of A. lacunatus and A. calandrae, separately and associated, in eight replicates. Three inoculations of five adult females of the natural enemies were carried out in each petri dish at five, ten and fifteen days after the infestation of R. dominica. All treatments were stored during 60 days in environmental chamber at 30 +/- 1 degrees C, 60 +/- 5% relative humidity and 24 h scotophase. The smallest numbers of physogastric females of A. lacunatus and of adults of A. calandrae were obtained when the natural enemies were in association. The use of A. calandrae alone demonstrated a low instantaneous rate of increase (r(i)) of R. dominica and a high protection of the wheat grains. The association of A. calandrae with A. lacunatus led to the lowest number of immatures of R. dominica. These results demonstrate the importance of this interaction as a tool of for the integrated management of R. dominica in stored wheat grains.     

小黑瓢虫对高氏瘤粉虱捕食作用的研究

在高氏瘤粉虱不同虫态共存的条件下,小黑标虫对高氏瘤粉虱各虫态的选择次序为卵＞1龄若虫＞2龄若虫＞3龄若虫＞4龄若虫和拟蛹,对卵的捕食率均最高,有明显的嗜好选择;小黑瓢虫幼虫捕食粉虱卵的数量,随着龄期的增长而递增,其中4龄幼虫的捕食量最大,4龄期捕食量平均为1565．42粒,占全幼虫期总食卵量的45．42％,整个幼虫期可捕食高氏瘤粉虱的卵数平均为3446．5粒。小黑瓢虫3龄幼虫对粉虱卵的捕食作用率在所给的猎物密度（1500粒／皿）条件下,随着自身密度的增加而降低。     

A Trichodorus (Triplonchida: Trichodoridae) Nematode from Thrips (Thysanoptera: Panchaetothripinae)

A thrips insect Caliothrips sp. (Thysanoptera: Panchaetothripinae) from persimmon fruit (Ebenaceae: Diospyros sp.) from an unknown origin, possibly Asia, was intercepted in a passenger bag in November 2012 at the Peace Arch Border Crossing from Canada to Blaine, WA, by a USDA-APHIS-PPQ port inspector. Nematodes were attached to the abdomen of the female insect and sent to us in saline. Seven nematodes (five females, two males) were measured and these and others were processed for permanent slides. An adult female and a female juvenile were prepared for PCR. Morphologically these nematodes belonged to the Trichodorus sparsus group, and the 28S rDNA D2-D3 sequence showed greatest similarity to Trichodorus paragiennensis (94%) and T. giennensis (93%), with greatest morphological similarity to the latter species. Among other morphological differences, the innermost uterus width is wider than in related species. Trichodorus spp. are normally found in soil, so this is the first population seen in the atypical habitat of an insect. Morphological and molecular characteristics of Trichodorus sp. are presented, but a putative new species name is not currently advisable because of relatively poor condition of specimens. Ecological associations are also discussed.