Vertical oviposition activity of mosquitoes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil with emphasis on the sylvan vector,Haemagogus leucocelaenus (Diptera: Culicidae)

This study aimed to assess the vertical patterns of oviposition and temporal changes in the distribution of mosquito species in an area of the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, and in particular, the behavior and oviposition of potential yellow fever virus vectors. Mosquito samples were collected from the Ecological Reserve Guapiaçu (REGUA, Brazil), which includes a somewhat disturbed forest, with a large diversity of plants and animals. In all, 5,458 specimens (ten species from seven genera) were collected. Haemagogus leucocelaenus was the most frequently captured species, representing 73% of the specimens collected. Species richness and diversity were the highest in the samples collected from the ground‐level ovitraps and decreased with height. Species composition also differed significantly among heights. The largest species differences were detected between ovitraps set at the ground level and those set at 7 m and 9 m; Hg. leucocelaenus, Limatus durhamii, and Limatus paraensis contributed most to these differences. Sampling month and climatic variables had significant effects on species richness and diversity. Species diversity and richness decreased with height, suggesting that the conditions for mosquito breeding are more favorable closer to the ground. Species composition also showed vertical differences.     

Strelkovimermis spiculatus n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda) Parasitizing Aedes albifasciatus Mac. (Culicidae: Diptera) in Argentina

Strelkovimermis spiculatus n. sp. (Mermithidae: Nematoda), a parasite of the mosquito Aedes albifasciatus Mac. in Argentina, is described. Diagnostic characters of this species include a ventrally shifted mouth opening and spicules fused at the tips. The mermithid has been reared on Culex pipiens L. larvae in the laboratory.     

Mermithid Parasitism of Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Mermithid nematodes are common parasites of black flies and play a significant role in the natural regulation of these medically important insects. Infection levels tend to he moderate and perennial, with epizootics rare and highly localized. Mermithid parasitism almost invariably results in the death of the black fly, and thus considerable attention has focused on the potential of these nematodes as biocontrol agents. Early instar black fly larvae appear most susceptible to infection, and integumental penetration hy mermithid preparasites is the only known mode of entry. Postparasitic nematodes typically emerge before host pupation. However, carryover of parasitism into adult simuliids is an important mechanism for local dispersal and recolonization of upstream areas. Following emergence, the mermithids molt to the adult stage. Copulation ensues, the females then laying eggs which eventually give rise to the next generation of infective preparasites. The number of described species is conservatively estimated at 35-40, with most species within the genera Mesomermis, Gastromermis, and Isomermis. The taxonomy of this group of mermithids is a challenging and little explored area. Host-specificity statements, therefore, must be made cautiously because of these systematic problems and others within the Simuliidae. In most instances, temporal and spatial factors limit the host range of these mermithids among simuliid species. Differential susceptibilities anmng larvae concurrently present within the same microhabitat probably reflect varying degrees of host attractiveness and behavioral-physiological resistance. Effects of parasitism on the host may include prevention of metamorphosis, sterility, intersexual development, and behavior modification. Evaluation of the technical feasibility of mermithid control of black flies has been stymied by the limitations of current inoculum-production technology. Continued advances in in vivo and in vitro culture methods are required to accelerate the research process.     

A nucleopolyhedrovirus from Uranotaenia sapphirina (Diptera: Culicidae)

In this report we present data on biology, gross pathology, ultrastructure, and host range studies of a naturally occurring nucleopolyhedrovirus from the mosquito Uranotaenia sapphirina (UrsaNPV). Development of this virus was restricted to nuclei of epithelial cells in posterior midgut and distal gastric caecum. Occlusion bodies contained numerous singly enveloped rod-shaped virions. Early occlusion bodies were irregularly shaped and seemed to subsequently coalesce to form larger polyhedra. Mature occlusion bodies had a unique dumbbell shape, and lacked a polyhedron envelope and crystalline structure. Developmental and structural features of UrsaNPV were generally similar to other mosquito NPVs, with major differences in occlusion body shape and size. Transmission tests showed that only members of Uranotaenia (Ur. sapphirina and Ur. lowii) were susceptible to this virus. Transmission was facilitated by magnesium. Field collected Ur. sapphirina larvae had a relatively high rate of dual infections with UrsaNPV and UrsaCPV (cypovirus).     

Prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in natural populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from temperate Argentina

Ascogregarina infections from South America were recently documented in Brazil and Argentina. The aim of this study was to report our recent findings on the prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis in Aedes aegypti adults from temperate Argentina. Between December 2003 and May 2005, 391 females of Ae. aegypti were captured in two areas of Greater Buenos Aires. Overall prevalence of A. culicis was 21.2% (83/391), and a significant difference was observed between both areas (28.4% vs. 8%). Infected Ae. aegypti were found from November to May, with highest values in March (24-37%). Parasite prevalence and host abundance showed similar seasonal patterns. Our observations suggest a widespread infestation of A. culicis among Ae. aegypti populations from temperate Argentina.     

Checklist of the family Culicidae (Diptera) in Finland

A checklist of the Culicidae (Diptera) recorded from Finland is provided.     

Interaction of Fensulfothion and Phorate with Preemergence Herbicides on Soybean Parasitic Nematodes

The herbicides alachlor, linuron, vernolate, and metribuzin were applied to plots treated with the nematicide fensulfothion or the insecticide phorate and planted to soybean in two locations in North Carolina. In 1976 treatment with fensulfothion + alachlor or vernolate, phorate + alachlor or metribuzin resulted in greater nematode population densities than no treatment, or treatment with fensulfothion alone, or phorate alone. In 1977 fensulfothion and phorate alone and in combination with the preemergence herbicides effectively controlled Tylenchorhynchus cIaytoni. Late season population resurgence of Heterodera glycines occurred in fensulfothion + alachlor treated plots. Correlation coefficients for H. glycines vs. yield were -0.48 (P = 0.05) and -0.46 (P = 0.05) for 30 and 68 d after planting, respectively.     

Effect of Storage at Low Temperatures on Development and Survival of Postparasitic Juveniles of Romanomermis culicivorax (Nematoda: Mermithidae)

Development of postparasites and adult females of Romanomermis culicivorax Ross and Smith, 1976 may be retarded by keeping cultures at 10 or 15 C for 15 wk. Storage at 5 C resulted in high mortality of postparasites. A storage temperature of 10 C is suitable if development of postparasites, young adults, and gravid females is to be greatly retarded. None of the females were gravid when postparasites (1-6 days old) were kept at 10 C for 15 wk. Development resumed after the cultures were returned to 26 C and no significant mortality occurred. A storage temperature of 15 C is suitable if development is to be only moderately retarded. After a 15-wk storage period, only a few weeks were required to return the cultures to full production status.     

Histopathology of Root-knot Nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) Infection on White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) Tubers

White yam tissues naturally and artificially infected with root-knot nematodes were fixed, sectioned, and examined with a microscope. Infective second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita penetrated and moved intercellularly within the tuber. Feeding sites were always in the ground tissue layer where the vascular tissues are distributed in the tubers. Giant cells were always associated with xylem tissue. They were thin walled with dense cytoplasm and multinucleated. The nuclei of the giant cells were only half the size of those found in roots of infected tomato plants. Normal nematode growth and development followed giant cell formation. Females deposited eggs into a gelatinous egg mass within the tuber, and a necrotic ring formed around the female after eggs had been produced. Second-stage juveniles hatched, migrated, and re-infected other areas of the tuber. No males were observed from the tuber.     

Species composition and seasonal abundance of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in coffee agroecosystems

The composition and seasonal occurrence of sandflies were investigated in coffeeagroecosystems in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. Insect sampling wasperformed on three plantations located at different altitudes: Finca Guadalupe Zajú[1,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.)], Finca Argovia (613 m a.s.l.) and Teotihuacán delValle (429 m a.s.l.). Sandflies were sampled monthly from August 2007-July 2008 usingthree sampling methods: Shannon traps, CDC miniature light traps and Disney traps.Sampling was conducted for 3 h during three consecutive nights, beginning at sunset.A total of 4,387 sandflies were collected during the course of the study: 2,718individuals in Finca Guadalupe Zajú, 605 in Finca Argovia and 1,064 in Teotihuacándel Valle. The Shannon traps captured 94.3% of the total sandflies, while the CDClight traps and Disney traps captured 4.9% and 0.8%, respectively. More females thanmales were collected at all sites. While the number of sandflies captured waspositively correlated with temperature and relative humidity, a negative correlationwas observed between sandfly numbers and rainfall. Five species of sandflies werecaptured: Lutzomyia cruciata , Lutzomyia texana ,Lutzomyia ovallesi , Lutzomyia cratifer /undulata and Brumptomyia sp. Lu.cruciata , constituting 98.8% of the total, was the most abundantspecies. None of the captured sandflies was infected with Leishmaniaspp.     

Description of Trilineellus clathrocutis n.g., n.sp. (Tylenchorhynchinae: Tylenchida Thorne, 1949) with a Key to Species and Observations on Tylenchorhynchus sensu stricto

TrilineeIlus clathrocutis n.g., n.sp. is described and illustrated. It was found as an associate of corn (Zea mays) in Stockton, Georgia, USA, and is related to a group of Tylenchorhynchus sensu lato species having three lines in nonareolated lateral fields. This new species is closely related to Tylenehorhynehus divittatus Siddiqi 1961, T. sculptus Seinhorst 1963, and T. triglyphus Seinhorst 1963 (syn. T. chonai Sethi & Swarup 1968) Tarjan 1973. It differs from these species primarily by having longitudinal striae on the body. These four species are differentiated from Tylenchorhynchus sensu stricto by having three lateral lines instead of four. They differ from Uliginotylenchus Siddiqi 1971 by having nonareolated lateral fields, fewer than 25 annules on conoid rounded tails, differently shaped gubernacula, nonattenuated stylets, and other distinctive characters. They differ from Triversus Sher 1973 by having the male tail enclosed by the bursa and by having rounded female tails. SEM observations of T. clathrocutis reveal a cuticle deeply cut by longitudinal and horizontal striae and bearing wide (> 2.0 μm) annules. Trilineellus is proposed to accommodate the new species and the three-incisured species still within Tylenchorhynchus. Tylenchorhynchus is thereby the repository for species within Tylenchorhynchinae having four lines in the lateral field, no conspicuous labial disc, and bursa enclosing the male tail.     

A revision of the New World species of Gymnoclasiopa Hendel (Diptera,Ephydridae)

Species of the shore-fly genus Gymnoclasiopa Hendel from the New World are revised, including Gymnoclasiopa grecorum sp. n. (Alaska. Juneau: Gastineau Channel, Thane Road (S Juneau; 58°16.9''N, 134°22.4''W)) and Gymnoclasiopa matanuska sp. n. (Alaska. Matanuska-Susitna: Palmer (Matanuska River; 61°36.5''N, 149°04.1''W)). We also clarify the status of previously described species, including those now discovered to have Holarctic distributions and/or for which sexual dimorphism was not appreciated and the species was described twice, including Gymnoclasiopa montana (Cresson) as a syn. n. of Gymnoclasiopa bohemanni (Becker). Two species, Gymnoclasiopa bella (Mathis), comb. n., and Gymnoclasiopa chiapas (Mathis), comb. n., are transferred from Ditrichophora to Gymnoclasiopa, and Gymnoclasiopa cana Cresson stat. rev. and Ditrichophora canifrons Cresson, stat. rev. are returned to Ditrichophora, the genus in which Cresson originally described them. A neotype is designated for Gymnoclasiopa tacoma to stabilize the nomenclature of this species. The two excluded species, Ditrichophora cana and Ditrichophora canifrons, are diagnosed and distributional data are also provided. For all known New World species of Gymnoclasiopa, structures of the male terminalia are described for the first time and are fully illustrated. Detailed locality data and distribution maps are also included. To provide context and also to facilitate identification, diagnoses are included for the tribe Discocerinini and genus in addition to a key to the genera and species occurring in the New World.     

Vector competence of Anopheles lesteri Baisas and Hu (Diptera: Culicidae) to Plasmodium vivax in Korea

Three anopheline mosquitoes in Korea were studied for their abilities as vectors for Plasmodium vivax. The female mosquitoes of Anopheles lesteri, An. pullus and An. sinensis were allowed to suck malaria patient blood until fully fed, and they were then bred for 2 weeks to develop from malaria parasites to sporozoites. The result from the above confirmed the sporozoites in one An. lesteri of one individual and five An. sinensis of six individuals. We also confirmed that An. sinensis was the main vector to transmit malaria and An. lesteri as well as An. sinensis were able to carry Korean malaria parasites. Therefore, we propose that diversified study is needed to manage malaria projects.     

Phlebotomus (Legeromyia) multihamatus subg. nov., sp. nov. from Gabon (Diptera: Psychodidae)

During a research project aimed at the study of the Culicinae fauna of Gabon and carried out in the National Park of La Lopé, we captured an unknown sandfly male specimen (genus Phlebotomus) by CDC miniature light trap belonging to a new species for Science. Furthermore, the originality of his genitalia does not allow us to include this species in one of the existing subgenus, thus in this paper we propose the creation of a new subgenus, as Phlebotomus (Legeromyia) multihamatus sp. nov., subg. nov. described from the National Park of La Lopé, through one male captured with CDC miniature light trap. A new species and a new subgenus of sandfly is characterised by a short style with three spines, a paramere wearing a basal hook as well as a basal pouch and the absence of basal lobe on the coxite. The originality of the genitalia of the male gives way to discussion about potential primary homologies between P. multihamatus sp. nov. and Phlebotomus (Abonnencius) fortunatarum, Phlebotomus (Anaphlebotomus) stantoni and Phlebotomus (Euphlebotomus) argentipes, which should be verified for future studies. The discovery of this new species in Gabon must encourage the study of sandflies in this country.     

Development of Meloidogyne arenaria on Peanut and Soybean under Two Temperature Cycles

Florunner peanut and three soybean cultivars, Centennial, Gasoy 17, and Wright, were inoculated with 48-hour age cohorts of Meloidogyne arenari race 1 second-stage juveniles and placed in a growth chamber set to simulate early season (low temperature) and midseason (high temperature) conditions. Percentages of the initial inoculum penetrating roots 4 and 8 days after inoculation were 2-3 times higher in soybean cultivars than in peanut; 25% on susceptible soybean and 9% on peanut. Penetration and early development of M. arenaria were greater in the higher temperature environment. Penetration percentages were expressed as a function of cumulative degree-days by regression models. Development of M. arenaria 10, 20, and 30 days after inoculation was more rapid on peanut than on soybean. The resistant soybean cultivar Wright had slower development rates than did the other two soybean cultivars. Nematode growth and development were dependent on temperature. In greenhouse experiments, production of eggs by M. arenaria was more than 10 times greater on peanut than on susceptible soybean. The reproductive factor for Wright soybean was less than one, but plant growth parameters indicated that this cultivar was intolerant of M. arenavia.     

Key for European species of the Cheilosia proxima group (Diptera,Syrphidae) with a description of a new species

A new hoverfly species, Cheilosia barbafacies Vujić & Radenković sp. n. (Diptera, Syrphidae), is described and distinguished from the closely related species Cheilosia pascuorum Becker, 1894, based on material collected from the mountains of the Balkan Peninsula. Diagnostic characteristics and an identification key for the members of the proxima group of Cheilosia s. str., including the new taxon, are provided.     

Meloidogyne grahami n. sp. (Meloidogynidae), A Root-knot Nematode on Resistant Tobacco in South Carolina

Meloidogyne grahami n. sp. is described and illustrated from specimens on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) originally from Florence, South Carolina. Considered for several years to be only a race of M. ineognita, this new species readily attacks NC-95 tobacco, a variety with resistance to the M. incognita group that is common in the major U.S. tobacco-producing areas. M. grahami n. sp. is related most closely to the three subspecies of the M. incognita group but differs from all of them, especially in its distinctive perineal pattern and larger larvae (av. 421 μm, vs. 385 μm or less). Also, the dorsal esophageal gland orifice of females of M. grahami n. sp. is further from the base of the styler (5 μm) than in M. i. incognita and M. i. acrita. Comments are given on the distribution of this new species.     

Population Development and Influence of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus on Gliocladium virens

Gliocladium virens was isolated from slash pine trees symptomatic and asymptomatic for pine wilt disease with frequencies of 24% and 10%, respectively. Populations of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the nematode incitant of this disease, reproduced on this fungus and inhibited its growth. Growth inhibition of the fungus was characterized by an absence of sporulation and by the formation of chains of dark, thick-walled, chlamydospore-like cells. Population increase during a 12-day period following infestation of cultures of the fungus with 10,000 nematodes averaged 3-fold at 16 C, 9-fold at 20 C, and 24-fold at 24 C. In greenhouse studies, nematode recovery from slash pine seedlings coinoculated with both organisms was significantly greater than that obtained from seedlings inoculated with the nematode alone.     

Molecular Variation and Distribution of Anopheles fluviatilis (Diptera: Culicidae) Complex in Iran

Anopheles fluviatilis James (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the known malaria vectors in south and southeastern Iran. Earlier ITS2 sequences analysis of specimens from Iran demonstrated only a single genotype that was identical to species Y in India, which is also the same as species T. We identified 2 haplotypes in the An. fluviatilis populations of Iran based on differences in nucleotide sequences of D3 domain of the 28S locus of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Comparison of sequence data from 44 Iranian specimens with those publicly available in the Genbank database showed that all of the 28S-D3 sequences from Kazeroun and Khesht regions in Fars Province were identical to the database entry representing species U in India. In other regions, all the individuals showed heterozygosity at the single nucleotide position, which identifies species U and T. It is argued that the 2 species may co-occur in some regions and hybridize; however, the heterozygosity in the 28S-D3 locus was not reflected in ITS2 sequences and this locus for all individuals was identical to species T. This study shows that in a newly diverged species, like members of An. fluviatilis complex, a single molecular marker may not be sufficiently discriminatory to identify all the taxa over a vast geographical area. In addition, other molecular markers may provide more reliable information for species discrimination.