In order to determine natural Leishmania (Viannia) infection in Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri, a multiplex PCR methodology coupled to non-isotopic hybridization was adopted for the analysis of sand fly samples collected by CDC light traps in an endemic area of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in the periurban region of the municipality of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. We analyzed by PCR methodology 560 specimens of Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) fischeri (520 females and 40 males). The wild sand flies were grouped into 56 pools (52 females and 4 males) of 10 each, and positive results were detected in 2 of the 52 female pools, representing a minimum infection rate of 0.38% based on the presence of at least 1 infected insect in the pool. This result associated with some local evidence such as anthopophily, spatial distribution in accordance with the transmission area and human case incidence, suggests that L. (P.)fischeri may be considered as a secondary vector of ACL in the studied locality.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a focal disease whose surveillance and control require complex actions. The present study aimed to apply integrated tools related to entomological surveillance, environmental management, and health education practices in an ACL-endemic area in Rio de Janeiro city, RJ, Brazil. The distribution of the disease, the particular characteristics of the localities, and entomological data were used as additional information about ACL determinants. Environmental management actions were evaluated after health education practices. The frequency of ACL vectors Lutzomyia (N.) intermedia and L. migonei inside and outside houses varied according to environment characteristics, probably influenced by the way of life of the popular groups. In this kind of situation environmental management and community mobilization become essential, as they help both specialists and residents create strategies that can interfere in the dynamics of vector's population and the contact between man and vectors.

To identify Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) neivai naturally infected by Leishmania a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the analysis of 450 specimens (270 females, 180 males) collected in an endemic periurban area of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Insects were grouped into pools of 10 and positive results were achieved in 3/27 Lu. (N.) neivai female pools. Infection by L. (Viannia) braziliensis was confirmed after hybridizing PCR products with a subgenus-specific biotinylated probe. Considering the detection of three positive pools with at least one infected insect in each, an infection rate of 1.1% was estimated. Our results associated with epidemiologic data suggest a potential ability of Lu. (N.) neivai in transmitting L. braziliensis in Porto Alegre, where the first notifications of autochthonous cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans occurred in 2002, with an increase in the number of cases in recent years possibly as a consequence of deforestation and agricultural activities in the area.

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REVISION OF THE GENUS RUNIBIA (HETEROPTERA, PENTATOMIDAE, PENTATOMINI).Runibia Stål, 1861 is redescribed, as well as the species R. dallasi Rider, 1998, R. decorata (Dallas, 1851, R. discoidea (Fabricius, 1787), R. euopta (Walker, 1867) and R. perspicua (Fabricius, 1798). A new species, R. caribeana, is described from Virgin Islands. Strachia alligata Walker, 1867, R. decorata var. alligata, and R. picturata Breddin, 1904 were considered junior synonyms of R. decorata. Lectotypes of R. dallasi, R. euopta and R. alligata were designated. Male and female genitalia for all species are described, except the phallus and ectodermal genital duct for R. dallasi. A key and a geographical distribution map are also provided.

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Two new specics of Ablaptlls Stãl (Heteroptcra, Pcntatomidac, Discocephalinae). Two new species of Ahlaplus Stâl, 1864 are described and illustrated: A. coslaricellsis sp.n. and A. phoellix sp.n., both frol11 Costa Rica. The female genitalia ofA. breviroslrulII Rolston, 1988 is described and key to the species of Ablaplus Stal, 1864 (on ly for females) is prcsented. KEY WORDS. Pentatomidae, Discocephalini, Ablaptus, female genital ia, new species. o gênero Ablaplus Stãl , 1864 foi proposto para A. ama=.onlls Stãl, 1864. ROLSTON (1988) incluiu duas novas espéc ies: A. brevimslrum e A. lavakiliani. BECKER & GRAZlA (1989) adicionaram três novas espéc ies: A. bolivianus, A. lopesi e A. simillil1llls; BECKER & GRAZlA (1997) propuseram uma nova combinação e uma nova sinonimia ao compararem os holótipos de Pentaloma varicornis Walker, 1867 e A. lopesi considerando esta última um sinônimo júnior de P. varicornis. A disponibilidade de exemplares fêmeas provenientes da Costa Rica possibilitou a descrição de duas novas espécies que pelo as pecto geral se assemelham aA. breviroslrum , porém a formadas placas genitai s di stingue facilmente estas três espécies; o parátipo fêmea de A. hrevimslrum foi examinado e a genitália descrita e ilustrada. A dissecação, tratamento, ilustrações e nomenclatura da genitália seguem BECKER & GRAZIA (1989). As medidas estão expressas em milímetros. O materi al examinado pertence à coleção do INBio-Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Santo Domingo, Heredi a, Costa Rica. Agradecemos o empréstimo ao Dr. J.A .U. GÓmez. Ablaptus costaricensis sp.n. Figs 1-2 Descrição. Forma oval, bastante convexa em especial na face ventral. Coloração de fundo castanho-avermelhada, pontuação ferrugínea grosseira e densa. Cabeça, diante dos olhos, de contorno sub-retangu lar, mai s larga do que longa, declivosa. Margens externas das jugas sinuosas, convergentes no áp ice e 1) Contribuição número 360 do Departamento de Zoologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.