An. Soc. Entomol. Brasil 29(2): 309-317 (2000) Functional Response of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)Fed on Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)ABSTRACT -The functional response of Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) fed on Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) was studied under five densities of prey. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and ten replications. The tests were conducted in growth chambers at 25 ± 1ºC, RH of 70 ± 10% and photophase of 12 hours. Consumption increased in function of prey density in all instars. However, consumption tended to stabilize when a pre established average density of prey was offered, except for the first instar, which showed a constant increase in aphid consumption. The duration of the first and third instars and of the larval phase, as a whole, increased in function of the increased availability of prey. The duration of the second instar, however, decreased in function of increased prey availability. The results for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars and the larval phase showed a Type II functional response. Handling and searching time was evaluated for the average density of offered prey. The lowest searching time was verified for second instar larvae while the first instar showed the highest searching and handling time. Handling time diminished progressively with larvae development.

Dry, cracked lips are a common occurrence in both cold winter months and arid climates, leading many patients to experience discomfort year-round. Lip-licking is a compensatory measure that perpetuates the condition and often leads to lip-licking dermatitis. In patients in whom this compensatory measure becomes a chronic habit, other sequelae such as irritant contact dermatitis, cheilitis simplex, angular cheilitis, factitial cheilitis, secondary infections, and exfoliative cheilitis can arise. Given the high prevalence of lip-licking and subsequent dermatitis, it is important to counsel patients on interventions to prevent associated dermatitis and treatment methods to alleviate symptoms. Practical interventions in a daily routine should include application of a bland lip balm with ultraviolet protection, adequate hydration, protection of the lips from harsh weather conditions, and recognizing when dermatitis is present and further dermatologic care is indicated.

Menezes CWG, Soares MA, Santos JB, Assis Júnior SL, Fonseca AJ & Zanuncio JC (2012). Reproductive and toxicological impacts of herbicides used in Eucalyptus culture in Brazil on the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Weed Research52, 520–525. Summary The expansion of eucalyptus tree plantations in Brazil has raised concerns that the use of herbicides may reach non‐target organisms and compromise the environment where parasitoids are used to control Lepidoptera defoliators. So, the effect of herbicides used in eucalyptus crops on the parasitoid Palmistichus elaeisis Delvare and LaSalle, 1993 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) was evaluated in terms of the impact on reproduction and survival. Treatments consisted of commercial doses of the herbicides sulfentrazone, oxyfluorfen, glyphosate and isoxaflutole with a water‐only control. The herbicides were sprayed on the pupae of the alternative host Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), which were exposed to parasitism by six females of P. elaeisis per pupa. Glufosinate and oxyfluorfen reduced parasitism and emergence of this parasitoid and were considered more harmful to the P. elaeisis females. Glyphosate and isoxaflutole resulted in higher numbers of individuals and females produced per female; thus these herbicides were less harmful to P. elaeisis and maybe used in IPM programmes in eucalyptus plantations.

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Entre os Artrópodes, os insetos sociais, e particularmente as formigas, estão entre os animais que melhor se adaptaram ao ambiente urbano, apresentando uma maior diversidade nas regiões tropicais. Estima-se que existam cerca de 18.000 espécies de formigas em todo o mundo, sendo no Brasil já catalogadas mais de 2.000 espécies. Poucas espécies de formigas são importantes por causarem problemas ao homem, sendo que apenas 1% são consideradas pragas e menos de 50 espécies estão adaptadas ao ambiente urbano 4 .Por apresentarem a capacidade de transportar microrganismos patogênicos, quando ocorrem em hospitais constituem um perigo potencial à saúde pública, podendo essas estar diretamente associadas ao problema de infecção hospitalar 2 3 6 12 17 21 . Formigas ABSTRACTThe presence of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in hospital environments may constitute a public health problem, especially since they are mechanical vectors for pathogenic organisms. This study aimed to survey the ant populations and analyze the presence of bacteria associated with them in two medium-sized regional hospitals in the municipality of Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Specimens were collected every monthly over a six-month period. The following ant species were found: Pheidole sp1 and sp2, Linepithema humile, Wasmannia auropunctata, Camponotus sp1 and sp2, Odontomachus sp, Solenopsis sp, Acromyrmex sp and Tapinoma melenocephalum. It was observed that these ants mechanically transported Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli and non-pathogenic and pathogenic Staphylococcus. These results show the propensity for occurrences of hospital infections at these sites caused by mechanical transmission of pathogens by ants.

O milho tem sido cultivado em duas safras anuais no Brasil e consumido por humanos e animais. O uso de herbicidas no controle de plantas daninhas nessa cultura pode comprometer o ambiente em função dos efeitos sobre organismos não alvos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a seletividade de atrazine e nicosulfuron sobre o predador Podisus nigrispinus. Os tratamentos constaram da aplicação de atrazine, nicosulfuron e da mistura destes, em doses equivalentes à comercial, mais um tratamento controle à base de água. A solução com os herbicidas foi aspergida sobre ovos de dois dias de idade de P. nigrispinuse em cada um dos cinco estádios ninfais e fase adulta do inseto. A viabilidade dos ovos de P. nigrispinus diminuiu sob ação dos herbicidas, sem eles diferirem quanto ao tempo de eclosão. A sobrevivência de ninfas foi baixa sob ação dos herbicidas, sendo mais afetada negativamente sob ação da mistura destes. Para a aplicação em cada estádio, observou-se baixa sobrevivência de ninfas do primeiro ao terceiro estádio sob ação do herbicida atrazine, isolado ou em mistura, e até o segundo estádio para o nicosulfuron. Também ficou evidente em todos os demais estádios do inseto a menor seletividade à mistura dos herbicidas, em comparação ao efeito isolado. Conclui-se que ovos de P. nigrispinus são sensíveis aos herbicidas testados e que a aplicação na cultura do milho desses produtos poderá diminuir o controle biológico de pragas promovido por esse inseto.

Artigo recebido para publicação em 07/04/2011 e aceito para publicação em 02/08/2011. RESUMO:A

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