-The boll weevil causes serious damage to the cotton crop in South America. Several studies have been published on this pest, but its phenology and behavior under the tropical conditions prevailing in Brazil are not well-known. In this study the feeding behavior and main food sources of adult boll weevils throughout the year in Central Brazil was investigated. The digestive tract contents of insects captured in pheromone traps in two cotton fields and two areas of native vegetation (gallery forest and cerrado sensu stricto) were analyzed. The insect was captured all through the year only in the cerrado. It fed on pollen of 19 different plant families, on Pteridophyta and fungi spores and algae cysts. Simpson Index test showed that the cerrado provided greater diversity of pollen sources. In the beginning of the cotton cycle, the plant families used for pollen feeding were varied: in cotton area 1, the weevil fed on Poaceae (50%), Malvaceae and Smilacaceae (25% each); in cotton area 2 the pollen sources were Malvaceae (50%), Asteraceae (25%) and Fabaceae and Clusiaceae (25% each); in the cerrado they were Chenopodiaceae (67%) and Scheuchzeriaceae (33%). No weevils were collected in the gallery forest in this period. After cotton was harvested, the family Smilacaceae was predominant among the food plants exploited in all the study areas. These results help to explain the survivorship of adult boll weevil during cotton fallow season in Central Brazil and they are discussed in the context of behavioral adaptations to the prevailing tropical environmental conditions.

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an introduced pest in Brazil, which in 30 yr has successfully expanded to various eco-regions and became the most important pest of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, Malvaceae). Given the limited knowledge about the adaptive mechanisms that allowed successful establishment of the pest population in a tropical region, in this work we studied the potential of the Midwest population of boll weevils to enter a reproductive dormancy and identified the importance of the feeding source for induction of dormancy. We investigated morphological and physiological characters as indicators of the dormancy. We also investigated the occurrence of reproductive dormancy in boll weevils populations from cotton farms of the Midwestern region of Brazil during the cotton and noncotton seasons of 2009 and 2010. The studies revealed that boll weevils entered facultative reproductive dormancy; however, unlike what has been observed for boll weevils from temperate and subtropical regions, the hypertrophy of fat body and hexamerin levels did not straightly correlated to reproductive dormancy. The food source and field conditions during early adult development were decisive factor for the induction of reproductive dormancy. The incidence of reproductive dormancy increased progressively as the phenology of cotton plant advanced, reaching approximately 90% at the end of the crop season. During the noncotton season, the boll weevil was predominantly found in reproductive dormancy, especially females; however, there is evidence of use of multiple adaptive strategies to colonize the next harvest.

-The objective of this work was to determine the survival pattern of the cotton boll weevil during fallow in Midwestern Brazil. The percentage of adults that remained in the cotton reproductive structures, the percentage of adults searching for shelters, and the longevity of adults fed on pollen and nectar as alternative food sources were determined. For this, four populations were sampled in cotton squares and bolls, totaling 11,293 structures, from 2008 to 2012. The emergency of cotton weevil adults was monitored from the collection of the structures until the next cotton season. In the laboratory, newly-emerged adults were fed on hibiscus or Spanish needle, and their life span was monitored individually. Most adults (85.73%) left the reproductive structures, regardless of the cotton plant phenology, up to 49 days after the structures were collected. One individual (0.0002%) from 5,544 adults was found alive after the fallow period. The diet with hibiscus and Spanish needle provided adult longevity of 76±38 days, which was enough time for adults to survive during the fallow period. Most of the boll weevils leave the cotton structures at the end of harvest, survive using alternative food sources, and do not use cotton plant structures as shelter during the legal cotton fallow period in Midwestern Brazil.Index terms: Anthonomus grandis, Gossypium hirsutum, alternative food, cotton bolls. Padrão de sobrevivência do bicudo-do-algodoeiro durante o pousio na região Centro-Oeste do BrasilResumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o padrão de sobrevivência do bicudo-do-algodoeiro durante o pousio no Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Foram determinadas as percentagens de adultos das populações que permaneceram nas estruturas reprodutivas do algodoeiro, as percentagens de adultos que saíram para os refúgios, e a longevidade dos adultos alimentados com pólen e néctar como fontes de alimentos alternativos. Para tanto, foram amostradas quatro populações em botões florais e maçãs do algodoeiro, que totalizaram 11.293 estruturas, de 2008 a 2012. A emergência de adultos do bicudo-do-algodoeiro foi monitorada desde a coleta das estruturas até a próxima safra de algodão. Em laboratório, adultos recém-emergidos foram alimentados com hibisco ou picão, e sua longevidade foi monitorada individualmente. A maioria dos adultos (85,73%) saiu das estruturas reprodutivas, independentemente da fenologia do algodoeiro, até 49 dias após as estruturas terem sido coletadas. Um indivíduo (0,0002%) entre 5.544 adultos foi encontrado vivo após o período da entressafra. A dieta de hibisco e picão permitiu uma longevidade de 76±38 dias, tempo suficiente para manter os adultos vivos durante a entressafra. A maioria dos bicudos-de-algodoeiro deixa as estruturas reprodutivas do algodoeiro no final da colheita, sobrevive com alimento alternativo e não usa as estruturas da planta como abrigo durante o período legal de pousio na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil.Termos para indexação: Anthonomus grandis, Gossypium hirsutum, alimento alternativo, maças ...

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Diapausing eggs of the neotropical pasture pest, Deois flavopicta (Stal) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), were exposed to low overnight temperatures that simulated field conditions during the dry season (23/12, 23/15 and 23/18ºC day/night), for different periods (0-60 days). After treatment, eggs were kept at 28ºC and contact water (100% humidity) until hatching. A group of diapausing eggs were kept all the time under this last condition as a control treatment. Time for hatching (in degree-days) was reduced with decrease in low overnight temperature and increase of exposure time to these cold shocks, although there was no interaction between the factors. Regression of exposure time to cold shock influencing the expected mean hatching time produced independent equations for temperatures below 18ºC and 15ºC. We constructed a model that simulates the expected proportion of the population hatching after the beginning of rainy season based on regression equations to mean hatching time and associated standard deviation. The simulation generated for the model correlated significantly with nymphal population observed in the field. These results showed that overnight soil temperatures below 18ºC, as occurs in Central and South-eastern Brazil between May and August, shorten the period of diapause, increase quiescent eggs in the soil, and may synchronize the population hatching.Key words: Insecta, phenology, dormancy, cold treatment, population dynamics. RESUMOTemperatura do solo e manutenção da diapausa em ovos da cigarrinha-das-pastagens, Deois flavopicta (Hemiptera: Cercopidae)Foram expostos ovos diapáusicos da praga de pastagens na região neotropical, Deois flavopicta (Stal) (Hemiptera: Cercopidae), a baixas temperaturas noturnas, simulando condições de campo durante a estação seca (23/12, 23/15 e 23/18ºC dia/noite), por diferentes períodos (0, 15, 30, 40, 50 e 60 dias). Após o tratamento térmico, os ovos foram mantidos a 28ºC e em água de contato (100% de umidade), até a eclosão das ninfas. Um grupo-controle de ovos diapáusicos foi mantido por todo o período experimental em altas temperaturas e umidade. O tempo para eclosão (em graus/dia) foi reduzido devido ao efeito das baixas temperaturas noturnas e ao aumento no período de exposição ao choque frio, embora não tenha sido observada interação significativa entre esses fatores. A regressão do efeito do período de choque frio no tempo médio para eclosão das ninfas provenientes de ovos diapáusicos produziu equações independentes para as temperaturas abaixo de 18ºC e 15ºC. Com base nas equações

Plants that have potential as alternative food source (floral nectar, pollen and plant tissues) to the boll weevil during the intercropping season were evaluated considering the prevalent conditions of Cerrado in the Central Brazil. Initially, we tested the nutritional adequacy for the survival of the insect of flower resource (pollen and nectar) provided by eight plant species (fennel, mexican sunflower, castor bean, okra, hibiscus, sorghum, pigeonpea and sunn hemp). Subsequently, we tested if the resources provided by the selected plants continued to be exploited by the boll weevil in the presence of cotton plant, its main food source average longevity of boll weevil adults was significantly longer when they were fed on hibiscus' flowers (166.6 ± 74.4) and okra flowers (34.7 ± 28.9) than when they fed on flowers of other six species. Subsequently, the preference of the boll weevil in the use of resources was compared between okra or hibiscus and cotton plants, in dual choice experiments. Boll weevils preferred plants of the three species in the reproductive stages than those in vegetative stages. Although the cotton plant in the reproductive stage was the most preferred plant of all, boll weevils preferred flowering okra and hibiscus than cotton at the vegetative stage.Keywords: Anthonomus grandis, Malvacea, okra, hibiscus. Sobrevivência e preferência para exploração de recursos de adultos do bicudo do algodoeiro ResumoPlantas que podem ser uma fonte potencial de recursos alimentares (néctar floral, pólen e tecidos vegetais) para o bicudo do algodoeiro durante a entressafra foram avaliadas, considerando as condições ambientais prevalentes na região de Cerrado do Brasil Central. Primeiro, testamos a adequação nutricional dos recursos (pólen e néctar) fornecidos por oito espécies de plantas (erva-doce, margaridão, mamona, quiabo, hibisco, sorgo, feijão guandu e crotalária) como único recurso alimentar para a sobrevivência do inseto. Posteriormente, nós avaliamos se os recursos fornecidos pelas plantas selecionadas continuaram a serem explorados pelo bicudo na presença do algodoeiro, seu recurso alimentar principal. A longevidade média do bicudo do algodoeiro foi significativamente maior quando eles foram alimentados com flores de hibisco (166,6 ± 74,4) e quiabo (34,7 ± 28,9) do que quando alimentados com flores das outras seis espécies. Em seguida, a preferência do bicudo no uso de recursos foi comparada contrastando o quiabo e o hibisco com o algodão, em experimentos de dupla escolha. Os bicudos preferiram as plantas das três espécies na fase reprodutiva em relação àquelas em estádios vegetativos. Embora a preferência por plantas de algodão na fase reprodutiva tenha sido maior, os bicudos preferiram plantas em floração de quiabo e hibisco quando estas foram contrastadas com o algodão na fase vegetativa.

Although women are about half of world’s population, they are underrepresented in many sectors including academia and the research scenario in general. Gender gap in Entomology has been pointed out in other publications; however, data for Brazil has never been demonstrated. Here we provide a diagnosis for the Brazilian Entomology scenario in order to contribute to propositions towards disentangling the gender gap in general. We analyzed scientometric data for Brazilian Entomology focusing on gender disparity and on personal perceptions related to the gender gap through an online questionnaire. We detected a pervasive gender bias in which the scissor-shaped curve is the most representative effect of it: women were the majority in lower degree stages but the minority in higher degree stages (permanent positions and positions of prestige and power). We also observed mentorship bias and discussed these results in light of intersectionality and the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender differences were perceived differently by the questionnaire respondents considering age, gender, and parenting. With this data and analyses, we have provided elements to stimulate and support change to a healthier and more equitable academic space.

Resumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um protocolo experimental para avaliar o impacto do algodoeiro Bt na bionomia e na escolha de plantas para colonização pelo pulgão-do-algodoeiro (Aphis gossypii). A bionomia do pulgão foi avaliada em casa de vegetação com insetos criados em gaiolas individuais com plantas de algodão Bt, da variedade DP 404 BG (Bollgard), ou sua isolinha não transformada DP 4049. Gaiolas contendo vasos com plantas de algodoeiro Bt e não-Bt foram usadas como arena de escolha, para a avaliação de preferência de adultos alados. O período pré-reprodutivo e reprodutivo, a longevidade, a curva de sobrevivência, a produção de prole total e diária por fêmea e a curva acumulada de produção de prole da população não apresentaram diferenças signifi cativas. Não foi observada diferença na escolha de plantas para colonização por indivíduos alados, o que indica taxas equivalentes de colonização nas populações iniciais. O algodoeiro Bt não afeta a dinâmica populacional de A. gossypii e não aumenta seu potencial de risco como praga.Termos para indexação: Aphis gossypii, biossegurança, organismo geneticamente modifi cado, praga não-alvo, toxina Cry. Impact of Bt cotton on the population dynamics of the cotton aphid in greenhouseAbstract -The objective of this work was to develop an experimental protocol to assess the impact of Bt cotton on bionomics and on plant choice for Aphis gossypii colonization. The bionomics of the cotton aphid was assessed in greenhouse with insects reared in individual cages containing Bt cotton plants of the variety DP 404 BG (Bollgard) or its nontransformed isoline DP 4049. Cages with Bt cotton and non-Bt cotton were used as choosing arena for evaluation of winged adults preference. There was no signifi cant difference for pre-reproduction period (immature phase), reproduction period, longevity, survivorship curve total and daily production of offspring by female, and curve of accumulated production of offspring by the population. There was no preference of colonization for any plant by winged adults, which indicates equivalent rates of colonization of the initial populations. Bt cotton plants do not affect the population dynamics of A. gossypii, and do not increase its potential risk as pest.Index terms: Aphis gossypii, biosafety, genetic modifi ed organism, nontarget pest, Cry toxin. IntroduçãoO pulgão-do-algodoeiro -Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera: Aphididae) -é uma das principais pragas do algodoeiro em razão dos danos diretos, causados pela sucção do fl oema, e indiretos pela transmissão de viroses. Além disso, uma substância açucarada ("honeydew"), exsudada pelo pulgão, favorece a ocorrência de fungos (fumagina) que prejudicam a qualidade das fi bras do algodoeiro na fase fi nal de seu ciclo (Fontes et al., 2006). Essa praga coloniza o algodoeiro desde a fase de plântula e se reproduz de forma rápida e abundante por partenogênese telítoca e seu desenvolvimento, sobrevivência e fecundidade são afetados por fatores externos, como temperatura e alimentação (Xia et a...