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RESUMO: As comunidades zooplanctônicas são importantes componentes na cadeia alimentar considerando os produtores primários e os demais níveis. Além disso, algumas espécies são sensíveis ou tolerantes à poluição orgânica. Aqui testamos a hipótese de que a composição de espécies varia conforme o gradiente de eutrofização. Buscou-se estabelecer os possíveis fatores ambientais responsáveis pela variação na distribuição das espécies. Esse estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a comunidade zooplanctônica e relacionar os dados com a qualidade da água em reservatórios do Estado de São Paulo. Amostras foram coletadas através de arrasto vertical por meio de rede de plâncton (68 (m) em sete corpos d’água. Todos os espécimes foram identificados através de literatura específica e contados em camâra de Sedgwick rafter. Os dados bióticos e abióticos foram analisados através da análise de correspondência canônica. Um total de 67 táxons foram encontrados, sendo Rotifera o predominante. No geral, os reservatórios apresentaram condições eutróficas, principalmente Salto Grande, Barra Bonita e Broa. Os resultados apontaram que os rotíferos Trichocerca longiseta (Schrank, 1802), Hexarthra sp., Brachiounus spp. e Keratella tropica (Apstein, 1907) seguiram o gradiente de eutrofização. Além desses, microcrustáceos como Notodiaptomus, Mesocyclops, Metacyclops e Diaphanossoma ocorreram em reservatórios eutróficos. Por outro lado, os cládoceros Ceriodaphnia cornuta (Sars, 1886) e Bosminopsis deitersi Richard, 1895 foram considerados indicadores de melhor qualidade devido à relação com águas mais transparentes. Os resultados apontam que algumas espécies do zooplâncton são efetivas para o monitoramento ambiental sem descartar as análises físico-químicas e biológicas.

Nanomaterials composed of natural matrices associated with biopesticides have promising applications in sustainable agriculture. In this study, the biopesticide neem Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems CorporationAnswer: Thank you for your comment. We have inserted the requested information throughout the manuscript. Please verify the revised version.Reviewer: Figure 5. I do not agree with the analysis. I will suggest to apply repeated measures ANOVA or survival analysis and their curves. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We would like to explain that in Figure 5, there is no need to perform repeated measurements ANOVA because our data do not represent measurements over time of the same sample. In fact, different leaves were collected on different days after the application of the treatments to perform the test, and not a single leaf was collected and analyzed 1, 6 and 12 days latter. We have modified the figure caption for better understanding. Please verify the revised version of the manuscript.Reviewer: Line 591-801. Firstly, discussion section seems like a review of literature and many of the sentenses are awkwardly placed. I will suggest to rewrite the whole sentense. Secondly, hard to get the idea due to linguistic and syntax errors. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We have abbreviated the discussion and some cited studies were deleted. Please verify the revised version of the manuscript.Reviewer: Line 592-600. The opening paragraph of the discussion section is not appropriately written. I will suggest to rewrite this section. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We have rewritten the discussion. Please verify the revised version of the manuscript.Reviewer: Line 553-554. The sentense is awkwardly placed. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We have deleted the indicated sentence.Reviewer: Line 801. I will suggest the authors to provide a comprehensive conclusion of the study. Answer: Thank you for your comment. We have rewritten the conclusion. Please verify the revised version of the manuscript. Reviewer #2: Reviewer: I have read the manuscript entitled " Nanobiopesticide based on zein nanoparticles and neem oil: a study using target and nontarget organisms". The manuscript presents a well-written and appropriately analyzed series of experiments to determine the pesticidal and biological activity of neem oil-loaded zein nanoparticles against three pests (Acanthoscelides obtectus, Bemisia tabaci, and Tetranychus urticae), in addition to the phytotoxic effects of these nanoparticles using Phaseolus vulgaris. Overall, the manuscript is generally clear and concise report of a well-executed study. The objectives are clear; the experiments are pertinent and follow a logical reasoning; the main findings of the study are convincing and the conclusion is appropriate. The paper is clearly organized and the contribution is interesting and falls within the scope of the journal. The work is generally well written, except for certain parts of the manuscript, where a good technical ...

Atrazine was banned by the European Union in 2004, but is still used in many countries. Agricultural research employing nanotechnology has been developed in order to reduce the impacts to the environment and nontarget organisms. Nanoatrazine was developed as a carrier system and have been considered efficient in weed control. However, its toxicity must be verified with nontarget organisms. In this context, the aim of the present study was to investigate ecotoxicological effects of solid lipid nanoparticles (empty and loaded with atrazine) and atrazine on Chironomus sancticaroli larvae, evaluating the endpoints: mortality, mentum deformity, development rate and biochemical biomarkers. The contaminant concentrations used were 2, 470, 950, and 1900 μg L −1 in acute (96 h) and 2 μg L −1 in subchronic (10 days) bioassays. An environmentally relevant concentration of atrazine (2 μg L −1 ) presented toxic and lethal effects towards the larvae. The nanoparticles loaded with atrazine showed toxic effects similar to free atrazine, causing mortality and biochemical alterations on the larvae. The nanoparticle without atrazine caused biochemical alterations and mortality, indicating a possible toxic effect of the formulation on the larvae. In the acute bioassay, most concentrations of nanoparticles loaded with atrazine were not dose dependent for the endpoint mortality. Only the atrazine concentration of 470 μg L −1 was statistically significant to endpoint mentum deformity. The atrazine and nanoparticles (with and without atrazine) did not affect larval development.The results indicate that Chironomus sancticaroli was sensitive to monitor nanoatrazine, presenting potential to be used in studies of toxicity of nanopesticides.

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The aim of this contribution was to review the species of Ctenocolum which are mainly distributed in the Neotropical region. The larvae of this genus have a high degree of specificity with the tribe Millettieae feeding mainly on seeds of Lonchocarpus Kunth (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae) and until now we do not know other bruchine consuming seeds of this genus. Here 13 valid species were studied, five new, divided in two groups, as previosly proposed in literature, group podagricus with Ctenocolum aquilus Albuquerque & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov., C. biolleyi Kingsolver & Whitehead, C. colburni Kingsolver & Whitehead, C. martiale Kingsolver & Whitehead, C. milelo Albuquerque & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov., C. podagricus (Fabricius), C. punctinotatus Albuquerque & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov., C. pygospilotos Albuquerque & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov. and C. triangulatus Albuquerque & Ribeiro-Costa sp. nov.; group tuberculatum with C. acapulcensis Kingsolver & Whitehead, C. janzeni Kingsolver & Whitehead, C. salvini (Sharp) and C. tuberculatum (Motschulsky). A lectotype is designated for Bruchus salvini and Bruchus pictifemur. Moreover, descriptions, redescriptions, diagnoses, key, geographic distribution and host plant records are also included.

ResumoPráticas educativas requerem a participação efetiva dos sujeitos que estão envolvidos nesse processo. É importante promover uma aprendizagem significativa, por meio do qual uma nova informação se relaciona, de maneira substantiva (não-literal) e não arbitrária, a um aspecto relevante da estrutura cognitiva do indivíduo. Atividades práticas são um ótimo instrumento pedagógico, contribuem para o processo de ensino-aprendizagem, promovem motivação e fixação de conceitos de modo mais eficaz do que uma abordagem estritamente teórica. Neste trabalho relatam-se resultados de um projeto de extensão sobre entomologia para alunos do segundo ano do Colégio Agrícola Estadual Augusto Ribas, Ponta Grossa -Paraná, Brasil. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho teve como objetivo ampliar o conhecimento sobre algumas ordens de insetos de importância agrícola, através de aula teórico-prática e uso de um texto de apoio com uma chave dicotômica. A coleta de dados foi realizada através dos questionários pré-aula e pós-aula, produção de parágrafo livre e observações. Os resultados foram analisados qualitativamente. Foi observado que diferentes atividades didáticas contribuem para maior compreensão e assimilação de conteúdos científicos. A chave dicotômica é um recurso viável para ensinar caracteres taxonômicos e noções de sistemática. Durante as aulas todos os alunos demonstraram interesse e faziam perguntas. Pode se concluir que o uso de diferentes metodologias auxiliou na compreensão

Ecossistemas aquáticos estão sujeitos à invasão biológica que por sua vez pode causar impactos principalmente nas populações nativas. Em ambientes de água doce, os rotíferos são abundantes e altamente adaptados. O rotífero norte americano Kellicottia bostoniensis (Rousselet 1908) está distribuído amplamente na Ásia, Europa, América do Norte e do Sul, habitando reservatórios, lagos e rios desses continentes. Aqui, a ocorrência de K. bostoniensis é registrada pela primeira vez nos reservatórios Atibainha e Cachoeira (Sistema Cantareira, Brasil). Os mecanismos da dispersão são discutidos e essa nota amplia o limite da distribuição de K. bostoniensis no estado de São Paulo. Palavras-chave: espécie exótica; expansão de distribuição; novas ocorrências; zooplâncton. ABSTRACT-DISPERSION AND FIRST RECORD OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES Kellicottia bostoniensis (ROTIFERA: BRACHIONIDAE) IN TWO BRAZILIAN RESERVOIRS Aquatic ecosystems are subjected to biological invasions which can causes imbalances mainly in the native populations. In most freshwater environments rotifers are abundant and highly adapted. The North American rotifer Kellicottia bostoniensis (Rousselet 1908) is widely distributed in Asia, Europe, North and South America inhabiting reservoirs, lakes and rivers of these continents. Here, the occurrence of K. bostoniensis is recorded for the first time in Atibainha and Cachoeira reservoirs (Cantareira System, Brazil). Dispersion mechanisms are discussed and this note extends the limit distribution of K. bostoniensis in São Paulo state.