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L.M. Coleoptera associated with pig carcass exposed in a forest reserve, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Biota Neotrop. 10(1): http://www. biotaneotropica.org.br/v10n1/en/abstract?inventory+bn03110012010. Abstract:The Coleoptera fauna of forensic importance associated with Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 carcass decomposition in Ducke Reserve, Manaus, Brazil, was determined. A total of 41 species, belonging to six families and 11 subfamilies were collected. Staphylinidae presented the higher richness with 17 species sampled, followed by Histeridae, with 11 and Scarabaeidae with nine species. Euspilotus azureus (Sahlberg, 1823) (Histeridae), Aleochara sp. (Staphylinidae) and Oxelytrum cayennense (Stürm, 1826) (Silphidae) occurred in all stages of decomposition. Omalodes lucidus Erichson, 1824 and Scapomegas auritus Marseul, 1855 (Histeridae) are recorded for the first time in the Amazon, being also reported for the first time associated with a decomposing carcass. The fauna differs from those of other Brazilian regions, emphasizing the importance of studies to determine the regional insect fauna of forensic importance that can be used in criminal investigations.

In the dipteran genus Hermetia, only 6 of the 78 valid species have documented immature stages: H. albitarsis Fabricius, 1805, H. aurata Bellardi, 1859, H. concinna Williston, 1900, H. illucens (Linnaeus, 1758), H. panamensis Greene, 1940 and H. pulchra Weidemann, 1830. In particular, H. illucens stands out due to its reported applicability for forensic, medical and economic purposes. Here, we described the morphology of eggs and immature stages of this species, with a view to detecting differences between instars and in the pupal stage, which should eventually help properly identifying larval age. We utilized both optical and scanning electron microscopy tools. The eggs are elliptical and elongated, and color varies from cream white to yellowish. The larvae are apodal, hemichephalic and holopneustic, flattened dorso‐ventrally and may be recognized by the head elongated, dorsal and ventral chaetotaxy of the cephalic capsule, thoracic and abdominal segments, and the morphology of the anterior and posterior spiracles. The pupae are adecticous and coarctate, tegument dark brown and pruinescence varying from brown to golden. The overall morphology across instars is similar, but marked variations were observed in the shape of the antennal articuli and the shape of the setae (first instar compared to the others). Our results supplement the biological information on Hermetia illucens and should aid the proper identification and aging of juveniles in the field, as a way to minimize errors in the calculation of the post‐mortem interval.

Abstract. In order to describe the development period of forensically-important Calliphoridae species (Diptera: Brachycera) under natural conditions in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, two experiments were carried out at Campus II of National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA), Manaus, Amazonas, one in the rainy season and the other one in the less rainy season. Pig carcasses (25kg each) were used as attractive to oviposition of the blowflies. Calliphoridae females were collected and the eggs were placed into containers with ground beef. The reared species and development time from egg to adult (in days) in the rainy season and less rainy season, respectively, were: Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) 14.5 days and 9.4 days, C. megacephala (Fabricius) 10.7 and 9.4, Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius) 11.5 and 10.7, Lucilia eximia (Wiedemann) 19.7 and 14.3 and Paralucilia paraensis (Mello) reared only in the less rainy season with 11.8 days. This is a first record of the development time of P. paraensis. Keywords

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-Adults of Tabanidae may become serious pests wherever they occur due to their attack to humans and others animals. Tabanids were captured near ground, water surface and at 25 m high on primary forests and forest gaps of anthropogenic origin, to understand their abundance, seasonality, diversity and similarity on such environments. Collections were carried out in the Base II of the War Instruction Center in the Jungle (CIGS) located at 54 km from Manaus municipality, Amazonas state. Two Malaise fl ight interception traps and four attraction traps (two suspended at 25 m high and two above the water surface of igarapé) were installed in forest gap and primary forest, areas for 10 consecutive days, during 15 months. A total of 2,643 specimens of 66 species were captured. Diachlorini (35 species /11 genera) was the most abundant tribe, followed by Tabanini (19 species /three genera), Chrysopsini (seven species /one genus) and Scionini (fi ve species /two genera). Seventeen species were captured only in the primary forest, 11 in the anthropic clearing, and 38 species were common to both environments. The most abundant species were Phorcotabanus cinereus (Wiedemann), Tabanus occidentalis L, Chrysops laetus Fabricius and Tabanus angustifrons Macquart. The greatest richness was found in drier months (September/October) in both areas. The forest gap showed higher abundance of specimens (1,827) than the primary forest (816). Traps suspended above the water surface were the most effi cient (1,723 specimens) probably due to the dispersion of horsefl ies over small streams.

ABSTRACT. Mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) inhabiting foliar tanks of Guzmania brasiliensis Ule (Bromeliaceae) in central Amazonia, Brazil. Mosquitoes in the family Culicidae develop their immature forms in different environments depending on various circumstances. This study represents the first contribution to the ecological knowledge of culicids living in the bromeliad G. brasiliensis. The objectives of the study were to compare the Culicidae fauna of bromeliads in two seasonal periods, analyzing their abundance, richness and the influence of pH, conductivity and water volume, on the populations. Sampling was done at Reserva Adolpho Ducke, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil between 2003 and 2005. Six samplings were done in the rainy season and six in the dry season. On each sampling day, six terrestrial and six epiphytic bromeliads, totaling 144 sampling units, were retrieved. A total of 444 immature mosquitoes were collected, distributed in the following species:The relationship between abundance of Culicidae and sampling period was not significant, although abundance was higher in the dry period. There were significant correlations between water volume and the abundance (p = 0.003) and richness (p = 0.001) of culicids. The pH was positively related to the occurrence of the species Wy. autocratica (p= 0.010) and Wy. splendida (p= 0.006), demonstrating the influence of this factor in the structuring of bromeliadinhabiting communities.KEYWORDS. Amazon; Aquatic insects; Culex (Microculex); Phytotelmata; Wyeomyia.RESUMO. Mosquitos (Diptera, Culicidae) habitando tanques foliares de Guzmania brasiliensis Ule (Bromeliaceae) na Amazônia Central, Brasil. Mosquitos da família Culicidae desenvolvem suas formas imaturas em vários ambientes na dependência de circunstâncias diversas. Este trabalho representa a primeira contribuição ao conhecimento ecológico de culicídeos em G. brasiliensis e tem como objetivo inventariar os imaturos em bromélias em dois períodos sazonais, analisando a abundância, riqueza e a influência das variáveis abióticas pH, condutividade e volume de água sobre as populações de Culicidae. A relação entre abundância de Culicidae e períodos não foi significativa, entretanto, o período seco apresentou maior representatividade de imaturos. Houve significância na relação do volume de água e abundância (p= 0,003) e riqueza (p= 0,001) de culicídeos. O pH foi o único parâmetro relacionado positivamente com a ocorrência das espécies Wy. autocratica (p= 0,010) e Wy. splendida (p= 0,006) ressaltando a influência deste fator na estruturação das comunidades bromelícolas.

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