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This work investigated the effects of butylscopolamine bromide, a drug present in the pharmaceutical formulation Buscopan, on the development of Chrysomya megacephala, a blow fly species of considerable forensic and medical importance in Brazil. Larvae exposed to the drug showed a decreased rate of development, with higher drug concentrations further retarding the development. Besides, larvae reared on the presence of the drug showed smaller body weight and body length when compared with larvae reared on the absence of Buscopan. The drug also affected the mortality of the species.

The attraction exerted by Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia of the BH strain was tested, using a glass apparatus composed by two circular chambers connected to a channel. One mollusk or a sample of a snail conditioning water (SCW) was placed in one of the chambers, randomly selected, and the remaining of the apparatus was filled with chlorine-free water. Ten miracidia were placed in the centre of the channel and their behaviour was observed for 15 minutes. Ten replicates were made for each treatment (snail or SCW), using different specimens of mollusks or different samples of SCW. Mollusks infected with A. costaricensis attracted significantly less S. mansoni miracidia than non-infected B. glabrata. In addition, miracidia were also significantly more attracted to SCW from mollusks infected with A. costaricensis.

During 2004, four experiments were carried out, one each season, in order to determine the species composition and seasonal dynamics of Calliphoridae in a rural area of Córdoba (Argentina). Two pigs (Sus scrofa L.), weighing approximately 8 Kg each, were used in each experiment. They were killed with a blow to the head and immediately placed in a variant of the Schoenly et al. (1991) trap. One pig was exposed in the shade and the other one under direct sunlight. The insect fauna was collected daily during the four first weeks and every two or three days thereafter. A total of 16.609 adults of Calliphoridae were collected, and later on identified as one of the following seven species: Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius), Phaenicia sericata (Meigen), Phaenicia eximia (Wiedemann), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), Sarconesia chlorogaster (Wiedemann) and Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy. C. albiceps was the dominant species in summer, autumn and spring, being replaced in winter by C. vicina, S. chlorogaster and P. sericata. The analysis of the seasonal distribution of the species revealed that the greater incidences are in the months of summer, autumn and spring.

Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-27T11:22:28Z No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2014-05-27T14:44:13Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 2-s2.0-34548806929.pdf: 337793 bytes, checksum: a453701b25addfe586a93c47527ae9e1 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-27T11:22:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-05-01 Larvae of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) were reared on liver tissues from a rabbit that had a malignant tumor in the thoracic cavity. Larval rearing of both blowfly species was conducted at ambient temperature. Larvae that fed on tissues from the rabbit with the tumor developed at significantly faster rates than those feeding on tissues from the control animal. Depto. Parasitologia Instituto de Biologia Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz s/n, C. postal 6109, Campinas, SP Instituto de Patologia de Campinas, Av. Orozimbo Maia, 165, 13010-211, Campinas, SP Depto. Zoologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP/Rio Claro, Avenida 24-A 1515, Rio Claro, SP Depto. Zoologia Instituto de Biociências UNESP/Rio Claro, Avenida 24-A 1515, Rio Claro, SP

The city of Campinas is located in an endemic area for Brazilian spotted fever in São Paulo State, where several cases have recently occurred. Capybaras have been associated with the cycle of this disease, for they present positive serology and serve as host for ticks of the genus Amblyomma, the main vectors of Brazilian spotted fever. Ticks were collected both from Capybaras and from the vegetation in the city park Lago do Café, located in the urban area of Campinas City, SP, a site associated with suspected human cases of Brazilian spotted fever. The ticks collected were examinated for the presence of rickettsiae using polymerase chain reaction and the haemolymph test. Through analysis of the gene gltA nucleotide sequence, adults of Amblyomma cajennense and Amblyomma cooperi were found to be infected with the non pathogenic Rickettsia bellii. However, no rickettsiae of the Spotted Fever Group were detected. These results indicate that the role of capybaras as reservoirs of rickettsiae of the Spotted Fever Group is still uncertain and further studies are required.

The identification of insect species involved in corpses decomposition is of particular importance in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) in forensic science, since the PMI is based on information about the life cycle of necrophagous insects. However, the identification of some insect species, especially in their immature stages, may be complicated by many factors, even for experienced taxonomists. Species of the same genus such as Hemilucilia segmentaria (Fabricius) and H. semidiaphana (Rondani) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are morphologically and behaviorally very similar, but differ in their growth and maturation rates. These species are abundant in forests, exclusively necrophagous and, therefore, are of potential medicolegal importance for estimating the PMI in criminal events that would take place in those areas. In this study, we assessed the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in the differentiation of these two species. Two specific regions of mitochondrial DNA, the Cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and the control region (CR), were amplified by PCR and digested using restriction endonucleases. The cleavage patterns generated by the endonucleases DraI and SspI were suitable for differentiating the two Hemilucilia species. This method can be helpful for the forensic entomologist in estimating the PMI because it provides a fast identification, also making possible the use of the insect at any life stage, including immature specimens, regardless of the conditions of preservation (dead or live specimens).

Generations of Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria tenagophila selected genetically for resistance and susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni of strains BH and SJ were used in a study of the trematode adaptation to the intermediate host. Descendants of the planorbids were obtained by self-fertilization of the mollusks that became susceptible or resistant after exposure to the miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni. For Biomphalaria glabrata they were obtained from the following generations: Parental, F1S (Susceptible), F1R (Resistant), F2S and F2R. For Biomphalaria tenagophila the studied generations were: Parental, F1S, F1R and F50S. The comparison of the infection rates presented by the different generations showed that the increase in susceptibility was more easily obtained in both species. The difficulty in increasing the resistance of the mollusks to Schistosoma mansoni has important epidemiologic implications.

Coleoptera associated to undisturbed cattle droppings in pastures present great diversity and abundance. Several species are of primary veterinary importance for they may act as natural enemies of pest insects that breed in this habitat. To survey the diversity and abundance of Coleoptera associated to undisturbed cattle droppings, four undisturbed cattle dung pats naturally dropped in pastures and 5 cm of the soil immediately beneath them were collected almost all weekly from april 1992 to april 1994 in a farm located in the vicinity of São Carlos, State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. Beetles were collected from the pats both using Berlese funnels and by allowing the beetles to emerge for 30 to 40 days. A total of 24,332 specimens belonging to 13 beetle families and at least 66 species were identified. The most abundant and diverse families were Aphodiidae, Staphylinidae and Scarabaeidae. In general, the Coleoptera were more abundant in the warmer and wet period, from October to March, with a few exceptions. The importance of the beetles, both as horn fly natural enemies and as cattle dung decaying agents, is discussed. Coleoptera associados a fezes de gado bovino excretadas no pasto apresentam grande diversidade e abundância, e várias espécies são de importância veterinária por serem inimigos naturais de insetos-praga que se criam nesse tipo de substrato. Para se fazer um levantamento da abundância e diversidade dos Coleoptera associados a fezes bovinas no pasto, quatro massas fecais inteiras e 5 cm do solo imediatamente abaixo delas foram coletados semanalmente na maioria das vezes, de abril de 1992 a abril de 1994. As coletas foram feitas numa fazenda localizada nas proximidades da cidade de São Carlos, região central do estado de São Paulo. Os besouros foram extraídos das fezes com funis de Berlese, e também mantendo as fezes em recipientes cobertos com organza por 30 a 40 dias, coletando os besouros que emergissem. O total de 24.332 espécimes pertencentes a 13 famílias de besouros, e pelo menos 66 espécies foram identificadas. As famílias mais abundantes foram Aphodiidae, Staphylinidae and Scarabaeidae. Em geral, os besouros foram mais abundantes durante o período quente e úmido, de outubro a março, com algumas exceções. A importância dos besouros, tanto como inimigos naturais da mosca-dos-chifres como agentes da decomposição de massas fecais de bovinos é discutida.

The objective of the present study was to determine the index of synanthropy of adults of Muscidae species collected in Valdivia, Chile (39°48'S; 73°15'W). The flies were collected monthly between September 1996 and August 1997 at three different locations, representing urban, rural and natural environments. Rat carcasses, chicken viscera, and fish viscera were used as bait. Six species of Muscidae were collected: Psilochaeta chalybea (Wiedemann) was dominant in urban and rural habitats, being eusynanthropic. The second species in importance was Hydrotaea acuta (Stein), being hemisynanthropic and more abundant in the natural environment. Ophyra ignava (Harris) was another species captured in relatively large numbers, and showing eusynanthropic characteristic. The remaining three species, Musca domestica L., Palpibracus valdiviensis (Couri & Pamplona), and Mu scina stabulans (Fallén) were captured in low numbers. In addition to the indexes of synanthropy, monthly abundances were determined and discussed, as well as the efficiency of the different baits used to collect the flies. The medical and sanitary importance of the flies was also assessed.

The present paper reports the comparison between a newly isolated strain of S. mansoni in the city of Campinas (SP, Brazil) named SR, with the strains BH (Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil) and SJ (São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil). The study was done using mice experimentally infected with 70 cercariae from sympatric snails: B. glabrata for the BH strain and B. tenagophila for the SJ and SR strains. The data obtained revealed that the new strain is less pathogenic than the other two, since it yielded fewer worms and shed eggs, a lower number of granulomas and a smaller granuloma size in the liver and intestine.

Diptera that breed in undisturbed cattle droppings in pastures present great diversity and abundance, and several species are of veterinary importance and may cause economic losses. To survey the diversity, abundance and seasonality of Diptera associated to this microhabitat, 83 samples of 10 dung pats each were taken from April 1992 to April 1994 in the vicinity of São Carlos, State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil. A total of 46,135 Diptera belonging to 20 families and at least 51 species were found to breed in the pats. The most abundant and diverse families were Sepsidae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae and Sphaeroceridae. In general, the abundance was higher from October to March, the warm and wet months. The importance of some Diptera, both as horn fly enemies and as cattle dung decaying agents, is discussed.

Larvae of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) and Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were reared on tissues from rabbits administered twice the lethal dosage of diazepam in order to study the effects of this drug on the development of these two species. The rabbits were given 50 mg of diazepam via ear vein infusion. From 18 to 54 h, larvae feeding on tissues containing the drug developed more rapidly than larvae from the control colony for both fly species. The time required for pupariation and adult emergence was significantly greater for colony fed on tissues from diazepam dosed rabbits than for the control ones. These differences are significant for they are large enough to alter the estimate of postmortem interval based on fly development. The presence of diazepam could be detected through gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) in all rabbit samples and in almost all diptera samples in this experiment.

This paper deals with 11 species of Cynipoidea parasitoids of dung-flies in Brazil: Neralsia splendens (Borgmeier 1935), Triplasta (Triplasta) atrocoxalis (Ashmead 1895), Triplasta (Pentaplasta) coxalis (Ashmead 1895), Acantheucoela armata (Cresson 1865), Acantheucoila brevispina Dettmer 1930, Acantheucoila coprophila Borgmeier 1935, Acantheucoila fumipennis Borgmeier 1935, Coneucoela brasiliensis Kieffer 1909, Ganaspis fulvocincta Kieffer 1909, Kleidotoma nigra (Hartig 1840), and Paraganaspis egeria Diaz & Gallardo 1996. An illustrated key for their identification, the hosts and the geographic distribution for each species are also given. Neste trabalho são fornecidos chave de identificação ilustrada e dados de hospedeiros e distribuição geográfica para cada uma das 11 espécies de Cynipoidea parasitóides de moscas associadas a fezes bovinas coletadas no Brasil, a saber: Neralsia splendens (Borgmeier 1935), Triplasta (Triplasta) atrocoxalis (Ashmead 1895), Triplasta (Pentaplasta) coxalis (Ashmead 1895), Acantheucoela armata (Cresson 1865), Acantheucoila brevispina Dettmer 1930, Acantheucoila coprophila Borgmeier 1935, Acantheucoila fumipennis Borgmeier 1935, Coneucoela brasiliensis Kieffer 1909, Ganaspis fulvocincta Kieffer 1909, Kleidotoma nigra (Hartig 1840) e Paraganaspis egeria Diaz & Gallardo 1996.

A total number of 8779 pupae of Diptera were collected in stables in the municipal district of Itumbiara, GO, Brazil, from June to December 1999. The principal fly and parasitoid species found were Musca domestica L. (38.4%), Sarcophagula occidua Fabricius (51.5%) (flies), Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani) (28.0%) and Paraganaspis egeria Diaz & Gallardo (29.3%).

Necrophagous insects, mainly Diptera and Coleoptera, are attracted to specific stages of carcass decomposition, in a process of faunistic succession. They are very important in estimating the postmortem interval, the time interval between the death and the discovery of the body. In studies done with pig carcasses exposed to natural conditions in an urban forest (Santa Genebra Reservation), located in Campinas, State of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil, 4 out of 36 families of insects collected - Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae (Diptera) and Dermestidae (Coleoptera) - were considered of forensic importance, because several species were collected in large numbers both visiting and breeding in pig carcasses. Several species were also observed and collected on human corpses at the Institute of Legal Medicine. The species belonged to 17 different families, 6 being of forensic importance because they were reared from human corpses or pig carcasses: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Piophilidae (Diptera), Dermestidae, Silphidae and Cleridae (Coleoptera). The most important species were: Diptera - Chrysomya albiceps, Chrysomya putoria, Hemilucilia segmentaria, Hemilucilia semidiaphana (Calliphoridae), Pattonella intermutans (Sarcophagidae), Ophyra chalcogaster (Muscidae), Piophila casei (Piophilidae); Coleoptera - Dermestes maculatus (Dermestidae), Oxyletrum disciolle (Silphidae) and Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae).

In order to verify the occurrence of diapause, preference for pupation sites and hymenopteran parasitism, the pupae of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae), were collected from undisturbed cattle dung pats in pastures, and adults of the fly were sampled from cattle in Sao Paulo State, south-eastern Brazil, from April 1993 to July 1994. Diapause was verified in 7.7% of pupae sampled from pastures in June and July of 1993 and in 9.9% of those sampled in May, June and July of 1994 (overall rate of 9.1%). Approximately 8.3% of the pupae were parasitized by microhymenopterans, mostly Spalangia nigroaenea and S. cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Horn fly pupae were found almost exclusively inside the pat or in the soil immediately beneath and adjacent to it, and very few were collected elsewhere. Pupa mortality was 54.4% and did not change significantly during the year, but mortality was greater among pupae collected in pastures when compared to those obtained from experimental pats, lacking natural enemies.

Neralsia splendens (Borgmeier), was found as a parasitoid Sarcophagula occidua (Fabricius) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Triângulo Mineiro ( West Minas Gerais) and South Goias, Brazil. Ten samples of bovine dung were taken at random, each month, from pats approximately one week old, placed in plastic containers and taken to the laboratory. Arthropods were extracted by flotation in water. Pupae were individually placed in gelatin capsules until emergence of adult flies or their parasitoids. Eighty four and seventeen specimens of Neralsia splendens were collected at Uberlândia and Itumbiara, respectively.

Ectoparasitic batflies were studied on 12 species of phyllostomid bats, by making 35 nightly collections of bats using mist nets at the "Panga" Ecological Reservation near Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, from August 1989 to July 1990. Eleven species of Streblidae and one of Nycteribiidae were collected on 12 species of bats. Prevalence of ectoparasitic flies was lower than those reported by other authors for the New World and may be the result of the lack of caves in the study area, causing bats to roost in less favorable locations, forming smaller colonies. The fly, Trichobius joblingi Wenzel, was found on Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus), showing preference for adult male bats. This could be explained by the predominance of males in the bat colonies, and by the fact that females rest in isolation during the reproductive period making them less exposed to the parasites. The streblid flies, Aspidoptera falcata Wenzel and Megistopoda proxima (Seguy), were found on Sturnira lilium (Geoffroy). A. falcata occurred mainly on young and adult females, whereas M. proxima did not show any preferences relative to the reproductive condition of the host. Ecological factors are important in determining differential numbers of parasites occurring on the different sexes, ages and reproductive state of the hosts.

To determine the species of Diptera and Coleoptera that visit and breed in carrion, four experiments, one for each season, were conducted from November 1992 to October 1993 in the vicinity of Campinas city, Southeastern Brazil. For each experiment two pigs weighting c. 10 kg were killed with a blow to the head with a blunt metallic object and immediately exposed, one in the shade and the other under sunlight. Adult insects and larvae leaving the carcass to pupate were collected daily. In addition, female blowflies were dissected in order to determine the stage of ovarian development. Five species of Calliphoridae: Chrysomya albiceps, C. megacephala, C.putoria, Phaenicia eximia and Hemilucilia segmentaria; three of Sarcophagidae; Pattonella intermutans, Liopygia ruficornis and Adiscochaeta ingens, and three of beetles: Dermestes maculatus, D. peruvianus (Dermestidae) and Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae), were considered of potential forensic importance, for they were able to breed in carrion exposed to natural environmental conditions. In addition, several fly species showed a definite seasonal pattern, with the Calliphoridae breeding more frequently during the warmer months of the year, and the Sarcophagidae preferring the cooler periods.

Este trabalho relata a primeira ocorrencia do parasitoide Paraganapis egeria Diaz & Gallardo (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae) parasitando pupas de Haematobia irritans L. (Diptera: Muscidae) na regiao Neotropical. As fezes bovinas foram coletadas nas pastagens da Fazenda Canchim da Embrapa de Sao Carlos-SP, de abril de 1993 a abril de 1994. As pupas foram separadas das fezes bovinas por flutuacao em baldes com agua. As recolhidas foram acondicionadas individualmente em capsulas de gelatina ate a emergencia dos dipteros ou dos seus parasitoides. Foram obtidas 718 pupas de H. irritans, das quais duas emergiram parasitoides. Constatou-se parasitismo de 0,26%.

In this study, successional patterns, relative abundance of larvae and adults of sarcosaprophagous insects, carcass decay, diversity and seasonality of species, and their potential as forensic indicators were studied. Four experiments were carried out in each season in a natural area of southeastern Brazil. Two pigs (Sus scrofa L.) were used in each experiment and were exposed to sunlight and shade, respectively. The Calliphoridae outnumbered the Sarcophagidae in specimens collected and reared from the carcasses. More insects were collected from carcasses exposed to the sun, while a larger number of specimens were reared from those in the shade. Temperature and rainfall influenced the stages of carcass decay and insect activity and abundance. Chrysomya albiceps was the most abundant species in all four experiments. The carcasses were used as a protein source and substratum for oviposition. The dark putrefaction and fermentation stages yielded more flies than the other stages. These results show that flies are important in carcass decay and are, therefore, also of forensic importance. Seven species can be considered valuable forensic indicators in Southeastern Brazil. However, only three species were useful as forensic indicators in wooded areas: P. intermutans, H. segmentaria, and H. semidiaphana.

Fresh human,-chicken and cattle faeces were compared as diets for adult female blowflies Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) and C. putoria (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). As controls, sugar and raw beef liver were used. For females of both species, fresh beef liver was the best of these diets: oogenesis was completed in 10–13 days. Human or chicken faeces facilitated slower oogenesis in 27–48 days. On a diet of cattle faeces, C. putoria females began vitellogenesis only 17 days after emergence, whereas females of C. megacephala remained previtellogenic until the end of the experiment (56 days).

Five species of Calliphoridae, mostly females, were collected using fly-traps baited with freshly killed rodent carcasses. Female blowflies were examined to determine the stages of ovarian development. The traps were selective for certain ovarian stages which varied according to the species. Phoenicia eximia (Wiedemann) was attracted to the traps mainly to oviposit, whereas females of Chrysornya albiceps (Wiedemann), C.putoria (Wiedemann) and C.megacephala (Fabricius) were captured in intermediate stages of oogenesis but seldom with eggs mature for oviposition. It is concluded that this kind of baited trap is unsuitable for the collection of male blowflies and that samples of female blowflies are specifically biased in favour of certain ovarian conditions.

Orientador: Angelo Pires Prado Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia Resumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo, determinar o índice de sinantropia pra dípteros pertencentes a cinco famílias (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Fanniidae e Anthomyiidae). Com essa finalidade, foram efetuadas coletas de acordo com o critério de Nuorteva (1963). As três localidades escolhidas estão situadas nas proximidades do centro de Campinas. Como iscas para a atração de moscas, usou-se cadáver de camundongo, fezes humanas e vísceras de galinha. Além do índice de sinantropia, foi analisada também a distribuição sazonal das espécies mais importantes, seu grau de heliofilia, bem como a atratividade exercida pelas diferentes iscas utilizadas Abstract: In the present work, the author determines the synantrhopic index of Nuorteva (1963) for flies that belong to five families: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Fanniidae and Anthomyiidae. For this purpose, flies were collected according to the criteria of Nuorteva. The three localities selected are situated in the vicinity of Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil. Mouse carcass, human feces and chiken viscera were used as bait. In addition to the synanthropic index, the seasonal distribution of the most important species, their heliophyly and the efficiency of the baits as attractant for these flies were also determined. Mestrado Mestre em Ciências Biológicas