Search

A Collapsible Light Trap (CLT) for collecting insects, particularly aquatic insects, is described here. CLT is a modified Pennsylvania Light Trap with the advantage of being collapsible and lightweight to be carried in a small backpack and very easy to set up in the field. CLT is equipped with LED light strip wrapped around a PVC tube and can be connected to a regular 12 V / 7 Ah battery, running for more than 48 uninterrupted hours. Complete CLT weighs 0.8-1.0 kg, depending on the metal used, and the battery weighs around 2 kg, being easily transportable to more remote collecting areas. Over the years, CLTs have been used for collecting and describing the diversity of aquatic insects from Brazil, particularly caddisflies. Depending on the locality, only one trap for one night can collect over a thousand insect specimens and more than 200 individuals of caddisflies.

We describe here ten new species of Ochrotrichiinae from southern Peru in genera Metrichia (7 new species), Ochrotrichia (1 new species), and Rhyacopsyche (2 new species). In addition to describing and illustrating male genitalia of the new species, we also highlight diagnostic features from antennae, head setal warts, and wing venation. These structures have received little attention in taxonomic studies of Hydroptilidae, and we think they may be useful in future morphological studies involving the family. We also record O. puyana for the first time from Peru, which was previously known only from Ecuador. Comments on the distribution of the Peruvian Ochrotrichiinae are also provided, along with a distributional map and an updated checklist of the species recorded in the country. This work revealed a total of 56 species of Ochrotrichiinae from Peru.

Ibyacerina caparao new genus, new species (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) is described and illustrated from specimens collected at Serra do Capara, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The monotypic genus is characterized by tibial spur formula 0,2,2; preanal appendages originating from a single base with a median process; tergum X broad, heavily sclerotized, saddle-like, wider at apex, and upturned, bearing small stout setae; inferior appendages each 3-branched, setose; and phallic apparatus tubular, curved slightly ventrad, with pair of lateral processes. Phylogenetic Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses based on concatenated cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase (CAD) partial sequences (1,504 bp) including representatives of 38 leptocerid genera positioned Ibyacerina gen. nov. with good support within Leptocerinae. However, due to low branch support of most relationships among genera within the clade of Leptocerinae, except Mystacidini, Setodini, and Leptocerini, its close affinities and tribal placement are still unknown.

Conservation initiatives overwhelmingly focus on terrestrial biodiversity, and little is known about the freshwater cobenefits of terrestrial conservation actions. We sampled more than 1500 terrestrial and freshwater species in the Amazon and simulated conservation for species from both realms. Prioritizations based on terrestrial species yielded on average just 22% of the freshwater benefits achieved through freshwater-focused conservation. However, by using integrated cross-realm planning, freshwater benefits could be increased by up to 600% for a 1% reduction in terrestrial benefits. Where freshwater biodiversity data are unavailable but aquatic connectivity is accounted for, freshwater benefits could still be doubled for negligible losses of terrestrial coverage. Conservation actions are urgently needed to improve the status of freshwater species globally. Our results suggest that such gains can be achieved without compromising terrestrial conservation goals., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Serra do Caparaó is an impressive mountain range between the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, Southeast Brazil, inserted within the Atlantic Forest biome, and has a mosaic vegetation composed mainly by Dense Ombrophilous Forest and rupicolous vegetation of high-altitude grasslands. This study contributes to increasing the knowledge on the Leptoceroidea fauna of the Serra do Caparaó. Herein, we describe and illustrate a new species of Leptoceridae, Atanatolica bandeira sp. nov. and provide additional data on the richness and distribution of Leptoceroidea from Parque Nacional do Caparaó and surrounding areas. The distribution of some species is expanded. Fourteen and four species are recorded for the first time from Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais states, respectively.

Larva and pupa of Phylloicus obliquus Navás are associated, described, illustrated and compared with other Neotropical species of the same genus. The P. obliquus larva differs from the others due to the pattern of distribution of muscle scars on the head, mandibles with two teeth, and a dense row of long yellow setae on the inner margin. The pupa differs from other Phylloicus pupae by the sequence and shape of tergal abdominal hook plates. The case of P. obliquus larvae is composed of rectangular fragments of vegetal material with uniform shape and always arranged in overlapping layers. Larvae were found in a small second order Atlantic Forest stream.

Helicopsyche has about 270 extant species widely distributed, with highest species diversity in tropical and subtropical areas. Currently, the genus is divided into six subgenera, with only two of them occurring in the Neotropical region. In Brazil, 28 species of Helicopsyche have been recorded, being nine in Cochliopsyche and 19 in Feropsyche. In this paper, we describe, diagnose and illustrate six new species of Helicopsyche subgenus Feropsyche from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil: Helicopsyche bendego sp. nov., H. daome sp. nov., H. dinoprata sp. nov., H. luziae sp. nov., H. petri sp. nov., and H. shaamunensu sp. nov. Furthermore, H. (F.) planorboides is redescribed based on the holotype and additional specimens; the type series of this species is now deposited in the collection of the Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. Finally, Helicopsyche (F.) catoles, H. (F.) guara and H. (F.) planorboides are reported for the first time from Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, the last one also listed for Espírito Santo state, Brazil.

The Brazilian savanna, also known as Cerrado, is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, covering about 22% of the country. Nevertheless, this region has been suffering an accelerated process of degradation due to the agribusiness expansion. This study contributes to increasing knowledge on the Leptoceridae fauna of the Serra da Canastra Mountains at the Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Herein, we illustrate and describe two new species of Leptoceridae, Notalina franciscana sp. nov. and Oecetis catagua sp. nov., and provide additional data on the richness and distribution of Leptoceridae species in the Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra and surrounding areas. Furthermore, ten species are firstly recorded from Minas Gerais State, increasing the number of Leptoceridae species recorded in the state from 30 to 42.

A new species of Smicridea (Smicridea) McLachlan 1871 is described and illustrated based on specimens collected from the Caatinga biome, in Sete Cidades National Park, Piauí state, and Ubajara National Park, Ceará state, northeastern Brazil. Based on phallus morphology, Smicridea (Smicridea) caatinga sp. nov. belongs to the S. nigripennis Group and can be distinguished from other species in this group due to the phallus having two ventral sclerotized projections and, when expanded, two dorsal membranous lobes and one ventrolateral membranous lobe with two spines on the apex. New distributional records of Smicridea species are provided for different Brazilian states: S. (S.) aequalis Banks 1920 for Ceará and Piauí, S. (Rhyacophylax) coronata Flint 1980 for Rio Grande do Sul and Piauí; S. (R.) jundiai Almeida Flint 2002 for Mato Grosso; S. (R.) marlieri Flint 1978 for Roraima; S. (R.) palmar Sganga 2005 for Goiás; S. (S.) paranensis Flint 1983 for Ceará and Piauí; and S. (R.) spinulosa Flint 1972 for Rio Grande do Sul. Furthermore, S. (S.) erecta Flint 1974b is recorded for the first time for Brazil, in Amazonas state. [Zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3C2892F9-D430-492B-98DA-A48569253A63].

Ochrotrichia, with about 160 extant species in the New World, is the most diverse genus assigned to the Ochrotrichiinae. Despite its diversity, only eight species were previously recorded from Brazil, only one from Rio de Janeiro state. In this paper, we describe three new species from Parque Nacional da Tijuca, an Atlantic Forest area at Rio de Janeiro. Ochrotrichia nematomorpha sp. nov. is placed within the O. xena Group, having a plate-like tergum X, with an unusual phallus which is slender and pointed apically. Ochrotrichia sagitta sp. nov. and O. taunay sp. nov. belong to the O. aldama Group, each having a divided tergum X, but being distinguished from the others in this group by the arrowhead-like apex of left lateral process of tergum X (O. sagitta) and the presence of two dorsal spine-like projections on tergum X (O. taunay). Furthermore, O. caatinga Souza, Santos Takiya, 2014 is reported for the first time from Rio de Janeiro state.

Phylloicus Müller 1880 is an endemic Neotropical genus of Calamoceratidae characterized by adults that have diurnal to crepuscular habits. Currently, the genus contains 57 species, with 23 of these species recorded from Brazil. Herein, a new species of Phylloicus is described and illustrated based on specimens collected in Malaise traps from Southeast Region, Brazil. The new species can be characterized by the unusual lateral membranous lobes of abdominal segments IV-VII, metathoracic tibiae with brushes of setae and distal emargination, and the wide and long coremata on abdominal pleura VII. Otherwise, the genital structure is similar to that of Phylloicus monneorum Dumas Nessimian 2010, being distinguished by the subtrapezoidal tergum X, the globose harpago of the inferior appendages, and the moustache-shaped phallotremal sclerite.

Immature stages of many Brazilian Smicridea species remains unknown, and efforts to describe all life stages are required. In this paper, the larva and pupa of Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) gladiator Flint 1978, associated with adults through the metamorphotype method, are described and illustrated. In addition, the known distribution of this species is extended in the Brazilian Amazon Basin with new records from Amazonas state and the first record in Pará state. Information about its bionomics is also provided.

The genus Austrotinodes Schmid, with 55 species described from the New World and Australia, is the second largest genus of the family Ecnomidae. Herein, we describe and figure two new species of Austrotinodes from Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil: A. carioca sp. nov. and A. quintarellii sp. nov.

Metrichia is assigned to the Ochrotrichiinae, a group of almost exclusively Neotropical microcaddisflies. Metrichia comprises over 100 described species and, despite its diversity, only one species has been described from Brazil so far. In this paper, we provide descriptions for 20 new species from 8 Brazilian states: M. acuminata sp. nov., M. azul sp. nov., M. bonita sp. nov., M. bracui sp. nov., M. caraca sp. nov., M. circuliforme sp. nov., M. curta sp. nov., M. farofa sp. nov., M. forceps sp. nov., M. formosinha sp. nov., M. goiana sp. nov., M. itabaiana sp. nov., M. longissima sp. nov., M. peluda sp. nov., M. rafaeli sp. nov., M. simples sp. nov., M. talhada sp. nov., M. tere sp. nov., M. ubajara sp. nov., and M. vulgaris sp. nov. DNA barcode sequences (577 bp of the mitochondrial gene COI) were generated for 13 of the new species and two previously known species of Metrichia resulting in 64 sequences. In addition, COI sequences were obtained for other genera of Ochrotrichiinae (Angrisanoia, Nothotrichia, Ochrotrichia, Ragatrichia, and Rhyacopsyche). DNA sequences and morphological data were integrated to evaluate species delimitations. K2P pairwise distances were calculated to generate a neighbor-joining tree. COI sequences also were submitted to ABGD and GMYC methods to assess 'potential species' delimitation. Analyses showed a conspicuous barcoding gap among Metrichia sequences (highest intraspecific divergence: 4.8%; lowest interspecific divergence: 12.6%). Molecular analyses also allowed the association of larvae and adults of Metrichia bonita sp. nov. from Mato Grosso do Sul, representing the first record of microcaddisfly larvae occurring in calcareous tufa (or travertine). ABGD results agreed with the morphological delimitation of Metrichia species, while GMYC estimated a slightly higher number of species, suggesting the division of two morphological species, each one into two potential species. Because this could be due to unbalanced sampling and the lack of morphological diagnostic characters, we have maintained these two species as undivided.

Three new species of Smicridea McLachlan 1871 are described and illustrated based on specimens collected in Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra and its surrounding area, Minas Gerais state, southeastern Brazil. Smicridea (Rhyacophylax) necator sp. nov. possibly belongs to the S. (R.) dispar Group, but its placement in this group is weakly supported; S. (Smicridea) franciscana sp. nov. belongs to the S. (S.) nigripennis Group based on morphology of the phallus; S. (S.) sepala sp. nov. is a member of the S. (S.) fasciatella Group, also based on the morphology of the phallus. A new record of S. (S.) sattleri Denning & Sykora 1968 is provided for Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

The increase of human activities in recent years has significantly interfered and affected aquatic ecosystems. In this present study, we investigate the effects of urbanization in the community structure of aquatic macroinvertebrates from Atlantic Forest streams. The sampling was conducted in the mountainous region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 10 urban and 10 preserved streams during the dry season (August-September) of 2012. The streams were characterized for its environmental integrity conditions and physico-chemical properties of water. The macroinvertebrates were sampled on rocky substrates with a kicknet. A total of 5370 individuals were collected from all streams and were distributed among Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera. In urban sites, all those orders were found, except Megaloptera, while only Mollusca was not found in preserved streams. We performed a non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis that separated two groups distributed among sites in urban communities and another group outside this area. The dominance was significantly higher at urban sites, while the α diversity and equitability were greater in preserved sites. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was also performed, indicating that most taxa associated with high values of the Habitat Integrity Index (HII) and a few genus of the order Diptera with the high values of ammonia, total nitrogen, associated to streams in urban sites. Urban and preserved streams differ by physical-chemical variables and aquatic macroinvertebrates. In urban streams, there is most dominance, while α diversity and equitability are higher in preserved streams.

Two new species of Ulmeritoides Traver, 1959 are described from Southeastern Brazil based on male and female imagos. Ulmeritoides angelus sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in DZRJ: Minas Gerais State) differs from all other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: forewings hyaline, base dark brown and purplish; veins R1 light brown; dark brown spots on bullae of veins Sc and R2; apex of penis lobes somewhat rounded, each with one central spine. Ulmeritoides tamoio sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in DZRJ: São Paulo State) differs from all other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: wings hyaline; veins C, Sc and R1 brownish; brownish spots on bullae of veins Sc and R2; apex of penis lobes straight, ending in rather acute apical and mesal projections. An updated key to the genera Ulmeritoides Traver, 1956 and Ulmeritus Traver, 1956 is also given.

The adult male of a new species of the genus Polyplectropus Ulmer 1905a is described and illustrated based on specimens collected in Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra, southeastern Brazil. Polyplectropus canastra sp. nov. can be distinguished from other Polyplectropus species by the shape of sternum IX, by the thumb-like mesolateral process of each preanal appendage, by the rectangular ventral branch of each inferior appendage in ventral view, and by the curved claw-like spines of the endothecal membrane. Among all species in the P. annulicornis Group, P. canastra is the only one with a bifid dorsolateral process of each preanal appendage and bearing spinules on the distal half of the rod-like lateral branch.

Three new species of Macrelmis Motschulsky, 1859 are described and illustrated based on adult males from Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and São Paulo states (southeastern Brazil). A new species groups definition is proposed for the genus, with a redefinition of the former six (aristeae sp. group, celsa sp. group, isus sp. group, granigera sp. group, milleri sp. group and striata sp. group) and designation of four new groups (alea new sp. group, amazonica new sp. group, grandis new sp. group and jureceki new sp. group). The male genitalia of M. clypeata is illustrated for the first time and distributional maps for all species of the genus are provided.

Black flies have medical importance because some species are vectors of the unenocerciasis and Mansonelosis, nevertheless, their ecology and potential use as bioindicators is still poorly studied in the Neotropical Region. In Brazil, bioindicators use is strongly focused in a multimetrical ecological index approach; this way, we investigated the black fly spatial distribution, in relation to abiotic factors correlated to water quality, to provide baseline information for their utilization as standalone indicators of lotic systems integrity. We have tested the hypothesis that environmental changes related to urbanization, lead to decreased abundance and loss in the number of species of the black fly fauna. The sampling was conducted in 10 urban and 10 preserved streams during the dry season (August-September) of 2012, in the mountainous region of Teres6polis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The streams were characterized for their environmental integrity conditions and physico-chemical properties of water. In each stream, five different rapid points were sampled in a section of 50 meters, 10 meters apart from each other. The black flies were sampled with a kick-net sampler on rocky substrates. The material was separated and the larvae were sorted in morphotypes, and later, the final instar specimens were dissected and identified with the help of taxonomical literature at species level. A total abundance of 488 larvae from nine species were collected, 5 (1.02 %) in extremely impacted streams, 470 (96.31 %) in intermediate streams and 13 (2.66 %) in preserved streams. The visual evaluation (HII) differed in relation to the water physico-chemical evaluation, in which more variation in the characterization of the sampling sites was observed. In Canonical Correspondence Analysis Simulium subpallidum, S. inscrustatum and S. pertinax were significantly associated with intermediate values of most of the variables, and then to intermediate impacted sites. On the other hand, Lutzsimulium hirticosta, S. subnigrzm and Simulium sp. A were associated to low values of chemical variables, and then to more preserved sites. Most studies on the bioindicator potential of Simuliidae have suggested an approach to agricultural impacts, while our results, on the other hand, showed that Simuliidae species were present in streams with intermediate urban pollution impacts, but absent in heavily impacted sites. Thus, our data suggested that some species are associated to more pristine breeding sites, such as L. hirticosta and Simulium sp. A, while others may be good bioindicators of moderately impacted streams, such as S. nertinax. S. subnigrum and S. subpallidum.

Description of two new species of Martarega White, 1879 (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Notonectidae), one based on the mixed type-series of M. oriximinaensis Barbosa, Ribeiro & Ferreira-Keppler, 2010. Martarega currently includes 20 species restricted to the Americas. A mixed type-series of M. oriximinaensis from Brazil was detected, including males with an additional group of ensiform bristles on the fore trochanter and mesofemur conspicuously setose. These specimens were described as a new species, M. siolii Barbosa, Nessimian & Takiya, sp. nov., and a redescription of M. oriximinaensis is also given. A second new species from Colombia is described, M. guajira Barbosa, Nessimian & Takiya, sp. nov. This species is very similar to M. pacifica, except for having groups of ensiform setae on the fore- and mesotrochanter, and an additional opaque area on the hemelytra.

Despite its wide, almost worldwide distribution, the mayfly genus Cloeon Leach, 1815 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) is restricted in the Western hemisphere to North America, where a single species is reported. In the Neotropics, except for some species wrongly attributed to the genus in the past, there are no records of Cloeon. Recently, however, specimens of true Cloeon were collected along the coast of Espírito Santo, Southeastern Brazil. In order to verify the hypothesis that this species was recently introduced to Brazil, our aim was to identify the species based on morphological and molecular characters and to confirm the presence of true representatives of the genus in the Neotropics. Our results revealed that the specimens found in Brazil belong to the Afrotropical species C. smaeleni Lestage, 1924. The identity of the species, its distribution, along with its previous absence in regularly sampled sites, is a clear sign that the specimens of C. smaeleni found in Espírito Santo are introduced, well established, and that the colonization took place very recently.

Two new species of Thraulodes Ulmer, 1920 are described from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, based on male and female imagos. Thraulodes luisae sp. nov. differs from all other species of the genus by the short and wide penes spines, turning up to apex; triangular shape of styliger plate with median projection abrupt and short with rounded apex; abdominal and legs color pattern; and presence of 2-3 weakly marked cross veins basal to bullae. Thraulodes pinga sp. nov. differs from all other species of the genus by the wide shape of styliger plate with median projection short with wide base and truncated apex; abdominal and legs color pattern; and presence of 1 weakly marked cross vein basal to bullae.

The genus Oecetis is widespread over the world, being most diverse in tropical areas, especially in the Australian Region. Of about 400 described species, only 34 occur in the Neotropical Region. Herein, we describe and illustrate three new species of Oecetis from Brazil: Oecetis angelae sp. nov., O. danielae sp. nov. and O. iara sp. nov. Furthermore, O. doesburgi, O. dominguezi, and O. knutsoni are recorded for the first time in Brazil. Also, we provide new state records for 7 species: O. amazonica, O. connata, O. excisa, O. fibra, O. iguazu, O. inconspicua, and O. paranensis.

Alterosa Blahnik, 2005 contains 35 described species distributed in southern and southeastern Brazil. Three new species of Alterosa from northeastern Brazil are described and illustrated, Alterosa amadoi sp. n., Alterosa castroalvesi sp. n. and Alterosa caymmii sp. n., the first records of the genus from northeastern Brazil. An identification key for all known species of the genus is also presented.

Alterosa Blahnik 2005 contains 23 described species distributed in southern and southeastern Brazil. Twelve new species in the caddisfly genus Alterosa are described from Brazil: Alterosa affinis sp. nov., A. bandeira sp. nov., A. bilanceolata sp. nov., A. caissara sp. nov., A. capixaba sp. nov., A. catarinae sp. nov., A. graciosa sp. nov., A. inappendiculata sp. nov., A. morato sp. nov., A. paranaensis sp. nov., A. ruschii sp. nov., and A. spiesae sp. nov. Illustrations of the male genitalia, descriptions, and diagnosis are provided for each of the new species. In addition, new distribution records in Brazilian states are given for A. caparaonensis, A. flinti, A. intervales and A. marinonii.

Two new Xiphocentronidae species are described, Machairocentron falciforme sp. nov. and Xiphocentron (Antillotrichia) sclerothrix sp. nov. Illustrations of the males, females and pupae are presented. Adults were obtained through the emergence of pupae in the laboratory and from collections in traps suspended 1 m above the water in four streams in Presidente Figueiredo, Manaus and Barcelos municipalities in Amazonas state, and Oiapoque municipality in Amapd state, Brazil. Larvae inhabiting submerged substrates and on stream banks were collected in order to determine the feeding habits by examining gut contents. Larvae of both species are practically indistinguishable; the list of material observed in the gut content therefore refers to both species. Larvae of analyzed species have scraper feeding habits.

Balera fiuzai sp. nov. is described based on male specimens obtained from light trap collections at Mata do Paraíso, Municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. An identification key to the species of Balera is given. Additionally, Habralebra gillettei Young is redescribed from the same locality. These specimens of H. gillettei differ somewhat from previously described specimens, but are considered intra-specific variations. Both genera, Balera Young and Habralebra Young, are recorded from Minas Gerais State for the first time.

The South American genus Massartella Lestage, 1930 is composed of five species. Massartella alegrettae Ulmer, 1943 is the only species with the nymph unknown. In this paper, we describe the nymph of M. alegrettae based on specimens from the state of São Paulo, Brazil. This is the first record of the species from southeastern Brazil. The nymph can be easily recognized by the gills present on segments I-V, with dark gray membrane and without apical processes.

A new species of Thraulodes Ulmer, 1920 is described from Rio de Janeiro. The species resembles the recently published Thraulodespelicanus Mariano and Froehlich, 2011 (in Mariano et al. 2011) due to the length and width of the penes. However, Thraulodes bonito sp. nov. differs from this and all other species of the genus by the wide penes, the triangular shape of the styliger plate with median projection short and apex rounded, the abdominal color pattern and the presence of 1-3 weakly marked cross veins basal to bullae. The new species is described based on male imagos, female subimagos and nymphs.

The genus Buenoa contains 69 described species, 15 occurring in the North Region of Brazil. Here we present new records for the States of Pará, Amazonas, Roraima, and Rond6nia. We examined 16 species: B. amnigenoidea Nieser, 1970, B. amnigenopsis Nieser, 1975, B. amnigenus White, 1879, B. exilidens Barbosa, Nessimian & Ferreira-Keppler, 2010, B. dilaticrus Barbosa, Nessimian & Ferreira-Keppler, 2010, B. femoralis (Fieber, 1851), B. fuscipennis (Berg, 1879), B. incompta Truxal, 1953, B. konta Nieser & Pelli, 1994, B. macrotrichia Truxal, 1953, B. platycnemis (Fieber, 1851), B. salutis Kirkaldy, 1904, B. tarsalis, Truxal, 1953, B. tibialis Truxal, 1957, B. truxali Nieser, 1968, and B. unguis Truxal, 1953; and a new species, B. deplanatylus Barbosa & Nessimian sp. nov. We found no material of four species with bibliographic records for the region: B. communis Truxal, 1953, B. pallens (Champion, 1901), B. pallipes (Fabricius, 1803), and B. paranensis Jaczewski, 1928.

The Atlantic Forest is considered one of the world's biological diversity hotspots, and is increasingly threatened by the rapid destruction and fragmentation of its natural areas. The caddisflies (Trichoptera) of Itatiaia massif, an Atlantic Forest highland area, are inventoried and cataloged here. The catalog is based on examination of bibliographies, field work on many localities of Itatiaia massif (including Parque Nacional do Itatiaia - PNI), and the entomological collection Professor José Alfredo Pinheiro Dutra (DZRJ), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro. A total of 92 species are recorded, representing about 17% of the known Brazilian Trichoptera fauna. Leptoceridae, Hydropsychidae, and Philopotamidae are the families most represented. The high species richness, as well as the remarkable patterns of species distribution, may be related to the characteristics of Mantiqueira mountain range.

The former monotypic genus Oligoneuria Pictet was known solely by a female subimago of the type-species Oligoneuria anomala Pictet. A new species of the genus Oligoneuria from the Atlantic rainforest of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro is described. The description was based in males and females imagos of Oligoneuria macabaiba sp. nov. caught with light traps. This species presents similar wing venation, abdominal posterolateral spines, as well as a membranous extension on anterior portion of the head as seen in the genus. Based on features of the new species, the genus is herein redefined. The species represents the first record of the genus from Southeastern Brazil.

Triplectides itatiaia sp. nov. is described from specimens collected on the Itatiaia massif, Mantiqueira mountain range, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished by the presence of hind wing fork I petiolate, the long dorsal excision of segment X and the flat, apically rounded mesal lobes. Female and immature stages are unknown. A key to the Brazilian species in the genus is provided.

Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages are structured according to physical and chemical parameters that define microhabitats, including food supply, shelter to escape predators, and other biological parameters that influence reproductive success. The aim of this study is to investigate spatial and temporal distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages at the Macaé river basin, in Rio de Janeiro state, Southeastern Brazil. According to the "Habitat Assessment Field Data Sheet--High Gradient Streams" (Barbour et al., 1999), the five sampling sites are considered as a reference condition. Despite the differences in hydrological parameters (mean width, depth and discharge) among sites, the physicochemical parameters and functional feeding groups' general structure were similar, except for the less impacted area, which showed more shredders. According to the Detrended Correspondence Analysis based on substrates, there is a clear distinction between pool and riffle assemblages. In fact, the riffle litter substrate had higher taxa in terms of richness and abundance, but the pool litter substrate had the greatest number of exclusive taxa. A Cluster Analysis based on sampling sites data showed that temporal variation was the main factor in structuring macroinvertebrate assemblages in the studied habitats.

The sensitivity of eleven metrics using macroinvertebrate assemblages were evaluated in an environmental gradient in a tropical river in south-east Brazil. Eight sites were sampled in an altitudinal range of 160-650 m.a.s.l. during 1999 (April and August) and 2000 (February). Four substrates were sampled at each site: riffle litter, pool litter, stony substrates and sediment. Correspondence Analysis indicated that assemblages were primarily more influenced by physical changes (like deforestation and erosion processes) than the water chemistry. The sensitivity of each metric was evaluated through the application of box-and-whisker plot method by its power to assess impairment (metrics should be able to discriminate reference sites from impaired sites) and natural variability (metrics should not discriminate two reference sites). Metrics that failed in at least one of the above premises were not considered as sensitive. In this study, the most sensitive metrics were Shannon index, BMWP-ASPT, %_EPT, and relative abundance of EPT to Chironomidae.

Chironomids larvae are frequently one of the most abundant and diverse groups of insects in several kinds of aquatic environments. Also, they play a major role in the aquatic food webs, representing a major link among producers and secondary consumers. This work investigates the feeding behavior of the chironomid larvae present in the Rio da Fazenda, situated in the Parque Nacional da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between August 1994 and May 1995. Algae, fungi, pollen, leaf and wood fragments, animal remains, detritus and silt were the main gut contents found in the larvae studied. The main food item ingested by the larvae was detritus, except for the Stenochironomus whose main food source was leaf and wood fragments. Tanypodinae exhibited a large quantity of animal remains of several kinds in the diet. During the period studied it was observed that the diet of 16 genera (out of 24 studied) varied. Tanypodinae had mainly coarse particulate organic matter (> 1 mm) in the gut contents, while Chironominae and Orthocladiinae had fine particulate organic matter (< 1 mm).

Biomonitoring is defined as the systematic use of biological responses to assess environmental changes, usually anthropogenic impacts. In this article we present the conceptual basis and a brief history of biomonitoring as an assessment tool for environmental health. Considering the drawbacks of physical and chemical parameters to assess environmental quality, we pinpoint the need to integrate these analyses with information provided by biological monitoring. The application of biomonitoring in Brazil would help watershed managers and policy-makers to reduce costs, increase the efficiency of analyses, and simplify the results, allowing community participation through volunteer monitoring programs.

Diversity and habitat preference of macroinvertebrates were studied in Macaé River basin, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, along its longitudinal gradient. We selected stream reaches corresponding to 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th orders. A Surber sampler was used to collect four macroinvertebrates samples of each substrate (sand, litter in pool areas, stones, and litter in riffle areas) during the three sampling periods, defined based on the rain regime: April (end of the rainy season), July (dry season), and October (beginning of the rainy season). We identified 46,431 specimens corresponding to 117 taxa. Analysis of diversity numbers (both for family or genus level) indicated that all insect taxonomic orders had higher numbers on 2nd order stream reach, except for Ephemeroptera, on 4th order. However when considering morph-species taxonomic level, the higher diversity number occurred on 4th order stream. The highest richness and diversity numbers were found at the dry season. Considering habitat preference, both litter in pool areas and litter in riffle areas had the highest faunal richness.

The Trichoptera fauna was sampled in a first order tributary of Paquequer River, in the district of Teresópolis, Rio de Janerio State. Quantitative samples of litter from pools, litter from riffles, sand, and stones were taken on each season from February 1991 to February 1992. The life cycles of common genera were categorized into three groups of biological strategies. The largest group represented the general profile of the community, in which ultimate instar larvae were predominant in spring and the younger ones in summer. Probably, emergence and oviposition occur in spring.

Insects were recovered and identified from stomach contents of two Callicebus torquatus lugens and one Lagothrix lagothricha lagothricha collected in a remote area of northwestern Amazonia. Both C. torquatus lugens showed little insect matter in stomach contents. Conversely, a minimum of 133 individual insects were recovered from stomach contents of the L. lagothricha lagothricha. These included various larger, rapid forms (Cicadellidae) unlikely to have been inadvertently consumed while the animal was eating fruit., (Copyright © 1984 Wiley-Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company.)