Some psyllids transmit 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso), the causal agent of devastating plant diseases of cultivated Solanaceae and Apiaceae. The recent detection of Bactericera cockerelli and Lso in Ecuador seriously threatens these crops in South America. There, neither the role of native psyllids in the Lso epidemiology nor the psyllid fauna of vegetables are known. With the aim to identify potential vectors and risk scenarios for the spread of Lso in South America, a survey of the psyllid fauna of Solanaceae and Apiaceae crops and associated weeds was conducted in Brazil. Samples were taken at 29 localities in four states. A total of 2857 specimens were sampled, representing at least 37 species of 23 genera and seven families. The most frequent species on carrot, chilli pepper and potato were Russelliana solanicola, R. capsici and Isogonoceraia divergipennis, respectively. Immatures of R. capsici were found on chilli pepper and of R. solanicola on carrot and potato, confirming these plants as hosts. The two psyllid species have been suspected previously to transmit plant pathogens of unknown identity. Russelliana solanicola is one of the few polyphagous species. Here the species is reported for the first time from carrot. Recent collections in Rio Grande do Sul suggest that Solanum laxum represents the original host of R. capsici, which subsequently shifted to chilli pepper. Both, adaptation to agricultural crops and the possibility of ability to transmit pathogens, make the two Russelliana species dangerous potential vectors of Lso and other plant pathogens in South America.

Plant resistance is an important tactic within the precepts of Integrated Pest Management, and the existence of grain sorghum hybrids with multiple insect resistance could benefit crop management and sustainability. This study evaluated the susceptibility of 30 grain-sorghum hybrids to three major pests, namely, fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, sugarcane borer (SCB) Diatraea saccharalis, and green-belly stink bug (GBS) Diceraeus melacanthus. The hybrids were cultivated and experiments with each insect species were conducted separately in a greenhouse. For FAW, visual injury assessments were performed on plants 7 and 14 days after infestation (DAI). For SCB, insect presence and injury were assessed 40 DAI. For GBS, the plants were evaluated using a damage rating scale 12, 19, and 26 DAI. Cluster analysis allowed separating the grain sorghum hybrids into groups regarding the levels of resistance to each pest. Hybrid BRS373 stood out as moderately resistant to FAW; AG1090, 80G20, BRAVO, BRS373, AG1615, and IG220 were the most promising for SCB; and for GBS, hybrids 50A40, A9735R, JADE, ENFORCER, BUSTER, 50A10, and IG244 were the most nominated. This information will significantly aid sorghum breeding programs focused on developing commercial hybrids that comprise both insect-resistance and high-yield characteristics. However, further research should evaluate potential chemical and morphological plant traits underlying the lower levels of susceptibility to FAW, SCB, and GBS found in the selected sorghum hybrids.

Bruggmannia capixaba, sp. n., Bruggmannia gaucha, sp. n., and Bruggmannia marambaiensis sp. n. are described and illustrated. All species were collected in Atlantic forest areas. They induce galls on Guapira (Nyctaginaceae), a plant genus native to Brazil, the first on G. pernambucensis and the others on G. opposita. Furthermore, the male and larva of Bruggmannia monteiroi are described for the first time, based on specimens collected in the type locality.

The present study describes the morphology of the antennal sensilla of adults of Gymnetis holosericea (Voet, 1779) and Gymnetis rufilateris (Illiger, 1800). The adults of Gymnetis spp. were sexed and antenna of males and females were dissected. Both species have sensilla chaetica, trichodea, placodea (type I and II), coeloconica (type I and II), and ampullacea (or pore). Females of G. holosericea have a total of about 19,995 sensilla and males have about 23,273 sensilla, and females of G. rufilateris have about 16,633 sensilla and males have about 21,184 sensilla. Sensilla placodea are the predominant type of sensilla in males and females of G. holosericea and G. rufilateris.

The male and female of a new species in the long-horned caddisfly genus Nectopsyche Müller, 1879 are described from southeastern Brazil. The new species has male genitalia similar to species of the candida-group, but has several endothecal spines in the phallic apparatus similar to those of gemma-group species. The color pattern of the scales and hairs on the head, thorax and forewings is similar to that of Nectopsyche splendida (Navás, 1917), as both species have bands of metallic silver-iridescent scales interleaved with black areas on the forewings. Additionally, we present illustrations of the male and female genitalia of N. splendida and expand the knowledge of its distribution.

Chrysoperla externa (Hagen) and Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Meneville) are voracious generalist predators, and important aphid control agents. In an environment containing a complex of species, the occurrence of intraguild interactions can interfere in the predator behavior and consumption. The aim of this work was to know the number of nymphs of Rhodobium porosum (Sanderson) and Macrosiphum rosae (Linnaeus) consumed by larvae of C. externa and H. convergens, and the interaction between these predators when confined together. First, second and third instar nymphs of R. porosum and M. rosae were provided in Petri dishes containing rose leaflets and second instar larvae of the predators. Intraguild interaction was studied in Petri dishes containing first instar nymphs of both aphid species and a second instar larva of C. externa plus one of H. convergens. A third treatment consisted of dishes containing a second instar larva of both predators maintained in the absence of prey. The evaluations took place throughout the entire instar of the predators. C. externa consumed a greater number of R. porosum nymphs and H. convergens a greater number of M. rosae nymphs. For both species of prey, the highest consumption was verified on the last day of evaluation. There was a positive interaction when the predator’s larvae were confined in the presence of aphid nymphs, with no mortality observed for any of them. In the absence of prey, there was 70% mortality of H. convergens larvae due to intraguild predation.

The Cerambycidae Oncideres impluviata (Germar, 1823) is an important insect pest for Acacia mearnsii De Wild in Southern Brazil. The damage caused by their girdling behavior reduces tree productivity, specially in the early years of plant establishment, when girdling is performed on the main trunk of trees. Here, we used a fragment of the mtDNA COI gene to analyze the genetic diversity, population structure and demography of O. impluviata in Southern Brazil, as well as to present the first hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus Oncideres. Our results identified five distinct haplotypes among the populations of O. impluviata, with the most common haplotype identified as O.imp_COI_01. The phylogenetic inferences corroborated the monophyly of O. impluviata with maximum statistical support. In addition, the phylogeny recovered three main population strains that are largely congruent with the haplotype network, which includes two lineages that are found in different edaphic regions of Rio Grande do Sul (Serra do Sudeste and Encosta Inferior do Nordeste). This is the first molecular phylogenetic assessment of O. impluviata. Our findings provide insights into the evolution of a significant species for the Brazilian forestry sector, as well as new resources for planning of pest management strategies.