[List of the type species of Ceratopogonidae (Diptera, Nematocera) deposited in the Entomological Collection of Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]

New species and new records of Monohelea Kieffer (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) from Brazil

Two new Brazilian species of Monohelea Kieffer are described and illustrated based on male specimens, Monoheleacapixaba sp. nov. from Espírito Santo and Monoheleacoimbrai sp. nov. from Rio de Janeiro. New records for M.aguirrei Tavares & Souza, M.archibaldoi Tavares & Souza and M.maculipennis (Coquillet) are given based on specimens from Espírito Santo (all three species) and Amapá (M.maculipennis only). All specimens are deposited in the Ceratopogonidae Collection of Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Brazil.

The influence of environmental management and animal shelters in vector control of Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae) in northeastern Brazil

We investigated whether biting midges in peridomestic environments are affected by environmental management practices and the presence of domestic animals. We used CDC light traps to collect midges in 112 residences across 24 locations along tourism routes of Maranhão, Brazil. The collection areas were characterized as follows: i) peridomestic area with domestic animals and without management (dirty); ii) peridomestic with domestic animals and management (clean); iii) peridomestic without animals and with management (clean); iv) peridomestic without animals and without management (dirty). The first two treatments had higher biting midge species richness and abundance, respectively. Generalized linear models indicated a positive correlation between the presence of domestic animals and midge abundance, with an approximate four-fold increase in Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) abundance in peridomestic areas with animals. The same model showed that domestic animals have no influence on richness. Environmental management does not appear to influence species richness or abundance of biting midges.

Hemosporidian parasites of free-living birds in the São Paulo Zoo, Brazil

Numerous studies addressed the diversity of bird Plasmodium and Haemoproteus parasites. However, a few have been carried out in continental avian hotspot regions such as Brazil, a country with markedly different biomes, including Amazon, Brazilian Savanna, Atlantic Forest, Caatinga, Pantanal, and Pampas. We present the first study on hemosporidian (Haemosporida) parasites in free-living birds from an Atlantic Forest fragment where more than 80 avian species have been reported. Within this area, the São Paulo Zoo locates, and it is the fourth largest zoo in the world and the largest in Latin America. A total of 133 free-living bird samples representing 12 species were collected in the zoo, with the overall hemosporidian prevalence of 18 % by PCR-based diagnostics. Twenty-four positive PCR signals were reported from four different bird species, including migratory ones. Columba livia, an urban species, considered nowadays a pest in big cities, showed 100 % prevalence of Haemoproteus spp., mainly Haemoproteus columbae. We discuss the epidemiological importance of new parasites introduced by migratory birds in the São Paulo Zoo area and the risk it poses to the captive species, which are natives or exotics. We also warn about the influence these parasites can have on the biodiversity and the structure of host populations by altering the competitive interaction between the free-living and the captive birds.

New records, synonymy and description of the male of Culicoides horticola Lutz, 1913 (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

The male of Culicoides horticola Lutz, 1913 is described and illustrated from specimens collected in the Department of Madre de Dios, Peru, and in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Culicoides bachmanni Spinelli, 2005 is considered as a junior synonym of C. horticola. Previous citations and descriptions of C. horticola are discussed, and the species is firstly recorded from Peru and biting humans.

The type specimens of chewing lice (Insecta, Mallophaga) deposited in the entomological collection of Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

This paper presents a list of 131 Mallophaga type specimens deposited in the Werneck Collection of Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. It includes 69 holotypes, 62 allotypes, 683 paratypes, 1 syntype and 2 neoparatypes, distributed among 6 families and 35 genera. The types are listed with their respective data and literature.