Sand reefs formed by sabellariid polychaetes host a diverse community of decapod crustaceans (^{Coull & Bell, 1983}). It offers small shelters for the infauna, whereas crevices on the rocky surfaces offer foraging areas and larger shelters (^{Wilson, 1979}). ^{Almaça (1990}) observed the structure and interactions of a crab community inhabiting the sand tubes and revealed the importance of trophic relationships between crabs and polychaetes. Polychaetes are food resource for many other benthic and demersal marine species (^{Petti et al., 1996}). ^{Gore et al. (1978}) observed that 90% of crustaceans associated with Phragmatopoma caudata (Kröyer, 1856) reefs in Florida used the worm itself as a food resource. Moreover, P. caudata reefs are an important substrate for decapod crustaceans, being that juveniles and small individuals share the substrate, searching for diverse food resources and shelter from the waves.

The objective of this study was to verify levels of shade and doses of earthworm humus in the production of Lactuca canadensis L. seedlings. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4 x 5 factorial scheme (four levels of shade and five doses of humus). The different levels were obtained using black polyethylene screen with 35, 50 and 70% shade and in full sun. The substrates were obtained by mixing commercial substrate for vegetables (Vivatto Slim ® plus), with earthworm humus in the proportions of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60%. There was no seedlings emergence in the full sun and, the treatment with 50% of shade allows the best development. The substrate without humus and with 60% presented superior results but the higher dose stood out for number of leaves (3.14) and chlorophyll content (32.9%), in 50% of shade. For the other variables, there was no difference between the commercial substrate and 60% of humus, so the commercial substrate can be used in the production of Lactuca canadensis L. seedlings, considering the ratio benefit/cost ratio.

A research project made public in 2013 proposed setting up a database to study youth between 8 and 18 years age, aiming to correlate the presence of certain genes with aptitude for specific sports modalities. This news gave rise to certain discussions regarding the velocity of scientific advance and the time needed for reflection on its implications in ethical terms, in order to detect in advance any possible ill effects for sports and for human dignity itself.

Spodoptera frugiperda, S. eridania e S. cosmioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) são pragas polífagas de grande relevância econômica devido aos danos causados em culturas como milho, soja e algodão. Para o desenvolvimento de programas de controle, é fundamental o conhecimento da biologia e das exigências nutricionais dos insetos. Nesse contexto, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar parâmetros biológicos de S. frugiperda, S. eridania e S. cosmioides criadas em dietas artificiais contendo diferentes teores de proteína em condições de laboratório (24 ± 2 °C, UR de 70 ± 10 % e fotofase de 14 h). Foram utilizadas quatro dietas artificiais: dieta descrita por Greene et al. (1976) (D1) e outras três modificadas, com redução dos componentes proteicos gérmen de trigo, proteína de soja, levedura de cerveja e leite em pó (caseína), em 25 % (D2), 50 % (D3) e 75 % (D4). Foram avaliados: viabilidade das fases larval, pupal e adulta e dos ovos. Os dados foram submetidos ao teste não-paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis seguido pelo teste post hoc de Bonferroni, ambos ao nível de significância de 0,05. Para avaliar a influência das dietas com diferentes teores proteicos sobre o número de ínstares de cada espécie, foi feita a medição diária da cápsula cefálica das lagartas através do uso de microscópio digital e do software SFP. Posteriormente, foi plotada uma curva multimodal da distribuição de frequência, seguida de regressão linear para confirmação do número de ínstares. Para S. frugiperda e S. eridania, as dietas D1 e D2 resultaram em viabilidades semelhantes, enquanto que, para S. cosmioides, a dieta mais adequada foi a D1. As dietas D1, D2 e D3 apresentaram fase larval com seis ínstares para as três espécies. A dieta artificial com redução de 25 % no teor proteíco (D2) apresenta potencial de utilização em criações de laboratório para as espécies S. frugiperda e S. eridania.

This study evaluated the susceptibility of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars to Euschistus heros feeding across various phenological stages. Three cultivars (IPR Curió, IPR Sabiá, and IPR Urutau) were infested with 0.5 insects per plant for eight days starting at anthesis and 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 days after flowering (DAF) using a randomized block design with five replicates. E. heros did not significantly impact grain yield or reproductive abscission, except for the IPR Curió cultivar during flowering, which demonstrated substantial qualitative damage. Feeding injury resulted in increased grain punctures and the grading of commercial classification to Type 2. The most critical susceptibility period occurred during the grain-filling stages (16–24 DAF). IPR Curió was the most sensitive cultivar, exhibiting Type 2 status at both 16 and 24 DAF. These findings demonstrate that although common beans exhibit quantitative tolerance to E. heros at the tested density, qualitative damage during grain development significantly compromises marketability and value. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should prioritize protecting the crop during mid-to-late reproductive stages to ensure that grain quality standards are met.

Optimizing mass-rearing systems using alternative hosts is essential for successful biological control programs. This study evaluated the effect of foundress density on the biological parameters of Tetrastichus howardi (Olliff) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) reared on pre-pupae and pupae of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae). Hosts were individually exposed to six parasitoid densities (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 females/host) for 24 h under laboratory conditions. Tetrastichus howardi successfully parasitized both developmental stages across all densities. Parasitism and emergence rates reached 100% at densities ≥ 10 females/host. The egg-to-adult development period decreased as foundress density increased, indicating intraspecific competition. Total progeny peaked at the 25:1 density, yielding 389.4 individuals per pre-pupa and 414.0 individuals per pupa. Conversely, individual female productivity was inversely proportional to density. The sex ratio remained highly female-biased (~0.80) across all treatments, and female longevity (~9 days) was not compromised. In conclusion, A. gemmatalis pre-pupae and pupae are highly suitable alternative hosts for T. howardi multiplication. For optimized mass production, a foundress density of 5 to 10 females per host is recommended to maximize high-quality progeny yield.