Saccharin was determined based on a new molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) procedure. The polymer was synthesized with a hybrid monomer of metacrylic acid and 3-amino propril tetraethoxysilane and saccharin as template. After the synthesis, the saccharin removal from the MIP was verified by the UV analysis of the solutions used in the template removal procedure, as well as by the direct MIP analysis using FTIR hyper spectral image and chemometrics. The residual saccharin concentrations observed in the image analysis revealed a narrow concentration distribution consistent with a homogenous material. The MISPE was performed with homemade cartridges containing 200 mg of the MIP. The results obtained with standards and diet tea samples confirmed high affinity, adsorption capacity and selectivity of the MIP. The MISPE cartridge exhibited recoveries of 100 +/- 3% in six extraction cycles. The diet tea analysis showed a significant reduction of the interferences, which can considerable simplifies the HPLC-UV analysis.

A hybrid imprinted polymer (HMIP) was synthetized via sol-gel technique in aqueous solution for caffeine separation from environmental waters samples. The optimal conditions of synthesis were stablished by application of a 23 full factorial experimental design with three factors: ratio of functional monomer and cross-linker reagent, and acid or basic catalyst (HCl or NH4OH). The HMIP obtained with the factorial designs was 22.5 times more selective for caffeine than control polymer, with an adsorption mechanism of pseudo-second order with two sorption sites. The maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity was 1.91 mg g-1 that was maintained until ten cycles of reuse, indicating their excellent stability. The material was 21 times more selective for caffeine than for its analogous molecules (theophylline and theobromine). HMIP was applied in solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure and caffeine extraction of surface water had good recoveries (93.0%).These results demonstrated that the factorial experimental design resulted in an efficient and selective sorbent for caffeine with a reduction of number of synthesis and problems of trial‑and‑error protocol as well as reagents consumption decrease.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) are known as high selective sorbent, however, its application in aqueous medium is very limiting. In this way, a new hybrid MIP was successfully synthesized for saccharin (SAC) extraction in aqueous medium. SAC determination in surface waters becomes a challenge due to high dissipation that results in low concentration and susceptibility to potential interferences. Two polymer materials synthesized through bulk (HMIP-B) and suspension (HMIP-S) polymerizations were studied, and its performance has been compared according to morphological, adsorption isotherms, thermodynamics, and selectivity properties. The adsorption process was thermodynamically favorable and adsorption capacities (qe) were 1.24 and 4.32 mg g-1 for HMIP-B and HMIP-S, respectively. The material was characterized as heterogeneous with two binding sites fitted by Langmuir–Freundlich model and pseudo-second-order model. The imprinting factor (IF) was 4.8 for both materials and the HMIP-S presented superior results in selectivity, with a distribution constant (Kd) value of 12.1 times higher than HMIP-B for saccharin and a selectivity coefficient (k) of 7.73, 9.25 and 2.54 for acesulfame, caffeine and cyclamate, respectively. The selecitivity of HMIP in aqueous medium was tested in surface water samples, resulting in 89% of SAC recovery.

Termite colonies are usually headed by primary reproductives, which establish nests during the swarming season. However, secondary reproductives may develop in some species and become supplementary or replacement breeders, extending colony lifespan. Here we investigate the developmental origin, fecundity and genetic characterization of ergatoid reproductives in the Neotropical termite Nasutitermes aquilinus (Holmgren), using morphometrical and histological techniques, five microsatellite loci and the COI mitochondrial DNA. Twelve measurements performed on 208 apterous individuals of N. aquilinus revealed 10 groups, including ergatoid females, which developed from major workers through two successive molts, and were characterized by the presence of imaginal features such as eyes and wing buds. The differentiation of these features was correlated to physogastric development in these ergatoids. Histology revealed oocytes in all maturation stages in worker-derived reproductives of N. aquilinus, presence of nonflagellate spermatozoa inside the spermatheca, and royal fat body. Thus, ergatoid reproductives were reproductively functional. According to the genotypes of 221 individuals from 11 nests, and mitochondrial haplotypes of 43 ergatoids, 73% of the colonies were simple families, whereas 27% were extended families. Despite the occurrence of related reproductives, low inbreeding rates were detected within and among colonies. Such values could be explained given that sib mating itself cannot result in a higher inbreeding rate but depend on several factors discussed in detail. This is the first study to investigate the genetic structure of termite colonies influenced by the development of ergatoids, and further investigations are encouraged to understand the influence of these reproductives on colony lifespan.

The Kalotermitidae Cryptotermes brevis (Walker) presents colonies that lack a true worker caste. They have totipotent worker-like individuals named pseudergates. Few studies have characterized the morphology of immature instars, including pseudergates. In order to identify these instars and characterize the pseudergates, we conducted a comparison between morphometric and morphological variations among immature individuals of C. brevis colonies. Juvenile hormone analog (JHA) was used in the first instar nymphs to induce regressive molts and compare morphological differences between nymphs and pseudergates. Results showed the existence of three larval instars and four nymphal instars. These immatures were morphologically characterized. Individuals classified as third instar larvae presented white body, 10 to 12 antennal articles, absent or small non-pigmented compound eyes, and absence of wing buds. Pseudergates presented pigmented abdomen and sclerotized cuticle, 10 to 12 antennal articles, and absent or small compound eyes, and few specimens had large pigmented compound eyes and absence of wing buds. First instar nymphs had pigmented abdomen and sclerotized cuticle, 10 to 12 antennal articles, both large non-pigmented and pigmented compound eyes, the presence of wing buds. Bioassays using JHA on first instar nymphs resulted in a large percentage of nymph-soldier intercastes. We concluded that abdomen pigmentation and sclerotized cuticle are good characters to differentiate pseudergates from larvae and the absence of wing buds is a good character to differentiate pseudergates from nymphs. Our findings not only contribute to the basic biological and morphological information of this species but also help to identify correctly pseudergates in further studies that involve applied bioassays.

Termiticide potential of six plant derived essential oils and their thirteen major active chemical constituents were investigated for their termiticidal activities against the termites, Heterotermes sulcatus Mathews 1977 (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) using no-choice bioassay method. Responses varied with different plant essential oils and their major chemical constituents at a fixed oil concentration. Among the essential oils tested, strong termiticidal activity was observed with the essential oils of Pittosporum undulatum, Lippia sidoides and Lippia gracilis. Oil was obtained by hydrodistillation for 4 h. Each crude essential oil was subjected to separation over SiO2 soaked with AgNO3 (15%) column chromatography eluted with n-pentane, n-pentane: CH2Cl2 and CH2Cl2 . The obtained fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID). The major constituent's plant essential oils were identified by GC/MS. The constituents thus identified were tested individually for their termiticidal activities against H. sulcatus. Limonene, carvacrol and thymol resulted in 100% termite mortality, after relatively short-time of exposure. However, for the practical use of these components in the field, while agent termiticide, the safety of these compounds in humans and non-target organisms must still be evaluated. Key words: Subterranean termites, terpenes, alternative control.

The chemical insecticides used in soil against the subterranean termites result in polluting of soil ecosystems and become causes of human health hazards because of such risks, there is a need of developing ecofriendly baits for the control of these termites.With this objective, a study was carried out to evaluate the termiticide potential of ethanol extract of bark; ethanol-water, hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of bark and ethyl acetate fraction of leaf of Croton urucurana against the subterranean termite, Heterotermes sulcatus (Hagen).The experiments were performed in the laboratory with 100 foraging workers of this termite using no-choice bioassay method.Filter paper treated with crude extract and fractions of C. urucurana at concentrations of 250, 500, 1000, 3000, 5000, 8000 and 10,000 ppm were used.A piece of filter paper treated with respective solvent only was used as a control e.g., control 1 (water), control 2 (ethanol solvent).The substitute variables evaluated were daily mortality, lethal concentration LC 50 and LC 95 and lethal time LT 50 and LT 95 .It was found that the crude extract and ethanol-water fraction resulted in the lowest LC 50 and LC 95 values as well as these formulations also presented lowest LT 50 and LT 95 values among all the treatments, hence making these formulations most toxic among the tested ones against H. sulcatus, C. urucurana seemed to have bioactive compounds with termiticide effect and it can be considered as potential alternative to synthetic insecticides for the control of termites.

The subterranean termite Coptotermes gestroi Wasmann (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is a pest of major economic importance in urban environments of southeastern Brazil. Compared to using pesticides for termite control, termite bait products target termites more specifically and also address environmental contamination issues. In this point of view, we performed two different bioassays ill order to evaluate the efficacy of boric acid and fipronil against different populations of C. gestroi. The results showed that concentration between 2000 and 3000 ppm of boric acid caused approximately 100 percent mortality ill termites. Concentrations between 0.01 and 0.0001 ppm of fipronil resulted in 100% termite mortality after 2 wk exposure. The data displayed a fast mortality of termites contaminated with fipronil, even with small concentrations, and therefore it is riot a Suitable product to be used ill baits against C gestroi. The present Study showed a delayed toxicity of boric acid against the subterranean termite C gestroi which suggests a need for further field tests.

The semiochemicals produced by termites have been little studied compared to those of ants and bees. Among the limiting factors are the cryptic habits of termites, together with the difficulty in maintaining many species in the laboratory. The semiochemicals of Isoptera include trail, sex and alarm pheromones and a complex mixture of substances responsible for the recognition of nestmates. Although little is known about the semiochemicals of termites, available data indicate a strategy of pheromonal parsimony in the chemistry communication of these insects, i.e., the same compound is sometimes secreted by different glands, different species and for different functions.

Caste polyethism has been recorded in some termite species, however the foraging behavior of subterranean termites remains poorly known. Heterotermes tenuis Hagen (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) is a subterranean termite that is native to Brazil and is an agricultural and urban pest. The aim of this study was to investigate which caste acts as scouts when searching for food sources and determinate the percentages of each caste present in the foraging territories of field colonies of H. tenuis. Our results showed no significant differences among the caste proportions present in the foraging territories of the three colonies studied in the field. Laboratory experiments showed that minor soldiers were the most frequent initiators of foraging activities. This result suggests that the exploratory phase of the foraging behavior may be regulated by the number of soldiers present in the foraging territories of each colony.

The interaction between olfactory and visual cues in the landing responses of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) was analyzed in a natural environment (grass) using three plain cardboard circles with the colors white, black and other being the own grass (control) with 30 cm in diameter. The circles were divided in four quadrants and five sectors using as bait 80 mg of carcass of fish and minced flesh put in the center. To check the interaction between visual and olfactory factors, we analyzed the relation among the direction of wind and the sectors, the quadrants and the color of circle where C. megacephala adults landed. In the presence of the black and white circles, flies landed closer to the central release point of the bait when the wind was present compared with the other control circle. The results show that while odor cues may enhance the induction of landing by C. megacephala, visual cues are important when selecting a final landing site. Improved understanding of this interaction may allow the development of more effective traps or targets, enhancing the control efficiency of these control devices.

Coptotermes gestroi is an exotic species of termite that is a pest of great economical importance in Brazil. This paper relates the occurrence of a coelomic gregarine (Apicomplexa: Neogregarinida) in the abdomen of the foraging workers recently collected from field colonies of this termite. The termite hosts presented large, white abdomens because they carried 1 up to 3 cysts of gregarines filled with numerous lemon-shaped spores. Earlier developmental stages of this gregarine were not observed in the scanning microscope preparations nor in the histological slides of the infected termites. However, the lemon-shaped spores suggest a parasite gregarine of Mattesia genus, family Lipotrophidae.

The interaction between olfactory and visual cues in the landing responses of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) was analyzed in a natural environment (grass) using three plain cardboard circles with the colors white, black and other being the own grass (control) with 30 cm in diameter. The circles were divided in four quadrants and five sectors using as bait 80 mg of carcass of fish and minced flesh put in the center. To check the interaction between visual and olfactory factors, we analyzed the relation among the direction of wind and the sectors, the quadrants and the color of circle where C. megacephala adults landed. In the presence of the black and white circles, flies landed closer to the central release point of the bait when the wind was present compared with the other control circle. The results show that while odor cues may enhance the induction of landing by C. megacephala, visual cues are important when selecting a final landing site. Improved understanding of this interaction may allow the development of more effective traps or targets, enhancing the control efficiency of these control devices.

Coptotermes gestroi and Heterotermes tenuis (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) are important pests in southeastern Brazil causing serious economic damage. In this study we determined the demographic patterns and foraging activity of these species using mark-release-recapture and the consumption of wooden stakes. Using both the weighted mean and Lincoln index methods, popula- tion estimates ranged from | 0.57 to 1.99 million individuals for C. gestroi and from | 0.20 to 1.37 million for H. tenuis. Territory size of the colonies ranged from 172.5 to 5235 m 2 for C. gestroi and from 16 to 40 m 2 for H. tenuis. Our results also indicate that for- aging activity was dependent on the minimum temperature; however, the existence of a compensation strategy in the foraging activi- ties may permit foragers to exploit food sources under different environmental conditions.

The termite Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann 1896) (Rhinotermitidae: Coptotermitinae) is an exotic species in Brazil and information concerning its reproductive developmental biology is scarce. We induced the formation of neotenics in laboratory colonies through orphaning experiments. Orphaning experiments were conducted in three-year old colonies of C. gestroi kept under laboratory conditions. After three months, eight nymphoid neotenics were observed in one colony after queen removal. Histological analysis showed that these neotenics were non-functional. The results suggest that these individuals may have arisen from the first nymphal instar (N1) or from an early N1 instar after one or two larval moults. Neotenics also were recorded on two incipient colonies of C. gestroi that lost the queen naturally.