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The X-ARAPUCA device is the baseline choice for the photon detection system of the first far detector module of the DUNE experiment. We present the results of the first complete characterization of a small scale X-ARAPUCA prototype, which is a slice of a full DUNE module. Its total detection efficiency in liquid argon was measured with three different ionizing radiations: \\(\\alpha\\) particles, \\(\\gamma\\)'s and muons and resulted to be \\(\\sim\\)2.2% when the active silicon photomultipliers were biased at +5.0 V of over voltage, corresponding to a Photon Detection Efficiency around 50% at room temperature. This value comfortably satisfies the requirements of the first DUNE far detector module (detection efficiency \\(>\\)2.0%) and allows to achieve an energy resolution comparable to the one achievable with the Time Projection Chambers for energies below 10 MeV, which is the region relevant for Supernova neutrino detection.

Human activities have contributed to various environmental disturbances, including soil degradation, necessitating studies on the restoration of affected areas. The objectives of this study were to evaluate plant biomass production in S. saponaria saplings, assess associated arthropod communities, and analyze their ecological interactions over two years in a degraded area. In the second year after planting, S. saponaria saplings exhibited an increase in the number of leaves/branch. Saplings with higher leaf numbers/branch supported a greater number of Phaneropterinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) and Brachymyrmex sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), as well as higher abundance, diversity, and species richness of predators of Sternorrhyncha. Additionally, these saplings showed increased defoliation by chewing insects. Conversely, in the first year after planting, sapling leaves harbored higher numbers of herbivorous insects [e.g., Liriomyza sp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae) leaf mines] and greater ecological indices (e.g., species diversity). Similarly, tending ants [e.g., Pheidole sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)] associated with sap-sucking Hemiptera, along with their ecological indices (e.g., species richness), were more abundant in the first year. Predators such as Oxyopidae (Araneae) were also more prevalent during this period. A positive feedback relationship was observed between the species richness of tending ants and that of sap-sucking Hemipterans. Furthermore, the higher number of Pheidole sp. reduced both the abundance and species richness of chewing insects, as well as the percentage of defoliation caused by this group. Similarly, the greater number of Pseudomyrmex termitarius (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) negatively influenced the abundance of chewing insects and the number of Liriomyza sp. mines on S. saponaria leaves.

Abstract Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. Ex Benth. (Fabaceae), a non-native pioneer species in Brazil with fast growth and rusticity, is used in restoration programs. Our goal was to assess during a 24-month survey the pattern of arthropods (phytophagous insects, bees, spiders, and predator insects) on the leaf surfaces of A. auriculiformis saplings. Fourteen species of phytophagous, two of bees and eleven of predators were most abundant on the adaxial surface. The values of the ecological indexes (abundance, diversity, and species richness) and the rarefaction, and k-dominance curves of phytophagous, bees and arthropod predators were highest on the adaxial leaf surface of A. auriculiformis. The k-dominance and abundance of Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera) (both leaf surfaces), the native stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) (both leaf surfaces) and the ant Brachymyrmex sp. (adaxial surface) and Pheidole sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (abaxial surface) were the highest between the taxonomic groups of phytophagous, bees, and predators, respectively on A. auriculiformis saplings. The ecological indexes and rarefaction, abundance, and k-dominance curves of phytophagous insects, bees, and predators were highest on the adaxial leaf surface. The preference of phytophagous insects for the adaxial leaf surface is probably due to the lower effort required to move on this surface. Understanding the arthropod preferences between leaf surfaces may help to develop sampling and pest management plans for the most abundant phytophagous insects on A. auriculiformis saplings. Also, knowledge on the preference pattern of bees and predators may be used to favour their conservation. Resumo Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. Ex Benth. (Fabaceae), espécie pioneira com rápido crescimento e rusticidade, é utilizada em programas de recuperação de áreas degradadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, durante 24 meses, o padrão de distribuição de artrópodes (insetos fitófagos, abelhas, aranhas e insetos predadores) nas superfícies foliares de A. auriculiformis. Quatorze espécies de fitófagos, duas de abelhas e onze de predadores foram mais abundantes na superfície adaxial. Índices ecológicos (abundância, diversidade e riqueza de espécies) e curvas de rarefação e dominância-k de fitófagos, abelhas e artrópodes predadores foram maiores na face adaxial de folhas de A. auriculiformis. A dominância-k e a abundância de Aleyrodidae (Hemiptera) (ambas as superfícies foliares), da abelha nativa sem ferrão Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae) (ambas as superfícies foliares) e das formigas Brachymyrmex sp. (superfície adaxial) e Pheidole sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (superfície abaxial) foram as maiores entre os grupos taxonômicos de fitófagos polinizadores e predadores, respectivamente, em plantas jovens de A. auriculiformis. A abundância, diversidade e riqueza e as curvas de rarefação e dominância-k de artrópodes fitófagos, abelhas e predadores foram maiores nas superfícies adaxiais das folhas dessa árvore. A preferência pela superfície adaxial da folha se deve, provavelmente, ao menor esforço para se movimentarem na mesma. Compreender as preferências dos artrópodes pelas superfícies foliares pode auxiliar no desenvolvimento de planos de amostragem e manejo de pragas em A. auriculiformis. Além disso, o conhecimento da distribuição de abelhas e predadores pode favorecer a conservação desses insetos.

Abstract Terminalia argentea tree, native to Brazil, is widely used in landscaping, recovering degraded areas, its wood, coal production, and the bark or leaf extracts has medicinal use. Despite of its importance, the arthropod fauna associated to this plant and its interspecific relationships still needs further studies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the arthropods, their ecological indices and the distribution in the leaf faces on T. argentea saplings. The numbers of phytophagous insects (e.g., Cephalocoema sp.), pollinators (e.g., Tetragonisca angustula), and natural enemies (e.g., Oxyopidae), and their ecological indices (e.g., species richness), were higher on the adaxial leaf faces on T. argentea saplings. Aggregated distribution of phytophagous insects (e.g., Aphis spiraecola), pollinators (e.g., Trigona spinipes), and natural enemies (e.g., Camponotus sp.) on T. argentea saplings was observed. Abundance, diversity, and species richness of natural enemies correlated, positively, with those of phytophagous and pollinators insects. Predators and tending ants followed their prey and sucking insects, respectively. Tending ants protected sucking insects against predators, and reduced chewing insects. The high number of Cephalocoema sp. on T. argentea saplings is a problem, because this insect can feed on leaves of this plant, but its preference for the adaxial leaf face favors its control. The aggregation behavior of arthropods on T. argentea saplings favors the control of potential pests of this plant. There seems to be competition between tending ants for space and food resources on T. argentea saplings. Resumo Terminalia argentea, árvore nativa do Brasil, é muito utilizada no paisagismo, na recuperação de áreas degradadas, sua madeira na produção de carvão e o extrato da casca ou das folhas tem uso medicinal. Apesar de sua importância, a fauna de artrópodes associada a esta planta e suas relações interespecíficas ainda carecem de estudos mais aprofundados. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar os artrópodes, seus índices ecológicos e a distribuição nas faces foliares de mudas de T. argentea. O número de insetos fitófagos (ex.: Cephalocoema sp.), polinizadores (ex.: Tetragonisca angustula), e inimigos naturais (ex.: Oxyopidae), e seus índices ecológicos (ex.: riqueza de espécies), foram maiores nas faces adaxiais das folhas das mudas de T. argentea. Foi observada uma distribuição agregada de insetos fitófagos (ex.: Aphis spiraecola), polinizadores (ex.: Trigona spinipes) e inimigos naturais (ex.: Camponotus sp.) em mudas de T. argentea. A abundância, diversidade e riqueza de espécies de inimigos naturais correlacionaram-se, positivamente, com as de insetos fitófagos e polinizadores. Os predadores e as formigas cuidadoras seguiram as suas presas e os insetos sugadores, respectivamente. As formigas cuidadoras protegeram os insetos sugadores contra os predadores e reduziram os insetos mastigadores. O elevado número de Cephalocoema sp. em mudas de T. argentea é um problema, pois esse inseto pode se alimentar de folhas dessa planta, mas sua preferência pela face adaxial da folha favorece seu controle. O comportamento de agregação de artrópodes em mudas de T. argentea favorece o controle de potenciais pragas dessa planta. Parece haver competição entre as formigas cuidadoras por espaço e recursos alimentares nas mudas de T. argentea.

Abstract Fertilization with dehydrated sewage sludge can speed up the recovery process of degraded areas due to nutrients concentration, favoring the development of pioneer plants such as Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Beth (Fabales: Fabaceae) and the emergence of insects. This study aimed the evaluation of chewing, pollinating insects, predators, their ecological indices and relationships on A. auriculiformis plants fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments (with and without dehydrated sewage sludge) and 24 repetitions. The prevalence of chewing insects Parasyphraea sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Nasutitermes sp. (Blattodea: Termitidae), and Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813) (Orthoptera: Romaleidae), defoliation, and ecological indices of abundance of Coleoptera and Orthoptera were observed on fertilized A. auriculiformis. Acacia auriculiformis plants, with a superior number of branches/tree, revealed greater abundance of Coleoptera and Orthoptera, species richness of pollinating insects, defoliation, numbers of Parasyphraea sp. and T. collaris. The ones with larger leaves/branches displayed greater abundance of species richness of Coleoptera and Diabrotica speciosa (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Therefore, the use of A. auriculiformis plants, fertilized with dehydrated sewage sludge, is promising in the recovery of degraded areas due to the ecological indices increase of chewing and pollinators insects and spiders in the analyzed area. Resumo A fertilização com lodo de esgoto desidratado pode acelerar o processo de recuperação de áreas degradadas devido à concentração de nutrientes, favorecendo o desenvolvimento de plantas pioneiras tais como Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Beth (Fabales: Fabaceae) e de seus insetos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os insetos mastigadores, polinizadores e predadores e seus índices e relações ecológicas em plantas de A. auriculiformis fertilizadas com lodo de esgoto desidratado, em área degradada, durante 24 meses. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizados com dois tratamentos (com e sem adubação com lodo de esgoto desidratado) e 24 repetições (uma repetição = uma planta). O maior número de insetos mastigadores Parasyphraea sp. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Nasutitermes sp. (Blattodea: Termitidae) e Tropidacris collaris (Stoll, 1813) (Orthoptera: Romaleidae), de desfolha, e do índice ecológico abundância de Coleoptera e de Orthoptera foram maiores em plantas de A. auriculiformis fertilizadas do que nas não fertilizadas com lodo de esgoto desidratado. Plantas de A. auriculiformis, com maior quantidade de galhos/árvore, apresentaram maiores abundâncias de Coleoptera e Orthoptera, riqueza de espécies de insetos polinizadores, desfolha e números de Parasyphraea sp. e T. collaris, e as com maior folhas/galho os de riqueza de espécies de Coleoptera e Diabrotica speciosa (Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Por tanto, a utilização de A. auriculiformis, adubada com lodo de esgoto desidratado, é promissora na recuperação de áreas degradadas devido ao aumento dos índices ecológicos de insetos mastigadores, polinizadores e aranhas na área.

Abstract Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) trees are widely distributed throughout the Cerrado ecosystem. The fruits of C. brasiliense trees are used by humans for food and as the main income source in many communities. C. brasiliense conservation is seriously threatened due to habitat loss caused by the land-use change. Sucking insects constitute an important ecological driver that potentially impact C. brasiliense survival in degraded environments. In addition, insects sampling methodologies for application in studies related to the conservation of C. brasiliense are poorly developed. In this study, sucking insects (Hemiptera) and their predators were recorded in three vertical strata of Caryocar brasiliense canopies. The distribution of sucking species showed vertical stratification along the canopy structure of C. brasiliense. The basal part of the canopy had the highest numbers of sucking insects Aphis gossypii (Glover 1877) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Bemisia tabaci (Genn. 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and their predators Chrysoperla sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), spiders (Araneae), and Zelus armillatus (Lep. & Servi., 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Predators' distribution follows the resource availability and preferred C. brasiliense tree parts with a higher abundance of prey. Resumo Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Malpighiales: Caryocaraceae) é amplamente distribuído por todo o ecossistema de cerrado. Os frutos de C. brasiliense são utilizados na alimentação humana e constitui uma importante fonte de renda para muitas comunidades. A perda de habitat provocada pelas mudanças de uso da terra coloca em risco a conservação de C. brasiliense. Insetos sugadores constituem um importante fator ecológico que, potencialmente, afeta o fitness de C. brasiliense em ambientes degradados. Além disso, as metodologias de amostragem de insetos para aplicação em estudos relacionados à conservação de C. brasiliense são pouco desenvolvidas. Neste estudo, o número de insetos sugadores (Hemiptera) e seus predadores foram avaliados em três estratos verticais do dossel de C. brasiliense. A distribuição das espécies sugadoras apresentou estratificação vertical ao longo da estrutura do dossel. O estrato basal do dossel apresentou o maior número de insetos sugadores Aphis gossypii (Glover 1877) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) e Bemisia tabaci (Genn. 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), e seus predadores Chrysoperla sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), aranhas (Araneae) e Zelus armillatus (Lep. & Servi., 1825) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Os predadores distribuíram-se de acordo com a disponibilidade de recursos, ocorrendo em maior número nas partes do dossel com maior abundância de suas presas.

Bispo et al discuss their study on the recovery of a degraded area using Platycyamus regnellii (Fabaceae) saplings. The degradation of nature, particularly the removal of vegetation cover from the soil, is a significant concern in expert debates. In Brazil, to restore these degraded areas, pioneer plants such as Acacia mangium and A. auriculiformis are commonly used. However, the native tree Platycyamus regnellii is also a promising option due to its various uses and ecological characteristics. Insects play a crucial role in assessing the success of restoration efforts, as they are highly sensitive to environmental changes. The study aimed to evaluate the numbers and diversity of leaves, branches, and different insect groups on P. regnellii saplings in a degraded area. The results showed that older saplings had larger canopies and greater ground coverage, leading to higher abundances and species richness of herbivorous and pollinator insects, as well as predators.

The functional and numerical responses, reproductive characteristics, and viability of Campoletis flavicincta (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) as well as the mortality after parasitism of the host Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were analyzed in the laboratory. Campoletis flavicincta pairs were maintained until female death with 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 caterpillars day-1 of the host S. frugiperda. A type III functional response curve was fitted to the average number of caterpillars supplied per day during the female wasp lifespan, as the explanatory variable. The handling time was 0.5940 ± 0.0875h, and the instantaneous search 0.0047 ± 0.0020 h-1. The functional response for each of the first five days of the host was a type III. The longevity at the five host densities and the parasitism rate showed a significant linear decrease with the host density. The offspring production showed an increasing quadratic variation with increased host density. The production of females by C. flavicincta, the offspring sex ratio, the viability of the parasitoid pupae and the percentage of mortality of S. frugiperda caterpillars were not affected by host density. The functional and numerical responses of C. flavicincta indicate that this parasitoid could be a candidate for biological control of S. frugiperda.