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Due to the economic significance of the agave red worm Comadia redtenbacheri (Hammerschmidt) (Lepidoptera: Cossidae), and with the objective of increasing the knowledge about its reproductive biology, the morphology of the female reproductive system was studied. In general, it is similar to that of other Lepidoptera, with a few differences. The average potential fecundity was 104 oocytes per female. A small diverticulum or lobe was present in the base of the bursa copulatrix; inside the bursa, a single spermatophore was found. The spermatheca has a utriculus and a lagena. The glandular portion of the accessory glands is unusually long compared with other Lepidoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of earthworm communities in an intercropping system (MIAF) was carried out in the central and southern states of Puebla and Oaxaca, Mexico. The aim was to know the species present in MIAF systems, to identify differences between a control nearby forest and MIAF's, as well as differences within MIAF's between arboreal and crop rows. The study evaluated the abundance, biomass and diversity of epigeic and endogeic species. In Puebla four species were found in MIAF's (one epigeic and three endogeics), while in Oaxaca there were five species (two epigeics and three endogeics). In Puebla, 64% of the worms were concentrated in the forest, being Lumbricus rubellus Hoffmeister, 1843 and Aporrectodea trapezoides (Dugès, 1828), the dominant species; in Oaxaca, 79% of the individuals were found in MIAF's, being Octolasion tyrtaeum (Savigny, 1826), Amynthas sp., and Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) the dominant species. Differences in species abundance and biomass may be related to soil moisture, agricultural intensification and the anthropogenic management of organic materials (crop residues and manure). Our results indicated that earthworms found in tree rows were not more abundant and diverse than those of annual crop rows; this pattern being more evident in Puebla. Neither in Puebla nor in Oaxaca, the biomass of worms reached 30 g m-2, a value where earthworms impact the fertility of soils. Thus it is suggested to improve management techniques within MIAF's in order to increase the abundance of large worms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out during 21 days in order to evaluate the effect of four protein diets based on Red Worm meal (HL) (Eisenia spp.) (HL inclusion level: D1:21; D2: 24; D3: 27 and D4: 30%) and two conventional feeds: Conejarina® (DQ) y Ratarina® (D5) on some hematological and biochemical parameters in the golden hamster (Mesocrisetus auratus L.), using a completely randomized design with one factor in the Trujillo state in Venezuela. Hematocrit (37.65-41.01%), total hemoglobin (10.83-12.25%), direct and indirect bilirubin (0.20-0.40; 0.10-0.22; 0.10-0.20mg/dL, respectively), lipoproteins of very low density (VLDL) (1 5.12-41.27mg/dL); triglycerides (95.42-190.54mg/dL); calcium (9.83-12.32 mg/dL) and potassium (4.24-5.43mg/dL) values did no exhibit significant differences among diets (P>0.05). The leukocytes (Lto), platelets (Plq), differential count (neutrofiles/linfocites (Linf/eosinofiles), blood sugar (Glc), amylase, total cholesterol, lipoproteins of high (Hdl) and low density and phosphorus showed substantial variations among the treatments (P<0,05). The growing levels of protein on the diets did not affect the evaluated parameters. However, a negative relationship among the Hl inclusion and the Lto (r -0.76 **), Plq (r -0.76 **), Linf (r -0.71 **), Glc (r -0.58*) and HDL(r -0.50*) levels were observed. The Hl addition in 24; 27 and 30% proportions to obtain formulated feeds with 13.5-19.6% protein for M. auratus, affected some of the hematological parameters and the serum concentration of metabolites related to the nutritional composition of the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an attempt to intensively produce the agave red worm Comadia redtenbacheri Hamm., there were tested six different infestation conditions with the goal to accomplish the establishment of larvae placed at the base of young agave plants under greenhouse conditions. In order to encourage infestation, there were used densities of 25, 50 and 100 larvae of third and fourth developing stage with an average weight of 55 milligrams, on two different irrigation conditions under intervals of one and two weeks, to keep vigorous plants and positive ground moisture conditions. Data were analyzed using logistical regression to identify the conditions that favor the best establishment rates. Results suggest that the highest establishment rate is given by the most spread irrigation condition (3 weeks) and lowest population densities (25 larvae for plant); however, the best larval weight was observed under the weekly irrigation scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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