Taxonomy, Biology, Symbionts, Omics, and Management of Rhynchophorus Palm Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae).

Palm weevils, Rhynchophorus spp., are destructive pests of native, ornamental, and agricultural palm species. Of the 10 recognized species, two of the most injurious species, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Rhynchophorus palmarum, both of which have spread beyond their native range, are the best studied. Due to its greater global spread and damage to edible date industries in the Middle East, R. ferrugineus has received more research interest. Integrated pest management programs utilize traps baited with aggregation pheromone, removal of infested palms, and insecticides. However, weevil control is costly, development of resistance to insecticides is problematic, and program efficacy can be impaired because early detection of infestations is difficult. The genome of R. ferrugineus has been sequenced, and omics research is providing insight into pheromone communication and changes in volatile and metabolism profiles of weevil-infested palms. We outline how such developments could lead to new control strategies and early detection tools.

Enhancing DNA barcode reference libraries by harvesting terrestrial arthropods at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.

The use of DNA barcoding has revolutionised biodiversity science, but its application depends on the existence of comprehensive and reliable reference libraries. For many poorly known taxa, such reference sequences are missing even at higher-level taxonomic scales. We harvested the collections of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History (USNM) to generate DNA barcoding sequences for genera of terrestrial arthropods previously not recorded in one or more major public sequence databases. Our workflow used a mix of Sanger and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) approaches to maximise sequence recovery while ensuring affordable cost. In total, COI sequences were obtained for 5,686 specimens belonging to 3,737 determined species in 3,886 genera and 205 families distributed in 137 countries. Success rates varied widely according to collection data and focal taxon. NGS helped recover sequences of specimens that failed a previous run of Sanger sequencing. Success rates and the optimal balance between Sanger and NGS are the most important drivers to maximise output and minimise cost in future projects. The corresponding sequence and taxonomic data can be accessed through the Barcode of Life Data System, GenBank, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, the Global Genome Biodiversity Network Data Portal and the NMNH data portal.

Randersonia Chamorro, a new genus with two new species of North American Cryptorhynchinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

A new North American genus Randersonia Chamorro with two new species, Randersonia cartwrighti Chamorro & Presnall sp. n. from Prince William County, Virginia, USA and Randersonia schwarzi Chamorro & Presnall sp. n. from Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico are described. The unique specimen of R. cartwrighti was collected under deer droppings in 1965 and the only known specimens of R. schwarzi were collected more than 109 years ago in 1912. An updated couplet is provided for use in the key to genera in American Beetles as well as a key to the species of Randersonia. A short discussion is included regarding veracity of collections. Habitus photographs are included.

Diversity, dynamics, direction, and magnitude of high-altitude migrating insects in the Sahel.

Long-distance migration of insects impacts food security, public health, and conservation-issues that are especially significant in Africa. Windborne migration is a key strategy enabling exploitation of ephemeral havens such as the Sahel, however, its knowledge remains sparse. In this first cross-season investigation (3 years) of the aerial fauna over Africa, we sampled insects flying 40-290 m above ground in Mali, using nets mounted on tethered helium-filled balloons. Nearly half a million insects were caught, representing at least 100 families from thirteen orders. Control nets confirmed that the insects were captured at altitude. Thirteen ecologically and phylogenetically diverse species were studied in detail. Migration of all species peaked during the wet season every year across localities, suggesting regular migrations. Species differed in flight altitude, seasonality, and associated weather conditions. All taxa exhibited frequent flights on southerly winds, accounting for the recolonization of the Sahel from southern source populations. "Return" southward movement occurred in most taxa. Estimates of the seasonal number of migrants per species crossing Mali at latitude 14°N were in the trillions, and the nightly distances traversed reached hundreds of kilometers. The magnitude and diversity of windborne insect migration highlight its importance and impacts on Sahelian and neighboring ecosystems.

Variability and distribution of the golden-headed weevil Compsus auricephalus (Say) (Curculionidae: Entiminae: Eustylini).

BACKGROUND: The golden-headed weevil Compsus auricephalus is a native and fairly widespread species across the southern U.S.A. extending through Central America south to Panama. There are two recognised morphotypes of the species: the typical green form, with pink to cupreous head and part of the legs and the uniformly white to pale brown form. There are other Central and South American species of Compsus and related genera of similar appearance that make it challenging to provide accurate identifications of introduced species at ports of entry. NEW INFORMATION: Here, we re-describe the species, provide images of the habitus, miscellaneous morphological structures and male and female genitalia. We discuss the morphological variation of Compsus auricephalus across its distributional range, by revising and updating its distributional range, based on data from entomological collections in the U.S.A. and Canada. The revised distribution of C. auricephalus extends as far south as Zacapa in Guatemala. Records south from there correspond to a different species, with affinities to C. auricephalus that we discuss and illustrate. We also discuss morphological affinities and differences with other similar species. Furthermore, we summarise information regarding the biology, host plants and natural enemies of C. auricephalus.

Synthesis of Known and New Host Plant Records of the Fijian Ginger Weevil, Elytroteinus geophilus (Lucas) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Cryptorhynchinae) Suggests a Preference for Starch-storing Plant Organs.

Elytroteinus geophilus (Lucas) is a polyphagous weevil that is widespread in the South Pacific islands and is known to cause damage to various crops with large nutrient storage structures such as kava, ginger, yellow passion fruit, yams and sweet potatoes. More significantly, E. geophilus, the Fijian Ginger Weevil, has been linked, along with two wound invading fungal pathogens, to a passion fruit collar rot in Samoa. This species is considered a high-risk insect pest and it is included in the USDA's prioritized offshore pest list. We report on new plant hosts and behavior of this weevil. The first new host record resulted from interception of this weevil in bulbs of Tropical Spider Lily (Crinum sp.) in Alabama. This interception initiated an examination of museum specimens and the literature that resulted in a second previously unreported host record (vanilla (Orchidaceae)) and a new behavioral trait for this weevil: the use of plant fibers to spin a cocoon for pupation. A synthesis of known host plants records is reported here and suggests a preference by this weevil of starch-storing plant organs. A distribution map and a differential diagnosis of the species is also provided.

Preimaginal stages of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae): an invasive pest on ash trees (Fraxinus).

This study provides the most detailed description of the immature stages of Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire to date and illustrates suites of larval characters useful in distinguishing among Agrilus Curtis species and instars. Immature stages of eight species of Agrilus were examined and imaged using light and scanning electron microscopy. For A. planipennis all preimaginal stages (egg, instars I-IV, prepupa and pupa) were described. A combination of 14 character states were identified that serve to identify larvae of A. planipennis. Our results support the segregation of Agrilus larvae into two informal assemblages based on characters of the mouthparts, prothorax, and abdomen: the A. viridis and A. ater assemblages, with A. planipennis being more similar to the former. Additional evidence is provided in favor of excluding A. planipennis from the subgenus Uragrilus.