Identification and distribution of leafrollers (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) associated with berries (Rosaceae) cultivated in Mexico.

Berries are agricultural products of great economic interest for Mexico, and their production has increased in recent years; however, crops are affected by tortricid leafrollers. From August 2019 to April 2021 in Michoacán and Guanajuato, Mexico, a study was conducted to determine the species of tortricids associated with blackberries (Rubus spp. L.), raspberries (Rubusidaeus L.) and strawberries (Fragaria×ananassa Duch.), as well as their altitudinal distribution. In 12 orchards located in these states, shoots, leaves and flowers infested by larvae were collected. The species were identified by male genitalia and were determined taxonomically as Amorbiacuneana (Walsingham, 1879), Argyrotaeniamontezumae (Walsingham, 1914) and Platynota sp. Walker, 1859, found at elevations from 1290 to 2372 m. The most abundant species were A.cuneana and A.montezumae. Generally, these tortricids prefer to feed on tender vegetative parts of the plant, but the economic impact they have is not known. It is worth mentioning that the number of species found is lower than those reported in other countries, but it is necessary to broaden the study area to other berry-producing regions to determine whether their distribution is wider.

More than 80 years without new taxa: analysis of morphological variation among members of Mexican Aeneolamia Fennah (Hemiptera, Cercopidae) support a new species in the genus.

The genus Aeneolamia includes eight described species and 32 subspecies widely distributed in America. In Mexico, two species (A.contigua and A.albofasciata) and one subspecies (A.contiguacampecheana) are recognized. In a recent study of Cercopidae in Mexico, a new species of Aeneolamia was noted from Oaxaca, Mexico based on body color and the ornamentation patterns of tegmen, without a formal taxonomic description. To test the hypothesis of an extant new taxon within the genus a comprehensive analysis of intraspecific morphological variation from 46 morphological features was performed, four related to tegmen color patterns in both sexes, six to male genitalia, and 36 continuous characters measured in specimens of both sexes of Mexican Aeneolamia from several geographical localities using traditional univariate, multivariate morphometric, and geometric morphometric methods. This is the first time that this approach has been used in Cercopidae. Aeneolamiadanpecki Castro, Armendáriz & Utrera, sp. nov. from Oaxaca showed pronounced morphological differences in tegmen coloration patterns, the shape of different elements of the male genitalia, and body measurements compared to the other Mexican members of Aeneolamia; therefore, it is described as a new species.

α-Terpineol: An Aggregation Pheromone in Optatus palmaris (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (Pascoe, 1889) Enhanced by Its Host-Plant Volatiles.

The Annonaceae fruits weevil (Optatus palmaris) causes high losses to the soursop production in Mexico. Damage occurs when larvae and adults feed on the fruits; however, there is limited research about control strategies against this pest. However, pheromones provide a high potential management scheme for this curculio. Thus, this research characterized the behavior and volatile production of O. palmaris in response to their feeding habits. Olfactometry assays established preference by weevils to volatiles produced by feeding males and soursop. The behavior observed suggests the presence of an aggregation pheromone and a kairomone. Subsequently, insect volatiles sampled by solid-phase microextraction and dynamic headspace detected a unique compound on feeding males increased especially when feeding. Feeding-starvation experiments showed an averaged fifteen-fold increase in the concentration of a monoterpenoid on males feeding on soursop, and a decrease of the release of this compound males stop feeding. GC-MS analysis of volatiles identified this compound as α-terpineol. Further olfactometry assays using α-terpineol and soursop, demonstrated that this combination is double attractive to Annonaceae weevils than only soursop volatiles. The results showed a complementation effect between α-terpineol and soursop volatiles. Thus, α-terpineol is the aggregation pheromone of O. palmaris, and its concentration is enhanced by host-plant volatiles.

Evolution of host utilization patterns in the seed beetle genus Mimosestes Bridwell (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae).

The evolutionary history of diet breadth expansion and intergeneric host shifts in the seed beetle genus Mimosestes were reconstructed to investigate the process of host range expansion in phytophagous insects. The evolutionary correlation between diet breadth and variation in oviposition behavior of Mimosestes was also examined to estimate the process of generalist evolution within the genus. Ancestral state reconstruction based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from three mitochondrial markers (16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, and COI) and one nuclear marker (EF-1alpha) revealed that host utilization patterns were shaped by repeated colonizations to novel or pre-adapted host plants. Neither plant genus and species group level host conservatism nor an evolutionary tendency toward specialization was found in the genus, contrary to the expectations of plant-insect co-evolutionary theory. In addition, statistical analyses revealed that diet breadth was significantly correlated with oviposition behavior, suggesting that behavioral factors such as the oviposition preferences of female seed beetles affect the expansion of diet breadth in generalists.

[Scolitids (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) associated to the cocoa agroecosystem in Tabasco, Mexico]. / Escolítidos (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) asociados al agroecosistema cacao en Tabasco, México.

The Scolytidae fauna associated to the cacao agroecosystem in Tabasco, Mexico was studied during 2007. Adult insects were captured by using ethanol and light traps, and by direct collecting in their host plants. 3,192 specimens of 34 species belonging to 18 genera of Scolytidae were collected. Twenty-two species are new records for the State of Tabasco. The genera with more species were Xyleborus (6) and Hypothenemus (6). We conclude that the Scolytidae fauna associated to the cacao agroecosystem captured with the three trap systems are similar through the year of study. We also conclude that although the ethanol traps were more efficient, obtaining the highest species diversity, the use of other methods is important.

Escolítidos (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) asociados al agroecosistema cacao en Tabasco, México / Scolitids (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) associated to the cocoa agroecosystem in Tabasco, Mexico

El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la fauna de escolítidos asociada al agroecosistema cacao durante el año 2007 en Tabasco, México; para ello se utilizaron trampas de alcohol etílico, trampa de luz y captura sobre sus plantas huéspedes como métodos de recolecta. Se registraron 3,192 especimenes de 34 especies pertenecientes a 18 géneros de escolítidos. Veintidós especies son registros nuevos para el Estado de Tabasco. Los géneros con mayor riqueza de especies fueron Xyleborus (6) e Hypothenemus (6). Se concluye que la fauna de escolítidos capturadas con los tres métodos de recolecta presentó una fluctuación poblacional similar a través del año de estudio. Además concluimos que aunque la trampa de alcohol etílico fue el método de captura más eficiente para la obtención de la mayor diversidad de especies es importante la utilización de los otros métodos que complementan y enriquecen la información obtenida.

The Scolytidae fauna associated to the cacao agroecosystem in Tabasco, Mexico was studied during 2007. Adult insects were captured by using ethanol and light traps, and by direct collecting in their host plants. 3,192 specimens of 34 species belonging to 18 genera of Scolytidae were collected. Twenty-two species are new records for the State of Tabasco. The genera with more species were Xyleborus (6) and Hypothenemus (6). We conclude that the Scolytidae fauna associated to the cacao agroecosystem captured with the three trap systems are similar through the year of study. We also conclude that although the ethanol traps were more efficient, obtaining the highest species diversity, the use of other methods is important.

Genitalia de tres especies de Heilipus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) que dañan frutos de aguacate (Persea americana Mill) en México y Costa Rica / Genitalia of three species of Heilipus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that damage avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill.) in Mexico and Costa Rica

The male and female genitaliae of three species of the genus Heilipus Germar (H. lauri Boheman, H. pittieri Barber and H. trifasciatus Fabricius) that damage avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill.) in Mexico and Costa Rica are described and illustrated. The aedeagus, spiculum gastrale, styli of 8th sternite are different in each one of the three species studied and can be used for specific identification.

La genitalia masculina y femenina de tres especies de Heilipus Germar (H. lauri Boheman, H. pittieri Barber y H. trifasciatus) que dañan frutos de aguacate (Persea americana Mill.) en México y Costa Rica es descrita e ilustrada. El edeago, espícula gastrale, y estilos del esternitos VIII son diferentes en cada una de las tres especies estudiadas y pueden ser usadas para la identificación específica.

[Genitalia of three species of Heilipus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that damage avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill.) in Mexico and Costa Rica]. / Genitalia de tres especies de Heilipus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) que dañan frutos de aguacate (Persea americana Mill) en México y Costa Rica.

The male and female genitaliae of three species of the genus Heilipus Germar (H. lauri Boheman, H. pittieri Barber and H. trifasciatus Fabricius) that damage avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill.) in Mexico and Costa Rica are described and illustrated. The aedeagus, spiculum gastrale, styli of 8th sternite are different in each one of the three species studied and can be used for specific identification.

Role of two Triatoma (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) species in the transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) to man in the West Coast of Mexico

From August 1997 to August 1998, 334 specimens of Triatoma longipennis and 62 of T. picturata were collected in four groups of localities placed in the zone from Guadalajara, Jalisco to Tepic, Nayarit, in the West Coast of Mexico. Most T. longipennis were collected outdoors (69.2 percent) while most T. picturata (58.1 percent) were collected indoors. All collected specimens were examined for Trypanosoma cruzi infection, which was detected on 98 (29.3 percent) T. longipennis and 17 (27.4 percent) T. picturata. This study confirms the role of T. longipennis and T. picturata as some of the main T. cruzi vectors to humans in Mexico. Habitation Infestation Rate with T. longipennis was of 0.09 and with T. picturata was of 0.03 and the predominating ecotopes were pile of blocks, chicken coops, pigsties, wall crawls and beds