Species within genus Xyleborus Eichhoff (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) live in a feeding symbiosis with ambrosia fungi and present inbreeding polygyny with highly biased sex ratios and sexual dimorphism in size. Here we evaluate the expression of sexual dimorphism, the allometric effect on shape variation, and the morphological integration of 2 body structures (elytra and pronotum) in Xyleborus affinis (Eichhoff) (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) under controlled growth conditions (26 °C, 60% RH, and continuous darkness), using geometric morphometrics. Differences between sexes from statistical multivariate tests indicate the presence of sexual size and shape dimorphism in both structures, with the largest differences and shape variability presented in the pronotum. We found significant developmental integration of both structures (morphological covariation) and no significant differences in allometric trends between sexes. The results suggest a specific allometric pattern in X. affinis that could be constrained by genetic or phylogenetic factors. However, quantification of shape and size variation could help to determine the differential effects of environmental stress between sexes during growth in this species. This approach could be valuable for monitoring populations of other Xyleborus species living in contrasting environmental conditions, given their wide geographical distributions and the vast amount of host plant species with which they interact.

Pheidole oxyops Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is a generalist ant that can display passive and active forage strategies. Moreover, this species can forage actively for a variety of food resources from plant debris to dead arthropods. In this study we tested whether abiotic factors (e.g., daytime, temperature, and residual soil accumulation), as well as neighboring colonies, could influence the patterns of foraging activity. Forage activity was observed in morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. Also, we recorded the frequency of individuals, direction, and ground surface temperature during foraging events. Our results showed that forage direction was not affected by residual soil accumulation and neighboring P. oxyops colonies. The rate of departures from nests decreased as ground surface temperature increased, but nest exits increased significantly with the occurrence of nearby P. oxyops colonies. We observed also that P. oxyops appeared to maximize forage activities during the evening period that would reduce their exposure to potential predators, competitors, and any adverse effects associated with direct solar radiation.

Insecticides typically are used to control Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae in corn crops; however, both eggs and larvae are affected by these applications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 9 insecticides commonly used on corn crops in Brazil on ovicide and embryonic development of S. frugiperda. The insecticides were applied with an airbrush to the outer surface of eggs at 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 h after oviposition. Larval emergence rates then were calculated. Eggs in the control and the alpha-cypermethrin and methomyl + novaluron treatment were evaluated by light microscopy to investigate possible histological changes in the embryos. The insecticides methomyl + novaluron, chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin, and deltamethrin reduced the emergence rate of S. frugiperda larvae. A mixture of alpha-cypermethrin and methomyl + novaluron did not affect the embryonic development of S. frugiperda; however, methomyl + novaluron-treated larvae did not emerge. Therefore, the insecticides methomyl + novaluron, chlorantraniliprole + lambda-cyhalothrin, and deltamethrin have an ovicidal effect and may be recommended for managing S. frugiperda.

Armored scales and their parasitoids were collected and identified from avocado orchards in 2 municipalities of the state of Mexico; the population fluctuation and parasitism of the 3 most abundant armored scales also were determined. The armored scales species (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) identified were Hemiberlesia cyanophylli (Signoret), Davidsonaspis aguacatae (Evans, Watson, & Miller), Diaspis nr. coccois (Lichtenstein), Hemiberlesia lataniae (Signoret), and Hemiberlesia rapax (Comstock); as well as the associated parasitoids Encarsia aurantii (Howard), Encarsia citrina (Craw), Encarsia gaonae (Myartseva & Evans), Encarsia lounsburyi (Berlese & Paoli), Aphytis proclia (Walker), Coccobius averini (Myartseva); Coccobius juliae (Myartseva), Coccobius mariae (Myartseva) (all Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Signiphora falcata (Woolley & Dal Molin); Signiphora fax (Girault), Signiphora flavella (Girault), Signiphora mexicana (Ashmead) (all Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae), and Plagiomerus diaspidis (Crawford) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). Some species from both groups constituted new distribution or host records in Mexico. Armored scale population densities generally increased per orchard and type of avocado tree structure from Oct to Apr, depending on the phenology of the avocado trees. The percentage of parasitism and adult parasitoid emergence varied according to their armored scale host population density. Most of the parasitoids emerged from armored scales collected from branches (82), followed by armored scales collected from fruits (59), and leaves (18).

Molecular methods are necessary to diagnose immature life stages of the agricultural pest fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and are useful to corroborate identifications based on adults because morphological variation within the species can overlap with congeners. DNA sequencing of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) has been adopted by the International Plant Protection Convention as an internationally accepted method to distinguish between the 2 pestiferous fruit fly species Bactrocera dorsalis and Bactrocera carambolae (Drew & Hancock). Reported ITS-1 sequences also are distinct and diagnostically informative to distinguish several other Bactrocera species related to B. dorsalis. In this study, we applied DNA sequencing of ITS-1 to a collection of 513 adult flies trapped in California, USA, in the yr 2008 to 2018. Internal transcribed spacer 1 sequences were successfully recovered from 504 (98%) of these flies. One fly had an ITS-1 sequence that matched B. occipitalis (Bezzi) records. Re-examination of that fly using cytochrome c oxidase I, elongation factor 1-alpha, and morphology supports it as the second record of B. occipitalis trapped in California. The other 503 flies had ITS-1 sequences consistent with B. dorsalis. Six unique ITS-1 sequences (or DNA types) were observed in the collection of 503 B. dorsalis. Three of the ITS-1 sequences (types A, B, and C) were present in 84% of the 503 flies and match ITS-1 records reported in prior publications on B. dorsalis. The other 3 sequences (types D, E, and F) observed in 4% of the 503 B. dorsalis have not been reported in publications. Ambiguous nucleotides were observed from 12% of the 503 B. dorsalis flies, precluding designation of a sequence type. Including the 3 new types from the current study, a total of 15 unique ITS-1 sequences now are known for B. dorsalis. The study, therefore, documents additional intraspecific variation of ITS-1 that aids in future applications for species identification.

Emergent and potentially invasive weevils are a permanent threat to the survival of palm plantations. Hence, understanding the role of emergent pests may be key for preventing future phytosanitary emergencies. In the present study, the role of Rhynchophorus palmarum L. and Dynamis borassi F. (both Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as main causative agents of the peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth; Arecaceae) crown toppling problem were investigated, and the damage was described in 36 farms in the principal production areas of Colombia. A management strategy with the use of 2 pheromones (Rhynchophorol and Ferrolure) in 2 production areas also was evaluated. In total, 4,098 palms were examined from Nov 2017 to Feb 2019. Visible damage oscillated between 0 to 70% of palms affected and was highest on the Pacific coast. Larvae of D. borassi were found exclusively in the inflorescences suggesting that it initiates the damage. Meanwhile, adults of D. borassi and all stages of R. palmarum were recovered from stem damages. Also, new reports of damage were confirmed at the southern Pacific coast, the Andes, and the Amazon region. A total of 8,239 D. borassi and 2,886 R. palmarum were captured in pheromone traps for 14 mo on the Pacific coast. The traps baited with Ferrolure + Rhynchophorol captured a greater number of D. borassi specimens. The data strongly confirm the central role of D. borassi in peach palm damage. Therefore, it is recommended strongly that pheromones be used to prevent further spread of this pest in other countries of this region and to protect palm industries.

Certain species of true fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are worldwide pests of fruits and vegetables, and many countries operate trapping programs to detect and monitor invasions. Food-based traps are an important component of detection programs because they are general attractants that are neither sex- nor species-specific. Torula yeast borax solution is a food bait that is used widely, but little is known regarding its attractiveness in terms of distant-dependent capture rates in field settings. The goal of the present study, which was conducted in a Hawaiian mango (Mangifera indica L.; Anacardiaceae) orchard, was to measure capture probabilities of oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), and Mediterranean fruit flies, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), released at 5, 10, or 20 m from a centrally located trap baited with torula yeast borax solution. For both species, capture probabilities were relatively low and decreased with increasing release distance from the trap. Trap captures were female-biased strongly in B. dorsalis, while the sex ratio of captured C. capitata was more variable and differed among the release distances. Based on data pooled over the sexes, B. dorsalis was captured at significantly higher rates than C. capitata for release distances of 5 and 10 m, and a marginally significantly higher rate (P = 0.053) for the 20 m releases. These findings are compared with other release-recapture studies of tephritids that involved food baits, and the relative attractiveness of torula yeast borax solution and male lures are noted for B. dorsalis and C. capitata.

Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an occasional root pest of plasticulture strawberry in central Florida, USA. There are few chemical insecticide options for larval D. abbreviatus in strawberry. Therefore, we tested soil-applied aqueous Steinernema riobrave Cabanillas, Raulston and Poinar (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), which is used for D. abbreviatus control in citrus. When S. riobrave was applied (100 infective juveniles per cm²) to the root zones of plants in a D. abbreviatus-affected area of a commercial strawberry field, less than 12% of plants were severely wilted or dead 17 d after treatment, whereas 23% of plants in control plots were wilted or dead. In research plots, peripheral plants and a central plant in each plot were infested with 4 late-instar D. abbreviatus and treated with 1 or 2 applications of S. riobrave (25 infective juveniles per cm²), 1 application of imidacloprid or water (control). Dead S. riobrave-infected D. abbreviatus larvae were recovered from plots to which S. riobrave was applied, but there was no effect of treatment on numbers of live larvae recovered 1, 2, and 3 wk post-application in the peripheral plants. At the end of the experiment, no live D. abbreviatus larvae were recovered from the central plants or the plants proximal to the central plants in plots treated once or twice with S. riobrave. Plant wilting and death due to larval D. abbreviatus root feeding was minimal (averages of 1–1.4 on a 1–5 rating scale) in plants proximal and distal to the central D. abbreviatus-infested plant. Treatment did not affect plant wilting and death rates in the proximal plants, but death of distal plants occurred only in control plots. Our results showed S. riobrave infected and killed late-instar D. abbreviatus in plasticulture Florida strawberry, and further research should be conducted to optimize S. riobrave applications and develop it into a management strategy for D. abbreviatus.

We tested the effects of dehydrated sewage sludge fertilization on leaf mass production and ground cover of Terminalia argentea Mart. & Zucc. (Combretaceae) trees. In addition, we determined the abundance, diversity, and species richness of phytophagous Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha predators (Hemiptera), and protocooperating ants visiting those plants. Numbers of leaves per branch, branches per tree, percentage of ground cover, abundance, species richness of phytophagous Hemiptera and Sternorrhyncha predators, including diversity of protocooperating ants, were greater on T. argentea trees fertilized with dehydrated sewage compared with unfertilized trees. We conclude that the addition of the dehydrated sludge aided the recovery of the severely disturbed area by increased fertilization of T. argentea trees used in the restorative process and increased the associated arthropod fauna.

Florida crop plants, including okra, sunflower, tangerine, olive, plum, pomegranate, satsuma, pear, and apple, plus amaranthus were evaluated as hosts for Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). This invasive stink bug fed on all plant species, except olive and pomegranate, but completed development only on apple, pear, and satsuma. However, a significant number of nymphs developed into fifth instars on okra, tangerine, and plum. Halyomorpha halys, therefore, has the potential to complete development on apple, pear, satsuma, plum, okra, and tangerine crops in Florida.

The tawny crazy ant, Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is an invasive ant that is spreading in the southern USA. The control of invasive ants requires an understanding of their biology to implement measures of suppression such as strategically applying ant baits to eliminate queens. Nylanderia fulva queens were collected monthly in north central Florida and dissected to determine their seasonal reproductive status. The percentages of queens with > 50 eggs increased from 26% in winter to a peak of 68% in summer, while queens with < 10 eggs was below 20% per season. Thus, eggs were present in queens throughout the yr. Likewise, mated queens were present in each season, with 81 to 92% of the queens inseminated. While queens were fecund yr-round, the lack of brood production in winter may indicate a curtailment of colony foraging to feed queens and larvae which could impede the strategy of baiting queens consolidated in winter nest sites.

Four palm species, previously unknown hosts for Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), were killed by this invasive palm weevil in Balboa Park, San Diego County, California, USA. The 4 new palm species recorded as reproductive hosts for R. palmarum for the first time are Brahea edulis, Jubaea chilensis, Phoenix reclinata, and Sabal bermudana (all Arecaceae). Phoenix canariensis Chabaud (Arecaceae) is the most highly attacked palm species at Balboa Park, and importantly, no attacks on the edible date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceaae), have been observed. The edible date industry is an important specialty crop in California that may be at risk from R. palmarum.

The first collections of Aedes scapularis (Rondani) (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Florida Keys in 70 yr are reported from Boca Chica Key and Key West, Florida, USA. The importance of this species as a disease vector is briefly discussed.

Ceromasia auricaudata Townsend (Diptera: Tachinidae) is recorded for the first time in Mexico. This also is the first time that C. auricaudata is associated with Neodiprion omosus Smith (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), increasing the number of genera of Tachinidae associated with sawflies.

Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a serious pest of numerous crops grown in greenhouses and field-grown strawberry in yr-round production areas in California, USA. Problems with insecticide resistance have prompted the search for more sustainable methods for their management. Here, we applied UV-C light treatments nightly for 16 s (19.2 J m^–2) over a 6-wk period to tomatoes infested with T. vaporariorum and compared numbers of adults, nymphs, and eggs with those on untreated plants. All life stages of T. vaporariorum were significantly lower on tomatoes treated nightly with UV-C compared with unexposed plants. Additionally, there was no significant difference in chlorophyll fluorescence activity. Our results indicate that nightly UV-C treatments significantly reduce T. vaporariorum populations and offer a potential non-chemical method for their management on tomato.