Annual outbreaks of green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), limit commercial production of brassica crops, especially in organic systems in subtropical areas such as South Texas. We assessed the influence of companion plants that emit attractant, repellent, and natural enemy-attractant stimuli (i.e., insectary plants) on abundance of green peach aphid in organic kale (Brassica oleracaea L. var. acephala) fields in South Texas. We also monitored the assemblage of arthropod predators and parasitoids on kale and evaluated the response of numerically dominant species to companion plants. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Vassiliĭ Matveievitch Czernajew; attractant), dill (Anethum graveolens L.; repellent), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.; repellent), and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench; insectary) were interplanted in 0.4-ha fields of organic kale varieties ‘Lacinato’ and ‘Vates’. Manual, sticky-trap, and pitfall sampling were used to repeatedly assess green peach aphids and arthropod natural enemies on kale immediately neighboring test companion plants. Numerically dominant (more than 60% of all individuals) natural enemies were Pterostichus sp. in pitfall samples, and larval and adult convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens (Guérin-Méneville), in manual, sticky trap, and pitfall samples. The presence of nearby attractant, repellent, insectary plants did not significantly alter abundance of green peach aphid or numerically dominant natural enemy species on kale plants. Our findings might indicate limited potential of companion plants in regulating aphids in South Texas, but we make recommendations for future research that considers spatial relationships between crops and companion plants and effects on aphids and natural enemies.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) strains isolated from soil of citrus orchards were tested for insecticidal activity against the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), a key citrus pest in Mexico. From a total of 55 soil samples, 201 isolates were selected, for a total B. thuringiensis index of 0.66. The collection was characterized through light microscopy, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and PCR analysis detecting cry2, cry4, cry10, cry11, and cry19 genes. Of the 201 isolates, 51% produced ovoid crystals, 28% adhered to the spore, 15% were pleomorphic, 3% were bipyramidal, 2% cubic, and 1% was pyramidal type. Six colonies were positive for the cry10 gene and one for the cry19 gene. SDS-PAGE of spore-crystal preparations revealed seven electrophoresis patterns. These were bioassayed against Mexican fruit fly adults, obtaining maximum mortality of 28%.

Bluetongue virus is the etiological agent of a disease characterized by bleeding in domestic and wild ruminants. Different viral strains can infect a ruminant species and severity of infection is variable. Transmission of the virus under natural conditions is through the bite of a mosquito of the genus Culicoides (Ceratopogonidae), but also can be transmitted by infected semen or embryos. The genus Culicoides is a vector of other diseases such as African horse sickness. Specimens are about 0.5 to 5 mm in size. There are about 1,400 species of Culicoides, only 32 of which can act as biological vectors. This is because of the receiver with the intestinal cells where amplification occurs in viral load. A segment 10 of the viral genome from 16 viral serotypes (of approximately 26 serotypes reported) was used. The sequences were aligned, and the consensus sequence was obtained. Subsequently, a pair of oligonucleotides was designed on a highly conserved region that theoretically allows co-amplification of the strains. Sites for restriction enzymes were identified to create a specific electrophoretic pattern for each serotype. It was possible to theoretically amplify a gene segment of 16 bluetongue virus serotypes with one set of oligonucleotides and the serotypes can be differentiated with two restriction enzymes. The proposed method could become a simple, inexpensive, and practical routine tool for type-specific identification of bluetongue virus.

Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) (Povolny 1973), is the most important insect pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Central and South America, and Spain. The species was recently reported in Mexico, demonstrating the power of invasion by this insect. In Peru, the insect is quarantined, and could become a damaging pest in America. Larvae attack potato tubers, causing economic loss of 50 to 100%. We used eight microsatellites in 152 individuals from Antioquia (North), Boyacá (Center), Nariño (South), and Norte de Santander (East), Colombia, and found T. solanivora genetically different based on an AMOVA test (F_ST = 0.094, P < 0.01, R_ST = 0.175, P < 0.01). The differentiation was supported by Bayesian analysis where we estimated K = 2. The outcome suggests populations from Antioquia and Boyacá are genetically similar whereas populations from Nariño and Norte de Santander differ because of geographical separation from other regions. We found T. solanivora had not undergone a recent bottleneck effect suggested by other authors. On the contrary we found that this species has undergone recent population expansion in the country. We suggest that movement of potatoes caused genetic homogenization. Movement occurs from Boyacá where most potatoes are produced, to the rest of Colombia.

In eukaryotes, the timeless (TIM) gene plays a fundamental role in the control of the circadian clock by regulating several biochemical, physiological, and behavioral processes. RT-PCR was used to amplify TIM mRNA from larval southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, from three locations in the State of Nuevo Leon in northeastern Mexico. The 3062 bp TIM cDNA was assembled from three overlapping PCRs that were cloned and sequenced. DNA sequence analysis used amplified cDNA fragments to complete coding the DNA sequence (2991 bp). Tim ORF consisting of 996 codons was shorter than the orthologous genes from other mosquito species. A series of deletions in the core sequence of TIM were detected. No other amplification products were visualized, and thus, the possibility of alternative spliced mRNA species was discarded. Because TIM is a widely conserved gene in eukaryotes, and maintaining colonies of Cx. quinquefasciatus is easy, determining the sequence of the TIM gene in the mosquito provides the possibility of its use as a model for circadian clock experimentation.

In prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the Period (PER) gene is important for the circadian clock that regulates some rhythmic biochemical, physiological, and behavioral processes. PER messenger amplification was done by RT-PCR from southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, larvae collected at three locations in the State of Nuevo Leon, northeastern Mexico. The amplified products were cloned, sequenced, and compared/analyzed with those of other species of mosquitoes. A 3,093-bp amplified product was synthesized by PCR, which is the complete coding DNA sequence (3,027 bp) of PER encoding an open reading frame of 996 amino acid residues and much smaller than the orthologous in other mosquitoes analyzed. No other simultaneous amplification was visualized; thus, possible alternative splicings were discarded or at least not detected by the method. Because PER is a widely conserved gene in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and maintaining colonies of southern house mosquitoes is relativity easy, determining the sequence of the gene in the mosquito provides the possibility of using the gene as a model and generating data on the role in the circadian clock.

Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) is the mosquito species responsible for transmission of yellow and dengue fevers. Different strategies are used worldwide to reduce its abundance, but effectiveness is not well understood. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical control of larvae of this species using different indices before and after application at three locations in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The presence of Ae. aegypti larvae was evaluated by three larval indices: house index, container index, and Breteau index at three locations at Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and San Jose del Cabo during 3 years (2011–2013) before and after chemical control and reduction of potential breeding sites by the Secretaria de Salud (health department of Baja California Sur). The data showed significant statistical differences (p < 0.001) in the relative abundance of Ae. aegypti larvae before and after applying larvicide (Temephos®) and by removing water containers where mosquitoes reproduce, regardless of the type of index used for the analysis. In La Paz, the average of the housing index was reduced from 16–83% to 0–5% after control during the 3 years. In Cabo San Lucas, the value was reduced from 2–40% to <1% and in San Jose del Cabo such variation was 4–46% to 0–7%. The index of positive containers before and after management varied in La Paz from 6–34% to 0–4.7%; in Cabo San Lucas from 0.2–23% to <1%, and in San Jose del Cabo from 0.6–11% to <1.2%. The Breteau index in La Paz varied from 48–358% to 0–12.5%, in Cabo San Lucas, values decreased from 3–67% to <1%, and in San Jose del Cabo from 3–174% to 0–16% after vector-control measures were applied. Our data suggested that controls applied in Baja California Sur on Ae. aegypti larvae were effective enough to reduce the relative abundance of larvae of the species. However, other strategies are necessary to ensure elimination of Ae. aegypti larvae homes, thereby reducing impact on human health in the zone.

Insecticidal effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of dried leaves of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Piper auritum Kunth, and Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wiggwere determined on developmental stages of potato/tomato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc). When aqueous extract at 0.2 g/ml was applied to psyllid nymphs, A. artemisiifolia extract was most toxic, P. auritum was moderately toxic, and T. officinale was slightly less toxic. Ethanol extract of A. artemisiifolia killed more than 50% of 2^nd, 3^rd, and 5^th instar nymphs treated with 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 g/ml, respectively. P. auritum was effective on 3^rd and 4^th instars and T. officinale on 5^th and 3^rd instars at 0.01 and 0.1 g/ml, respectively. Ethanol extracts of the three plant species killed 50 to 60% of adults with 0.1 g/ml and 30 to 45% with 0.01 g/ml. Extracts of Argemone mexicana L., Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Petiveria alliacea L., and Tagetes filifolia Lag. were evaluated on 4^th and 5^th instar nymphs. Ethanol extract of leaves of A. mexicana at 0.2 g/ml killed 100% of 5^th instar nymphs at 24 hours and 93% of 4th instars at 72 hours. A. indica, P. alliacea, and T. filifolia at 0.2 g/ml killed 85, 88, and 87%, respectively, of 5^th instar nymphs.

Hirsutella citriformis Speare is an important entomopathogenic fungus that infects diverse species of hemipteran insects, including the vector of huanglongbing, Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae). The objective of this study was to determine the growth and conidiation of eight isolates of H. citriformis as well as virulence of the conidia on Asian citrus psyllid adults and nymphs. The strains were isolated from infected D. citri in states of Mexico where citrus, Citrus spp., are grown. Optimum radial growth was obtained at 25°C for the eight isolates incubated in three agar media (potatodextrose agar, potato dextrose agar with 0.5% yeast extract, and Sabouraud dextrose agar). Most daily radial growth was by six strains and most production of conidia (1.833 × 10⁷ per milliliter) was by strain IB-Hir-2 after 34 days of incubation on potato dextrose agar with 0.5% yeast extract. In a preliminary bioassay, strains INIFAP-Hir-1, IB-Hir-2, and IB-Hir-1 killed most (88.1, 87.7, and 85.6%, respectively) Asian citrus psyllid adults inoculated by contact. From 50.5–81.7% of the nymphs died.

The Lonchaeidae family includes economically important species, worldwide considered major insect pests of fruits and vegetables. In Mexico, little is known about this group of insects and their interaction with their hosts. This study contributes to knowledge of the two Lonchaeidae species in the genus Neosilba, Neosilba batesi Curran and N. glaberrima Wiedmann, associated with Annona fruit. A total of 642 Neosilba adults emerged from the fruit of Annona spp. collected. N. batesi was more abundant and widely distributed in the areas sampled, and was collected from fruit of Annona muricata, A. reticulata, A. cherimola, A. diversifolia, A. squamosa, A. glabra, and A. globiflora, while N. glaberrima was collected only on A. muricata, A. reticulata, and A. squamosa. Biological aspects of each species are described, and photographs of adults taken with the aid of a light microscope are included. The associations of N. batesi and N. glaberrima with Annona plants are new records for all localities in Mexico.

The previously unknown female of the fungus gnat genus Paratinia Mik is described and illustrated. The specimen presumably belongs to the single Nearctic species Paratinia recurva Johannsen. Sexual dimorphism between the female and several males that might be conspecific with the female and with each other is discussed with intrasexual variation observed among the males.

Se determinaron ocho especies de parasitoides pteromálidos (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) de pupas de moscas en establos lecheros de Jalisco, México. Las especies de moscas dominantes fueron Musca domestica L. y Stomoxys calcitrans L. Las especies de parasitoides identificadas fueron Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, S. endius Walker, S. cameroni Perkins, S. drosophilae Ashmead, S. gemina Boucek, Muscidifurax zaraptor Kogan and Legner, M. raptorellus Kogan and Legner, y M. raptor Girault and Sanders. Las especies de pteromálidos más abundantes fueron S. nigroaenea, S. endius, y S. cameroni con 37, 34, y 23% del total de parasitoides obtenidos, respectivamente; mientras que las otras cinco especies comprendieron el 6% de los parasitoides. Los porcentajes de parasitismo de pupas de moscas variaron de 0% a 46%, dependiendo de la localidad y época de colecta de pupas. En relación con los promedios de parasitismo por época de colecta, el mayor ocurrió durante julio y agosto (promedio de 9.3 y 10.8%, respectivamente) y el menor se registró de enero a mayo (promedio de 0.6 a 2.1%). En cuanto a los promedios de parasitismo por localidad, el más alto se presentó en Tuxpan (promedio de 9.0%) y Arandas (promedio de 7.2%) y el más bajo tuvo lugar en Zapotlanejo (promedio de 0.6%) y Zapopan (promedio de 1.0%). Por lo anterior, se recomienda la cría masiva y liberación de S. nigroaenea o S. endius, debido a su mayor abundancia, para el control biológico de moscas como parte de un programa de manejo integrado de estas plagas en los establos lecheros de Jalisco, México.

A nivel mundial los estudios de diversidad entomofaunística en agroecosistemas van en aumento, en especial los asociados a cultivos genéticamente modificados. No obstante, en México se carece de dichas evaluaciones en la mayoría de los estados productores. Se compararon las especies de insectos presentes en algodonero genéticamente modificado en cinco estados de México. De los 6994 insectos obtenidos, 59 son especies distintas pertenecientes a nueve Órdenes y 40 familias. El Orden con más insectos fue Diptera (51.5%) mientras que Coleoptera presentó mayor diversidad en familias y especies (32.5 y 35%). Once especies de insectos de cinco se encontraron en todos los estados; 10 familias estuvieron presentes en uno de los estados. Coahuila presentó más familias (65%), mientras que Baja California y Chihuahua presentaron mayor diversidad (50.8%). El estado con el mayor número de insectos fue Coahuila con el 47.7%. La familia con más insectos fue Sciaridae con un 46.1% presente en los cinco estados. Existen diferencias y similitudes en diversidad de insectos tanto en familias, especies, y número de insectos en las regiones productoras de algodonero en México, lo que indica que no existe un patrón definido en la interacción del algodonero genéticamente modificado con las regiones productoras y la diversidad entomofaunística en México

Se determinó el ciclo biológico y se hizo la identificación molecular de un parasitoide natural encontrado en larvas del gusano cogollero, Spodoptera frugiperda, presentes en cultivos de sorgo en la zona norte del estado de Tamaulipas, México. Se estableció una colonia del parasitoide para estudiar su ciclo biológico. Las larvas parasitoides se identificaron mediante la amplificación parcial de la subunidad I del gen de la citocromo oxidasa c y por secuenciación. Se observó que la larva parasitoide se alimenta durante 9.5 ± 0.7 días en el interior del hospedero el cual deja de alimentarse, pierde movilidad y muere en 24–48 h. El parasitoide emerge del hospedero para formar la pupa la cual dura 7.5 ± 0.7 días. El adulto emerge de la pupa y vive 20 días. El ciclo de vida bajo condiciones controladas a 24 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% HR, fotoperiodo de 10:14 luz/oscuridad es de 36 días. El producto de PCR tuvo un tamaño de banda de 600 pb y la secuencia del fragmento fue comparada con la base de datos del GenBank identificándose como Meteorus laphygmae.

Se evaluó el nivel de daño ocasionado por el gusano cogollero, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), bajo condiciones de campo en tres híbridos de maíz genéticamente modificado (GM) y un híbrido convencional como testigo, todos con y sin aplicación de insecticidas. Las variedades GM Agrisure 3110^® que expresa las proteínas de Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab y Vip3Aa20, Agrisure Viptera 3111^® que expresa Cry1Ab, Vip3Aa20, y mCry3A, mostraron un alto nivel de resistencia con valores en la Escala de Davis igual a 1 con y sin control de insecticida. Agrisure 3000 GT^® que expresa las proteínas Cry1Ab y mCry3A tuvo un daño foliar de 2.3 y 3.3 con y sin control de insecticida, mientras que el daño fue mayor en el testigo con y sin control de insecticida con valores de 7.2 y 9, respectivamente. Estos resultados muestran que la tecnología es altamente efectiva para controlar esta plaga clave y podría traer considerables beneficios a los agricultores de México.

Rhynchonphorus palmarum es una plaga importante en los cultivos de palmas de América puesto que es el vector del nematodo Bursaphelenchus cocophilus causante de la enfermedad del anillo rojo. Debido a que en el centro de Veracruz, México el cultivo de palmas ornamentales es económicamente importante, en este trabajo se analizó su abundancia temporal y espacial. Se reporta por primera vez para el Estado de Veracruz la presencia de R. palmarum asociado a diferentes hospederos. Se encontró que este escarabajo es significativamente abundante en la época lluviosa, lo cual coincide con la sincronía existente entre el ciclo biológico de este escarabajo y las estaciones del año en la región. Se encontró un efecto significativo de la abundancia de Whashingtonia robusta, Livistonona australis, y Dypsis lutescens, con la abundancia de R. palmarum. Nuestros resultados sugieren una preferencia de este insecto por hospedar en Washintonia robusta.

Se describe la anatomía del aparato reproductor de hembras y machos de Macrodactylus mexicanus (Burmeister), complementándose con un estudio histológico de las glándulas accesorias (tipo I y tipo II) y la cámara genital de las hembras, para buscar evidencias sobre la participación de ambas estructuras en la producción de atrayentes químicos. El aparato reproductor de ambos sexos de M. mexicanus es similar en la morfología y organización de estructuras y órganos al de otros integrantes de la familia Melolonthidae. El epitelio glandular de las glándulas accesorias tipo I es pluriestratificado; las células secretoras basales son cúbicas y tienen poco citoplasma; las células secretoras de las subsecuentes capas son redondas y pueden ser de un tamaño grande o pequeño y tener abundantes o escasas secreciones. En el caso de las glándulas accesorias tipo II, poseen células secretoras basales redondeadas; el epitelio glandular también es pluriestratificado, sus células secretoras son alargadas y tienen abundantes secreciones. La cámara genital presenta una capa de células cúbicas y una capa cuticular delgada y continua; algunos oenocitos fueron encontrados. En conclusión, se observó que los dos pares de glándulas accesorias (tipo I y II) presentan características tanto anatómicas como histológicas que indican que podrían estar involucradas en la producción de atrayentes químicos. Asimismo, la cámara genital destaca por presentar oenocitos, los cuales posiblemente estén involucrados en la síntesis de precursores de atrayentes.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsamura) is an invasive and polyphagous species native to Southeast Asia, capable of causing severe economic damage to the fruits of its hosts. The first record in Mexico of this Diptera was for the state of Michoacán, subsequently was reported for the states of Colima, Jalisco and Baja California. Sentinel traps with pupae of D. suzukii were placed in areas of blackberry crops to attract its parasitoids. From those traps, specimens of Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae (Rondani) were obtained; this association was already registered in the United States and Europe in cherries and blackberries, but this is the first record for Mexico.

Todas las especies de Agromyzidae son fitófagas, la mayoría de las larvas del género Liriomyza Mik minan hojas en sus plantas hospederas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar actualizaciones del daño en algunas plantas hospederas, nuevos registros de distribución geográfica y proporcionar características taxonómicas para la identificación de Liriomyza brassicae (Riley), Liriomyza commelinae (Frost), y Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess). Los lugares de colecta fueron los estados de México, Oaxaca y Veracruz, y de abril 2011 a noviembre 2013 se colectaron hojas con presencia de larvas o puparios y adultos con red de golpeo. Liriomyza brassicae se confirma que realiza diferentes patrones en sus minas sobre Lantana camara y Tropaeolum sp; L. commelinae representa un nuevo registro para México y se presentan características de las minas sobre Commelina diffusa. Liriomyza trifolii amplía su distribución en Oaxaca en la Cuenca del Papaloapan y se registra como plaga potencial asociada al chile variedad ‘Soledad'.

The species Casimiroa edulis, Diospyros digyna, Psidium guajava, and Annona reticulata were reported as new host plants of Chlorocoris distinctus in Mexico. This species exhibited maternal care of eggs and nymphs, but despite this behavior, 52.9% of the egg masses and as much as 43% of eggs, were parasitized by Trissolcus occiduus (Hymenoptera: Platygasteridae). It is a gregarious parasitoid with an average of 19.1 parasitoids per egg. Because of its high percentage of parasitism observed, T. occiduus can be considered as a potential biological control agent of Pentatomidae bugs.

We present the first record of the Hemisphaerotini (Coleoptera) tribe in Mexico. This first record in Mexico is an important contribution for knowledge of the Mexican tortoise beetles because some species of Hemisphaerotini are regarded as pests. Those species feed on leaves of palm (family Arecaceae) and cacao (Theobroma cacao L.). The 28 specimens of the genus Spaethiella Barber and Bridwell were collected on the foliage of the tropical herb Heliconia aurantiaca Ghiesbr. Ex Lem (Heliconiaceae) in the Reserva Integral de la Biosfera Montes Azules (RIBMA), Chiapas, Mexico.

A neotype of centipede species Scolopendra pomacea Koch, 1847 was designated based on analysis of published information and morphological examination of specimens collected in Michoacán State, Mexico.