Heliothine moths are economically damaging insect pests, significantly affecting world crop production each year. Several species in the subfamily are commonly used in agricultural research laboratories. Research protocols should include methods to ensure that excess individuals are completely devitalized before being discarded, preventing further spread of the pests. Processes such as ultracold temperature freezing, autoclaving, or holding insects under adverse conditions for a long period of time are commonly used devitalization methods. Each method adds significant amounts of time and cost; also increasing competition for space in already crowded laboratories. While these frequently used methods might be necessary for some very resilient species, other species can succumb under less elaborate methods of devitalization. One hour of exposure to undiluted household bleach, brief exposure (>20 seconds) of wetted individuals to microwave radiation, storage in a household freezer for 48 hours, and contact with 70% isopropyl alcohol for 24 hours completely devitalized eggs and L1 larvae of corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fab.). These very effective methods might also be applicable for other noctuid species.

Timing and spatial dynamics of tamarisk (Tamarix spp. L.) defoliation by the biological control agent Diorhabda carinulata (Desbrochers) were evaluated. Relative abundance of D. carinulata and the phenology of tamarisk along the San Juan and Colorado rivers were recorded in 2011–2012. D. carinulata began reproducing in the spring when temperatures were >15°C. Variation in spring temperature-rise affected the timing of development of larvae of the first summer generation and initial defoliation of tamarisk at each site. Shortening day lengths in mid- to late-summer cued D. carinulata to enter reproductive diapause resulting in cessation of defoliation. The critical day length for inducing reproductive diapause was 33–47 minutes shorter than that of populations of D. carinulata released into North America in 2001. Variation in spring temperature-rise combined with timing of shortening day length resulted in differences in D. carinulata voltinism per site. During the active season, larvae were less likely to establish in areas where defoliation was >70%. Lack of reestablishment of larvae led to temporary loss of D. carinulata from the locations and allowed tamarisks to sprout new canopies. Defoliation of tamarisk was dictated by environmental cues and abundance of D. carinulata, and in turn large amounts of defoliation negatively affected abundance of D. carinulata.

Monogeny is a phenomenon where a female gall midge produces unisexual broods within galls. Although it has been reported in other cecidomyiid gall midges, it has not been described in the genus Asphondylia. We report that not only do female Asphondylia prosopidis Cockerell induce a new floral bud gall type on mesquites (Prosopis spp.), but also predominantly produce unisexual galls (89%) on mesquites in Arizona and New Mexico. Among mixed galls (11%), the sex ratio was approximately 2:1 between females and males. When considering the use of Asphondylia spp. and other gall midges as biological control agents against invasive plants, it is critical to identify and release both male and female-galled racemes during initial gall establishment.

The inquiline oak gall wasp fauna emerged from agamic galls of Andricus quercuslaurinus Melika and Pujade-Villar, 2009, a dangerous pest for Quercus affinis Scheidw. and Q. laurina Humb. et Bonpl. forests in Mexico, was studied for the first time. Three species in the genus Synergus Hartig, 1840 (Synergini) were obtained from these galls: Synergus davisi (Beutenmüller, 1907), previously known only from the United States of America; Synergus estradae Pujade-Villar and Lobato-Vila, 2016, described from the state of Morelos (Mexico); and Synergus pseudofilicornis Lobato-Vila and Pujade-Villar n. sp., so far determined as Synergus filicornis Cameron, 1883 (= Synergus furnessana Weld, 1913) and here considered as a new species. Synergus pseudofilicornis n. sp. is described and illustrated. A redescription and photographs of S. davisi, as well as new distributions and host associations of S. davisi and S. estradae, are given. The value of the inquilines as biological control agents for A. quercuslaurinus is discussed, and a preliminary list of parasitoids obtained from the galls is presented.

The whitefly, Aleurocybotus occiduus (Russell) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), invaded western Mexico in 2006, attacking several gramineous crops and weeds in the families Poaceae and Cyperaceae. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of native natural enemies on A. occiduus on sugarcane near Los Mochis during 2006–2011. Peak abundance of A. occiduus occurred during August–September, coinciding with warm temperature and precipitation in the region. A series of native parasitoids and predators effectively regulated A. occiduus since its invasion, gradually decreasing pest abundance from 18.46 nymphs per leaf in 2006 to 0.04 in 2011. Total parasitism varied from 33 to 100% by five parasitoids, including two new species: Encarsia longitarsis Myartseva and Metaphycus cerealis Myartseva & Ruiz. Of all arthropod predators collected, 87% were spiders in the families Araneidae, Licosidae, Oxyopidae, Salticidae, Theridiidae, and Thomisidae. Insect predators were less abundant, including several species of Chrysopidae, Melyridae, Coccinellidae, Anthocoridae, Lygaeidae, Reduviidae, and Mantidae. Both parasitoids and spider predators showed density dependence with A. occiduus. This is a case of fortuitous biological control, because an exotic insect pest was regulated by native natural enemies

Biological activity of five strains of Metarhizium anisopliae Metschnikoff (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) and six essential oils was tested in bioassays against the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). Each agent, either conidia from fungal strains or essential oil was sprayed onto adults fed on orange branches in laboratory tests. Combinations of the most pathogenic strain or least pathogenic strain with most-toxic essential oil were tested on natural psyllid populations on Mexican lime trees in field experiments. Results in the laboratory showed Ma57 was the most pathogenic strain killing 77%, while Ma62 was the least pathogenic strain killing 6.1%. Cypress oil was the most toxic oil killing 56% while eucalyptus killed 15%. Results in the field showed the combination of Ma57 and cypress oil killed 56.73% of Asian citrus psyllids on Mexican lime trees. The combination showed additive interaction compared to activity of individual agents. Combination of Ma62 and cypress oil killed 39.4%. The combination showed synergistic interaction compared to activity of individual agents. Combination of a fungal strain and an essential oil might be a good alternative to control the pest, but more studies are needed to increase biological activity of the pathogenic and toxic agents.

Effects of salinity and pH were assessed on the infective capacity of parasitic nematodes of mosquitoes Romanomermis culicivorax Ross & Smith and Romanomermis iyengari (Welch), on larvae of southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Thirteen pH levels (3.6, 3.8, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.2, and 8.4) were evaluated. Six salinity levels (NaCl concentrations) were evaluated, with values of 0.01 M (584 mg/L), 0.02 M (1,169 mg/L), 0.03 M (1,753) mg/L), 0.04 M (2,338 mg/L), 0.05 M (2,922 mg/L), and a 0.00 M check, with three replications. Percentage of infection (of parasitized larvae) and infestation intensity (average nematodes parasitizing a mosquito larva) were recorded for both factors. To determine effects of pH and salinity on percentage of infection and infestation intensity, a sample (n = 20, IV instar) of larvae surviving at high salinity levels was extracted 5 days after application. The greatest percentage of infection statistically significant in R. iyengari was 75 to 91.7 for pH 5.0 to 7.5, and 86.7 to 100 for R. culicivorax between pH 6.0 and 7.0. The greatest infestation intensity statistically significant in R. iyengari was 4.42 to 8.45 between pH 4.5 and 8.0. The greatest levels of infestation statistically significant in R. culicivorax were between pH 5.0 and 7.5 with 3.07 and 3.63 nematodes per mosquito larva.

Entomopathogenic nematodes, a large group of nematodes specialized for parasitism of insects, have been used as classical biological control agents. The nematodes have potential to be used for insect pest management in organic gardening. We studied the potential impact of two entomopathogenic nematodes Steinerneima carpocapsae Weiser and Heterohabditis bacteriophora Poinar on the Texas leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana Buckley, that is considered a problematic agricultural pest in the southern US. We used a relatively large exposure rate of 250,000 nematodes per 10 ants in Petri dishes and monitored ant activity during a 96-hour time period. Results showed no significant differences among the two nematodes and check in numbers of ants killed after 12, 24, 48, 72, or even 96 hours of exposure.

Alate ants captured in a Johnson-Taylor suction trap at two locations in South-Central Texas from March 1979 to August 1980 were preserved, counted, and identified to species and sex. At the College Station site, 24 species/morphospecies were identified, with three species being new Brazos County records; at the Ellis Prison Unit, 22 species/morphospecies were identified, with seven new Walker County records. Monomorium talbotae DuBois was collected from both counties and had not been previously reported from Texas. At the College Station site, the number of species/morphospecies and total number of alates collected were greatest in early to late summer. While peak alate nuptial flights coincided with warm temperatures during the late spring and summer months, rainfall seemed to have a less direct effect on the timing of nuptial flights.

Thripsaphis ballii (Gillette) aphids were first collected on Carex hyalinolepis Steudel plants in a restored wetland along the Deep Fork River in Lincoln County, OK, in 2015. Little is known about the species. A controlled study documented selected life history parameters at 28°C. T. ballii developed through four nymphal instars before the last molt into an adult. Total nymph development averaged 10.6 days, and average duration of each instar ranged from 2.38–2.88 days with more time spent as first and fourth instars. Mean pre-reproductive period for adults was 0.9 day, while reproductive period averaged 11.2 days in which females produced an average of 19.4 nymphs. Longevity (birth to adult) averaged 22.6 days. First and second instars had five antennal segments and third instars through adults had six segments. Based on morphological measurements, second through fourth instars and adults can be discerned based on a combination of body length, number of antennal segments, and antennal length. Information from the study provides the first recorded life history parameters for the species, as well as the first documentation of its occurrence in Oklahoma.

Three species of Agromyzidae were identified at three municipalities in northern Sinaloa, Mexico. Photographs of adults, lateral and ventral aedeagus, and ejaculatory pump, as well as characteristic damage by the agromyzids on host plants were presented. Species identified were: 1. Liriomyza sativae Blanchard 1938 associated with Calendula sp., Carthamus tinctorius L., Helianthus annuus L., Lactuca sativa L., Parthenium sp., Tagetes erecta L., and Taraxacum officinale L., 2. Melanagromyza minima (Malloch 1913) associated with Wedelia sp., and 3. Melanagromyza splendida Frick 1953 boring stems of Carthamus tinctorius L.

While infection by Gnathostoma turgidum (Stossich) in the definitive host, the Virginian opossum, Didelphis virginiana (Kerr), has been described in wildlife, the complete life cycle of the parasite is unknown. Development of early third-stage larvae of Gnathostoma spp. in vitro-infected cyclopoids has been evaluated previously. However, factors involved in viability of copepods as first-intermediate hosts for G. turgidum and that maintain the life cycle of the parasite in endemic areas of gnathostomosis have not been well studied. In this study, in vitro capability of Mesocyclops edax (Forbes) to ingest second-stage larvae of G. turgidum, and density-dependence relationship with the parasitic load were determined. Average ingestion of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:15 densities were 3.5 ± 0.3, 7.5 ± 0.6, and 10.8 ± 1.0, respectively; whereas parasitic loads of each density in M. edax after interaction were 1.7 ± 0.3, 2 ± 0.3, and 1.8 ± 0.3. Parasitic loads of copepods exposed to each density of second-stage larvae were not statistically different. Ingestion capacity by M. edax in vitro for larvae was directly proportional to density of larvae. However, the parasitic load tended to remain constant regardless of density of larvae to which the copepod was exposed. The behavior might be limited by the size of the host or co-evolutionary strategies that favor viability and maintenance of the life cycle of the parasite in wildlife.

Ticks of the family Ixodidae are potential transmitters of pathogens to vertebrates, including birds that because of their mobility are important hosts and dispersers of ticks. Knowing the interactions can help identify potential emerging sites of tick-borne diseases. Abundance of ticks were assessed on birds captured between February and June 2017 at four sites with different land use in the Calakmul region. Ticks from the captured birds were stored individually in 70% ethanol in tubes for later identification using a stereoscope and taxonomic keys. Of 406 birds captured in 82 species, 2.7% were parasitized by ticks, mostly nymphs and larvae of Amblyomma spp. Only the Passeriformes order was parasitized, most parasitized birds were resident species. The higher number of parasitized individuals was found in the forestry successional vegetation. In total 14 ticks of the family Ixodidae were collected. This is the first study we know that analyzed the abundance of ticks on wild birds in Mexico, and new hosts of ticks of the genus Amblyomma spp. were reported.

A new species of Docosia Winnertz fungus gnat was discovered in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Two adult males flew in midsummer to a Malaise trap next to a pine swamp. The flies could not be identified by key to genus because wing vein R1 was longer than allowed by the key for Docosia. Adult females and juvenile stages of Docosia mcgrawi Taber are unknown.

Se evaluó el potencial bioinsecticida que tienen los metabolitos de Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin contra larvas de Bradysia impatiens (Johannsen) (Sciaridae) en laboratorio y de conidios, y metabolitos para la protección de plántulas de ocote Pinus montezumae (Lamb) en invernadero; así como la sintomatología que presentan las larvas tratadas con metabolitos por ingestión. Los resultados en laboratorio mostraron efecto insecticida los primeros 10 días: metabolitos, F 5–7, F 8–10, F 11–13 y testigo con una mortalidad de 18, 20, 32, 20, 12%. El efecto insectistático se determinó de los 11 a los 30 días y fue de 58, 70, 40, 60, y 12%. La sintomatología confirmó que los metabolitos tienen un mayor efecto insectístatico que insecticida, que se manifestó con un aumento en la duración del estado larval, malformaciones de pupas y adultos. En invernadero el grado de protección de conidios, metabolitos 500 y 1000 ppm en P. montezumae a los 60 días fue: 99.5, 97.5, y 100%, respectivamente. Los conidios y metabolitos de B. bassiana representan una alternativa biológica para el control de B. impatiens en condiciones de invernadero debido a su efecto insecticida e insectistático.

La respuesta numérica de Chilocorus cacti Linnaeus, 1767 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), como depredador de la cochinilla silvestre (Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell)), se determinó a través de estudios en laboratorio. Al cuantificar la dinámica de la respuesta numérica, se encontró que al aumentar la cantidad de presas ofrecidas, el depredador incrementó el número de huevos ovipositados y de presas depredadas. Según las regresiones lineales simples realizadas: por cada dos presas ofrecidas, se incrementó el número de huevos ovipositados en 1.238 y el número de presas depredadas en 0.554; y el número de huevos ovipositados se incrementó en 0.636 por cada dos presas depredadas.

Se identificaron parasitoides, depredadores, y entomopatógenos de larvas de Spodoptera frugiperda Smith y Helicoverpa zea Boddie en sorgo y maíz en Irapuato, Guanajuato, México. El parasitismo en larvas de S. frugiperda fue de 1.0 a 5.0%; los individuos identificados pertenecen a dos órdenes, tres familias, cuatro géneros y cuatro especies. Los huevos de H. zea fueron parasitados por dos familas de Hymenoptera, dos géneros y dos especies; las larvas de elotero fueron parasitadas por dos órdenes, cuatro familias, cuatro géneros, y cuatro especies. El parasitoide de huevo de H. zea más abundante fue Trichogramma spp. con 9.9%, en larva Chelonus insularis con 5% y el entomopatógeno Nomurea rileyi infectó al 6.3% de inmaduros. Eucelatoria bryani es nuevo registro como parasitoide de Spodoptera frugiperda y Helicoverpa zea para el estado de Guanajuato; Anaphes spp. y Enicosphilus purgatus son primeros reportes de parasitoides de H. zea en México. El porcentaje de parasitismo en sorgo y maíz es bajo, posiblemente por la aplicación intensiva de insecticidas en los diferentes cultivos hortícolas; pero a pesar de esto, los enemigos naturales de estos noctuidos permanecen en la zona. Posiblemente con un manejo racional de insecticidas y el mantenimiento de refugios estos porcentajes de incrementen.

El tipo de respuesta funcional que presentan los agentes de control biológico sobre sus presas en laboratorio puede utilizarse para inferir los mecanismos básicos de la interrelación depredador-presa en condiciones de campo. En este estudio se comparó el tipo y los parámetros de la respuesta funcional de los tres estadios larvales del depredador Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) sobre ninfas N1–N2 de la plaga Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc) (Hemiptera: Triozidae). El tercer estadio larval del depredador consumió más ninfas comparado con el primero y segundo estadio. Los análisis de regresión logística revelaron respuesta funcional tipo II para el primero y segundo estadio larval de C. carnea sobre B. cockerelli (P1 < 0), pero el tercer estadio larval presentó respuesta tipo III (P1 > 0). Los valores del coeficiente de ataque (a) para el primero y segundo estadio no fueron diferentes, sin embargo los valores del tiempo de manipuleo (Th) fueron significativamente diferentes. Esto sugiere que ambos estadios tienen igual capacidad de descubrimiento de la presa, pero el segundo estadio larval tarda menos tiempo en manipularla. Los resultados de esta investigación sugieren el uso de larvas L1 de C. carnea cuando predomine una mayor cantidad de ninfas N1–N2 en los cultivos, con lo cual se podrían provocar una mayor reducción sobre las poblaciones de la plaga.

Las chicharritas (Cicadellidae) son un grupo de insectos de importancia fitosanitaria; sus daños varían desde alteraciones fisiológicas y necrosis, producto de sus hábitos de alimentación y oviposición, hasta intensas infecciones causadas por los virus y otros patógenos que trasmiten. El trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la diversidad y abundancia de especies de chicharritas en una plantación comercial de piñón (Jatropha curcas L.) en Morelos, México. Se capturaron 372 especímenes de Cicadellidae, distribuidos en 10 géneros; de éstos, los más abundantes fueron Draeculacephala (41.4%), Oncometopia (18.0%), y Dikrella (15.6%). El mayor número de individuos (132) se colectó en el estrato medio de los árboles de piñón. Los valores de los índices de diversidad de Shannon-Weaver (H′ = 0.60 bits/individuo) y Simpson (D_si = 0.33 bits/individuo) revelaron baja diversidad poblacional y de moderada a baja dominancia entre los géneros recolectados. La mayor riqueza de géneros se localizó en octubre y de especímenes en noviembre. Estos resultados enriquecen la información faunística de los cicadélidos y el conocimiento de los estratos arbóreos en que regularmente se refugian; pero sobre todo, se identificó la presencia de géneros con gran potencial para afectar diversas especies de plantas de interés agrícola.

El aguacate (Persea americana Mill.) es un cultivo perene de importancia económica, por su gran aceptación en el mercado nacional e internacional. Sin embargo, es susceptible a plagas y enfermedades, entre las más importantes está la araña roja (Oligonychus punicae Hirst). Si se sabe la distribución de la plaga, las aplicaciones de agroquímicos pueden estar dirigidas lo que reduce costos, contaminación ambiental, residualidad, entre otros beneficios. El presente trabajo tuvo por objetivo determinar la distribución espacial de las poblaciones de araña roja en dos municipios del Estado de México. El comportamiento espacial se identificó a través de las técnicas de estadística espacial (SADIE y geoestadística), con los índices de SADIE se determinó la distribución espacial, en el caso de la geoestadística se elaboraron mapas de distribución espacial por medio de krigeado y la estimación de la superficie infestada. Los resultados indican que las poblaciones de araña roja presentan una distribución de tipo agregada, ajustándose a los modelos de tipo Gaussiano, Esférico y Exponencial. Dicho comportamiento fue corroborado con los mapas de densidad. Las infestaciones no se distribuyen en el 100% en las parcelas de aguacate, habiendo lugares donde es poca la infestación, lo cual permitiría dirigir de manera eficaz acciones de control.

El objetivo fue generar mapas de casos de dengue mediante un Sistema de Información Geográfica (SIG) en el área metropolitana de Monterrey (AMMty), Nuevo León, México indicando las zonas de riesgo. Las muestras positivas a una de las pruebas para dengue, que realiza el Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública (LESP) se tomaron como casos. Los casos fueron agrupados en área geoestadística básica (AGEB's). Se definieron AGEB's brote y semana brote. Se presentaron 114 AGEB's Brote y 33 Semanas Brote. Las AGEB's fueron ubicadas en cinco niveles de riesgo: Muy alto, Alto, Mediano, Bajo y en Riesgo. Las AGEB's incluidas en Muy alto y Alto Riesgo abarcaron el 7.9% de las AGEB's y 41.4% casos. Con mayor frecuencia durante las semanas 38–45, temporada de lluvia. En base a estos resultados el AMMty debe considerase endémica.

Información de la asociación entre melolóntidos edafícolas y el daño a Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. et Cham., en un bosque templado con aprovechamiento forestal en Tlaxco, Tlaxcala, México, se discute. Se obtuvieron 152 ejemplares de larvas que representaron a 10 especies de los géneros Macrodactylus (n = 8), Diplotaxis (n = 2), y Phyllophaga (n = 142). La mayor riqueza y abundancia la presentó la zona sin manejo forestal con 10 especies y el 64.5% de ejemplares. El análisis de correspondencia mostró que la mayoría de la especies están asociadas a los árboles que presentan daño evidente en la raíz.

Primer registro de Linepithema humile en el Estado de San Luis Potosí, México, asociada a Opuntia spp.

To assess parasitoid and hyperparasitoid species associated with Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), samples were collected each week from 15 July to 19 October 2016 in the region of Laguna, Coahuila, Mexico. Aphelinus varipes (Foerster, Aphelinidae) and Lysiphlebus testaceipes (Cresson, Braconidae) were found causing low percentages of parasitism (8.5 and 0.8%, respectively). Associated hyperparasitoids were Syrphophagous aphidiovorus (Mayr, Encyrtidae), Pachyneuron aphidis (Bouché, Pteromalidae), and Alloxysta sp. (Figitidae). A. varipes and S. aphidiovorus were the most abundant. This is the first record of A. varipes associated with M. sacchari in sorghum.

A survey of the ant species in Kaufman County, Texas resulted in identification of 29 species in five subfamilies. Twenty-eight of the species were new records for the county. This brought the total number of species reported in the county to 32.

The groups formerly recognized as the hispines and cassidines are now combined into a single taxon Cassidinae, which is the second most speciose subfamily of Chrysomelidae and worldwide in distribution. Being such a large subfamily, the biology, ecology, and distribution of many of the species are unknown. Localities and states in Mexico where specimens of the family Chrysomelidae have been collected are known for only about 50% of the species. In this study, Pseudispa sinuata Staines and Uroplata fusca Chapuis were recorded for the first time in Mexico, and the distribution of Pseudispa tuberculata Staines was extended to include the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Durante noviembre y diciembre de 2017 se observaron daños en raíces y tallos de maíz (Zea mays L.) en parcelas comerciales en Campeche, México. Con base en las características morfológicas se identificó Coptotermes testaceus como el insecto causante. Este es el primer registro de C. testaceus dañando Z. mays en México.