In the southern US, rice, Oryza sativa L., is frequently attacked simultaneously by rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, and sheath blight pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani J.G. Kühn. Field studies were used to determine the impact of L. oryzophilus infestation on development of sheath blight and combined effects of both L. oryzophilus and R. solani on yield of rice cultivars, ‘Cocodrie’ and ‘Jefferson’. Infestation by L. oryzophilus had no influence on severity of sheath blight in either Cocodrie or Jefferson. Grain yield of both cultivars was significantly less in response to infestation by L. oryzophilus. Infection by R. solani alone significantly reduced yield only in the susceptible cultivar Cocodrie. Percent yield losses in Cococdrie in response to exposure to L. oryzophilus and R. solani alone and in combination were 5.6, 23.9, and 20.0%, respectively. Similarly, percent yield losses in Jefferson in response to exposure to L. oryzophilus and R. solani alone and in combination were 7.3, 10.6, and 5.4%, respectively. Combined impact of infestation by L. oryzophilus and infection by R. solani on yield did not differ significantly from the impact of pathogen infection alone in Cocodrie. The combined impact of R. solani and L. oryzophilus on yield in Jefferson did not vary significantly from the impact of either alone. Results suggested that L. oryzophilus did not affect severity of sheath blight in rice, and the combined impact of L. oryzophilus and R. solani on rice yield was less than additive. Understanding the interaction between L. oryzophilus and R. solani, important pests of rice in the southern US, will help manage these pests more effectively.

During 2016-2017, growers at San Juan de Los Planes, El Carrizal, and El Pescadero at Baja California Sur, Mexico experienced serious outbreaks of phytoplasma squash yellowing disease, causing significant economic loss, mostly from low yield and quality of squash, Cucurbita pepo L., for export. In addition, abundant beet leafhoppers, Circulifer tenellus (Baker), presumed to transmit the disease, were observed in each field. Using nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and comparing in silico patterns, positive Western X-disease phytoplasma of the 16SrIII group was detected. Scanning electron microscopy showed phytoplasmatic particles in sieve tubes of infected plants and insects. Phytoplasma risk based on combined data of insect abundance, disease incidence, and economic threshold was analyzed to evaluate the impact of the disease over time. Only at Los Planes with 128 adult insects per trap and 75.5% incidence of disease was risk of phytoplasma high, while at El Carrizal and El Pescadero, risk was moderate. This is the first evidence of beet leafhoppers transmitting phytoplasma to squash at Baja California Sur. The information will be useful for managing disease in the region and where squash is grown worldwide.

Since the introduction of genetically modified cotton (GM or Bt cotton) to Mexico in 1996, less insecticide is used, and cotton yields have increased significantly. Considering the controversy over potential environmental impact of Bt cotton, and particularly the lack of information on its effects on diversity of entomofauna, the objective of this study was to determine insect diversity in non-Bt and Bt cottons in the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico. Insects collected in both types of cotton were in the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, and Thysanoptera. Insects in the order Hemiptera were most abundant, followed by Diptera and Thysanoptera. Insects belonged to 40 families, with most abundant being Aleyrodidae, Anthocoridae, Thripidae, Noctuidae, Chrysopidae, Agromyzidae, Syrphidae, Coccinellidae, Aphididae, and Lygaeidae. In total, 35 species of insects were identified, of which 18 and 17 were entomophagous and phytophagous, respectively. The most abundant species were sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius); minute pirate bug, Orius tristicolor (White); onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman; western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande); beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner); pirate bug, Orius laevigatus (Fieber); serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess); Allograpta obliqua; convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville; and green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens). The total numbers of entomophagous and phytophagous insects were similar in both types of cotton. Only bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), and beet armyworm were more abundant in non-Bt than in Bt cotton. The 33 other species were similar in abundance in both types of cotton. Based on Margalef, Simpson and Shannon-Wiener indices, insect diversity did not different between Bt and non-Bt cottons. Minute pirate bug, O. laevigatus, and to some extent insidious flower bug, Orius insidiosus (Say), might be species to use for risk assessment and management of Bt cotton in the region, because of their abundance and presence during most of the cotton-growing season and in adjacent crops.

Leek, Allium ampeloprasum L., is susceptible to attack by onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, that reduce yield and quality. Intercropping has been proposed as a strategy for reducing negative effects of pests on one or all crops in a system. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of intercropping maize, Zea mays L., and leek on abundance of thrips and production and morphology of both crops, but emphasizing effects on leek. The experiment was done during spring 2016 in northwestern Mexico, under extreme climatic conditions characteristic of desert environments and high soil salinity. Two maize varieties (sweet and field) at zero, three, five, and 10 plants per square meter were intercropped with a fixed number of 10 leek plants per square meter. The response variables were thrips abundance and plant yields and morphology characteristics. Maize reduced abundance of thrips on leek, with 5.6, 2.6, 2.2, and 1.5 thrips for 0, 3, 5, and 10 maize plants m^-2, respectively; i.e., the closer together the maize plants, the less abundant were thrips on leek, but leek yields were less with more maize plants (plant competition) per meter, with 12,075, 4,875, 4,581, and 4,159 kg ha^-1, respectively. Leeks intercropped showed morphological adjustments compared with a leek monoculture, indicating negative effects of competition with maize, instead of benefiting from the microenvironment (cooler leek canopy temperatures) created by maize. Maize was effective at reducing abundance of thrips but severely out-competed leeks. Further testing is needed on less competitive secondary crop species in main crops in a region to reduce pest abundance naturally without decreasing yield potential of associated crops.

The western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus Knight (Hemiptera: Miridae), can cause serious losses to strawberry, vegetables, and field crops in the western US. Often, fifth instars are noticed walking at the perimeter of crop fields. However, little is known of their walking capacity and dispersal. A series of laboratory and field studies were used to record the walking capacity of fifth instars. Starved nymphs moved farther (∼2×) than non-starved individuals in a laboratory. Fifth instars also traveled farther (as many as 12 m in 15 minutes) as surface temperature warmed. Wind velocity had no effect on nymphal movement.

To know the potential of entomopathogenic fungi for management of adults of Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using the auto-dissemination technique, three isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin and six isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) were characterized physiologically and pathogenically. At the time 50% of conidia germinated (GT₅₀), pathogenicity, effect of relative humidity, and horizontal transmission of the entomopathogen male-female in three ratios (1:5, 1:10, 1:15) were evaluated. In addition, a preliminary device for auto-dissemination of the entomopathogen was evaluated. All isolates were pathogenic (33.3-100%) toward adults of the insect. Pathogenicity and TG₅₀ were very correlated (r = 0.8) and fluctuated from 14.1 to 20.3 hours. Because of intermediate pathogenicity (68.7%) and varying response to humidity (62-100%), isolation of M. anisopliae Ma-San Rafel-2 was used for auto-dissemination bioassays. Transmission of the entomopathogen was a function of the number of females exposed. After 11 days, a male transmitted the fungus to 15 healthy females. The males released in devices prepared with fungus + synthetic sex pheromone were attracted, infected, and killed 5 to 8 days later. Our results are fundamental for management of S. frugiperda through auto-dissemination of entomopathogenic fungi.

Introduction and spread of Euwallacea species in Mexico are a significant threat to production of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) and other potential hosts in urban and natural areas. Biological control with entomopathogenic fungi suggests an alternative to maintain pest abundance below the economic threshold. Nevertheless, isolation and characterization of strains capable of infecting Euwallacea spp. in local environmental conditions were previously required. Derived from the collection of natural enemies of Kuroshio shot hole borer, Euwallacea sp. nr. fornicatus (Eichhoff), mycosed adults were found in Populus sp. at Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Morphological (conidia and phialides were measured) and molecular (translation elongation factor and Bloc gene regions were sequenced) analyses resulted in the identification of two isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. Both strains produced greater growth between 25 and 27°C, and pathogenicity tests in Kuroshio shot hole borer ranged from 58.3 to 83.3%. It is the first report of B. bassiana in Euwallace sp. nr. fornicatus in Mexico.

Three entomopathogenic fungi, Beauveria bassiana (Bilsamo) Vuill. GHA, Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) F52, and Isaria javanica (Wise) strain 439 were evaluated for insecticidal activity against walnut husk maggot, Rhagoletis suavis (Loew), collected from husks of black walnut, Juglans nigra L., to identify the best pathogen for development of augmented biological control of the pest. The species of Rhagoletis from the field was confirmed to be sauvis by mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequencing and by wing color patterns of adults. The larval stage of the walnut husk maggot was susceptible to each of the fungal pathogens. More field-collected maggots died from exposure to greater concentrations of fungal conidia. Probit analysis showed M. brunneum was 139 and 155 times more potent against maggots than were B. bassiana and I. javanica, respectively. Greater insecticidal activity of Metarhizium supports selection for further study as a biological control agent against Rhagoletis.

Insecticides negatively impact predators. The effect of insecticides on functional response of sevenspotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L., to melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, was studied at controlled laboratory conditions of 26 ± 2°C, 65 ± 5% relative humidity, and photoperiod of 16:8 light:dark hours. In response to insecticides, all stages of C. septempunctata had Type II functional response, whereas Type III was observed for third, fourth, and adult stages in the check treatment. Least handling time, high attack rate, and greatest theoretical maximum predation were found with buprofezin in 1^st instar (0.098±1.461h, 1.179±0.051 h^-1, 244.90), 2^nd instar (0.04±0.278h, 0.404±0.008h^-1, 600.00), 3^rd instar (0.032±0.313h, 1.182±0.060h^-1, 750.00), 4^th instar (0.028±0.14h, 2.704±0.005h^-1, 857.14) and adult (0.031±0.159h, 1.137±0.159h^-1, 774.19) followed by pymetrozine. To evaluate the impact of insecticide on C. septempunctata at field conditions, selected insecticides were sprayed on C. septempunctata feeding on A. gossypii on chili, Capsicum annuum L. Fewest C. septempunctata were observed with buprofezin 55±3.56%, 65±8.97%, 85±6.56% and pymetrozine 32±4.45%, 71±10.12%, 84±7.54% at 24, 72, and 240 hours after spraying.

Insects are consumed as food in many cultures of the world and are promoted through products that increase acceptance of the practice. Insects are a potential source of nutrients and bioactive compounds; however, lack of acceptance is an obstacle to widespread consumption. Extraction of Pterophylla beltrani (Bolivar and Bolivar) was evaluated in water, 50% ethanol, absolute ethanol, tequila, vodka, and rum. Total phenolic compounds (TPC) and free radical scavenging capacity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radicals were extracted, mostly with hydroalcoholic solutions and water rather than with absolute ethanol. The best extraction solvent for total phenolic compounds, DPPH, and ABTS was 50% ethanol with 37.21 milliequivalents of gallic acid per gram (mGAE/g), 412.40 milliequivalents of Trolox per gram (mTE/g), and 1,604.32 mTE/g. Of commercial beverages, tequila and vodka were better for extraction and activity of total phenolic compounds against the DPPH radical, while rum was better for extracting activity against the ABTS radical. Incorporation of total phenolic compounds and activity against the two radicals highlights the potential of entomochemicals of P. beltrani to be incorporated into alcoholic and other beverages. The insect has potential to be incorporated as a functional ingredient in the food industry.

Phyllophaga ravida Blanchard and Phyllophaga opaca Moser (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Melolonthidae) are economically important in Mexico. An option for management of the insect pests is use of sex pheromones. To obtain the chemical profile of sex pheromones of both species the posterior section of the genital chamber of females was excised and macerated to release the contents. Eight compounds from P. ravida were identified by retention index and mass spectra: cyclohexane, 1,1′-(2-tridecyl-1,3-propanediyl) bis-; 10-methyl-eicosane; 5-butyl-hexadecane; 3-hexen-2-one; 3,3-diethyl-azetidine-2,4-dione; tetramethyl-oxirane; 3-methyl-2-pentanone; and 2-methoxy-2-methyl-butane. Seven compounds were identified for P. opaca: cholesta-4, 6-dien-3-ol; cholesterol; cholesta-3,5-dien; 2-methyl heptadecane; α-tocopherol succinate; 9,19-cyclolanost-24-en-3-ol, acetate; and lup-20 (29)-en-3-ol, acetate. Some identified chemicals, mainly 3,3-diethyl-azetidine-2,4-dione and 2-methyl heptadecane might be involved in sexual attraction of P. ravida and P. opaca, respectively. Several compounds probably are incorporated from plants into insects during feeding, and further transformed by metabolism.

This work updates species and county distribution of Scarabaeinae dung beetles in Oklahoma. Historical collections and literature records, as well as data from a private regional collection, were compiled to document species in the state. The study adds eight new dung beetles for the state, bringing the total to 39 species. In addition, 78 new county records were reported. Two behavioral groups, tunnelers and rollers are present, but dwellers in the subfamily Scarabeinae have not been documented in Oklahoma. By updating the species list and known distribution, more research can be focused on dung beetles that provide numerous ecological services and benefit livestock producers.

The Sphecidae family is a group of predatory wasps that hunt other insects and spiders with which to supply their nests. The sphecids have certain characteristics that distinguish them from other groups of wasps and bees. The objective of this research was to gather current knowledge of predatory Sphecidae wasps for Mexico, which includes a general overview of Sphecidae worldwide, nationally, and by states. Available literature of the family and different databases were reviewed. In Mexico, 121 species and 14 genera have been reported. The genus Ammophila W. Kirby, 1798 contains the most species (43). Tamaulipas and Chihuahua are the states with the largest number of species in the family, which are part of the Nearctic region. The work contributes significant data of the number of species of Sphecidae in Mexico, updated to 121 from 91 species reported previously. However, a large number of species do not have locality data. Further studies are recommended of these insects that have an important role in tropical ecosystems as predators of other arthropods.

The Neotropical cornstalk borer, Diatraea lineolata (Walker) 1856 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a pest of economic importance for cultivation of maize, Zea mays L., in Mexico. Digonogastra kimballi Kirkland 1989 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was identified as a gregarious ectoparasitoid of fifth-instar larvae of D. lineolata. Parasitism was low, 0.39 to 0.98% on cornstalk borers during three maize planting seasons. This is the first record of D. kimballi parasitizing D. lineolata larvae in maize at Macuspana, Tabasco, which broadens the distribution of the species in Mexico.

Four Lepidoptera species that feed on leaves of M. schiedeana were recorded for the first time in tropical montane cloud forest at Veracruz, Mexico. Adult and immature stages of the species are illustrated, including months and occurrence and behavioural traits of larvae of Janospyge jonas.

The social stingless bees of the genus Trigona (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) are important floral visitors and pollinators. However, some Trigona species can cause damage when they chew the tissues of plants of agricultural importance to obtain resins and fibers, they use to build their nests. Trigona fuscipennis Friese and T. nigerrima (Cresson) are reported chewing different vegetative and reproductive parts of physic nut, Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae), in southern Chiapas, Mexico.

Nine microscope slide-mounting media were compared to determine which types were best, worst, and of intermediate value for the preparation of fungus gnats for microscope examination. The best were Euparal, Carolina Canada balsam, and fingernail polish. The worst were Eukitt and PVA. Those of intermediate value were Benz synthetic Canada balsam, Rublev Canada balsam, and Kleermount. One slide was made using Hoyer's slide-mounting medium.

Insects must be preserved before identification. The objective of this work was to propose a fast and effective clearing technique for immature stages, mostly larvae and internal adult structures, for permanent mounting in lamellae, thus reducing time. The technique was modified from the conventional dehydration process. The technique reduced the times for clearing larvae and internal structures of insects without need for dehydration of alcohols that can require 3 or more hours of time.

El estudio de la biodiversidad es imprescindible ante la dinámica de la modificación ambiental. Para ello es necesario emplear diferentes técnicas que permitan la obtención de resultados óptimos de la manera más eficiente y estandarizada. En Lepidoptera, el estudio de la estructura del exocorion ofrece un sistema de información útil en la discriminación taxonómica a diferentes niveles jerárquicos. En este estudio se describen y valoran tres técnicas de rehidratación abdominal a partir de muestras alojadas en colecciones científicas y se compara con el material recién recolectado en el campo, con el fin de examinar su efectividad y costos. En el campo a menudo es difícil o imposible obtener hembras para estos estudios, por lo que el uso del material de museos, con el empleo de estas técnicas, podría ser un gran avance en el conocimiento de este sistema de caracteres morfológicos en mariposas, ya que se podrían estudiar hembras de especies raras, crípticas y/o con muestreo deficiente. Además, también permitiría el registro de la variación temporal y geográfica de tales caracteres. A pesar que lo más recomendable es usar material fresco, de acuerdo con los resultados hallados en el presente estudio, las técnicas de rehidratación podrían permitir la recuperación del corion en un grado aceptable para su análisis y comparaciones, aunque se necesita más tiempo para limpiar la muestra. La técnica de rehidratación de proteinasa K obtuvo los huevos más conservados, incluso con material que se recolectó hace más de treinta años.

Dentro de los ecosistemas terrestres las hormigas son organismos muy diversos, exitosos, y abundantes. Alrededor del mundo se han descrito 15,945 especies pertenecientes a 290 géneros. Las ecorregiones influyen de manera directa en la diversidad y composición de la fauna de hormigas, ya que proporcionan sitios de nidificación, recursos alimentarios y microclimas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la diversidad de hormigas en las diferentes ecorregiones presentes en el estado de Durango, México. Se colectaron 2,340 hormigas de 40 especies, 24 géneros y cinco subfamilias, con diferencias en la composición de especies entre las ecorregiones: desiertos de América de Norte, elevaciones semiáridas meridionales, selvas cálido secas, y sierras templadas.

Para obtener información sobre la presencia de especies de hormigas en Sinaloa, México; se realizaron recolectas directas en suelo y vegetación. Los especímenes fueron depositados en la colección entomológica del Instituto de Ecología Aplicada de la Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México). Se reporta por primera vez la presencia de 3 especies nativas: Brachymyrmex depilis Emery, Monomorium cyaneum Wheeler, y Pseudomyrmex seminole Ward, y una especie introducida: Hypoponera opaciceps Mayr. El número de géneros y especies conocidas para Sinaloa incrementó a 23 géneros y 52 especies, esta información sugiere que el inventario de especies aún es incompleto para este grupo, siendo esta entidad de las menos exploradas.