Facultative fungal endophytes are unspecialized plant-associated fungi capable of colonizing plant tissues without causing symptoms of disease. Studies suggest facultative fungal endophytes enhance cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plant defense against insect herbivores and might alter emissions of volatile organic compounds. We tested for changes in emissions of volatile organic compounds using cotton plants treated with facultative fungal endophtytes Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin strain GHA and Phialemonium inflatum (Burnside) strain TAMU490 in the presence and absence of herbivory. Solid-phase micro-extraction was used to sample static headspace of individual leaves in collection chambers designed specifically for the experiment. Relative abundance of volatile organic compounds was significantly affected by herbivory, but differences caused by treatment with B. bassiana or P. inflatum were not significant. Findings showed our sampling method can be used to assess constitutive and herbivore-induced volatile organic compound profiles from individual leaves, but further studies need to investigate mechanisms underlying facultative fungal endophyte-mediated herbivore resistance in cotton.

A 3-year field study evaluated the influence of three cover crop–tillage systems [rye cover–no tillage (R-NT), mixed cover–no-tillage (M-NT), and no cover–conventional tillage (CT)] on abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) at Agricultural Complex for Advanced Research and Extension Systems (AGCARES) farm at Lamesa, TX. The mixed cover was a seed mixture of rye (Secale cereale L.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and winter pea (Pisum sativum L.). Plastic pitfall traps (710 ml) were used in the furrows of the middle two randomly selected rows in each plot and monitored fortnightly from May to October. In total, 2,026 beetles of six families (Carabidae, Histeridae, Scarabaeidae, Silphidae, Tenebrionidae, and Trogidae) and 18 species were collected in pitfall traps. Six of the 18 species, Calosoma affine Chandoir, Cicindela punctulata Olivier, Pasimachus sp., Scarites sp., Calosoma marginale Casey, and Cicindela sexguttata F., were predaceous ground beetles. Calosoma affine and C. punctulata were the most abundant predatory ground beetles, comprising 83% of the total carabid guild in the system. Species abundance and diversity of predatory beetles varied significantly by year, tillage system, and year x tillage interaction. Average predatory beetle abundances were 9.7, 16.2, and 28.2 per trap per sample date in CT, R-NT, and M-NT plots, respectively. Diversity of predatory beetles was significantly greater in M-NT (1.15) compared to that in R-NT (0.75) or CT (0.64) systems. Data on abundance and diversity of non-predatory beetles was much more variable.

Reduction in pests targeted by Bt cotton is widely studied; however, other phytophages not affected by Bt cotton-expressed toxins are increasing, suggesting these potential pests might occupy ecological niches of primary pests and become new key pests requiring use of broad-spectrum insecticide. During the 2017 spring-summer crop season, insects were collected on 10 genetically modified (GM) hybrids of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), planted at “Rincón del Buitre” ranch, belonging to “Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro” (UAAAN) at San Pedro, Coahuila, Mexico. The 13,422 phytophagous insects collected from GM cotton were in five orders: Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and Thysanoptera; ≈12,766 of the individual insects were in Hemiptera, mainly whiteflies (Aleyrodidae), for a total of 657 other insects collected. Coleoptera were 18.5% of the families, 19.4% of species, and 6.6% of individuals; Diptera had 29.6, 27.8, and 17.2%, respectively; Hemiptera (without Aleyrodidae) had 25.9, 27.8, and 18.9%, respectively; Lepidoptera had 18.5, 19.4, and 44.6%, respectively, and Thysanoptera had 3.7, 2.8, and 2.5%, respectively. Species with more individuals than 5% of the total were Anagasta kuehniella Zeller (32.7%), Spodoptera exigua Hübner (11.0%), Epichlorops sp. Becker (10.7%), Lygus oblineatus Say (9.0%), Diabrotica balteata Leconte (6.9%), Anthonomus grandis Boheman (5.9%), and Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (≈12,766 individuals). Species with greatest incidence among cotton hybrids were Epichlorops sp. (70%), L. oblineatus and D. balteata (each 60%), and A. grandis and Aphis gossypii Glover (each 30%). Monitoring increasing abundance of secondary pests on Bt crops can indicate if the pests threaten sustainable production of the crop.

True wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) and false wireworms (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are common pests of cotton (Gosssypium hirsutum L.) on the Texas High Plains. Wireworms as larvae damage cotton by feeding on the roots, hypocotyl, and cotyledon and reducing plant stand. A field study was done with the objective to determine how seeding rate in the presence of wireworms affects plant stand and yield of cotton lint. Seeding rates evaluated per 0.3-m row were 1.5 seeds (48,433/ha), 2 seeds (64,583/ha), 3 seeds (96,865/ha), and 4 seeds (129,167/ha). Increasing seeding rate resulted in significantly greater plant density. The percentage of seeds that established into plants, however, did not vary significantly among seeding rates. In 2018 and 2019, 28-38 and 60-63% of seeds of all seeding rates established plants. Seeding rate did not significantly affect the plant height, number of main-stem nodes, position of 1^st fruiting node on the main stem, or lint yield. Results of the study indicated increasing seeding rate in wireworm-infested fields might increase plant stand in cotton, but not necessarily the lint yield. Lint yirld ranged from 354.35 ± 29.65 to 398.46 ± 12.48 kg/ha in 2018 and 615.66 ± 33.70 to 735.05 ± 79.40 kg/ha in 2019.

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are the major insect pest of seedling cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., on the Texas South Plains. The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), has historically been the most abundant thrips species in cotton in the region. A field survey during the 2017 and 2018 growing seasons collected thrips from small-plot insecticide seed treatment research experiments at multiple locations across the Texas South Plains. Species composition of adult thrips from cotyledon to four true-leaf stages cotton was determined by morphological identification with the aid of a microscope. Of the species collected during 2 years of study, 64% were onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, followed by F. occidentalis (23%), Frankliniella exigua Hood (10%), and tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca Hinds (1%). Relative abundance of species varied significantly across growing seasons. In 2017, T. tabaci was the most abundant species in cotyledon to four true-leaf stages of cotton. In 2018, F. occidentalis was more prevalent than other thrips species. The percentage of adults was significantly greater than that of immatures at the cotyledon stage while immature thrips were significantly more abundant during one to four true-leaf stages of cotton. The study indicated T. tabaci and F. occidentalis were the most prevalent thrips species on seedling cotton on the South Plains of Texas.

We used enterprise budgets, ordinary least squares regression, and data from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to estimate potential changes in costs and returns from use of a partially onion thrips (Thrips tabaci L. Thysanoptera) resistant-cultivar and action-based spray thresholds in onion (Allium cepa L.) producing regions of Idaho and Eastern Oregon. Results suggested the need for management strategies that could reduce the number of insecticide applications used to protect the crop from damage by onion thrips and Iris yellow spot while ensuring a high yield of onions grade in the largest size categories. Analysis indicated an effective cultivar could increase profits $641.10 to $1,013.63 per hectare compared with current marketable yields and management practices.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is an important summer grain crop in the U.S. Southern Great Plains because it is one of the few crops that consistently produces acceptable yields in the harsh summer weather that characterizes the region. Damaging infestations of the sugarcane aphid, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), occur commonly in sorghum throughout Texas and Oklahoma, two of the leading sorghum producing states. Grain sorghum fields were sampled at two locations in Texas and three locations in Oklahoma. Fields were sampled approximately weekly by examining two leaves on each of 54 plants and counting all sugarcane aphids and aphid natural enemies on each leaf. Sampling began at an early growth stage and continued until the crop either matured or was treated with insecticide to suppress the sugarcane aphid infestation. For a total of 123 fields in 2017 and 2018, aphids, Aphelinus nigritus Howard mummies, adult coccinellids, larval coccinellids, larval lacewings, and larval dipterans were counted, and relative density estimates were determined. When natural enemy and sugarcane aphid count data were aggregated at the scale of geographic locations and multiple years, there was no evidence for a numerical response by natural enemies to sugarcane aphid density. When fields were compared within locations, a numerical response was consistently observed. A natural enemy importance index was developed that incorporated cumulative degree days of first occurrence of a natural enemy taxa in a field, the average density of the natural enemy in a field, and natural enemy voracity. Factorial analyses of variance indicated that cumulative degree days at first occurrence and average relative density differed significantly among natural enemy taxa and locations, as did natural enemy importance. Averaged across locations larval coccinellids had the largest importance index, I = 1.47, and A. nigritus had the smallest, I = 0.61. Among locations, the Texas Coastal Plains had the largest importance index, I = 1.27 whereas the Oklahoma Panhandle had the smallest, I = 1.02. Results suggest that differences occur in the biological control contributions of various natural enemies and in biological control efficacy among locations.

Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner) is a pest of agricultural importance because of its ability to destroy crops of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Association with endosymbiotic bacteria affect aphid fitness and are influenced by such aspects as geography and association with the host plant. Composition of microbiota of M. sacchari was determined by extracting DNA from the gut of adult individuals (n = 60) and sequencing the 16s rRNA gene by next-generation sequencing (Ion Torrent^™). The most abundant phylum was Proteobacteria (98.88%), and the dominant genera were Leclercia (25.28%), Pantoea (16.54%), Trabulsiella (9.06%), and Serratia (2.94%). These results can be use to study the importance of primary symbiotic bacteria of M. sacchari and their relationship with agricultural production.

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), infests more than 80 crop species and is the principal pest of maize (Zea mays L. (Poaceae) in Mexico. Although insecticides are used to control the pest, they can cause environmental damage and negatively affect human health. Essential oils are an alternate for managing the insect. The aim of this study was to investigate insecticidal and insectistatic activities of essential oil of salvia (Salvia keerlii Benth, Lamiaceae) against larval and pupal S. frugiperda. The oil at 400, 600, and 1,000 mg liter^-1 killed 65, 55, and 85% of larvae, respectively, with estimated LC₅₀ of 590.2 mg liter^-1, but did not adversely affect pupae. Insectistatic activity at concentrations of 600 and 1,000 mg liter^-1 delayed larval development as many as 13.8 days (compared to a negative check). The main compounds of essential oil of S. keerlii were identified by GC-MS as 2-pentanone,4-hydroxy-4-methyl, caryophyllene oxide, and 1,8-cineole. The 1,8-cineole at concentrations of 600 and 1,000 mg liter^-1 killed all S. frugiperda larvae, with an estimated LC₅₀ of 249.4 mg liter^-1.

Control of pests of pecan (Carya illinoensis K. Koch) nuts involves multiple challenges. Appropriate application timing is a crucial first step, followed by complete coverage of the nut surface area by contact insecticides, while dissipation of pesticides because of numerous biotic and abiotic factors affects pest control effectiveness through time. Increase of untreated area because of growth of the nut surface, exposing a non-protected part of the shuck to pest attack is rarely considered. We measured the area of pecan nuts at weekly intervals to establish a surface area growth pattern that indicated increase between 15 and 30%. The rapid growth left a considerable area exposed to insect attack, or having less concentration of insecticide on the expanded treated area only a week after the previous application of insecticide make nuts more susceptible to pest attack. The information can be useful when reapplying pesticides to control pests of pecan nuts.

Anthropomorphic changes to the environment can sometimes unintentionally benefit ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) when habitats are made favorable for nesting. We examined the effects of a hiking trail on nest abundance of Pogonomyrmex barbatus (Smith) and Novomessor cockerelli (André) harvester ants at Clear Creek, AZ. Nest abundance for both species was compared along paired transects on- and off-trail. P. barbatus was twice as abundant on-trail while N. cockerelli showed a similar directional trend, but the differences were not significant. To test potential mechanisms driving the increase on-trails, soil and habitat differences were compared. Soil compaction was two times greater and canopy cover was five times less on- versus off-trails. For P. barbatus, which nests in soil, we compared on- and off-nest soils, both on- and off-trail. Soil 5 m away from ant nests was twice as compacted whether on- or off-trail. Reduction of canopy cover and compaction of soils might create beneficial nesting conditions for the two species of ant, leading to greater abundance near the hiking trail. Increase of stinging insects near recreational trails might pose health risks, especially in remote areas distant from medical treatment. We discuss management considerations and potential ecological consequences of increased abundance of ants along trails.

Sustainable, effective management of crapemyrtle bark scale, Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae (Kuwana), a non-native pest from Asia, probably will include biological control. Before this strategy can be implemented it is necessary to examine relative abundance and distribution of arthropod species associated with the scale in the area targeted for biological control. In Texas, crapemyrtle ecology from two varietal groups of crapemyrtle trees (Lagerstroemia spp.) were surveyed in Tarrant and Brazos counties during six consecutive seasons in 2018-2019. A rich arthropod community was discovered. Most common predators were spiders, coccinellids, and chrysopids. Insects of the families Eriococcidae, Aphididae, and Thripidae were common herbivores on Lagerstroemia spp. Insects in the order Psocodea were consistently recovered, and numerous phytophagous and mycophagous mites also were collected. The herbivores constitute a reservoir of alternative prey for generalist predators that also might feed on A. lagerstroemiae. A seasonal Shannon index was calculated at each location. Values differed depending on season and location. A food web was constructed to illustrate direct and indirect effects of predators on A. lagerstroemiae in Texas. This approach is meant to identify gaps in species occurrence and abundance for release of natural enemies that could lead to effective and sustainable biological control. Common biological control agents such as coccinellids and chrysopids were recovered during the course of the survey. Scale predators found in previous studies such as Chilcorus cacti (L.), Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) and Hyperaspis spp. were also found in this study. This was the first study to systematically survey for A. lagerstroemiae parasitoids in the U.S., and no parasitoids of A. lagerstroemiae were recovered. This indicates a classical biological control program featuring non-native parasitoid introductions is worth investigating.

Tetecho (Neobuxbaumia tetetzo, Coulter, Backeberg) is an endemic columnar cactus in Zapotitlán Salinas Valley, Puebla, Mexico. Tetecho has an important role in the semi-arid ecosystem. For at least 8 years, tetecho cactus has shown symptoms of soft rot and necrosis. Insects were associated with the diseased plants. The main goal of the research was to identify insects associated with diseased tetecho and verify if they carry the pathogen. Insects were collected from 80 tetecho plants that showed typical symptoms. The insects were identified using taxonomic keys; bacteria in the intestine of the insects were identified by direct sequencing of IGS 16S-23S rDNA, gyrB, and rpoB genes. The insects and their frequency were larvae of Lagocheirus lugubris Dillon (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in 100% of the samples; larvae and adults of Chalcolepidius sp. Eschscholtz (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in 20%; and adults of Glyphidops flavifrons (Bigot) (Diptera: Neriidae) in 70% of the samples. Pseudomonas Migula was isolated from the intestine of larvae and adults of L. lugubris and G. flavifrons. Carnobacterium Collins et al. and Curtobacterium Yamada & Komagata were isolated from larvae of L. lugubris; Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. brasiliense Nabhan et al. was inside larvae and adults of L. lugrubris and adults of G. flavifrons.

A new whitefly species, Filicaleyrodes huastecus Carapia-Ruiz and Sánchez-Flores sp. nov. collected on leaves of Persea schiedeana Nees (Laurales: Lauraceae) at Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, Mexico, was described and illustrated. This is first record of a Filicaleyrodes species from other than fern hosts. An identification key to Filicaleyrodes species was provided.

Most studies focus on damage caused by beetle larvae to various crops; however, little is known about the association of adults with wild and ornamental species, their food preferences, and plant-beetle relationships. Therefore, the objective of this work was to report new host plants and floral associations for four species of Cetoniinae and Rutelinae beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and to provide a checklist of Scarabaeidae from San Andrés Huayapam, Oaxaca, México. The checklist had 15 species grouped into 12 genera, nine tribes, and four subfamilies. Twelve species had new locality records, of which one was the first accurate distribution record for the State of Oaxaca.

La mosca blanca, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), es una plaga de importancia primaria del algodonero en México debido a que afecta negativamente el rendimiento y la calidad de la fibra. El presente estudio se realizó con el objetivo de determinar las densidades de la mosca blanca en algodonero y su relación con la distancia a predios de melón, uso de insecticidas, rendimiento y calidad de fibra del algodonero; así como determinar la abundancia de insectos depredadores y su relación con las densidades de la mosca blanca. En seis predios de algodonero ubicados de 300 a 23,200 m de distancia de predios de melón se efectuaron muestreos de adultos y ninfas de mosca blanca, mediante inspección visual de la quinta hoja de la planta, con frecuencia semanal del 29 de mayo al 27 de agosto del 2019. Los insectos depredadores fueron muestreados semanalmente mediante red de golpeo. En cada predio se registró el número de aplicaciones de insecticidas, rendimiento de algodón en hueso, y se evaluó la calidad de la fibra. Se observó una relación negativa entre las densidades de moscas blancas en algodonero y la distancia a los predios de melón. Los predios de algodonero cercanos (300 a 1400 m) a predios de melón presentaron poblaciones altas de mosca blanca (11.4 a 40.6 adultos/hoja); mientras que los predios distantes (13,600 a 23,200 m) presentaron poblaciones bajas (1.1 a 5.4 adultos/hoja). El rendimiento de algodón en hueso por hectárea, así como la longitud, finura y resistencia de fibra no fueron afectados significativamente por las densidades de mosca blanca observadas. El color blanco de la fibra (valor de reflectancia, Rd) se redujo significativamente al incrementarse la densidad de adultos y ninfas de mosca blanca durante la época de formación de capullos. Se encontraron 13 especies de depredadores en algodonero, siendo Chrysoperla sp., Orius sp., Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, y Chrysopa sp., las más abundantes. Los predios de algodonero con 10 a 12 aplicaciones de insecticidas tuvieron densidades más bajas de depredadores totales (10.3 a 10.8 por 100 golpes de red), en comparación con los predios con 2 a 7 aplicaciones (22.3 a 75.5 por 100 golpes de red). Se encontró una correlación positiva (r = 0.54 a 0.89) y significativa entre las densidades de mosca blanca y las de Orius sp., Chrysoperla sp., Chrysopa sp., y depredadores totales. Estos resultados indican la necesidad de realizar un manejo adecuado de la mosca blanca en algodonero, considerando la distancia a las áreas productoras de melón, el efecto negativo de las altas poblaciones de la plaga en el color de la fibra, lo cual ha causado castigos o descuentos en su precio, y la conservación de la entomofauna benéfica mediante el uso de insecticidas selectivos.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la toxicidad y selectividad de 10 insecticidas sobre la cochinilla rosada del hibisco (CRH) Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green y los enemigos naturales Anagyrus kamali Moursi y Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, en condiciones de laboratorio, y verificar la toxicidad de productos efectivos contra la CRH, en poblaciones de campo. Se determinó en condiciones de laboratorio la toxicidad de aceite parafínico de petróleo, imidacloprid, buprofezin, bifentrina, jabón, flonicamid, piriproxifen, spirotetramat, sulfoxaflor, y polisulfuro de calcio. Para los productos insecticidas efectivos contra CRH, también se establecieron las dosis diagnósticas cuya aplicación en poblaciones de campo permitió verificar su efectividad en condiciones de campo. Seis de los diez plaguicidas evaluados resultaron tóxicos, para la CRH, para el parasitoide y el depredador. Para M. hirsutus los insecticidas tóxicos fueron imidacloprid, sulfoxaflor, bifentrina, spirotetramat, piriproxifen, y jabón. Para C. montrouzieri fueron la bifentrina, imidacloprid, y sulfoxaflor y para A. kamali, sulfoxaflor, bifentrina, imidacloprid, y piriproxifen. Spirotetramat y el jabón fueron efectivos para controlar CRH y no afectaron a los enemigos naturales. La mortalidad ocasionada sobre CRH (mayor al 80%) por la aplicación de las dosis diagnósticas en las poblaciones de campo, en comparación con el testigo, evidenció la efectividad de bifentrina, imidacloprid, sulfoxaflor, spirotetramat, piriproxifen, y jabón.

Se evaluó la capacidad de depredación de especies de Coccinellidae sobre el pulgón amarillo del sorgo, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), a los que se les exponían cantidades conocidas de áfidos. Después se determinó la capacidad de depredación de las larvas de la especie de depredador más sobresaliente. La catarinita roja, Cycloneda sanguinea (L.), fue la más voraz de las especies evaluadas y el estadio de larva de cuarto ínstar mostró significativamente mayor capacidad de depredación sobre el pulgón amarillo del sorgo.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar formulaciones de Beauveria bassiana y de Metarhizium anisopliae en aceites contra larvas de Chloridea virescens “gusano del fruto”, una plaga que causa importantes pérdidas económicas de tomate en Sinaloa. Cada formulación de los hongos se hizo a una concentración de 1 × 10⁸ conidias/ml, mezclando aceite mineral, de maíz y de soya, respectivamente, adicionando extracto de alga y un colorante protector de luz ultravioleta como adyuvantes. En el laboratorio las formulaciones de los dos hongos en aceite mineral HF2-Ma y HF1-Bb causaron mortalidad de larvas de tercer ínstar de 93.3 y 96.6 % con tiempo letal medio (TL₅₀) de 3 días, mientras que en aceite de maíz (HF4-Ma y HF3-Bb) y de soya (HF6-Ma y HF5-Bb), la mortalidad fue de 63.3, 63.3, 50.0, y 53.3% con TL₅₀ de 3.5 días. La formulación con solo aceite mineral causó 36.6% con TL₅₀ de 4 días y en el control con agua no hubo mortalidad. Esto indicó que todas las formulaciones tuvieron actividad biológica para matar larvas y la mayor mortalidad se obtuvo con las conidias en aceite mineral, el tiempo letal fue más corto con los hongos en aceite mineral que con aceite vegetal y más largo con solo aceite mineral. En invernadero se usaron las formulaciones HF2-Ma y HF1-Bb, las cuales fueron asperjadas a una concentración de 3.0 × 10⁸ conidias/ml sobre plantas de tomate var. Saladette infestadas artificialmente con larvas de segundo y tercer ínstar, causando mortalidad de 64.5% (HF2-Ma) y 50.5% (HF-Bb) con TL₅₀ de 4 y 4.5 días. La movilidad de las larvas evitó el contacto directo con las formulaciones; sin embargo, se obtuvieron porcentajes de mortalidad de 64.5 y 50.5%, los cuales fueron altos con respecto al control (3.5%). La persistencia de las conidias en las hojas fue de 14 días, mostrando la efectividad de la formulación para matar larvas de estos instares en 4 y 4.5 días. Estos resultados se consideran promisorios para realizar estudios de control de C. virescens con la mezcla de estos hongos en aceite mineral, evaluando mortalidad de larvas más jóvenes y la producción de tomate en invernadero.

La digestibilidad proteolítica de las proteínas hidrosolubles extraídas de tres insectos de interés alimentario (Atta mexicana (Smith), Pterophylla beltrani (Bolívar and Bolívar), y Sphenarium purpurascens (Charpentier)) fue evaluada. Se confirma la hidrólisis enzimática de las proteínas de insectos y esta fue diferencial dependiendo del insecto y el tipo de enzima proteolítica. Estas proteínas podrían ser aprovechadas en la nutrición humana ya que son digeribles con proteinasas similares a las del tracto digestivo humano.

Guerrero, Hidalgo, México, Michoacán, y Oaxaca se adicionan como nuevos sitios de distribución del picudo del guayabo, Conotrachelus dimidiatus. En la mayoría de los sitios de recolección los frutos estuvieron infestados por una larva a excepción de Michoacán, Oaxaca, y Veracruz donde se cuantificaron de dos hasta tres larvas por fruto. En Tepalcingo, Morelos durante ocho días consecutivos se capturaron treinta y dos hembras y quince machos sobre los frutos de guayaba de 0600 a 2000 h. Se registró 31, 43 y 57% de frutos infestados por larvas de C. dimidiatus en Teocelo, Veracruz; Tepalcingo, Morelos, y Uruapan, Michoacán.

En 2020 productores de tomate de cáscara (Physallis ixocarpa) de Morelos y Guerrero reportaron a Languria irregularis Casey 1916 (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) como una nueva plaga en la región, asociada a plantas con signos de amarillamiento y marchitez. Larvas, pupas, y adultos de L. irregularis colectados de plantas conforman el primer reporte de esta plaga afectando un cultivo de importancia económica.

We confirmed the presence of European pepper moth, Duponchelia fovealis Zeller (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), in Mexico. Pheromone-baited traps caught D. fovealis males, and larvae were collected from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne) fruit in the state of Michoacán.

Ophryocystis elektroscirrha McLaughlin & Myers is a specific parasite of butterflies of the genus Danaus. However, experimentally, it can complete its cycle in other butterflies. This study presents the first case of infection in the queen butterfly, Danaus gilippus (Cramer), in Central Mexico. Prevalence of the parasite in D. gilippus was 7%, in contrast in D. plexippus was almost 100%. Because of known negative effects on resident populations of monarch butterflies, it is important to monitor the prevalence of the parasite in queen butterflies and assess effects it might have on their fitness in the ecosystem.

Se presenta un nuevo registro de la hormiga esclavista Polyergus topoffiTrager, 2013 para el estado de San Luis Potosí, México. Es la segunda localidad mexicana reportada a más de un siglo de la descripción original por Wheeler, ahora se conoce para los estados de Hidalgo y San Luis Potosí.

Corythucha ciliata (Say, 1832) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) was reported for the first time as a pest of soursop (Annona muricata L.) in backyard gardens in the northern region of the State of Guerrero. According to damage assessment, C. ciliata damaged 10 to 71% of leaf area of affected trees. Detection of the pest is important to establish management strategies that enable reducing damage and spread.

El Estado de Nayarit, México, es el principal productor de guanábana (Annona muricata L.) a nivel nacional (75%), siendo el tercer frutal de mayor importancia por valor de producción después del mango y el aguacate. En México no hay reportes de esta especie como plaga de guanábana, por lo que el objetivo de la presente investigación fue identificar la especie de chinche de realizando muestreos durante agosto-septiembre de 2019. Corythucha gossypii (Fabricius) causa daños en hojas de árboles de guanábana en Compostela y San Blas, Nayarit, por lo cual los fruticultores realizan aplicaciones de insecticidas no registrados para el cultivo en México. Lo anterior representa el primer registro a nivel nacional de la especie Corythucha gossypii para el cultivo de guanábana de México.

Se realizaron muestreos semanales en tres parcelas comerciales de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) para determinar las especies de parasitoides del pulgón amarillo del sorgo, Melanaphis sacchari (Zehntner), en el Valle de Guasave, Sinaloa y su impacto sobre la plaga. Se identificó a Lysiphlebus spp. (Braconidae) como el parasitoide más abundante (65%), especímenes de Pteromalidae (12%) y Aphelinidae (11%), el resto de los especímenes (12%) no fueron determinados. El parasitismo ocurrió en un rango de 30-85%.

Presentamos los primeros registros de Gerstaeckeria bifasciata Champion 1905 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Cryptorhynchinae) sobre las cactáceas endémicas Stenocactus obvallatus (DC.) Hill de Guanajuato y en S. tetraxiphus Otto de Aguascalientes, México y el tipo de daño que ocasiona.

Las abejas sin aguijón del género Trigona son insectos sociales que se caracterizan por ser polinizadores florales y producir miel. En ocasiones ciertas especies pueden dañar partes vegetativas y reproductivas de cultivos de importancia económica para obtener resinas y fibras que utilizan como material para construir sus nidos. Se reporta a Trigona fuscipennis Friese como plaga del cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) en Chiapas, México.

El género Hammoderus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) es de los más diversos, con importancia económica al causar pérdidas en cultivos agrícolas y áreas forestales. En 2016 se reportaron daños causados por barrenadores del tallo y raíz en plantaciones de Coffea arabica L., y las especies causantes fueron Hammoderus maculosus (Thomson) y Hammoderus inermis (Bates). Aunque ambos barrenadores han sido reportados en Honduras, es la primera vez que se reporta a C. arabica como planta hospedera de H. inermis, por lo que este barrenador puede ser considerado como una plaga potencial del cafeto.

La mosca blanca, Aleurodicus coccolobae (Quaintance y Baker), es registrada por primera vez en el estado de Nayarit, México, atacando hojas de la planta de ave del paraíso. Esta especie causó daño al succionar la sabia y secretar sustancias azucaradas, promoviendo así la fumagina. La sustancia azucarada da una coloración oscura al follaje, lo que reduce el proceso de fotosíntesis. Tanto la presencia de moscas blancas como de hongos deprecia el valor comercial de los arreglos florales y de la planta ornamental.