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Thrips are serious pests of several kinds of crop plants throughout the world. Their attack leads to loss in plant production. Common blossom thrips, Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom), and red-banded thrips, Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) (both Thysanoptera: Thripidae), are serious insect pests attacking various plants, such as tomato (Solanum esculentum Miller [Solanaceae]), mango (Mangifera indica Linnaeus [Anacardiaceae]), avocado (Persea americana Miller [Lauraceae]), and lotus flower (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. [Nelumbonaceae]). Currently, basic thrips control relies on synthetic insecticides. However, the toxicity of each existing insecticide for control of some specific pest species still has not been well established. This study evaluated and reported the toxicity of 6 insecticides (chlorantraniliprole, cypermethrin, carbosulfan, fipronil, abamectin, and spinetoram) for control of the 2 thrips species mentioned above. The evaluation was done by exposing 10 thrips to a bean dipped in insecticide, and mortality was recorded after 24 h of exposure under laboratory conditions. Spinetoram was the most toxic to F. schultzei with an estimated LC50 of 0.05 ng per µL. For red-banded thrips, S. rubrocinctus, the most toxic insecticides were abamectin, spinetoram, and fipronil, with LC50 values of 1.67, 1.85, and 4.23 ng per µL, respectively. On the other hand, the least toxic insecticide to common blossom thrips and red-banded thrips was chlorantraniliprole, with LC50 values of 270.51 and 641.08 ng per µL, respectively. Overall, among the tested chemicals, spinetoram was the most effective in controlling these pests. The findings from this study will benefit developers of insecticide management strategies in thrips control programs. Los trips son plagas importantes de varios tipos de plantas de cultivo en todo el mundo. Su ataque conduce a pérdidas en la producción vegetal. El trips común de las flores, Frankliniella schultzei (Trybom), y el trips de bandas rojas, Selenothrips rubrocinctus (Giard) (ambos Thysanoptera: Thripidae), son insectos plaga de graves que atacan a varias plantas, como el tomate (Solanum esculentum Miller [Solanaceae]), el mango (Mangifera indica Linnaeus [Anacardiaceae]), aguacate (Persea americana Miller [Lauraceae]) y laflor de loto (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. [Nelumbonaceae]). Actualmente, el control básico de los trips se basa en insecticidas sintéticos. Sin embargo, aún no se ha establecido bien la toxicidad de cada insecticida existente para el control de algunas especies de plagas específicas. Este estudio se evaluó y se informa sobre la toxicidad de 6 insecticidas (clorantraniliprol, cipermetrina, carbosulfán, fipronil, abamectina y spinetoram) para el control de las 2 especies de trips mencionadas anteriormente. Se realizó la evaluación exponiendo 10 trips a un frijol sumergido en insecticida y se registró la mortalidad a las 24 horas de exposición en condiciones de laboratorio. El espinetoram fue el más tóxico para F. schultzei con un valor CL50 estimada de 0,05 ng por µL. Para el trips de banda roja, S. rubrocinctus, los insecticidas más tóxicos fueron abamectina, spinetoram y fipronil, con un valor de CL50 de 1,67, 1,85 y 4,23 ng por µL, respectivamente. Por otro lado, el insecticida menos tóxico para el trips común de las flores y el trips de banda roja fue el clorantraniliprol, con un valor de CL50 de 270,51 y 641,08 ng por µL, respectivamente. En general, entre los productos químicos probados, el spinetoram fue el más efectivo para controlar estas plagas. Los hallazgos de este estudio beneficiarán a los desarrolladores de estrategias de manejo de insecticidas en los programas de control de trips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bean flower thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is native from Asia and is a well-known pest of legumes such as common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and lima bean (Phaseolus limensis Macf.) (all Fabaceae). This thrips species has been recorded recently in the Americas (USA and Cuba). Before this study there were no records of M. usitatus in Mexico; this work is the first report of M. usitatus in Mexico. We found this species attacking common beans, jicama, and cowpeas in Nayarit State. In cowpeas, it reduced production by at least 60%. The highest population was observed in jicama but no evidence of severe damage or yield loss was documented; however, the potential damage on the seed production should be evaluated. Authorities, researchers, extension agents, and growers should work together to prevent the dispersal of this pest, which may infest other economically important legumes. Chances of controlling or eradicating M. usitatus in the region are minimal if no effective alternatives are available in the short term. El trips de la flor del frijol, Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) es originario de Asia y es una conocida plaga de leguminosas como el frijol común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), el caupí (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.), guisante (Pisum sativum L.) y frijol lima (Phaseolus limensis Macf.) (todas Fabaceae). Esta especie de trips ha sido registrada recientemente en las Américas (EE.UU. y Cuba). Antes de este estudio no había registros de M. usitatus en México; este trabajo es el primer reporte de M. usitatus en México. Encontramos esta especie atacando frijol común, jícama y caupí en el estado de Nayarit. En caupí, redujo la producción en al menos un 60%. La población más alta se observó en jícama pero no se documentó evidencia de daño severo o pérdida de rendimiento; sin embargo, se debe evaluar el daño potencial sobre la producción de semillas. Las autoridades, investigadores, extensionistas y productores deben trabajar juntos para evitar la dispersión de esta plaga, que puede infestar otras leguminosas económicamente importantes. Las posibilidades de controlar o erradicar M. usitatus en la región son mínimas si no se dispone de alternativas eficaces a corto plazo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prickly pear cactus pads of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) (Cactaceae) are cultivated in Mexico for fresh consumption. We report that Loxomorpha flavidissimalis (Grote) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), the cactus webworm, was observed recently in farms in Morelos and has expanded its distribution south from its previously known distribution of northern to central Mexico. Female and male genitalia are fully illustrated to facilitate identification. The cactus webworm represents an additional potential pest to cultivated prickly pear cactus in central Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the incidence of the seedcorn maggot, or bean seed fly, Delia platura (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), as a primary pest in commercial onion and scallion plantations in Puebla, Mexico. The larvae feed on the bulbs and the basal part of leaves. We found incidences of 5 to 52% of plants in commercial fields damaged by larvae. En el presente estudio se reporta la incidencia del gusano de la semilla del maíz, o mosca de la semilla del frijol, Delia platura (Meigen) (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), como plaga primaria en plantaciones. Las larvas se alimentan de los bulbos y de la parte basal de las hojas. Se encontraron incidencias del 5 al 52% de plantas dañadas por larvas en plantaciones comerciales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identity of the citrus leaf mining flea beetle in northeast India, hitherto misidentified as Sebaethe fulvipennis (Illiger) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is corrected as Podagricomela nigripes Medvedev. Following the merger of Clitea Baly and Throscoryssa Maulik with Amphimela Chapuis, Amphimela mauliki Prathapan, new name is proposed as the replacement name for Throscoryssa citri Maulik, as Amphimela citri (Maulik, 1928) is a junior secondary homonym of Amphimela citri (Bryant, 1922). Amphimela ceylonica (Chen), new combination is proposed for Clitea ceylonica Chen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An agave bug Caulotops distanti Reuter (Hemiptera: Miridae) is considered a potential pest of agaves in Guerrero, Mexico. Specimens were collected on the leaves of mezcal agave (Agave vivipara L., and Agave cupreata Trel & Berger) (Asparagaceae) in plantations in Quetzalapa, Huitzuco de los Figueroa, Guerrero, Mexico. This is the first report C. distanti attacking Agave cupreata and A. vivipara. Observations on damage and feeding symptoms of this plant bugs are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is an economically important fruit for farmers of the inter-Andean valleys of Ecuador, South America. Insectinfested fruits were sampled in the locality of Perucho (Pichincha Province). The larvae obtained from the interior of the fruit were cultured in insect cages to obtain adults. Morphological observations of characteristics of the larval stage, and male and female genitalia at the adult stage confirmed the taxonomic description of the species Gynmandrosoma aurantianum (Lima) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). According to our knowledge, this is the first report of mandarin being infested by G. aurantianum in Ecuador. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphenophorus incurrens Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an insect that feeds mainly on plants of the family Poaceae in the Neotropics. In Mexico, this weevil is an emergent pest of sugarcane. In this study, first the behavioral responses of both sexes to conspecifics were evaluated in a Y-tube olfactometer. Second, the volatiles of S. incurrens were sampled by the dynamic headspace technique and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). Third, the antennal-active compound was identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Finally, the biological activity of the identified compound was evaluated in laboratory and field tests. Our results showed that males emitted a pheromone that attracts both sexes. The GC-EAD analysis of the male volatiles showed that one peak elicited antennal responses from male and female weevils. The compound was identified as 2-methyl-4-octanol. Laboratory and field tests showed that the identified compound is attractive to both sexes of this weevil species, confirming its pheromonal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky, 1854, an extremely damaging pest originating in Asia, is recorded the first time as a new genus and species for the Turkish longhorned woodborer beetle fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five species of Sphenophorus were found in golf courses from 7 states of Mexico on various host plants; Sphenophorus arizonensis Horn from the state of Puebla on Paspalum vaginatum Swartz (new state and host record); Sphenophorus cicatristriatus Fahraeus was collected in Puebla on Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; Sphenophorus incurrens Gyllenhal was collected in Querétaro on Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. (new state record); Sphenophorus rectus (Say) was collected in Veracruz on P. clandestinum (new host plant record); and Sphenophorus venatus vestitus Chittenden was collected in Puebla, Veracruz, Guerrero, Baja California Sur and Nuevo León on C. dactylon and in Guanajuato on Lolium perenne L. (new host record). This information will aid in the development of improved management tactics for Sphenophorus species attacking turfgrass in México [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhyssomatus subtilis Fiedler (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an important pest of the soybean crop in northwestern Argentina. Few studies have been made on specific parameters of its life history and ecology. The aim of this study was to determine the number of larval stages of R. subtilis. One thousand and eighteen larvae were collected from soybean plants during 2 yr (2011 and 2013), and head capsule width of each larva was measured. For analysis of data, the Hcap program and Dyar's rule were used. The Hcap program showed 4 different peaks in the frequency distribution of the head capsule widths. This result also agreed with Dyar's rule that revealed a perfect geometric larval growth pattern for each instar by regression analysis. The excellent fit to a linear model, indicates that no instar was overlooked. This research identified 4 instars for R. subtilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life cycle of the brown marmorated stink bug, H. halys, was studied at the Gainesville, Florida quarantine facility at 25° C constant temperature, 16:8 h L:D and 50-55% RH. Nymphs, which emerged from 32 egg masses, were reared on bean pods and carrots in Petri dishes and checked daily to determine the number and duration of each nymphal stadium and percent survival. Twenty-five recently emerged couples were set-up in clear plastic containers, fed daily with bean pods and carrots, and provided with moisture. The pre-oviposition period, number of egg masses, and longevities of males and females were determined. The general life cycle of this potential crop pest of Florida is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]