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Much amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) is produced in the State of Puebla, Mexico. Considering the increase in agricultural production, there has been an increase in area devoted to the crop, favoring conditions and increasing pests including the white grub complex that damages it. The objective of this work was to determine the species of the white grub complex associated with cultivation of amaranth in the State of Puebla, Mexico, as well as to develop a dichotomous key for identification of larvae to species found in the amaranth crop. In total, 2,330 larvae in two families, two subfamilies, eight genera, and 23 species were collected. The genus Phyllophaga was most common at the study area. However, the amaranth-producing zone in the State of Puebla also included genera such as Euphoria and Strigoderma that are saprophagous. A dichotomous key was created for larvae of 23 species (Coleoptera: Lamellicornia) associated with cultivation of amaranth in the State of Puebla, Mexico.

El “frailecillo” Macrodactylus nigripes Bates es considerado una de las plagas que afecta a varios cultivos en Mexico, entre ellos el durazno (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch). El objetivo de este trabajo fue extraer e identificar los compuestos volatiles de P. persica con Headspace estatico (HE) y Headspace dinamico (HD). De los compuestos identificados se evaluo a traves de bioensayos con electroantenografia (EAG) y con olfatometro la actividad biologica que estos tienen en la comunicacion quimica de M. nigripes. Se extrajeron e identificaron compuestos de P. persica con Headspace dinamico (HD) y Headspace estatico (HE), a traves de cromatografia de gases acoplada a espectrometria de masas (CG-EM). Se llevaron a cabo pruebas de electroantenografia (EAG) y olfatometro con R-(+)-limoneno y (Z)-3-hexenil acetato, que provocan actividad biologica en melolontidos. En pruebas con EAG se obtuvieron respuestas antenales significativas a R-(+)-limoneno y (Z)-3hexenil acetato en ambos sexos. En el olfatometro se observo que R-(+)-limoneno no produjo una respuesta significativa, mientras que (Z)-3-hexenil acetato genero respuestas significativas a las concentraciones 200 y 250 µl/ml.

Consumption of insects as food usually is related to intake of proteins and other nutrients. Insects also can provide components, especially antioxidants, with nutraceutical potential. Development of food products based on insects should consider these properties. Two types of mezcal were supplemented with two insect pests (Tenebrio molitor L. and Schistocerca piceifrons Walker). By using colorimetric assays, contents of phenolic compounds, free radical-scavenging capacity against the radical generated from 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and radicals 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and antioxidant capacity were determined. T. molitor after 30 days of storage, provided 0.995 mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry weight (mg GAE/g DW) in young mezcal, 153.527 mM TE/g DW for scavenging capacity against ABTS using rested mezcal, 20.711 mM TE/g DW for scavenging capacity against DPPH in rested mezcal, and 65.276 mM TE/g DW for antioxidant capacity in young mezcal. S. piceifrons did not contribute as much as T. molitor. This supports use of insects to supplement mezcal and provided evidence of antioxidant potential from insects that remain after storage.

La digestibilidad proteolitica de las proteinas hidrosolubles extraidas de tres insectos de interes alimentario (Atta mexicana (Smith), Pterophylla beltrani (Bolivar and Bolivar), y Sphenarium purpurascens (Charpentier)) fue evaluada. Se confirma la hidrolisis enzimatica de las proteinas de insectos y esta fue diferencial dependiendo del insecto y el tipo de enzima proteolitica. Estas proteinas podrian ser aprovechadas en la nutricion humana ya que son digeribles con proteinasas similares a las del tracto digestivo humano.

Se estudio bajo condiciones controladas el numero de insectos muertos, numero de marcas por alimentacion, y el numero de adultos emergidos de Anthonomus eugenii en trece poblaciones de chile (Capsicum annuum) silvestres, diez criollas y dos cultivares comerciales colectadas en Mexico, asi como la relacion de estos parametros de resistencia con el largo, ancho y grosor de la pared de los frutos. Las poblaciones silvestres y criollas tuvieron significativamente un mayor numero de insectos muertos, un menor numero de marcas por alimentacion, y un menor numero de insectos emergidos comparado con los cultivares comerciales, indicando que estas poblaciones poseen genes de resistencia a este insecto. Diez poblaciones de chile silvestre y 3 criollas mostraron una resistencia alta y dos poblaciones silvestres y una criolla tuvieron una resistencia intermedia porque tuvieron significativamente un mayor numero de insectos muertos, un menor numero de marcas por alimentacion, y un menor numero de insectos emergidos de A. eugenii, en comparacion con el resto de las poblaciones y los cultivares comerciales que fueron altamente susceptibles porque fueron severamente afectados por A. eugenii. Estos resultados indican que estas poblaciones tienen mecanismos de resistencia tipo antibiosis a A. eugenii. Estas poblaciones de chiles con diferentes niveles de resistencia pueden utilizarse para producir cultivares de chile resistentes a A. eugenii.

Se observaron danos por alimentacion en el pedunculo, orificios en el caliz, pudricion, y absicion de frutos de pimiento morron ocasionados por larvas de una palomilla hasta entonces desconocida del genero Platynota en plantas cultivadas en invernadero en el ciclo agricola de otono-invierno de 2018-2019 en el Valle de Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Este insecto es un nuevo riesgo potencial para la produccion de pimientos en el Valle de Culiacan y otras zonas productoras de Mexico.

Little information is available about the distribution and biology of Falconia poetica Distant, 1884 (Hemiptera: Miridae). A new distribution and the number of nymphal instars of the species are reported. On September 2018, nymphs and adults of an unknown species in the family Miridae were collected on castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) at Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. The specimens were identified as F. poetica. Using lengths of the forefemora and foretibiae and Discriminant Analysis, F. poetica was determined to have five nymphal instars. The study is the second record of F. poetica in Mexico and the first to report the mirid feeding on castor bean.

Insects are used and consumed as food during daily activities in some regions of Mexico. Success of insect consumption is related to food safety and nutritional value. Some species to be consumed are collected directly from their ecosystems. Although, it is traditional, the practice might have complications. In this work, six batches of edible grasshoppers (Sphenarium spp.) were analyzed from outlets in Mexico City. Different arthropods besides the principal edible insect were observed. Among accompanying arthropods were Acrididae (Orthoptera), one adult Hymenoptera, two lepidopteran larvae, one adult Coleoptera, and a member of Araneae. Various plant debris also was found. The diverse materials could compromise the quality and food safety of the product and might lead to allergies or potentially harmful microorganisms. Strategies must be developed for careful selection, collection, and processing procedures to ensure food quality of edible grasshoppers.

In Mexico, one of the main phytosanitary problems affecting maize and sugarcane is damage caused by the rhizophagous larvae of Phyllophaga ravida (Blanchard) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae: Melolonthinae). Knowledge of the actual distribution is largely based on specimen collection data. Potential species niche models use algorithms to estimate the geographic interactions of a pest with respect to the distribution of a crop. This tool can be useful for designing monitoring programs. For this purpose, the information on the distribution of P. ravida was analyzed from material deposited in entomological collections and scientific literature; these data were incorporated into the Maxent entropy logarithm with 15 environmental variables. Areas with environmental suitability for P. ravida include the central and western states of Mexico: Hidalgo, Morelos, Oaxaca, and Puebla; with particular areas in Colima, Chiapas, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, and Veracruz. Areas in which P. ravida does the most damage to these crops coincide with the appropriate environmental availability.

Informacion de la asociacion entre melolontidos edaficolas y el dano a Pinus patula Schiede ex Schltdl. et Cham., en un bosque templado con aprovechamiento forestal en Tlaxco, Tlaxcala, Mexico, se discute. Se obtuvieron 152 ejemplares de larvas que representaron a 10 especies de los generos Macrodactylus (n = 8), Diplotaxis (n = 2), y Phyllophaga (n = 142). La mayor riqueza y abundancia la presento la zona sin manejo forestal con 10 especies y el 64.5% de ejemplares. El analisis de correspondencia mostro que la mayoria de la especies estan asociadas a los arboles que presentan dano evidente en la raiz.

Se evaluo bajo condiciones de laboratorio la capacidad de consumo y desarrollo de larvas de Chrysoperla carnea alimentadas con Melanaphis sacchari y con huevos de Sitotroga cerealella. El promedio de ninfas de M. sacchari consumidas por los diferentes estadios larvales de C. carnea fue diferente; el primer estado larval (L1) consumio 13.9 ninfas, el segundo 32.2, y el tercero 93.5. La duracion de los estadios larvales no fue diferente en ambos tratamientos. El periodo larva-adulto, pupa y la longevidad de los adultos fueron menores, cuando las larvas se alimentaron con ninfas de M. sacchari. La supervivencia de los adultos de C. carnea fue mayor en el tratamiento de alimentacion con huevos de S. cerealella (65.5%). La fecundidad en el tratamiento de alimentacion de larvas con huevos de S. cerealella fue mayor (23 huevos/hembra/dia), en comparacion con el tratamiento de alimentacion con ninfas de M. sacchari (18 huevos/hembra/dia); la fertilidad no fue diferente en ambos tratamientos. Estos resultados, sugieren que Chrysoperla carnea puede desarrollarse, completar su ciclo biologico, y reproducirse de manera normal, al alimentarse en estado de larva con ninfas de M. sacchari. Chrysoperla carnea puede considerarse como una especie potencial para el control biologico de M. sacchari, sobre todo en liberaciones de larvas de segundo y tercer estadio, por tener mayor consumo, aunque es necesario realizar evaluaciones adicionales en campo que complementen esta informacion.

An alternative to management of agricultural pests is use of insecticides obtained naturally; the approach is a feasible alternative sustainable in an agricultural system. Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) is a plant with toxin that repels or kills insect pests, but few studies focused on damage the insecticide causes natural enemies. The objective of the study was to determine the effect by ingestion of plant extract with a base of A. mexicana on biological parameters and parameters of the life table of Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), under laboratory conditions. A. mexicana extract diluted in different solvents slightly affected biological parameters without affecting the intrinsic rate of growth. Mortality increased during susceptible stages of the predator, which inferred stage of development would be affected when the predator consumed prey treated with A. mexicana. More than 50% were killed by some treatments and commercial insecticide imidacloprid evaluated in the study.

Se evaluo el efecto de un extracto acetonico de semillas de Trichillia havanensis Jacq. en estado solido (resina) y de su aceite sobrenadante, a diferentes concentraciones, sobre la viabilidad y desarrollo de larvas neonatas del gusano soldado Spodoptera exigua (Hubner). Ambos estados del extracto mostraron mayor mortalidad larvaria a medida que se incremento la concentracion y el tiempo de ingestion a las concentraciones de 7500 y 10000 mg/l. De la misma forma se observo una reduccion significativa en el peso de las larvas tratadas en comparacion con el tratamiento testigo, a partir de la concentracion de 100 mg/l de los dos estados del extracto a los 12 d de iniciado el ensayo, asi como un notable retraso en el desarrollo de la larva, que se reflejo en un alargamiento del ciclo biologico del insecto a partir de la concentracion de 500 mg/l de ambos estados del extracto adicionado a la dieta proporcionada a las larvas para su alimentacion, manteniendo en primer estadio a las larvas supervivientes hasta el dia 31.

Atta mexicana (F. Smith) es considerado uno de los insectos plaga de mayor importancia economica, debido a que causa considerables perdidas, producto de la defoliacion parcial o total de los cultivos a los que ataca. Los hongos de los generos Penicillium y Aspergillus pueden representar una alternativa para el control de A. mexicana debido a la actividad antagonica que presentan en relacion con otros hongos, al reducir el alimento disponible producto de la competencia por el sustrato entre el hongo antagonista y el hongo simbionte (Leucocoprinus gongylophora). El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la actividad antagonica de las aplicaciones de Penicillium sp., y Aspergillus flavus, como metodos alternativos para el control de la hormiga arriera A. mexicana en el Valle de Tehuacan en el estado de Puebla. Los resultados muestran una disminucion del 100% de la actividad forrajera de A. mexicana en los hormigueros tratados con el complejo de hongos obtenidos de la tortilla de maiz, la combinacion del producto Spinosad complejo de hongos obtenidos de la tortilla de maiz y la combinacion de A. flavus Penicillium sp., con aplicaciones a una concentracion de 1,6 g/l. No se encontraron diferencias significativas para los tratamientos con base en aplicaciones de: A. flavus, Penicillium sp., Spinosad, asi como para las combinaciones: Spinosad A. flavus, y Spinosad Penicillium sp., con relacion al grupo control (agua). La eficacia para disminuir la poblacion activa de A. mexicana fue menor en todos los casos en comparacion a la registrada en los hormigueros tratados a base de aplicaciones del complejo de hongos de la tortilla de maiz.

Placodea (PLAS), auricilica (AUS), and basiconica (BAS) sensilla types were identified in both surfaces of lamellae of Macrodactylus mexicanus (Burmeister) and Macrodactylus nigripes (Bates), two species of chafer beetles with economic importance in Mexico. Fourteen subtypes of sensilla were identified on the inner and external surfaces of lamellae from both sexes of M. mexicanus and M. nigripes: four PLAS, three AUS, and seven BAS. Distribution of PLAS, BAS, and AUS in the inner surface of the lamellae of both sex of M. mexicanus and M. nigripes was similar in middle and proximal lamellae. PLAS are distributed in the peripheral edges, while BAS and AUS were distributed in the center of the lamellae. The purpose of this study was to compare the sensilla distribution in the antennae of the beetles as a first step to better understand the dynamics of sexual chemical communication in Macrodactylus species.

Insect diets are complex and usually contain antinutritional factors; because of this, modification of the digestive process and strategies to cope with the factors determines adaptation of each species. Pterophylla beltrani Bolivar & Bolivar is a forest pest that has two feeding regimes; P. beltrani feeds first on diverse vegetation but changes during the second regime to consume foliage of oaks (Quercus spp.). The goal of this work was to assess the status of digestive proteinases and phenolic-antioxidants in the two feeding regimes, as indicators of changes related to diet variation. Trypsin-like activity was confirmed by hydrolysis of a synthetic chromogenic substrate. Units of proteolytic activity were 25.2 to 46.1 for the first regime and 22.6 to 40.2 for the second. No differences in proteolytic profiles were detected between regimes. Total phenolic content was 1,152.2 and 759 GAE/ml for the first regime and 832.2 and 552.2 GAE/ml for the second when samples were extracted in water or ethanol, respectively. Differences in the antioxidant capacity also were observed in individuals from the different feeding regimes — large amounts of phenolics for the first regime and greater antioxidant capacity for the second. Diet allows differential accumulation of antioxidants that might be associated with physiological and ecological implications yet to be discovered.

Resumen. El ‘nopal’ (Opuntia ficusindica Miller) es un cultivo de importancia para el municipio de San Andres Cholula, Puebla, Mexico; al igual que otros cultivos sembrados mediante agricultura intensiva y en monocultivo, presenta problemas de plagas insectiles, de las cuales no existe registro para el municipio. Se hicieron recolectas directas de la parte aerea del cultivo cada 20 dias durante un ano, en donde se obtuvieron 1,115 ejemplares, de los cuales se determinaron cinco Ordenes, 18 familias, 22 generos, y 14 especies. Los Ordenes de mayor importancia fueron Hemiptera representando 40.9%, Coleoptera 27.2%, Diptera 18.1%, Hymenoptera 9.0%, y Orthoptera 4.5% de los especimenes colectados. Las especies con mayor incidencia fueron Dactylopus opuntidae Cockerell 36.5%, Cactophagus spinolae.Gyllenhal 10.4%, Dysdercus suturellus Herrich-Schaeffer y Solenopsis sp. Westwood 9.1%. Se encontraron cinco especies plaga potenciales (Cactophagus spinolae, Dactylopus opuntidae, Hesperolabops nigriceps, Sphenarium ...

Species richness, abundance, and seasonal distribution of Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea were evaluated in a deciduous tropical forest at Choix and El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico, from July to October 2009 by means of nocturnal collections at three locations. More than 36,000 specimens were obtained, representing 45 species and 21 genera of Melolonthinae, Rutelinae, Dynastinae, Scarabaeinae, Hybosoridae, Ochodaeidae, Geotrupidae, Trogidae, and Passalidae. The genus with the highest richness index was Phyllophaga with 12 species, Phyllophaga opaca being the dominant species. The best represented species were Oxygrylius ruginasus (96.97%), Digitonthophagus gazella (1.18%), Cyclocephala freudei (0.34%), Pelidnota virescens (0.13%), and Phyllophaga opaca (0.04%). Adult activities were strictly seasonal, because the greatest abundance occurred during August (89.91%), where high rains were recorded, while during October no scarab beetle was collected.

An updated review has been made on the potential of “white grubs” as beneficial insects for increasing soil fertility. Historically white grubs have been considered economic pests because they cause damage in diverse agricultural crops. However, many species of white grubs also consume plant residues in the decaying process. According to the written literature, white grubs may promote fertility in agricultural soils mainly through decomposition of organic matter, rendering humic substances in a similar way as earthworms do. Main activities in which white grubs are considered as soil engineers that may increase soil fertility are that: 1) white grubs may act as earthworms because they may positively affect soil physical functions through increasing soil pore space and improve drainage and aeration; 2) white grubs may affect soil chemical functions either by nutrient immobilization, nutrient distribution, mineralization and/or humification in a dynamic way acting like biological facilitators, and ...