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Se reporta la presencia del pequeño escarabajo de la colmena (PEC) Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) en San Blas, Nayarit, México. Los escarabajos se encontraron entre las cámaras de cría, tapas y techos. Se capturaron 32 adultos, plaga de las abejas y colmenas no reportada con anterioridad en Nayarit. The presence of the small hive beetle (PEC) Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is reported in San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico. The beetles were found between breeding chambers, lids and roofs. 32 adults were collected, a pest of bees and hives not previously reported in Nayarit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivation of tequila agave (Agave tequilana Weber) blue variety is protected by the Designation of Origin of Tequila in the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico. There is a risk of losing the origin designation caused by phytosanitary damage by the weevil Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal in the crop. In the study, temporary abundance of the weevil through the year was determined. Effect of temperature and precipitation on occurrence of insects in cultivated tequila agave was studied at the Municipality of Xicoténcatl, Tamaulipas. The experiment was established in 2018 at 100 agave orchards. Adults, temperature, and precipitation were recorded every 15 days for 1 year. Numbers of adults caught per date/trap/month were used to describe temporal abundance by month and season of the year. Kruskal Wallis analysis determined differences between seasons in correlation analysis to determine effect of temperature and precipitation on insect occurrence. Most insects were recorded in February, May, and November, with 5.7, 5.6, and 4.1 adults per trap, respectively. More adults were recorded in spring than in summer, autumn, or winter. The number of adults captured in traps was correlated with rainfall (r = 0.68, P = 0.02), but not temperature (r = 0.40, P = 0.21). This result will be useful for designing control strategies that preserve tequila origin at Tamaulipas, Mexico. El cultivo de agave tequilero (Agave tequilana Weber variedad azul) está protegido por la Denominación de Origen del Tequila en el Estado de Tamaulipas, México. Actualmente, existe el riesgo de perder la denominación de origen por el daño fitosanitario causado por el picudo Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal en el cultivo. En el presente trabajo se determinó la abundancia temporal del picudo en las estaciones del año y se estudió la participación de la temperatura y precipitación en la ocurrencia del insecto en el cultivo de agave tequilero en el Municipio de Xicoténcatl, Tamaulipas. El experimento se estableció, en el 2018, en 100 huertas cultivadas con agave. Los adultos, temperatura y precipitación fueron registrados cada 15 días por un año. El número de adultos capturados por fecha/trampa/mes fue usado para describir la abundancia temporal por mes y estación del año. También, fue sometido a un análisis de Kruskal Wallis para determinar diferencias entre las estaciones del año, y fue usado en el análisis de correlación para determinar la participación de la temperatura y precipitación en la ocurrencia del insecto. El número mayor de insectos se registró en febrero, mayo y noviembre con un promedio de 5.7, 5.6 y 4.1 adultos por trampa. El registro de adultos en primavera fue mayor que en verano, otoño e invierno. El número de adultos capturados en las trampas fue correlacionado con la precipitación pluvial (r = 0.68, P = 0.02). Mientras que, con la temperatura (r = 0.40, P = 0.21) no hubo correlación. El presente resultado será de utilidad para diseñar estrategias de control que ayuden a preservar la denominación de origen del tequila en el estado de Tamaulipas, México. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic treatment of the latiuscula species subgroup of subgenus Pinacodera Schaum, genus Cymindis Latreille with a key to species. Twelve species and two subspecies are treated, eleven (ten species, one subspecies) are described as new. One species, C. punctifera (LeConte), is re-ranked as a subspecies of C. punctifera (sensu lato). Listed alphabetically are the species and subspecies: Cymindis apache, new species (Ramsey Canyon, Cochise County, Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, U.S.A.); C. crenatoverpa, new species (Volcán Ceboruco, Nayarit, México); Cymindis cuyuteca new species (Cuautla, Jalisco, México); C. geminata, new species (Cuernavaca, state of Morelos, México); C. huichilobos, new species (km 117, Oaxaca-Puerto Angel road, state of Oaxaca, México); C latiuscula (Chaudoir) (Dzibilchaltun Archaeological Zone, ca. 16 km north of Mérida, Yucatán, México); C. punctifera punctifera LeConte, new rank (Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains, Pima County, Arizona, U.S.A.); C. punctifera toltec, new subspecies (Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México); C. rugofrons, new species (19.5 km NW Los Volcánes, Jalisco, México); C. tonatiuh, new species (15 km SE Nochixtlán, Oaxaca, México); C. yaqui, new species (Cave Creek Canyon, S. Fork, Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, U.S.A.); C. zacapa new species (12-14 km S. San Lorenzo, Departamento Zacapa, Guatemala); and C. zapotec new species (San Gabriel Mixtepec, Oaxaca, México). Cymindis punctifera (LeConte 1884), a junior synonym of C. cribrata (Chaudoir 1875), is the valid species name because the latter is a junior secondary homonym of Cymindis cribrata LeConte 1859 (= C. pilosa Say 1823). Ecologically, the species of the latiuscula subgroup are geophile or arboreal mesophiles, occupying tropical wet and dry, oak- pine [lowland to montane], and cloud forests, to scrubby desert vegetation, their resting places are under bark or bromeliads. These beetles are active in year-round, principally March to September. They may be found from sea level to 3060 m, with most found below 1800 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the composition and seasonal pattern of carpophilous Cetoniinae collected at the facilities of the Instituto Tecnológico de Tlajomulco, Jalisco. Sampling by six carpotraps was from May to November 2021. In total, four species and 226 individuals were collected, with most activity during September and October. Using the same trapping method at other locations in the State of Jalisco, seven to eight species were reported. However, the location studied was very disturbed by settlements and cultivated fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new clown beetle species, Bacanius neoponerae, is described from Mexican nests of the arboreal ponerine ant Neoponera villosa found in the tank bromeliad Aechmea bracteata. Adult beetles were found in brood chambers or inner refuse piles, but also outside the ant nests, in decaying organic matter between the bromeliad leaves. No direct interactions between ants and microhisterid beetles could be observed. Several lines of evidence suggest a close relationship either with the ants, specific microhabitats within the ant nests or the bromeliads. Sample site elevation, colony size, monthly rainfall and collecting site were the main variables predicting the association. Almost half of the N. villosa colonies were associated with the microhisterids, and larger colonies favored their presence, especially during the driest months of the year. Two specimens were found in a nest of another ant species, Camponotus atriceps, also inhabiting A. bracteata. The new species is the seventh of the genus Bacanius reported from Mexico. This is the second time a species of this genus is associated with ants, and the fourth record of a histerid beetle cohabiting with ponerine ants. The small size of these beetles and their very protective body structure may facilitate their cohabitation with such aggressive hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soybean weevil, Rhyssomatus nigerrimus Fahraus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an economically important pest that attacks soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) crops in northern and southern Mexico. Knowledge of bioecological and behavioral aspects of this insect can contribute to developing integrated management strategies for its control. This study aimed to register the number of mating R. nigerrimus pairs during different phenological stages of the soybean crop and at different times of day, as well as to determine the egg load in R. nigerrimus females during different phenological stages of the crop. During the soybean vegetative stages (VE to V5) and reproductive stages (R1 to R3), no copulating R. nigerrimus pairs were observed. The first mating pairs were found from phenological stage R4 to phenological stage R9. Rhyssomatus nigerrimus pairs were observed mating from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with the largest number of mating pairs between 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The number of copulating R. nigerrimus pairs correlated positively with the temperature and negatively with relative humidity. In the ovaries of female R. nigerrimus collected in the field at different phenological stages, eggs started appearing at the phenological stage R5. The largest egg load was found in females collected during the phenological stage R7.1. El picudo de la soya, Rhyssomatus nigerrimus Fahraus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), es una plaga de importancia económica que ataca cultivos de soya (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) del norte y sur de México. Conocer aspectos sobre la bioecología y comportamiento de este insecto puede ayudar a desarrollar estrategias de manejo integrado para su control. El objetivo del presente fue registrar el número de parejas de R. nigerrimus en cópula en diferentes etapas fenológicas del cultivo de soya y en diferentes horas del día; así como determinar carga de huevos corionados en las hembras de R. nigerrimus en diferentes etapas fenológicas del cultivo de soya. Durante las etapas vegetativas del cultivo de soya (VE a V5) y reproductivas (R1 a R3), no se observaron parejas de R. nigerrimus copulando. Las primeras parejas en cópula, se encontraron a partir de la etapa fenológica R4 hasta la etapa fenológica R9. Se observaron parejas de R. nigerrimus en cópula desde las 7:00 a. m. a 5:30 p. m., con la mayor cantidad de parejas en cópula entre 11:30 a. m. y 2:30 p. m. La cantidad de parejas de R. nigerrimus en cópula se correlacionó de manera positiva con la temperatura y de manera negativa con humedad relativa. En los ovarios de las hembras de R. nigerrimus recolectadas en campo en diferentes etapas fenológicas, se comenzaron a encontrar huevos corionados a partir de la etapa fenológica R5. La mayor carga de huevos fue encontrada en hembras recolectadas en la etapa fenológica R7.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some species of the genus Phyllophaga (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae) are ecological and zoogeographical indicators, emphasizing their importance as primary consumers and as a food source, in addition to economic relevance as pests. However, most studies of these beetles have information gaps in classification. In this study, morphological characters and one molecular marker gene were used to clarify identification of a group of beetles that share external morphological characteristics and coexist in an area of grass at Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla, Mexico. Based on external appearance, abdominal region, body size, and emphasis on morphology of the intermediate and apical denticles of the tarsal claws, the beetles were determined to be in a Phyllophaga group formed by Phyllophaga parumpunctata (body 11 mm in length), Phyllophaga sinuaticeps (body 12 to 13 mm in length), Phyllophaga xanthe (males body 13.7 mm and females 12.8 mm in length), Phyllophaga laticeps (body 15 mm in length) and Phyllophaga sp. 1. (body 9 to 13 mm in length). The sequences with the highest percentage of similarity were P. parumpunctata from 87.1 to 90.2% with Phyllophaga latidens and Phyllophaga latifrons. Species with least distance 0.0 to 0.003 were P. xanthe 1 with P. sinuaticeps and P. parumpunctata, suggesting close relationship. Finally, the comparison and analysis of short standardized sequences of the MT-COI gene resulted in groups P. sp1., a group close to Phyllophaga vetula, P. laticeps associated with Phyllophaga hemilissa, P. parumpunctata, P. sinuaticeps, and P. xanthe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution of the harlequin beetle, Acrocinus longimanus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Acrocinini), is not well known in Mexico. Using MaxEnt and statistical analysis, the distribution was characterized and degree of association with environmental variables, biogeographic provinces, altitude, and vegetation types were determined. A. longimanus specimens were sought in scientific collections, records in publications, and open-access resources. In total, 93 records were obtained, of which eight were new state records for Mexico. The species probably could occur in 20 states of Mexico. Temperature and precipitation were the most important environmental variables for creation of a distribution map. Provinces of greatest importance for distribution of the species were the Pacific Coasts, Gulf, and Petén. Altitude and vegetation type were key to distribution of the species. Knowing actual distribution of species through potential distribution models (MaxEnt) is important for understanding insect interactions and associations in ecosystems, as well as recognizing important areas to conserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Eudiagogus Schoenherr, 1840 (Curculionidae) is endemic to the Américas and currently has six species characterized by predilection for plants of the genus Sesbania Scop, 1777 (Fabaceae). Plants of the genus Sesbania accepted as hosts for Eudiagogus species and especially association of E. pulcher F., 1840, with Sesbania herbácea, 1987 were reported. Biological observations such as sex ratio and variability of the population in southern Tamaulipas, México also were recorded, as was distribution, and male and female genitalia and adult forms were illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beetle family Disteniidae is currently considered to be closely related to the much larger family Cerambycidae, the longhorned beetles. The 300 + species of disteniids are mostly native to tropical and subtropical regions, with the only described North American species north of Mexico being Elytrimitatrix undata (F.). Here we describe the identification and field testing of (1R,4R)-quercivorol as a male-produced aggregation-sex pheromone component for E. undata. This is the first pheromone identified for any species within the family Disteniidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bark beetle infestations have historically been primary drivers of stand thinning in Mexican pine forests. However, bark beetle impacts have become increasingly extensive and intense, apparently associated with climate change. Our objective was to describe the possible association between abundance of bark beetle flying populations and the occurrence of given value intervals of temperature, precipitation and their balance, in order to have a better comprehension of the climatic space that might trigger larger insect abundances, an issue relevant in the context of the ongoing climatic change. Here, we monitored the abundance of two of the most important bark beetle species in Mexico, Dendroctonus frontalis and D. mexicanus. We sampled 147 sites using pheromone-baited funnel traps along 24 altitudinal transects in 11 Mexican states, from northwestern Chihuahua to southeastern Chiapas, from 2015 to 2017. Through mixed model analysis, we found that the optimum Mean Annual Temperatures were 17°C–20°C for D. frontalis in low-elevation pine-oak forest, while D. mexicanus had two optimal intervals: 11–13°C and 15–18°C. Higher atmospheric Vapor Pressure Deficit (≥ 1.0) was correlated with higher D. frontalis abundances, indicating that warming-amplified drought stress intensifies trees' vulnerability to beetle attack. As temperatures and drought stress increase further with projected future climatic changes, it is likely that these Dendroctonus species will increase tree damage at higher elevations. Pine forests in Mexico are an important source of livelihood for communities inhabiting those areas, so providing tools to tackle obstacles to forest growth and health posed by changing climate is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the diversity of three beetle assemblages associated with carcasses of different types of mammals in an agroecosystem in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico is presented. The study was carried out in three samplings, between July and October 2017. In the first sampling, a pig carcass was used as a study model, in the second, a coati, and in the third sampling, a deer. The collection of specimens was carried out every third day after each carcass was placed and concluded until the total decomposition of the soft tissues was completed. A total of 661 individuals grouped into 40 morphospecies, distributed in 11 families, were collected. The families with the highest species richness were Staphylinidae Scarabaeidade and Histeridae. The composition, richness and abundance of species was different in each type of carcass, this is probably due to the availability of resources over time, as well as the phenology of the species, rather than the type of carcass. The relevance of some species found is highlighted, with high potential in the application of forensic entomology due to its marked seasonality and incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of Oedemeridae from Chiapas, Mexico, is illustrated and described: Zurita tilae gen. et sp. nov. This new genus and species is similar in the external morphology to other members of Vasaces, however, the genitalia provides enough evidence to propose a new taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The invasive hibiscus bud weevil (HBW), Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), has presented a challenge to ornamental nurseries in Florida since its arrival in 2017. Hibiscus flowers drop from plants because of HBW feeding and oviposition, which results in plants that are unattractive and subsequently not purchased by consumers. To help growers manage the HBW, we measured the lethal and sublethal effects on HBW adults caused by 21 different insecticide and horticultural oil products. Laboratory Experiments: Horticultural oil products only caused mortality when they were directly sprayed on HBW adults. Diflubenzuron, pyrethrins, spinetoram plus sulfoxaflor, and spirotetramat were selected for further analysis in Contact Toxicity Experiments and Greenhouse Experiments because these products caused either significant mortality and/or a reduction in feeding and oviposition in HBW adults. Contact Toxicity Experiments: Pyrethrins, spinetoram plus sulfoxaflor, and spirotetramat were highly toxic to HBW adults. Greenhouse Experiments: Pyrethrins application significantly reduced HBW adult feeding/oviposition on, and the number of larvae within, hibiscus buds. We recommend that HBW infestations be managed with rotations of diflubenzuron, pyrethrins, spinetoram plus sulfoxaflor, spirotetramat, and horticultural oils, as the rotation of products belonging to different insecticide groups can reduce the risk of resistance development while still providing control. In 2017, the hibiscus bud weevil (HBW), Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was found outside of its native range of Mexico and Texas, infesting hibiscus plants in Florida. Therefore, we selected 21 different insecticide and horticultural oil products to evaluate their effects on the reproductive rate, feeding, and oviposition behavior of the HBW. In laboratory experiments, significant mortality was observed in adult weevils exposed to diflubenzuron-treated hibiscus leaves and buds, and hibiscus buds treated with diflubenzuron contained the fewest number of eggs and feeding/oviposition holes. Among horticultural oil products, significant mortality was only observed in experiments in which adult weevils were directly sprayed (direct experiments). Pyrethrins and spinetoram plus sulfoxaflor reduced the oviposition rate and caused significant mortality in direct experiments. Diflubenzuron, pyrethrins, spinetoram plus sulfoxaflor, and spirotetramat were further tested via contact toxicity experiments and greenhouse experiments. Contact toxicity experiments demonstrated that the tested insecticides (except diflubenzuron) were highly toxic to HBW adults. In greenhouse experiments, only those hibiscus plants treated with pyrethrins had significantly fewer feeding/oviposition holes and larvae within their flower buds when compared to control (water-treated) plants. These results constitute an important first step in the identification of effective chemical control options for the HBW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spermatophagous insects such as Curculio L., and Conotrachelus Dejean (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are responsible for the phenomenon known as predation-predispersal that affects oak (Quercus L.: Fagaceae) acorns. We report Cholomyia inaequipes as a solitary koinobiont endoparasitoid associated with the larvae of Curculio sp., and Conotrachelus carinifer in the State of Mexico, Mexico. This finding contributes to knowledge of a new trophic host-parasitoid interaction, as well as updates the distribution area of Ch. inaequipes toward Central Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The redbay ambrosia beetle, Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), vectors the mycopathogen that causes laurel wilt, a lethal vascular disease of trees in the Lauraceae. Since being detected in Georgia, USA in 2002, this invasive pest has become established in 11 additional states.With continued spread, X. glabratus will likely enter Mexico. In advance of this event, this study was initiated to assess the risk posed to eight native laurels and Hass avocados, the predominant cultivar grown in Mexico.Wood bolts from each species were used in (a) field tests to determine the relative attraction of female X. glabratus, (b) laboratory bioassays to evaluate boring preferences, and (c) GC–MS analyses to identify host kairomones. For comparison, tests included control bolt treatments consisting of silkbay (an attractive U.S. laurel) and Simmonds avocado (a Florida cultivar susceptible to laurel wilt).Hass avocado and two native laurels (Persea schiedeana and Ocotea heribertoi vel aff.) were highly attractive to females and elicited strong boring responses. These species were high in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including α‐copaene and α‐cubebene.Results of this study suggest that X. glabratus could become a serious agricultural and forest pest upon incursion into Mexico, with severe economic and ecological impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The species Aegomorphus quadrigibbus (Say) and Thryallis undatus (Chevrolat) (Coleóptera: Cerambycidae) were identified causing damage to Persian lime trees in Martínez de la Torre municipality orchards, in central Veracruz state, Mexico. Ovipositions made by the adults to lay eggs on trunks and branches were observed, with galleries between two and five cm deep, which caused the branches to dry up and, in some cases, complete death of the trees. In trees previously affected with vascular pathogens or with nutrient deficiencies, the damage was more severe because the larvae formed galleries that surrounded the trunk or branches, preventing the flow of nutrients. The average incidence in the sampled trees was 10.8%. Since the Martínez de la Torre area is the most important Persian lime production region in Mexico, it is necessary to monitor crops to determine the presence of insects and develop studies to define levels of damage and management strategies for their insects' populations when requ i red. This is the first record of A. quadrigibbus and T. undatus associated with trees of the Rutaceae family and causing damage to Persian lime orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xyleborinus gracilis es un escarabajo ambrosial ampliamente distribuido en el continente americano. En México está presente en seis estados del sur y noroeste. La biología e importancia de esta especie es poco conocida, pero se sabe que es vector de hongos exóticos fitopatógenos para las lauráceas. Se registra por primera vez en el estado de Nayarit incluyendo su fluctuación poblacional mediante la utilización de trampas cebadas durante el periodo noviembre-2017 a octubre-2018. Se recolectaron 39 hembras, el periodo más abundante de captura comprende los meses de noviembre a febrero, lo cual indica que tiene la afinidad de emerger en invierno. Xyleborinus gracilis is an ambrosial beetle widely distributed in the Americas. In México it is present in six states of the south and northeast. This beetle carries exotic phytopathogenic fungus for the Lauraceae. Its occurrence was recorded for the first time in Nayarit using, baited traps during the period November-2017 to October-2018. We collected 39 females during the most abundant period of capture, November to February, indicating its affinity to emerge in the winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal variation and its effect on structure and composition of a Coleoptera community were studied, prompted by fragmentation of land cover in natural areas. Some groups of phytophagous beetles are most abundant during the rainy season, although this contrasts with a greater number of community attributes in the season with less precipitation. The hypothesis of our study was that most chrysomelid specimens and species would be observed at the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, with subfamilies Galerucinae, Eumolpinae, and Cassidinae frequent between seasons. The objective was to analyze seasonal variation of Chrysomelidae in a fragment of temperate forest in northwestern Mexico. A sweep net was used in the understory to capture specimens in quadrants. Specimens captured were in six subfamilies, 24 genera, and 31 species, which varied between dry and rainy seasons. Estimated richness was less at the beginning of the rainy season, which was reflected by the greatest percentage of complementarity, although species were present throughout a season. The greatest dominance of Chrysomelidae was in the rainy season, and largest entropy values at the end of both seasons, while diversity of abundant and dominant species was notable at the end of the dry season. Correspondence analysis revealed three faunal associations, indicating the largest number of species was associated with the end of the dry season and beginning of the rainy season, showing precipitation and ambient temperature were most important variables. The community structure between seasons differed, showing that seasonality provided a wide food resource over time, which generated variation in relative abundance and therefore in composition of chrysomelid species. Results suggested temperature variation and water availability determined establishment of Chrysomelidae among months of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB: Oryctes rhinoceros L.) is one of the most damaging pests of coconut and oil palms in the Asia/Pacific region but has not been reported from the Western Hemisphere. Here, we report a possible establishment of CRB in Nayarit, Mexico, based on an analysis of social media reports and photographs indicating the presence of the beetle and the distinctive v‐shaped notches in palm fronds caused by the beetle feeding. CRB populations are destructive once established, therefore, urgent actions are required to contain the pest and prevent damage to coconut and oil palm in the Americas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pygmephorid mites are characterized by their phoretic relationships with a wide range of beetles worldwide. From a study of mites associated with Coleoptera deposited in the Colección de Insectos de la Universidad de Morelos, in Morelos, Mexico, a new species Spatulaphorus mexicanussp. nov. (Acari: Pygmephoridae) is described, and the phoretic females of Acarothorectes curculioniumCross, 1965 and Elattoma abeskoun Rahiminejad & Hajiqanbar, 2011 associated with Cerambycidae and Scarabaeidae are reported. Spatulaphorus mexicanussp. nov. can be differentiated from its described congeners by the presence of setae tc' and pl" on tarsi II and setae pl" on tarsi III, all of which are spiniform, the dorsal setae tips pointed, and setae v1, c1, d and f barbed. This new species of Spatulaphorus represent the first record of the genus from Mexico and only the second report from the American continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new species of Griburius Haldeman, 1849 are described from Central America. The new taxa have been named: Griburius febriculosus sp. nov. from Mexico; Griburius gracilis sp. nov. from Mexico; Griburius mokaya sp. nov. from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama; Griburius puncturatus sp. nov. from Mexico; Griburius textus sp. nov. from Belize and Mexico. Besides, two further species of the same genus, i. e. Griburius gamma (Jacoby, 1889) from Mexico and Griburius equestris (Olivier, 1808) from the South of the U.S.A. have been redescribed and revised to make suitable comparisons possible. The lectotype of Griburius gamma and a neotype of Griburius equestris have been designated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epectinaspis canoi new species is described and illustrated, and its similarities with the other species of the genus are discussed. A modification of the taxonomic key of this genus is provided. In addition, Balanogonia constricta Paucar-Cabrera is rediscovered and illustrated with data on its geographical distribution and habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wasp Eupelmus puchriceps (Cameron) is recorded for the first time as a parasitoid of the nopal spine weevil Cylindrocopturus biradiatus Champion. In addition, new distribution and altitudinal records from Mexico are presented, as well as preliminary aspects of its biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Adults of most fireflies do not feed, except for the females of several species of Photuris, which eat males of other firefly species. In most cases, female Photuris attract their prey by responding with glows or flashes to the male's bioluminescent signals, as if they were potential mates. For this reason, female Photuris are also called femmes fatales. In this paper, we provide evidence that the females of Photuris lugubris are femmes fatales of the males of the firefly Photinus palaciosi. We present different types of field observations suggesting that the females of P. lugubris attract males of P. palaciosi by responding to their bioluminescent signals and that, as a consequence, sometimes these are captured and eaten. We demonstrate experimentally that male P. lugubris are not predators of P. palaciosi. We also present experimental evidence that females of P. lugubris mate with multiple males and discuss the potential implications of this observation for the switch between mating and hunting behaviour. P. palaciosi is a firefly that reaches very high densities of flashing males during the reproductive season and that, intermittently, they synchronize their flashes providing a magnificent show that in the last few years has been the focus of tourist activities. Thus, our study also adds to the knowledge on the natural history of a species of economic interest. Femmes fatales (Ff) are female fireflies that hunt and feed on the males of other firefly species that they attract by responding with glows or flashes to their bioluminescent signals. Here, we present field observations demonstrating that Photuris lugubris females are Ff of male Photinus palaciosi, a synchronous firefly exploited as a tourist attraction in the mountains of central Mexico. We show that the hunting success of the Ff is low, as observed in previous studies, suggesting that the impact of predation on the prey population is low. We present experimental data showing sex-specific hunting behaviour, since only female P. lugubris fed on P. palaciosi. We also present experimental data showing that at least some female P. lugubris mate multiple times; we discuss the implications of this discovery for the switch between the mating and hunting modes of Ff. We discuss open questions, as well as the possible impact of Ff on tourism focused on synchronous fireflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jojoba [Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider, Caryophyllales: Simmondsiaceae] is reported as a new host plant for Cyclocephala longula LeConte, 1863 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) larvae from Baja California, Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of an aquatic beetle survey at Volcán Tacaná, Mexico, are presented with five altitudinal levels in a monthly sampling regime, aiming to estimate both diversity and altitudinal distribution patterns of the aquatic beetle fauna. The first list of aquatic beetle species from this mountain is presented, comprising 40 species in 32 genera and nine families, with four species recorded for the first time from Mexico and six recorded for the first time from Chiapas. The aquatic beetle fauna is characterized by Elmidae with 20 species, Dytiscidae with eleven species, Dryopidae with three, and Epimetopidae, Hydraenidae, Hydrophilidae, Gyrinidae, Lutrochidae, and Noteridae with one species each. The species composition through the sampled altitudinal gradient (670-1,776 m) was not homogeneous, with the elmid genera Macrelmis, Heterelmis, Microcylloepus, and Austrolimnius present at all levels, while Hexanchorus, Neoelmis, and Onychelmis were present at levels 1-3 (673-1,214 m); dytiscids were mostly present at levels 4 and 5 (1,619-1,776 m), and dryopids were present only at levels 1-3. A Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity supports a general partition between altitudinal levels 1-3 and levels 4 + 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cyclocephala barrerai larvae feed on the roots of ornamental and commercial grasses. Most of their biology is still unknown, and there are no tools to manage their populations. The objective of this work was to study the reproductive system, gonadic maturation, and allometry of C. barrerai. This is the first report into the Melolonthidae family that characterizes the reproductive apparatus, gonadic maturation of both sexes, and allometric relationships of virgin F1 specimens. Adults do not feed, so gonadic maturation depends on larvae reserves. Females present sclerotized accessory glands and a genital chamber with muscular fibers and bacteria. The morphology of the parameres and the antennae are under sexual selection. This is the first report of two main differences among sexes: females are heavier while males have longer antennae. Males and females exhibit allometric relationships that can be used to predict the bodyweight of field-collected specimens. The Order Coleoptera provides good examples of morphological specializations in the reproductive apparatus, gonadic maturation, and allometry differing between the sexes. The female and male reproductive apparatus has been modified to ensure reproduction between individuals of the same species. The genus Cyclocephala has more than 500 species distributed in America, and Cyclocephala barrerai Martínez is an economically important species in the central part of Mexico. The objective of this work was to study the reproductive system, gonadic maturation, and allometry of C. barrerai. We used light, scanning electron, and laser scanning confocal microscopy to describe the reproductive apparatus and gonadic maturation of females and males. The relationship between adult weight and different parts of the body was established by linear regression. Regardless, the reproductive apparatuses of C. barrerai are like those of other Melolonthidae: the genital chamber, the type II accessory glands, and the ventral plaques of the female and the ejaculator bulb and genital capsule of the males are specific to C. barrerai. The gonads are fully developed when 18 d old. The weight of adult C. barrerai has a positive linear relationship with distinct parts of its body, while the antennae of males are larger than those of the females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to develop a rapid screening method for resistance to Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in pepper by assessing insect mortality and leaf consumption in seedlings as resistance traits, and analyze their interaction with leaf morphological parameters under greenhouse conditions. Seedlings were grown from seeds harvested from fruits collected from 23 populations (10 landrace and 13 wild) in Mexico as well as commercial cultivars. Leaves of 40-d-old seedlings were infested in micro-cages with 5 weevils per seedling. Eight plants were screened for each population to analyze insect mortality and leaf consumption. The experiment was replicated twice in 2 consecutive yr. The wild and landrace populations showed significantly higher number of dead adults, and lower feeding punctures and damaged leaf area from 5 to 19 d after infestation in comparison with the commercial cultivars, suggesting that wild and landrace populations are less sensitive to A. eugenii damage. The number of dead adults was correlated negatively with the feeding punctures and damaged leaf area, suggesting that the lower feeding damage was a result of higher A. eugenii mortality. This study provides a new rapid and simple method for screening resistance for control of A. eugenii in pepper populations and provides a promising source of resistant plant material that may be useful in breeding programs. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron desarrollar un método de escrutinio rápido para la resistencia a Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) en chiles mediante la evaluación de la mortalidad de insectos y el consumo de hojas en plántulas como caracteres de resistencia, y analizar su interacción con los parámetros morfológicos de las hojas en condiciones de invernadero. Las plántulas se cultivaron a partir de semillas extraídas de frutos recolectados de 23 poblaciones (10 variedades locales y 13 silvestres) en México, así como de cultivares comerciales. Se infestaron hojas de plántulas de 40 días en microjaulas con 5 insectos por plántula. Se seleccionaron 8 plantas para cada población para analizar la mortalidad de insectos y el consumo de hojas. El experimento se repitió dos veces en dos años consecutivos. Las poblaciones silvestres y criollas mostraron un número significativamente mayor de adultos muertos y menores pinchazos de alimentación y área foliar dañada de 5 a 19 días después de la infestación en comparación con los cultivares comerciales, lo que sugiere que las poblaciones silvestres y locales son menos sensibles al daño de A. eugenii. El número de adultos muertos se correlacionó negativamente con las marcas por alimentación y el área foliar dañada, lo que sugiere que el menor daño por alimentación fue el resultado de una mayor mortalidad de A. eugenii. Este estudio proporciona un nuevo método rápido y simple para detectar resistencia contra A. eugenii en poblaciones de chile y proporciona fuentes de resistencia prometedoras que pueden ser útiles en programas de mejoramiento. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coleopterans Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, Harmonia axyridis Pallas, Olla v-nigrum Mulsant, Chilocorus cacti L., Chilocorus stigma Say, Cycloneda sanguinea L., Coleomegilla maculate De Geer, and Curinus coeruleus Mulsant were found preying on Diaphorina citri Kuwayama in Nuevo Leon State. C. coeruleus has been reported only in Florida, USA, and at Veracruz, Mexico. This is the first report of the predator at Nuevo Leon, Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the objective of updating knowledge of the family Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) in Mexico, material in the entomological collection at the Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias (FIC) of the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas was studied. We recorded 123 species in 41 genera, 10 tribes, and subfamilies Coccinellinae and Microweinae in Coccinellidae. Paraneda pomacea (Weise), Mysia interrupta (Casey), Hyperaspis punctata LeConte, Nephaspis dorado Gordon, Decadiomus pictus Chapin, Diomus agatha Gordon, D. gervace Gordon, D. nereus Gordon, D. placid Gordon, D. sixtus Gordon, D. tenuis Gordon, D. texanus Gordon, D. agnes Gordon, D. athanasius Gordon, D. joachin Gordon, D. melchiades Gordon, Pentilia muriel Gordon and González and Cyrea laurie Canepari and Gordon were recorded for the first time in Mexico. New combinations were Neoharmonia marginalis (Mulsant) comb. nov., Paraneda pomacea (Weise) comb. nov., P. viridescens Timberlake, and Diomus gorhami (Weise) comb. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread Scolytinae and Platypodinae beetles are capable to colonize a broad range of host plants and several species are considered serious pests in agri-forest environments. In this work, we report the abundance and seasonal variation of scolytine and platypodine beetles associated to a Hass avocado orchard in West-central Mexico. During 2018 and 2019, specimens were captured using bottle traps baited with ethyl alcohol. We tested whether the climatic conditions explain the abundance and species richness. A total of 3,548 specimens from 30 species and 13 genera were collected. Thirteen species are new records for Nayarit State. The most abundant species were Corthylocurus aguacatensis (Schedl 1940), Xyleborus volvulus (Fabricius 1775) and Xyleborus affinis (Eichhoff 1868), these Scolytinae representing 54% of total collected. Abundance and species richness peaked during the fall season (from October to December). Differential responses to temperature and humidity across the temporal scale was found between species. Temperatures below 30 ° but above 26 ° C, and relative humidity (70 to 85%) favored the highest abundance and species richness of most Scolytinae (e.g. C. aguacatensis, Corthylus papulans and X. affinis). Thus, for sustainable management of these pest species we suggest regularly monitoring them in the avocado plantations from Nayarit and other producing states in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambrosia beetles are insect vectors of important plant diseases and have been considered as a threat to forest ecosystems, agriculture, and the timber industry. Several factors have been suggested as promoters of the pathogenic behavior of ambrosia beetles; one of them is the nature of the fungal mutualist and its ability to establish an infectious process. In Mexico, Xylosandrus morigerus is an invasive ambrosia beetle that damages many agroecosystems. Herein, two different isolates from the X. morigerus ambrosia beetle belonging to the Fusarium genus are reported. Both isolates belong to the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) but not to the Ambrosia Fusarium clade (AFC). The two closely related Fusarium isolates are pathogenic to different forest and agronomic species, and the morphological differences between them and the extracellular protease profile suggest intraspecific variability. This study shows the importance of considering these beetles as vectors of different species of fungal plant pathogens, with some of them even being phylogenetically closely related and having different pathogenic abilities, highlighting the relevance of the fungal mutualist as a factor for the ambrosia complex becoming a pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S.F. Blake (Asteraceae) is among the three Tithonia species from Mexico that are invasive in many countries, including South Africa. To curb the invasiveness and negative impact of T. rotundifolia in South Africa, two chrysomelid beetles, Zygogramma signatipennis (Stål) and Zygogramma piceicollis (Stål), from Mexico were assessed to determine their suitability for release against this invader. Biological attributes such as a short pre-oviposition period, short egg incubation period, short lifecycle and long longevity suggest that the two beetle species could successfully establish in their introduced range. Feeding, oviposition and development of both beetle species were confined within the tribe Heliantheae, but showed a very strong preference for the invasive T. rotundifolia. The only non-target species that supported development to adulthood was the exotic weed Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray, itself a target for biocontrol. Although some sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars were partially utilized during host-specificity tests, none supported complete development. Since their potential threats to H. annuus cultivars are minimal, both Zygogramma species were cleared for release in South Africa in 2014. Tithonia rotundifolia (Mill.) S.F. Blake (Asteraceae) is among the three Tithonia species from Mexico that are invasive in South Africa. To curb its invasiveness and negative impact in South Africa, two chrysomelid beetles, Zygogramma signatipennis (Stål) and Zygogramma piceicollis (Stål), from Mexico were investigated as candidate biological control agents. The life histories and host ranges of these beetles were studied under laboratory conditions to determine their suitability for release. The two beetle species displayed very similar life histories, including a short pre-oviposition period (13–14 days), incubation period (4–5 days) and lifecycle (40–45 days). The longevity of Z. signatipennis and Z. piceicollis was 113 and 125 days, while their fecundities were 1146 and 1133 eggs per female, respectively. Feeding, oviposition and development of both beetle species were confined within the tribe Heliantheae, but showed a very strong preference for the invasive T. rotundifolia. The only non-target species that supported development to adulthood was the exotic weed Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray, itself a target for biocontrol. Although some sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars were partially utilized during host-specificity tests, none supported complete development, suggesting that both Zygogramma species are suitable for release in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversity of beetles collected with flight interception traps at Parque Estatal Bosque de Arce, Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico was studied. Sampling was done during dry and wet seasons. In total, 3,857 individuals of 29 families, 214 morphospecies, and 73 genera were collected. Two sites, one with great diversity in the spring and the other with greatest diversity in winter, were sampled. Most abundance and species richness at both sites were in summer. Complementarity values near 1 and low similarity of the beetle assemblage between seasons and sites, described different composition between sites and increased diversity at the landscape level in the forest. Four beetle species and two new genera records were recorded for the State of Jalisco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zaragozapirhidius Vega-Badillo et al., a new genus of wedge-shaped beetles (Coleoptera, Ripiphoridae) from Volcán Tacaná, Chiapas, Mexico is proposed on the basis of the new species, Zaragozapirhidius zuritai Vega-Badillo et al. The new genus is generally similar to the New World complex of genera Pirhidius Besuchet, 1957, Neorrhipidius Viana, 1958, Quasipirhidius Zaragoza, 1991, and Quasirhipidius Zaragoza, 1991. It differs from all by having 10-segmented antennae (not 11-segmented) and maxillary palpi reduced to a knob-like tubercle (not maxillary palpi as long filaments with fused basal palpomeres). It shares a similar antennal segmentation and reduced mouthpart structure with the Old-World genus Blattivorus Chobaut, 1891, which, however, lacks postocular ommatidia, present in the new genus. The new taxon constitutes the 6th genus and the 10th species of recent Ripidiinae from the New World, respectively, placing Mexico as a center of endemism holding half of the recent species of the subfamily in the area. A key to the genera and a species list of the Ripidiinae of the New World are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of cerambycid beetles are described and illustrated: Morrisia skillmani from Guatemala and Adetaptera jejetama from Mexico. Additionally, a map illustrating the geographic distribution of the species of MorrisiaSantos-Silva et al., 2019, and a key to the species of the genus are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) constitute a family of abundant, diverse, and ecologically important herbivorous insects, due to their high specificity with host plants, a close association with vegetation and a great sensitivity to microclimatic variation (factors that are modified gradually during the rainy and dry seasons). Therefore, the effects of seasonality (rainy and dry seasons) and microclimate on the community attributes of chrysomelids were evaluated in a semideciduous tropical forest fragment of northeastern Mexico. Monthly sampling was conducted, between March 2016 and February 2017, with an entomological sweep net in 18 plots of 20 × 20 m, randomly distributed from 320 to 480 m a.s.l. Seven microclimatic variables were simultaneously recorded during each of the samplings, using a portable weather station. In total, 216 samples were collected at the end of the study, of which 2,103 specimens, six subfamilies, 46 genera, and 71 species were obtained. The subfamily Galerucinae had the highest number of specimens and species in the study area, followed by Cassidinae. Seasonality caused significant changes in the abundance and number of leaf beetle species: highest richness was recorded in the rainy season, with 60 species, while the highest diversity (lowest dominance and highest H' index) was obtained in the dry season. Seasonal inventory completeness of leaf beetles approached (rainy season) or was higher (dry season) than 70%, while the faunistic similarity between seasons was 0.63%. The outlying mean index was significant in both seasons; of the seven microclimatic variables analyzed, only temperature, heat index, evapotranspiration and wind speed were significantly related to changes in abundance of Chrysomelidae. Association between microclimate and leaf beetles was higher in the dry season, with a difference in the value of importance of the abiotic variables. The results indicated that each species exhibited a different response pattern to the microclimate, depending on the season, which suggests that the species may exhibit modifications in their niche requirements according to abiotic conditions. However, the investigations must be replicated in other regions, in order to obtain a better characterization of the seasonal and microclimatic influence on the family Chrysomelidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pepper weevil Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a pest of economic importance for Capsicum species pepper in North America that attacks the reproductive structures of the plant. The insect is distributed across Mexico, the United States, and the Caribbean, and is occasionally found during the pepper growing season in southern Ontario, Canada. Continuous spread of the insect to new areas is partially the result of global pepper trade. Here, we describe the genetic diversity of the pepper weevil using the mitochondrial COI barcoding region across most of its geographic range. In this study, 44 (H1–H44) highly similar haplotypes were identified, the greatest number of haplotypes and haplotype diversity were observed among specimens from its native Mexico, followed by specimens from the United States. Unlike Mexico, a low haplotype diversity was found among specimens from Canada, the Dominican Republic, Italy, and the Netherlands. Out of these 44 haplotypes, 29 are reported for the first time. Haplotype diversity in the Canadian population suggests either multiple and continuous introductions of the pepper weevil into this area or a single introduction of genetically diverse individuals. We discuss the importance of such population genetic data in tailoring pepper weevil management programs, using Canada as an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An annotated checklist of ground beetles in the family Carabidae from the state of Sonora in Mexico is presented with notes including number of specimens examined, municipios, habitat, vegetation, elevation, and collection dates. The checklist includes 388 taxa, of which 270 are described taxa (included are 19 subspecies and 1 hybrid) and 118 are unnamed morphospecies, in 92 genera representing 35 tribes. Dot maps display where specimens were collected. Three new species are described, with corrected keys and images: Calathus mcclevei, new species (type locality: Mexico, Sonora, Municipality of Yécora, 10 km south of Yécora, ca. 28.278° N 108.926° W); Calathus tigrinus, new species (type locality: Mexico, Sonora, Municipality of Nacozari de García, Rancho El Tigre, 28.3 km (by air) WNW Bavispe, Sierra El Tigre, 30.58988° N 109.20811° W); and Amblygnathus balli, new species (type locality: Mexico, Sonora, Municipality of Fronteras, Rancho Capulín, 23.5 km (by air) WSW Fronteras, Sierra Buenos Aires, 30.76167° N 109.82361° W). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural enemies of the avocado stem weevil, (Copturus aguacatae Kissinger) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, were identified. Branch samples were taken biweekly during Feb–Dec 2015 in avocado orchards located in Tepic and Xalisco. The branches with C. aguacatae larvae were placed in cages and checked weekly until parasitoids or adult borers emerged. Eleven species of parasitic Hymenoptera were found; particularly abundant was Heterospilus bruchi (Viereck) (Braconidae). In addition, three species of entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium pingshaense, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana) were identified associated with avocado stem weevil in Nayarit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During autumn-winter 2020-2021, leaf petioles of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) with larvae and pupae of clover stem borer, Languria mozardi Latreille, 1807 (Coleoptera: Languriidae), were collected at the Municipality of Ébano, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. A large percentage (70.8 to 92%) of specimens collected completed larval and pupal stages and emerged as adults in laboratory conditions, showing that satisfactorily completed its life cycle in a soybean plant, a potential host for the pest in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

México es el principal productor y exportador de Aguacate, Persea americana Miller, con una superficie de 234,269 ha, donde Nayarit ocupa el cuarto lugar nacional de producción. En años recientes los escarabajos ambrosiales cobran relevancia por la amenaza que representan especies como Xyleborus glabratus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) - Raffaelea lauricola T. C. Harr., Graedrich y Aghayeva (Ophiostomatales: Ophiostomataceae) y Euwallacea fornicatus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) - Fusarium euwallaceae Freeman, Mendel, Aoki y O'Donnell (Hypocreales: Nectriaceae), dos especies reglamentadas para México, por lo que es importante conocer la diversidad de estos barrenadores que tienen el potencial de afectar distintos hospederos. Además de presentase R. lauricola y F. euwallaceae, las especies nativas podrían ser vectores secundarios y hospederos de enemigos naturales. Se recolectaron 202 especímenes entre septiembre y diciembre del año 2020 en los municipios de Xalisco, Tepic, y San Blas, donde se encontraron diez especies: Xyleborus affinis (73.76%), X. volvulus (7.92%), X. bispinatus (6.43%), X. morulus (4.95%), X. macer (2.47%), X. ferrugineus (1.98%), X. posticus (0.99%), X. intrusus (0.49%), X. spinulosus (0.49%), y X. squamulatus (0.49%), lo cual significa que existe diversidad de especies ambrosiales en el cultivo del aguacate en Nayarit, México. Mexico is the main producer and exporter of avocado, with an area of 234,269 ha. Nayarit is the fourth largest producer in the country. Ambrosia beetles have gained relevance due to the threat posed by Xyleborus glabratus - Raffaelea lauricola and Euwallacea fornicatus - Fusarium euwallaceae , two species regulated in Mexico. Therefore, it is important to know the diversity of these borers that have the potential to affect different hosts. In addition, if R. lauricola and F. euwallaceae are present, native species could be secondary vectors and hosts of natural enemies. In total, 202 specimens were collected between September and December 2020 in the municipalities of Xalisco, Tepic, and San Blas, where 10 species were identified: Xyleborus affinis (73.76%), X. volvulus (7.92%), X. bispinatus (6.43%), X. morulus (4.95%), X. macer (2.47%), X. ferrugineus (1.98%), X. posticus (0.99%), X. intrusus (0.49%), X. spinulosus (0.49%), and X. squamulatus (0.49%), showing there is a diversity of ambrosial species in the avocado crop in Nayarit, Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourteen subfamilies, 32 tribes, 55 genera, and 92 species of Curculionidae were determined at Coahuila, México. Oprhyastes geminatus Horn and Cophes oblongus LeConte are new records for México, and Pagiocerus frontalis Fabricius and Epicaerus cognatus Sharp are the first records for Coahuila. Epicaerus cognatus Sharp, an endemic species of Mexico, is a pest of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crops in Hidalgo, Puebla, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz. We determined to be pests or of economic importance: Cactophagus spinolae Gyllenhal (Opuntia Mill), Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (stored grain), Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (stored grain), Sitophilus granarius L. (stored grain), Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllehnal (Agave L.), Caulophilus oryzae (Gyllenhal) (avocado seed (Persea Mill)), Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Gossypium hirsutum L.), Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Capsicum L.), Amphidees latifrons Sharp (Malus domestica Borkh), Anametis granulatus Say (Malus domestica Borkh), Epicaerus aurifer Boheman (Medicago sativa L.), Hypera postica Gyllenhal (Medicago sativa L.), Pityophthorus sp. Eichhoff (Pinus L.), Conophthorus cembroides Wood (Pinus L.), Pagiocerus frontalis Fabricius (Zea mays L. and Persea Mill seed), and Euplatypus segnis Chapuis (Carya illinoensis (Koch) and Persea Mill). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tiger beetles are a popular group of insects amongst amateur naturalists, and are well-represented in museum and private collections. New species descriptions plateaued in the 19th century, but there is a recent resurgence of discoveries as integrative taxonomy methods, guided by molecular systematics, uncover "cryptic" tiger beetle diversity. In this paper, we describe a new species using multiple data types. This new species, Eunota mecocheila Duran and Roman n. sp., is in the tribe Cicindelini, and is described from specimens collected in saline muddy ditches in northern Mexico. This species is closely related to E. circumpicta (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841), but is separated based on morphological differences, geographic range, and genetic differentiation. Little is known about the biology or distribution of this species and it has only been collected from two sites in the state of Coahuila. Given the location of this new species, and its genetic divergence from its closest relative, E. circumpicta, we discuss the historical biogeography that may have led to isolation and speciation. The male and female dorsal, lateral and frontal habitus and the male aedeagus are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe for the first time a potential stridulatory apparatus in Oxyporinae rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), which was found in all 18 studied species of the genus Oxyporus and only in three out of six studied species of the genus Pseudoxyporus. No potential stridulatory structures were found in two species of Oxyporus larvae, which we examined. We describe in detail and illustrate these potential stridulatory organs of the following species: Oxyporus mexicanus Fauvel, O. maxillosus Fabricius and O. japonicus Sharp; Pseudoxyporus cyanipennis (Kirshenblat), P. dybowskii (Solsky) and P. melanocephalus (Kirshenblat). Stridulatory structures observed in Oxyporus species involve a potential scraper on the profemur and a potential stridulatory file on the mesocoxae, while Pseudoxyporus differs in having the potential scraper on the procoxae. The specifics of the mechanics and function of this structure in Oxyporinae are unknown but we discuss the various possibilities including association with their subsocial behaviour. The systematic implications of our discoveries for the generic classification of Oxyporinae are discussed. In particular, our findings shed light on the systematic position of Oxyporus smithi Bernhauer, a species from Mexico with ambiguous affinities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being rich in nutrients insects are potential nutraceutical resources. In the present study, we have selected the 8th instar larval stages of Tenebrio molitor and 5th instar nymphal stages of Sphenarium purpurascens, because these are the most sought after stages in the edible insect market in various states of the Mexican Republic. We have estimated their proximate composition and mineral contents and compared them with red meat and white meat. S. purpurascens has been found to be rich in protein and energy, whereas T. molitor contains maximum amount of fat and energy that are even better than that of red and white meat. Both of them also contain higher amount of minerals compared to red and white meat. It has been further observed that only 500g of insect flour can provide almost all the minerals in question, whereas the same amount of red and white meat can provide merely three of them. Thus, insects should be exploited as a source of nutraceuticals, more in depth study is necessary in this aspect though. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest of commercial cotton across the Americas. In the United States, eradication of this species is complicated by re‐infestations of areas where eradication has been previously successful and by the existence of morphologically similar variants that can confound identification efforts. To date, no study has applied a high‐throughput sequencing approach to better understand the population genetic structure of the boll weevil. Furthermore, only a single study has investigated genetic relationships between populations in North and South America. We used double digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) to resolve the population genomic structure of the boll weevil in the southern United States, northern Mexico, and Argentina. Additionally, we assembled the first complete mitochondrial genome for this species and generated a preliminary whole genome assembly, both of which were used to improve the identification of informative loci. Downstream analyses revealed two main lineages—one consisting of populations found geographically west of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range and the second consisting of populations found to the east—were revealed, and both were sub‐structured. Population geographic structure was consistent with the isolation by distance model, indicating that geogrpahic distance is likely a primary mechanism driving divergence in this species. Boll weevil populations from Argentina were found to be more closely related to the eastern lineage, suggesting a recent colonization of South America by the eastern lineage, but additional sampling across Mexico, Central America and South America is needed to further clarify their origin. Finally, we uncovered an instance of population turnover or replacement, highlighting the temporal instability of population structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study of the composition of leaf beetles attracted to light in Mexico. We analyze the richness, temporal abundance and similarity between four localities of tropical dry forest in Sierra de San Javier, Sonora. A total of 3217 individuals belonging to 45 morphospecies, 31 genera and 10 tribes within five subfamilies of Chrysomelidae were collected in light traps in the tropical dry forest of Sierra de San Javier, Sonora. Galerucinae was the subfamily with the greatest number of genera and species. The genera with the highest number of species were Pachybrachis Chevrolat and Alagoasa Bechyné. Eight genera were represented by two species and 21 genera by only one species. Metrioidea rugipennis (Blake) was the species with the highest number of individuals (80% of the abundance recorded). According to the taxonomic and species similarity analysis, the sites San Javier and La Barranca had the highest similarity, while the lowest values were recorded at Rancho Las Peñitas and Cañón de Lo de Campa. The low similarity between sites cannot be explained by the geographic distance since it was not a determining factor to explain the low similarity in Sierra de San Javier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]