Neotropical Entomology最新文献

The Sphingidae family of moths plays a vital role as pollinators; however, research focusing on certain genera within the family remains limited. This study adopted an integrative approach, drawing on literature, the SiBBr, GBIF, and SpeciesLink databases, and field collections to examine the distribution of Eumorpha Hübner, 1807 species across Brazil. A total of thirteen species is known to occur in the country, yet substantial knowledge gaps remain regarding their actual distribution. We compiled 623 occurrence records representing 14 species. Most species and occurrence records were concentrated in the Atlantic Forest and Amazon biomes. The results indicate that research directly focused on Eumorpha remains scarce and that, despite advances in the digitization of national collections, the number of related publications has not increased. This study provided important insights into the distribution of Eumorpha, showing that some species, such as Eumorpha vitis (Linnaeus) and Eumorpha fasciatus (Sulzer), have a wide distribution, while others, like Eumorpha translineatus (Rothschild), appear more restricted. In addition to contributing to the understanding of Eumorpha distribution in Brazil, the study also highlights the relevance of combining multiple data sources to address existing knowledge gaps.

This study examines the aphid fauna associated with Caryophyllaceae in Iran, combining new field collections with previously published records. In total, 25 aphid species, along with two unidentified species across eight genera, were documented on 24 Caryophyllaceae host species. We describe Aphidura madari sp. nov., based on both apterous and alate viviparous females collected from Silene gaubae, Silene stapfii, and Silene sp. Additionally, we redescribe the apterous and alate forms of Aphidura gallica Nieto Nafría, Mier Durante & Remaudière, 2013, a new record for the aphid fauna of Iran, using new material from Iran. Examination of historical specimens also revealed that record of A. gypsophilae in Iran was misidentification of A. picta, and A. togaica should now be regarded as an uncertain record for the country. A total of 61 aphid-host plant associations were identified, including 18 new global records and four new records for Iran. The genera Aphidura (10 species) and Myzus (5 species) exhibited the highest diversity on Caryophyllaceae hosts. Several unusual aphid-host associations were also recorded, such as Acyrthosiphon pisum on Acanthophyllum bracteatum, Aphis solanella on Silene conoidea, and Sitobion avenae on Dianthus caryophyllus; these may represent fortuitous collections or possible host shifts influenced by environmental factors. This work also offers modifications to existing keys in Aphids on the World's Plants and provides an identification key for aphids associated with Caryophyllaceae in Iran.

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is a globally invasive pest that affects both horticultural and agricultural systems, causing substantial economic losses. However, comprehensive studies on its invasion genetics and associated symbiotic landscape in China are lacking. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and examined the infection patterns of six key secondary endosymbionts in 1702 individuals from 73 populations across 18 provinces in China. Phylogenetic analysis incorporating global sequences revealed that Chinese populations are comprised of ten haplotypes. Genetic diversity was extremely low, with haplotype H1 being overwhelmingly dominant (97.60% of individuals) and shared with global invasive lineages. Endosymbiont screening showed a high prevalence of Arsenophonus (78.56%) and Hamiltonella (44.98%), with frequent co-infections. These results suggest that the widespread invasion of T. vaporariorum in China likely originated from a limited number of founder individuals, resulting in a significant genetic bottleneck. The invasion success appears to be associated with a "genotype-symbiotype complex"-the dominant H1 maternal lineage combined with a beneficial symbiotic toolkit. These findings provide insights into the invasion dynamics of this pest and implications for targeted control strategies.

Chagas disease remains a major public health problem in Latin America, with Triatoma dimidiata (Latreille, 1811) recognized as one of the principal vectors in Mexico. The prolonged use of pyrethroids for vector control has raised concerns about the emergence of resistance, often associated with knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC). Monitoring insecticide susceptibility and identifying associated resistance mechanisms are, therefore, critical for effective surveillance and control. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of T. dimidiata from Yucatan, Mexico, to deltamethrin and permethrin using topical application bioassays and sequenced VGSC domain II to detect potential kdr substitutions. We report, for the first time in T. dimidiata, the presence of the L1014F mutation in a population exhibiting resistance to permethrin (RR₅₀ = 61) and susceptibility to deltamethrin (RR₅₀ = 0.17). Although the functional impact of this mutation in T. dimidiata remains unknown, its detection provides new information on the molecular variability of this vector. These findings highlight the need to integrate kdr mutation screening into insecticide resistance surveillance programs.

Bamboo density is a primary driver of changes in vegetation structure in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon, also affecting the forest litter, a significant and diverse component of which is ants. Here, we investigated the impact of bamboo dominance on litter ant assemblages with the following hypotheses: (i) bamboo patches have a more homogeneous and denser litter layer, (ii) which reduces the number of ant species, (iii) alters species composition, and (iv) results in smaller body sizes and simpler structures in litter ants. Additionally, bamboo patches are expected to have (v) a more open canopy, leading to (vi) a higher number of generalist and open-habitat specialist species compared to forest specialists. To test these hypotheses, we established 30 paired plots along the boundary between bamboo and non-bamboo habitats in an Amazon Forest fragment in Acre, Brazil. In each plot, we collected a 1 m² sample of the litter layer for ant sampling using a mini-Winkler extractor. We also measured litter density, litter heterogeneity, and canopy openness in each plot. Our findings showed that bamboo habitats present less dense litter layers, that heterogeneity did not differ, a higher number of ant species, and smaller ants. Species composition weekly differed between the habitats. In conclusion, the dominance of bamboo primarily affects ants through morphological filtering rather than species composition. Given that climate and land-use changes may promote the expansion of bamboo patches in the region, this could have significant impacts on ant assemblage composition and their ecosystem functions.

Biological invasions pose significant threats to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and human well-being. Urban areas are particularly prone to biological invasions as high levels of human activity and connectivity enhance the arrival of alien species, and some characteristics of these areas (e.g. disturbance levels and reduced thermal variability) facilitate their establishment. Here, we study the establishment and distribution of the highly invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr, 1868), in Bariloche, a Patagonian city ~1000 km away from its native range, using a citizen science approach, complemented by outdoor ant sampling. Our findings confirm its establishment as an urban pest within a small downtown area and suggest it has not spread into surrounding urban or semi-natural habitats. However, ongoing urban development and climate change might facilitate its spread in the future. Through citizen science records, we also found other ants (including the invasive Monomorium pharaonis (Linnaeus, 1758), reported for the first time in the region) behaving as indoor pests in parts of the city where L. humile was not detected. This study highlights the value of citizen science in detecting invasive alien species and its added benefit of monitoring indoor pests that might otherwise go unnoticed using outdoor surveys and emphasize the need for coordinated management strategies from different stakeholders to address these invasions.

This study evaluated the environmental impact of an insect biofactory that produces biological agents for controlling stored product pests. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to evaluate the production of eggs and larvae of the natural host Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller, 1879) and its parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say, 1836). We proposed the reuse of feed within the larval production process of E. kuehniella and compared the resulting environmental impacts with those of conventional chemical control using phosphine. The assessment was performed using SimaPro 9.5.1.2 software and the Environmental Footprint 3.1 method, covering 16 damage categories. Experimental data from the UNISC Biofactory were used to construct the life cycle inventory, which encompasses energy consumption, material inputs, and waste generation. Additional scenarios assessed the reuse of larval diet residues and compared the environmental performance of H. hebetor with phosphine, a conventional fumigant. The results indicated that the main environmental impacts are associated with electricity consumption and the larval diet composed of wheat flour and yeast. The reuse of residual diet reduced impacts in acidification and land use categories, whereas new feed showed better performance in climate change and particulate matter formation. The comparison between biological and chemical control showed lower environmental impacts with H. hebetor in all categories except water use. Overall, biological control using H. hebetor proved to be an environmentally favorable alternative or complement to chemical agents. Process optimization, energy efficiency, and integration of renewable sources may further reduce the environmental footprint of insect biofactories at larger scales.

Insects in tropical regions are subject to pronounced seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and temperature. A notable example is Baronia brevicornis, a panchronic butterfly species endemic to Mexico. Its reproductive season begins with the onset of the rainy period, which triggers the emergence of adults. Males exhibit four distinct color morphs, while females display three. To assess adult abundance, sex ratios, morph proportions, and wing size variation, we monitored a population of B. brevicornis during mating seasons (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024). In addition, we experimentally investigated the effects of prolonged diapause and pupal survival. Our findings indicate a male-biased sex ratio. Morph frequencies and wing sizes in both sexes exhibited temporal variation. Adults emerged following one to two years of pupation when no water was provided during the first year. However, the proportion of individuals successfully emerging after two years was significantly lower than in those emerging after a single year. Our model suggests that accumulated precipitation, rather than temperature, plays a critical role in the probability of detecting adult butterflies. The optimal threshold (~ 70-150 mm) may be an adaptive strategy to cope with unpredictable rainfall, enabling individuals to postpone emergence when precipitation levels are insufficient to sustain host plants and nectar resources. Nevertheless, the potential fitness costs associated with prolonged pupation must be considered.

The red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (1972), commonly known as RIFA, is considered one of the world's 100 most invasive and threatening pest species. It is particularly notorious for its rapid expansion into new territories and its severe impacts on agriculture, nurseries, public infrastructure, and urban green areas. Due to its aggressive nature and broad ecological adaptability, RIFA poses significant challenges to human activities and ecosystems. Consequently, substantial research efforts have been directed toward both eradication in infested areas and the prevention of its spread into new regions. Core management strategies include quarantine measures and chemical, biological, and physical control methods, each with specific advantages and limitations. This article aims to underscore the global importance of RIFA, provide a comprehensive review of current control approaches, and analyze the challenges and opportunities associated with their implementation. The findings reported in the literature reviewed are intended to support the development and application of sustainable, site-specific Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and adaptive strategies for long-term control. Future efforts should prioritize predictive modeling of invasion pathways, genomic tools for resistance management, and enhanced biocontrol integration to address climate-mediated range expansions.

The effects on biological traits and population parameters, as well as the induction of detoxification enzyme activity and gene upregulation were determined following exposure of S. furcifera to sublethal and lethal concentrations (LC₁₀, LC₃₀, LC₅₀, LC₇₀) of flupyradifurone. In F₀, flupyradifurone did not significantly affect fecundity or adult developmental period, but cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activity was significantly induced by LC₃₀, LC₅₀, LC₇₀, and more than ten P450 genes (e.g., CYP6AX3, CYP6CW4, CYP418A2) were upregulated across concentrations, supporting the predicted detoxification response. In F₁, consistent with a transgenerational effect, parental exposure at LC₅₀ and LC₇₀ significantly prolonged development (1st, 3rd, and 5th instars), increased total preoviposition period (TPOP) and mean generation time (T), and reduced the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ). Fecundity remained unaffected. Together, these results indicate that flupyradifurone can suppress S. furcifera population growth via transgenerational impacts on development and demography while concurrently inducing P450-mediated detoxification. These findings suggest that flupyradifurone is a valuable tool but should be deployed within integrated pest management: rotate with different modes of action, limit consecutive applications, and combine with non-chemical tactics and resistance monitoring to preserve long-term efficacy.