Neotropical Entomology最新文献

Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a common insect in poultry farms, poses a significant threat to poultry production. However, this insect also shows potential as a nutritional source due to its high protein and fat content. Studying its biological cycle and metabolic profile is essential for understanding its biology and biochemistry, enabling the development of more effective control strategies based on biochemical targets. This study aimed to investigate the biological and metabolic aspects of A. diaperinus at different developmental stages, providing relevant information for future research. Insect samples, maintained in colonies, were analyzed morphologically and metabolically. Morphological measurements were performed using digitized images, while metabolic profiles were obtained through gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The average biological cycle was 54 days, from egg to adult. Morphological parameters revealed distinct patterns of larval growth, with a positive correlation between length and age. Significant biochemical transformations were observed in the levels of amino acids, sugars, and organic acids throughout development, reflecting the specific metabolic needs of each stage. These findings expand the knowledge of the biological and biochemical aspects of A. diaperinus, providing a foundation for more effective and sustainable management strategies for controlling this pest.

Reproductive behavior and the use of stridulatory signals are well-documented in Curculionidae. Euscepes postfasciatus is an agricultural pest of sweet potato for which effective control strategies are still lacking. In this context, the objective of the present study was to investigate the reproductive behavior and the associated acoustic and vibrational signals of this species. To analyze reproductive behavior, 100 mating pairs were observed; data were compiled in an ethogram. To study the stridulatory signals emitted in stressful and reproductive contexts, 20 and 50 pairs, respectively, were recorded using systems equipped with microphones and piezoelectric accelerometers for capturing airborne and vibratory components of stridulatory signals. Morphological analysis of the stridulatory apparatus was conducted in 30 specimens dissected and examined using scanning electron microscopy. During mating, variation was observed in the male's mounting behavior and in the female's responses. Females were found to emit a specific rejection signal, while males produced a copulatory signal, potentially to enhance female receptivity, along with a distinct behavioral display. Stress-induced signals did not differ between sexes and showed clear temporal differences with female rejection and male courtship signals. The morphology of the stridulatory apparatus conformed to the pattern described for Curculionidae, with no observed sexual dimorphism.

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are sucking pests that damage a wide range of crops worldwide. Chemical insecticides are the main strategy for their control, but species can vary in susceptibility or develop resistance. Here, we developed and validated a bioassay method (dip test) using soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) leaf discs to evaluate the susceptibility of thrips to insecticides. We compared the susceptibility of Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood, 1912) to acephate and spinetoram assessed using this method with results of the IRAC Susceptibility Test Method 010, in which bean pod sections are dipped into an insecticide solution. Concentration-mortality data from both methods fit the probit model, with mortality lines showing similar parameters (intercepts and slopes) and mortality increasing with the increase of insecticide concentrations. The lethal concentrations (LCs) of acephate were similar for both methods, whereas spinetoram showed higher LCs in the proposed method. Nonetheless, mortality at field label doses of both insecticides was consistently high (96.5-100%) in both methods. In conclusion, acephate and spinetoram exhibited high lethality against C. phaseoli, and the proposed bioassay method, due to its simplicity, reliability, and statistical robustness, represents a reliable alternative to the IRAC method for assessing susceptibility of thrips species to insecticides.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are promising eco-friendly alternatives to chemical insecticides against various insect pests. We assessed the efficacy of different Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. strains against Brevicoryne brassicae (L.), a major pest of Brassica crops under both laboratory and field conditions. The virulence and endophytic properties of three strains of B. bassiana, the commercial strain GHA, the endemic one KA14 from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and GxABT-1 from Belgium, were assessed under laboratory conditions. Under field conditions in eastern DRC, the efficacy of the B. bassiana GHA was evaluated compared to that of a conventional insecticide. In vitro, the lethal time 50 (LT₅₀) values ranged from 3 days for B. bassiana GxABT-1 to 4 days for both GHA and KA14 following direct application of fungi. Aphid exposure to fungus-treated leaves at 7 and 14 days after inoculation (DAI) resulted in LT₅₀ values of 4 to 5 days for GHA and KA14. Regarding the endophytic potential, B. bassiana KA14 showed higher performance in colonizing plant tissues and improving plant height growth. In the dual-choice tests, aphids were initially attracted to fungus-treated plants at 7 DAI but showed no preference between treated and control plants at 14 DAI. Field trials indicated no significant difference between fungal and chemical insecticide treatments, but both significantly reduced B. brassicae infestation compared to the Control. Our results support the interest of exploring the potential of the endemic B. bassiana KA14 strain against various insect pests and applying different methods.

Aedes (Fredwardsius) vittatus (Bigot) has a native geographical distribution that encompasses tropical areas of Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean region of Europe. In its native range, this mosquito species is a potential vector of the dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever viruses. Currently, Ae. vittatus is reported in the Caribbean countries of Cuba, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. We report the discovery of one female Ae. vittatus captured on September 11, 2024, in X-Calakoop, located near a major tourist site in Yucatán. Additionally, 11 mosquito species were found: Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus), Aedes albopictus (Skuse), Aedes bimaculatus Coquillett, Aedes cozumelensis Díaz Nájera, Aedes podographicus Dyar & Knab, Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), Culex coronator Dyar & Knab, Culex nigripalpus Theobald, Haemagogus mesodentatus Komp & Kumm, Limatus durhamii Theobald, and Toxorhynchites moctezuma (Dyar & Knab). Notably, Ae. albopictus was the most abundant mosquito in the collection, accounting for 77.5% of the adults and 78.66% of the immature stages. The identification of Ae. vittatus in Mexico represents the first record of this species for continental America. The discovery represents the 252nd species in the country and 49th in Yucatán. The increase in the distribution pattern may have implications for public health in tropical America.

Tympanoterpes merganota sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Notes on natural history and adult behavior are presented including the description of the acoustic repertoire. This new species is currently endemic to Brazil, occurring in shrublands in the Atlantic Forest and Pampa regions. Adults have been observed in association with Asteraceae shrubs, using these plants as calling, copula, and oviposition sites. These results were achieved with the contribution of citizen science, proving its importance as an auxiliary tool for researchers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how climatic seasonality affects the defense mechanisms of plants and how this is reflected in the richness and abundance of different guilds of herbivorous insects, using the species Ipomoea carnea subs. fistulosa as a model. Herbivore collections were carried out over 12 months, during this same period the phenology and herbivory was monitored in 30 marked plants, in addition to the analysis of the herbivory index in the dry and rainy season, in addition to collection and analysis of soil nutrients. Phenology showed strong seasonality, showing pivot of leaves and fruits emission during the dry season, and the reproductive phases of emission of buds and flowers peaked in the rainy season. A total of 10,199 herbivores were registered, distributed in 6 orders, and in four guilds. The total abundance of herbivores was greater during the dry season and the richness was greater during the rainy season. As for herbivore guilds, the abundance of leaf chewers-crushers was higher during the dry season, while flower and bud chewers-crushers were more abundant in the rainy season, whereas the suckers showed greater wealth and abundance in the rainy season. The results show a strong influence of climatic seasonality on the phenological patterns of the plant species. However this influence is very conspicuous in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests, therefore, there are several biotic and abiotic factors responsible for these results. Factors such as interspecific competition and the distribution of food resources at a certain time of the season, can act in conjunction with climatic factors to shape insect abundance patterns.

Thermal tolerance influences the survival, performance, and distribution of ectothermic organisms. Its effects are especially important given the advent of rapid climate change. While diet quality has been shown to modulate critical thermal maxima (CT_max) in ants under laboratory conditions, it remains unclear whether this response and the speed at which it appears are the same in wild ants. Here, we tested whether a carbohydrate-enriched diet could quickly increase CT_max in Dorymyrmex thoracicus, a heat-tolerant ant species in the Brazilian Caatinga. Using two field-based experiments, we found that ants given access to a 20% sucrose solution exhibited significantly higher CT_max values than did ants who did not have access to the sucrose solution. The second experiment showed that this difference appeared a few hours after the treatment, suggesting the operation of rapid physiological responses potentially linked to energy availability and heat shock protein synthesis. Thus, carbohydrate intake can immediately modulate thermal tolerance under natural conditions, a result that can help us predict how ants, and other ectotherms, may respond to climate-driven shifts in food availability and thermal stress.

The present paper describes a new species of Actinote Hübner, [1819] (Nymphalidae, Heliconiinae, Acraeini), Actinote palmarina Freitas, Magaldi, Kaminski & Paluch sp. nov., from northeastern Brazil, based on morphological and molecular data. Actinote palmarina sp. nov. is very localized, with only five individuals known from just two localities in the Brazilian states of Alagoas and Pernambuco. Larvae feed on Mikania hirsutissima DC. (Asteraceae) and larvae and pupae are distinct from the closely related Actinote melanisans Oberthür, 1917. This new species represents yet another case of butterfly endemism for the Northern Atlantic Forest. In addition, Actinote pellenea nordestina D Almeida, 1935 is here synonymized with Actinote pellenea auloeda Oberthür, 1917 ssp. rev.

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), commonly known as the red palm weevil, is one of the most destructive invasive pests threatening palm species worldwide. Its rapid global spread has been facilitated by the international trade of infested plant material and its cryptic life cycle. In Brazil, a country with one of the highest palm species diversities and significant coconut production along its coastline, the introduction and establishment of R. ferrugineus pose a serious threat to native biodiversity and the agricultural economy. In this study, we used the MaxEnt modeling approach to predict the potential distribution of R. ferrugineus in Brazil, based on 79 occurrence records and nine selected bioclimatic variables. The consensus model exhibited excellent predictive performance (AUC = 0.95, TSS = 0.84). Our results indicate that coastal areas of the Northeast, Southeast, and South regions present high environmental suitability for the species, with low uncertainty, while portions of the Amazon show moderate suitability coupled with higher uncertainty. The mean temperature of the driest quarter (BIO9) was identified as the most influential variable, aligning with the species' thermal preferences. The presence of highly suitable areas overlapping regions of dense palm diversity and economically important crops underscores the urgent need for early detection and integrated management strategies. Our findings provide critical insights for biosecurity planning and highlight Brazil's vulnerability to R. ferrugineus invasion.