Plant compounds affect insects in many different ways. In addition to being a food source, plants also contain secondary metabolites that may have positive and negative impacts on insects. The influence of these compounds on sexual behavior, in particular, has been the focus of many recent studies. Here, we review the existing literature on the effects of plant compounds on the sexual behavior of tephritid fruit fly males. We put special focus on polyphagous species whose males congregate in leks, where females exert strong mate selection. We first summarize the main findings related to plant compounds that increase male signaling behavior and attraction of females and consequently increase mating frequency, a phenomenon that has been recorded mainly for species of Anastrepha and Ceratitis. In other tephritid species, males are attracted to phenylpropanoids produced by plants (such as methyl eugenol or raspberry ketone) that, upon encounter, are consumed and sequestered by males. These compounds, or metabolic derivatives, which normally have negligible nutritional value, are included in the pheromone and also confer advantages in a sexual context: enhanced female attraction and improved male mating success. These phenomena have been reported for several Bactrocera species as well as for Zeugodacus cucurbitae. Because many tephritid species are serious pests, the effect of plant compounds on male behavior has been explored for potential incorporation into control strategies such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). We conclude noting several factors, such as age and nutrition during larval and adult stage, that modulate the effect of plant compounds on male mating behavior as well as some prominent gaps that preclude a thorough understanding of the plant-mediated enhancement of male sexual performance and hence limit our ability to effectively utilize phytochemicals in pest control strategies.

Allokermes galliformis (Riley) (Hemiptera: Kermesidae), sometimes referred to as the ‘pin oak kermes’, has emerged as a significant pest of red oaks grown in the Front Range area of eastern Colorado. Although kermes scales infrequently cause significant tree damage, a novel association exists between the pin oak kermes and the pathogenic bacterium Lonsdalea quercina subsp. quercina. Together, they produce drippy blight disease of red oaks which is characterized by significant branch dieback. Field studies were conducted in Boulder, CO during 2015–2016 to better understand the life history of A. galliformis and identify points when this insect may be best managed. A. galliformis has a 1-yr life cycle. Upon egg eclosion in September and October, crawlers migrated to textured places on limbs to overwinter. In May, a second migration occurred with the great majority of first instar females moving to new growth and the base of the current season growth where they permanently settled, became sessile and resembled plant galls. Immature male scales remained active and ultimately migrated to the trunk or solid surfaces in the near vicinity of the trunk, produced a cocoon, and subsequently emerged as winged forms in early summer. After mating, females began to produce eggs and peak egg production occurred between mid-August and mid-September when adult females produced an average of 2,488 and 4,726 eggs in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Female sperm storage is common across a wide taxonomic range. The temporal separation of mating and fertilization has several benefits for females. It enables sperm selection from multiple males, but can also allow females to temporally and spatially delay fertilization until the proper environmental conditions are found. In this study, we investigated the extent and possible function of sperm storage in the polygamous cactus-feeding bug, Narnia femorata Stål (Hemiptera: Coreidae). To determine the viability of stored sperm over time, we tracked lifelong fecundity of females exposed to varying levels of male access. We exposed females to four treatments: one male for 1 wk, one male for 1 wk with further exposure to the same male later in her life for an additional week, one male for the duration of her life, or two males (subsequent) for the duration of her life. Our results indicate that females can store sperm and produce viable offspring during their lifespan from a relatively brief mating encounter with a single male. Furthermore, egg production and fertility rates did not differ across treatments, suggesting that time of exposure to mates and number of mates (monandry vs. polyandry) has no effect on N. femorata fecundity. Sperm storage seems to operate independently of mate number or availability, and is therefore, likely an adaptation to the patchy spatial-temporal distribution of adequate resources.

Wild bee community assemblages were surveyed in a high-elevation mixed conifer forest in central Colorado at multiple points during the growing season (April–August) and across a range of forest stand densities using blue vane traps. Understory forb communities were also characterized and related to bee species abundance and diversity. Overall γ-diversity was characterized by 19 genera of bees captured representing five families (Andrenidae, Apidae, Colletidae, Halictidae, and Megachilidae) and 39 unique species. Seasonal variation in abundance and community composition was considerable with early-season (April) communities dominated by Osmia spp. and midsummer (June–July) communities dominated by Bombus spp. Bee abundance and α-diversity were on average 88 and 74% higher in midsummer than in early- and late season. Forest basal area was negatively correlated with bee α-diversity and abundance, as well as understory plant species richness. Trapping locations with a stand basal area of ≤7.5 m²/ha exhibited approximately 54% higher bee abundances and 44% higher α-diversity than locations with ≥20.0 m²/ha of basal area. Bee α-diversity and abundance positively correlated with understory species richness suggesting that forested sites with low basal area, likely corresponding to overstory canopy gaps and increased site occupancy by forbaceous species, may drive local abundance and diversity of wild bee assemblages. This study provides basal area threshold values in a mixed conifer forest type that may be useful for resource management practitioners concerned with creating or conserving pollinator habitats.

The assessment of spatial distribution and population parameters are important elements for the conservation of spatially restricted and rare species. We evaluated the spatial distribution, demographic parameters, and mobility of Drucina championi Godman and Salvin, 1881, a highly localized butterfly in mountain habitats of Southern Chiapas, Mexico. We generated potential distribution maps for the species, by relating 19 layers (Worldclim) and data of occurrence arising from field surveys and entomological collections' records. Intensive field sampling was conducted at the Tacaná Volcano Biosphere Reserve, to delimit the elevation distribution, abundance, and detailed aspects on population demographic parameters regarding mobility, age, and sex data, as well as observations on adult behavior. A vegetation characterization and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) analysis were used to relate the abundance values of the butterfly and habitat characteristics. Our results show that the potential distribution of D. championi is restricted to the northernmost area of the Central American pine-oak forests and the Central American mountain forests, comprising a total of 14,151 km². It inhabits cloud forest habitats, ranging from 1,919 to 2,788 m a.s.l. (for a total elevation range of 869 m). Our assessment on the population status of this threatened butterfly suggests fairly good dispersal abilities of local populations but a limited immigration rate from surrounding populations. This research provides a rare case study of spatiotemporal dynamics of a threatened Neotropical butterfly, emphasizing the importance of using ecological information to provide management recommendations.