Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous pest that belongs to the Heliothinae complex, and has been described as feeding on numerous crops. Larvae damage mainly pods and seeds of soybean and other legumes. Adaptation to different host plants might reduce gene flow between phytophagous insect populations, which could lead to reproductive isolation. Therefore, studies on gene flow among host-associated populations are necessary to design management strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate reproductive compatibility between 2 populations of H. gelotopoeon coming from different host plants. We collected H. gelotopoeon larvae in alfalfa and soybean crops, and studied biological and reproductive parameters, and mating compatibility. Helicoverpa gelotopoeon populations from soybean and alfalfa reared on artificial diet showed similar biological and reproductive characteristics. Intra- and inter-population crosses revealed that there are no signs of host-associated isolation, allowing gene exchange between these populations, which can be explained by the high mobility and generalist behavior of this species. This information will be useful to establish control measures for this pest.

Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Gracilariidae) is the most destructive borer pest of litchi, Litchi chinensis Sonn., and longan, Euphoria longan (Lour.) Steud. (both Sapindaceae) fruits in Southeast Asia and southern China. In this study, ethanol extracts from leaves of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. (Compositae), Eupatorium odoratum (L.) King and Robinson (Compositae), Bauhinia purpurea L. (Leguminosae), and Melaleuca leucadendron L. (Myrtaceae) were chosen to evaluate the oviposition deterrent effect and ovicidal activity of non-host plant extracts on C. sinensis. The plant extracts from L. camara, W. chinensis, and E. odoratum caused oviposition deterrent behavior by the adult C. sinensis. The ethanol extracts from L. camara were found to have the maximum effective deterrence (i.e., 93.5% in the choice test, and 73.6% in the no-choice test). This led to the lowest oviposition activity index (−0.9) and the highest reduction level of egg-laying (3.3 eggs daily per female). In the assessment of ovicidal activity of the plant extracts on C. sinensis, W. chinensis caused diminished hatching rate (< 60%) at concentrations of 0.01 g·mL⁻¹ and 0.1 g·mL⁻¹. These encouraging results suggest that secondary substances from L. camara and W. chinensis have effective oviposition deterrent and ovicidal activities to C. sinensis, and these substances have potential as plant protectants for litchi and longan fruits.

The citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead (Acari: Eriophyidae), is a major pest of citrus, affecting both quality and yield. Although entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill. (Cordycipitaceae), Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokīn (Clavicipitaceae), and Isaria fumosorosea Wize (Cordycipitaceae) have been used for insect and mite control, the last 2 have never been applied to control citrus rust mite. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3 concentrations of B. bassiana, M. anisopliae, and I. fumosorosea on mortality and growth rate (r) of P. oleivora populations under greenhouse conditions. The fungi were isolated from agricultural soil samples. Mobile stages of P. oleivora were collected from leaves of commercial Valencia orange groves. At a concentration of 1 × 10⁸ conidia mL^-1, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae caused > 60% mortality in P. oleivora populations, whereas mortality due to I. fumosorosea never exceeded 50%. There was a significant inverse relationship between the percent mortality and the LT50. Application of B. bassiana resulted in the slowest growth rate of P. oleivora populations, which was 10.5 × slower than the control population receiving no fungus application. Our results demonstrate that B. bassiana and M. anisopliae are efficient in control of P. oleivora populations under greenhouse conditions, whereas I. fumosorosea produces moderate control.

Purpureocillium lilacinum (Thom) Luangsa-ard, Houbraken, Hywel-Jones & Samson (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) is a fungus commonly used for controlling nematodes, and also has been reported as an insect pathogen. However, little is known about its effects on insects. Here, the pathogenicity of 9 isolates and the virulence and sublethal effects of 2 isolates were evaluated to control adult Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae). The pathogenicity assays demonstrated that the 9 isolates were pathogenic, with mortality percentages ranging from 28.8 to 52.4% and LT₅₀ values were 18 d or more. The strain CFFSUR-A53 was more virulent than CFFSUR-A60, with LC50 values of 7.62 × 10⁶ and 5.2 × 10⁹ conidia per mL, respectively. The isolates reduced the life expectancy of the flies by 65 and 37%, decreased fecundity by 78 and 36%, and reduced egg hatching by 31.4 and 18.5%, respectively.

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is a serious economic threat to the small fruit industry. Although there has been progress on identifying new insecticides for use against D. suzukii in berry crops, growers often reach the seasonal maximum use allowed for key insecticides, and there are issues with long pre-harvest intervals. The use of border sprays and mass trapping targets D. suzukii immigration into the field, reducing damage to fruits, and the amount of pesticides used. The purpose of this study was to investigate novel alternatives to conventional insecticide techniques for management of D. suzukii in blueberries. In laboratory bioassays, captures of adult D. suzukii were similar for yeast + sugar bait, wine + apple cider vinegar bait, and the commercially available RIGA® bait. In the field, more adult D. suzukii were collected in yeast bait traps placed in the control and alternative row spray treatments over the sampling period, compared with mass trapping and border spray treatments. In addition, more D. suzukii were reared from blueberries collected in the control treatment compared with berries collected in the border spray treatment. Our study provided evidence that border sprays and mass trapping could be an effective and sustainable alternative to conventional spraying techniques for controlling D. suzukii in blueberries. Also, we recommend spacing traps approximately 2 m apart to effectively manage D. suzukii immigration into blueberry fields.

Recently, the native species Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) has been found to be regionally dominant over its invasive congener Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Korea. To understand the variation in patterns of occurrence in the field, the effect of competition on the biological attributes of the 2 thrips species was assessed in the laboratory. In a behavioral study, the effect of inter- and intraspecific competition in honey or pollen feeding was observed in a glass-slide arena, and we found both reproduction and longevity to be more reduced in F. occidentalis than in F. intonsa by competition. However, the extent of feeding marks on bean leaves made by both species (in competition) was not significantly different from that made by each species separately, except in the case of the F. intonsa larvae. In an experiment on potted bean plants, competition caused a greater reduction in numbers of F. occidentalis progeny than that of F. intonsa progeny. In behavioral observations, guarding and feeding times of adult F. intonsa were 8.5 and 1.5 times longer on honey, and 42.8 and 1.3 times longer on pollen than F. occidentalis, respectively. However, in intraspecific competition, none of the behavioral parameters in pollen feeding showed significant differences in either species, except for the “confronting” behavior. In conclusion, both interference and exploitation competition exist between the 2 thrips species, and in laboratory studies F. intonsa was more persistent, not only at feeding and guarding food sources, especially in the adult stage, but also in displaying higher reproduction and longevity. These may be the underlying mechanisms for the asymmetrical pattern of occurrence of the 2 thrips in the field.

Apanteles opuntiarum Martínez & Berta (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a native natural enemy of the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum Berg (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Argentina, where the 2 species are believed to have co-evolved. Cactoblastis cactorum is an established invasive pest in the US that is rapidly spreading throughout the southeast. Apanteles opuntiarum was imported from Argentina, and reared at the Division of Plant Industry containment facility in Gainesville, Florida, for study as a possible biocontrol agent for release in the US to control C. cactorum. A DNA barcode was developed to enable the identification of the reared parasitoid population. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of the A. opuntiarum reared in Florida containment was found to be identical to its Argentine founders, but distinctly different from the COI sequences of all other reported Apanteles species in the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) GenBank. Additionally, the AoF1 and AoR1 primer pair developed in this study specifically amplified the COI gene of A. opuntiarum, but did not amplify the COI gene of the host C. cactorum. Therefore, the COI gene fragment identified in this study has the potential to be used as a DNA barcode specific to A. opuntiarum that can aid in tracking and identifying this parasitoid inside hosts.

Stable carbon isotope ratios can be used to discriminate between wild and sterile insects that are caught in surveillance traps when 2 isotopically distinct dietary sources are available for the immature or adult stages. Artificial diets containing naturally ¹³C-labelled sugar can isotopically mark the adults of some tephritids, but when sexually mature flies are released in the field, their food source usually changes from a C₄ to a C₃ plant. Consequently, the isotopic composition of flies can change toward the isotopic signatures associated with the new diet. For isotope labelling to be more meaningful in a pest management program that integrates the sterile insect technique, it is important to know the persistence of the carbon isotope marker in field-release sterile adults. Therefore, this study was intended to assess the degree of isotopic differentiation between wild samples of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and flies reared on different artificial diets, and to estimate the turnover of carbon in flies after shifts to different adult diets. The whole bodies of flies reflected the overall isotopic composition of their larval diets immediately after emergence. When the adult diet was switched, the δ¹³C signatures of flies changed rapidly for 6 to 8 d, then reached an isotopic equilibrium with the final diet. Depletions up to -5.6 (parts per thousand) were observed in the signatures of flies switched from a C₄ to a C₃-based diet. However, appropriate feeding on diets with C₄ sources ensured that the isotopic composition of larval diets was fixed in body structures of adult A. fraterculus, maintaining measurable ¹³C signals distinct from wild flies for 15 d after diet switching. No differences were found between males and females when they fed on different pre-release diets or after diet change. The ¹³C stable isotope proved to be a reliable marker for differentiating wild and laboratory-reared A. fraterculus flies.

Spray products based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (Berliner) (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) are widely used as control agents of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in some major crops such as corn, cotton, and soy. However, there is little information about the toxicity of Bt formulations to control corn and rice-infesting S. frugiperda strains. These S. frugiperda strains are morphologically indistinguishable, so they are genetically identified as corn and rice S. frugiperda strains. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of third instar larvae of both S. frugiperda biotypes to either the native Bt RT or the reference Bt HD1 subsp. kurstaki (Btk) formulations. In addition, the S. frugiperda populations were characterized by their esterase profile in polyacrylamide gels. This study also allowed differentiation of the S. frugiperda strains. Concerning the susceptibility assays, a significant difference in mortality values was found within some corn or rice S. frugiperda colonies when Bt RT treatment was used, whereas there were no significant differences in Btk HD1 toxicity within colonies that share the same biotype. When toxicity of either the native Bt RT or the reference Btk HD1 to each S. frugiperda biotype was compared, significant differences in mortality values also were found in the corn and the rice S. frugiperda strains. Finally, the statistical analysis of the mortality data revealed that there was a significant difference between the 2 S. frugiperda strains, regardless of the Bt preparation. These results show that the S. frugiperda control could depend not only on the bioinsecticide used, but also on the S. frugiperda biotype being treated.

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus, transmitted by the white-backed planthopper (Sogatella furcifera [Horváth]) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) was first found in Guangdong Province, China. A previous study has demonstrated that the host plant preferences of S. furcifera are altered by infection with the virus, with virus-free S. furcifera preferring virus-infected rice plants over healthy rice plants, whereas viruliferous S. furcifera prefer uninfected plants. To test the hypothesis that odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are involved in the preference of S. furcifera for virus-infected rice plants, we first compared the expression levels of SfurOBP2 and SfurOBP11 in virus-free and viruliferous S. furcifera. The results show that mRNA transcript of these 2 genes were significantly reduced in viruliferous S. furcifera. We then used RNAi-mediated gene silencing to confirm the function of these 2 odorant-binding proteins in host selection of S. furcifera. The results showed that silencing of the SfurOBP2 gene caused virus-free S. furcifera to no longer prefer virus-infected rice plants over uninfected rice plants, but the ability to locate host plants was maintained. These results indicate that SfurOBP2 appears to play a crucial role in the preference of S. furcifera for virus-infected rice plants.

The objective of the study was to identify the entomofauna associated with soursop cultivated commercially in the municipalities of Compostela and San Blas in the state of Nayarit, Mexico. The entomofauna obtained from samples taken from Nov 2016 to Dec 2017 were morphologically identified using taxonomic keys. A total of 3,674 insects were collected, with 20 species being phytophagous, including the pink hibiscus mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and an armored scale Pinnaspis sp. (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). There were 12 species of predators in the families Coccinellidae (Azya orbigera [Mulsant], Chilocorus sp., Cryptolaemus montrouzieri [Mulsant], Cycloneda sanguinea L., Cycloneda sp., Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, Olla v-nigrum [Mulsant], Paraneda pallidula guticollis [Mulsant], and Stethorus pinachi [Gordon & Chapin]), and Chrysopidae (Ceraeochrysa valida [Banks], Ceraeochrysa sp., and Chrysoperla externa [Hagen]), and 5 species of parasitoids of the genera Aphytis, Coccophagus, Encarsia (all Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), Anagyrus, and Gyranusoidea (both Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). The ladybird beetle P. pallidula guticollis was recorded for the first time in the state of Nayarit. Also, 9 phytophagous species are new records for soursop in Mexico.

The maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an important pest of stored grains, predominantly corn (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum spp.), rice (Oryza spp.), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) (all Poaceae). In Africa, post-harvest grain losses of maize amounts to about US $4 billion annually, with an estimate of 10 to 88% loss of maize due to stored grain pests (FAO 2010; Ojo & Omoloye 2012). Current control methods are the application of an insecticide, cultural practices, and the development of resistant grain. Unfortunately, there is no effective trapping system for control of the maize weevil. Previous studies have indicated that the odors associated with the grains upon which the weevils feed, mate, and oviposit are known to be attractive. To better understand this behavior, a study was developed to investigate the weevil's attraction to dry grains with and without the presence of the commercial pheromone lure. The weevil's ability to develop on specific grains also was investigated. The weevils were reared on 4 types of grain to determine, if presented a choice, whether they would prefer the grain upon which their parents and they themselves fed as larvae. This research demonstrates that previous feeding did not influence the weevil's attraction to a certain grain. The isolation of key corn semiochemicals should be the focus in the development of an attractant for S. zeamais. These findings eliminate the need to develop individualized attractants that would have to be tailored to weevils feeding upon specific hosts.

The twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is a key mite pest affecting blackberry production worldwide. Tetranychus urticae feeds on the underside of leaves, extracts chlorophyll, and reduces crop yield. Amblyseius (Neoseiulus) californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) has been identified as a potential predator of T. urticae. We conducted a greenhouse and a field experiment to evaluate the potential of N. californicus as a biological control agent for T. urticae on ‘Arapaho,’ ‘Navaho,’ and ‘Quachita’ blackberry varieties. Research on N. californicus-based biological control has not been conducted previously in blackberries because the crop matures during the summer when temperatures are high, and there are concerns whether N. californicus can control T. urticae populations during these high temperatures. The experimental design was a completely randomized block, and treatments included the following: (1) abamectin, (2) N. californicus, and (3) untreated blackberry plants. Abamectin was effective, but mite populations were cyclic and additional applications were needed. The study demonstrated that N. californicus provided the most effective and sustained control for T. urticae on blackberry plants under hot and humid conditions. A good assessment of local phytoseiids and other predators is needed before releasing N. californicus into blackberry plantings.

Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) is the most devastating pest responsible for the decline of cocoa (cacao) production in Southeast Asia in the last few decades. Despite its economic importance, the basic ecological knowledge of the pest is poorly understood, indirectly resulting in poor efficacy of current pest management methods. Our study confirmed and updated the C. cramerella life cycle, and measured the natural distribution within trees in managed cocoa orchards, and movement of adults after they were disturbed. These nocturnal moths rest beneath branches during the d, with a strong preference for nearly horizontal branches. Females demonstrated a greater capacity for movement after disturbance compared to males (83.0 ± 89.9 cm in 9.1 ± 9.5 s versus 57.7 ± 49.2 cm in 6.7 ± 5.3 s for females and males, respectively), and rest closer to cocoa pods (61.0 ± 45.0 versus 76.0 ± 47.3 cm for females and males, respectively). Our observations described herein bring new ecological knowledge and provide new perspectives on potential IPM methods for pest C. cramerella populations.

The yellow garden spider, Argiope aurantia Lucas (Araneae: Araneidae), is widespread in North America, whereas the Florida garden spider, Argiope florida Chamberlin & Ivie (Araneae: Araneidae), is restricted to scrub habitats in the southeastern USA. Both orb-weavers occur syntopically in native oak scrub at the Archbold Biological Station in Highlands County, Florida. We hypothesized that female spiders of both species might have a high degree of dietary niche overlap because their orb-webs are located near each other, despite the fact that they may differ in body size and web characteristics. We located 180 side-by-side pairs of mature A. aurantia and A. florida, and assigned them at random into 3 treatment groups of 60 pairs each. Argiope aurantia in group 1 were more heavy-bodied and longer legged than A. florida. In group 2, the orb-webs of both species were hung at the same height aboveground, but A. aurantia webs were larger with fewer sticky spirals than those of A. florida. Over the course of 5 d, the 2 spider species in group 3 captured almost the same number of aerial arthropods (80 for A. aurantia; 76 for A. florida). We identified most prey (94%) to genus or species. Dietary niche overlap at the ordinal level was extensive (70%), but it shrank dramatically when calculated at the generic/ species level (20%). We concluded that not only were A. aurantia consuming substantially larger prey than A. florida, but also that they were feeding on different kinds of aerial insects moving through gaps in oak scrub.

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is one of the most significant pests of commercial vegetables, fruits, and ornamental crops worldwide, causing both direct and indirect damage. Chemical control is the most common methodology for dealing with F. occidentalis, but this pest lays its eggs inside plant tissues, and adults and larvae feed in concealed locations, which can make chemical control of this pest difficult. As an alternative to chemical control, research attention has been focused on biological control through inoculative augmentation using anthocorid flower bugs of the genus Orius (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae). Although Orius insidiosus (Say) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is an effective predator used worldwide for suppressing populations of western flower thrips, its use on pepper crops in Uruguay (Salto) has not achieved favorable results to date. Taking into account that O. insidiosus can supplement its diet by feeding on pollen and plant tissues, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of pepper fruits compared to bean pods, a vegetable substrate widely used for multiplying this predator, on the duration of the embryonic and nymph developmental stages, survival, fertility, and longevity of this species. Since Orius tristicolor (White) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is present also in the horticultural region of Salto, this species was incorporated into the study in order to evaluate if significant differences exist between these 2 species. When biological parameters were measured, pepper fruits proved to be a more appropriate substrate than bean for the 2 Orius species studied. We reject the hypothesis that an antibiosis effect would explain the difficulties for the establishment of O. insidiosus in the greenhouses of Salto. These results show the need to examine other factors contributing to low establishment of these predatory bugs in greenhouses in Uruguay.

The corn wireworm, Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Elateridae), is an important soil insect pest of Florida sugar cane (Saccharum spp.; Poaceae). The objective of this study was to determine the host plant preference of M. communis adults and larvae to weeds and sugar cane varieties found in Florida sugar cane fields. Three sugar cane varieties, 3 grass weeds, and 3 broadleaf weeds were tested for their attraction to the insects in free choice tests. After a 24 h exposure to whole plant extracts (juices), most adults were found in sugar cane varieties, followed by grass weeds, then broadleaf weeds. After a 48 h exposure to chopped roots in muck soil, most larvae were found in sugar cane varieties, followed by grass weeds, then broadleaf weeds. After a 48 h exposure to chopped roots in sandy soil, most larvae were found in sugar cane varieties, followed by broadleaf weeds, then grass weeds. Our data show that in free choice tests, both M. communis adults and larvae prefer sugar cane over weeds present in Florida sugar cane fields.

Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) is used to control insects due to its compounds that have insecticidal, repellent, and antifeedant properties. These effects also may cause sublethal impacts on insects that reduce populations of target species. Such species can have economic importance, like Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which feeds on various plant species. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the larval mortality, lethal concentration, and sublethal effects on larvae, pupae, and adults of S. frugiperda after larvae were fed on an artificial diet containing A. indica oil at different concentrations. The oil was incorporated into the artificial diet at the concentrations of 5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 ppm, plus a control group. Four replicates of 35 second instar caterpillars were made for each treatment, and observed daily until pupation and emergence. The larval survival, duration of the larval and pupal periods, pupal weight and viability, wing length, and deformation of adults were evaluated. Longevity, fertility, and fecundity also were recorded for each pairing (mating arrangement) of males and females that developed on either a diet without oil and propanone, with propanone only, and with both oil and propanone. Azadirachta indica oil in the diet reduced survival and prolonged duration of the larval and pupal periods. Pupae in the groups that contained oil weighed less, and the adults had smaller wing length than in the control group. There was no influence on pupal viability, but the number of deformed adults increased. The oil reduced fecundity and longevity, but it did not alter fertility. These results suggest that the oil may reduce the probability of this insect remaining in the environment due to its ability to decrease the offspring and longevity of this species.

Metamasius callizona (Chevrolat) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an invasive bromeliad-eating weevil destroying native bromeliad populations in Florida. We measured the weevil's fecundity and fertility with pineapple leaf pieces as food. Eighty percent of females that paired with males laid eggs. Average adult longevity for egg-layers was 210.6 ± 7.5 d (SE). Average adult longevity for non-egg-layers was 23.8 ± 3.8 d. Average pre-oviposition period was 26.6 ± 1.3 d. The average number of eggs per female per d laid inside the leaf was 0.4 ± 0.03 eggs, and laid outside the leaf was 0.1 ± 0.01 eggs. The number of eggs laid inside the leaf declined with age, whereas the number of eggs laid outside the leaf increased with age. Egg-laying females began dying on d 80, and continued to die regularly until 305 d after adult emergence. The hatch rate of eggs laid inside leaves was 79%. Daily hatch rate was consistently around 80%. Ninety-seven percent of the larvae that emerged from eggs laid inside leaves survived to the third instar. The hatch rate of eggs laid outside leaves was 3.9%, and no larvae survived beyond second instar.

Litchi is one of the most important pillars of the fruit industry in Southeast Asia and mainland China. The litchi spider mite, Oligonychus litchii Lo & Ho (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), is a major pest of litchi. To determine the influence of different litchi cultivars on the life cycle, fecundity, and longevity of O. litchii, life tables of O. litchii on 4 popular commercial litchi cultivars in China (‘Baili,’‘Fezixiao,’‘Sanyuehong,’ and‘Nuomici’) were constructed under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1 °C, 65 to 80% RH, and photoperiod of 14: 10 h (L: D). Life stages of O. litchii consist of egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult, with distinct body sizes and colors. The life table parameters were significantly influenced by litchi cultivars. Our results showed that the developmental time of immature O. litchii was significantly longer on Baili than on the other 3 litchi cultivars. The immature survival rates of O. litchii varied from 21.74% to 68.42%. Oligonychus litchii laid significantly more eggs on Nuomici (64.84 eggs per female) than on other cultivars. The population doubling time of O. litchii ranged from 4.56 to 22.42 d, and a significant varietal effect was seen. The mites feeding on Nuomici showed the lowest intrinsic rate of natural increase per d (r_m = 0.14 female per female per d). In addition, the net reproductive rate (R₀) and finite rate of increase (λ) of O. litchii had the highest value on Nuomici (22.86 female per female per generation, and 1.16 female per female per d, respectively). The comparison of r_m, R₀, and immature survival rate of O. litchii on host plants revealed that Nuomici is the most suitable cultivar, suggesting that Nuomici is more susceptible to the litchi spider mite than the other 3 litchi cultivars.

Coconut trees of the cv. Green Dwarf of Jiqui in Bahia, northeastern Brazil, that displayed hartrot symptoms were cut and inspected for the presence of insect vectors in the leaf axils. Eggs, nymphs and adults of Lincus lobuliger Breddin (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), vector of the protozoan causing hartrot, were collected together with an abundance of adults of the predatory beetle Hololepta (Leionata) quadridentada (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Histeridae). In the field, both were placed in a plastic container for transport, and the predation of L. lobuliger eggs by the histerid was observed. The predation was subsequently confirmed under controlled laboratory conditions. Here, we report for the first time H. quadridentada preying on L. lobuliger eggs, suggesting that the histerid contributes to the natural biological control of this vector. Moreover, our results could contribute to the development of biologically sound control strategies against L. lobuliger or other Lincus species.

Cut rose growers in the municipalities of Villa Guerrero, Tanancingo, Coatepec Harinas, and Ixtapan de la Sal, in the state of Mexico, Mexico, have reported low effectiveness of abamectin in the control of Tetranychus urticae, possibly due to development of resistance. The objective of this study was to determine the response of 4 field populations and 1 population susceptible to this acaricide. The values of the lethal concentration (LC) at 50% of mortality fluctuated between 0.0012 to 25.37 mg per L, while the relative response (RR) at 50% of mortality of the field populations varied from 2,226 to 21,141. The values of LC at 95% mortality varied from 0.008 to 81,218 mg per L, while the RR at 95% varied from 23,185 to 10,152,250. These results reflect the levels of resistance to abamectin, and therefore, implementation of other alternatives in the management of T. urticae are recommended.

In this study, volatile compounds emitted by disturbed nymphs and adults of the stink bug Antiteuchus innocens were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as follows: (E)-hexenal, α-pinene, (E)-2-heptenal, n-decane, (E)-2-octenal, n-undecane, n-dodecane, and n-tridecane. The major components were (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-heptenal, and n-undecane. The same compounds, except α-pinene and (E)-2-octenal, were found in the dorsal glands and metathoracic glands of nymphs and adults, respectively. Extracts of exocrine glands did not elicit antennal responses of the adults, or affect the behavior of fifth instar nymphs, which suggests that these compounds are likely involved in the A. innocens defense rather than functioning as an alarm pheromone.

We described the effects of fire ants (Solenopsis saevissima) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on and in a big-eared opossum (Mammalia: Marsupialia: Dedelphidae) carcass. The observations were made in southeastern Brazil beside of a public highway. We documented the competitive ability of the fire ants, which sought to reduce competition with necrophagous flies by constructing a soil structure over the natural orifices of the carcass. After we removed the structure, the ants changed their physical and ecological behavior on the carcass until the end of decomposition. This ant behavior of blocking access to the carcass delays the decomposition process due to the fact that other necrophagous insects cannot forage there.

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is an invasive and highly polyphagous pest with a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions. This study reports the geographical distribution, natural enemies, and host plant species of M. hirsutus in Brazil 8 years after its first report in this country. Maconellicoccus hirsutus is now distributed in 11 Brazilian states, in all major geographic regions of the country. Samples (n = 103) of plants infested by M. hirsutus were collected in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, with 96% of them found within the isotherm 23 to 27 °C. Hevea brasiliensis (Euphorbiaceae), Theobroma bicolor (Malvaceae), and T. speciosum (Malvaceae) are reported for the first time as hosts of M. hirsutus, and Coccoloba uvifera (Polygonaceae), Morus alba (Moraceae), Punica granatum (Lythraceae), and Talipariti tiliaceum (Malvaceae) are new hosts of M. hirsutus in Brazil. Thirty-seven host plant species of M. hirsutus are now confirmed in Brazil.

We recorded the hairstreak butterfly, Atlides halesus (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), for the first time in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. This species presents large morphological variations (wing patterns and number of tails) within its distribution range. The distribution range includes 870 records of occurrence, which are displayed on a map of Mexico. The range size includes 870 records in databases that include the previous records for the country (15 sites), and with this information we elaborated a distribution of the species in Mexico.

Insects pests such as Mastigimas anjosi Burckhardt (Hemiptera: Calophyidae), native to Brazil, limit the establishment of commercial plantations of the tropical cedar Cedrela fissilis Vell. (Meliaceae), reducing growth and affecting tree shape. Insecticides have been used to suppress M. anjosi outbreaks, but sustainable alternatives should be developed to manage this pest. The objective of this work was to report, for the first time, the predator Atopozelus opsimus Elkins (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) preying on M. anjosi attacking C. fissilis trees in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Trees of this plant were observed between Apr and May 2018 in Montes Claros, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Atopozelus opsimus adults preyed on M. anjosi nymphs and adults, and fed on their honeydew. This predator did not eliminate the damage to C. fissilis, which may be related to the temperatures of the region, and which may have affected reproduction and increased its development period.

Corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), are important pests in sweet corn. Our objectives were to assess the occurrence of the Lepidopteran species affecting sweet corn in Puerto Rico, and to evaluate the efficacy of 9 insecticides to control larvae of corn earworm and fall armyworm. Spodoptera frugiperda was observed in all plant stages, whereas H. zea and Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) affected only ears. Larvae of corn earworm and fall armyworm were susceptible (mortality > 80% at 96 h) to Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) + oil and to methomyl, respectively, whereas both species were susceptible to chlorpyrifos. The LC₅₀ values for chlorpyrifos was 248 ppm, whereas 312,500 S. carpocapsae nematodes per L + 625 ppm of rapeseed oil caused 53% of larval mortality at 120 h post-treatment for corn earworm larvae.

Oviposition preferences by Copitarsia decolora (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were studied by counting individual eggs on and around the host plant. The females deposited significantly more eggs on the soil around the cabbage plant than on the plant. Oviposition strategies conducted by this insect pest and its ecological implications are discussed.