Revista Colombiana de Entomología

Spatial distribution of damage by Heilipus lauri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Stenoma catenifer (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae) on avocado Persea americana cv. Hass

2025-06-18T10:13:11-05:00

Determining the spatial distribution of populations of Heilipus lauri and Stenoma catenifer, insects of economic and quarantine importance in avocado, is a useful information for designing and implementing integrated pest management plans. Aggregate spatial distribution is considered one of the most common patterns in nature, however, it has not been documented for these insect pest species. We propose through spatial statistical methods the analysis of data from periodic monitoring where the number of fruits with damage (FWD) caused by the two insect pests was recorded. The study was conducted between 2019-2020 in four commercial orchards of avocado cv. Hass in the department of Cauca, Colombia. A sampling design was established based on the recognition of damage on previously geopositioned trees. The spatial distribution was determined through Taylorʼs power law and Ripleyʼs K function. Taylorʼs aggregation coefficient (b) was 1.47 and 1.22 for H. lauri and S. catenifer, respectively, indicating aggregation. Ripley's K function identified aggregation points of FWD in a radius range of 3-35 meters, with the aggregation sites being consistent across the two productive cycles. The damage was mapped indicating aggregation sites that will allow the implementation of management strategies for quarantine importance insect pests of avocado in specific sites of the crop, showing the precise location of the greatest concentration of damage and populations of H. lauri and S. catenifer.

Molecular Characterization of a Native Nematode, Pristionchus pacificus (Nematoda Class: Rhabditida: Diplogastridae) From Avocado Soils in Mexico

2025-06-12T21:28:24-05:00

Avocado Persea americana Mill., is a crop of great economic importance in Mexico and it is affected by pests that cause significant damage. Traditionally, pest control in avocado crops has been based on the use of organosynthetic pesticides; however, their excessive and indiscriminate use has negative effects on the environment, health, and quality of the fruit. In the search for more sustainable alternatives for the control of agricultural pests, the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological control agents is one of the most promising options. To explore possible EPNs associated with avocado crops, soil samples were collected from six avocado orchards in the municipality of Atapan, Michoacán, Mexico, and possible entomopathogenic agents were isolated using the bait insect technique with Galleria mellonella larvae. The molecular characterization through partial sequencing of the SSU (Small Subunit) and ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) regions of strain ANP003 confirmed that one of the isolates corresponds to the species Pristionchus pacificus, this represents the first report in Mexico of a nematode associated with avocado crop. The genetic distance analysis of SSU-18S allowed us to know the close relationship of this isolate with the entomopathogenic nematode Pristionchus entomophilus.

Evaluación de la patogenicidad de Metarhizium robertsii y Beauveria bassiana contra Chloridea virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

2025-04-04T14:01:55-05:00

In Mexico, Chloridea virescens is a pest of chickpea, tomato and other vegetables causing significant economic losses. To control this pest, three different strains (M1, M2 and M3) of Metarhizium robertsii (Previously Metarhizium anisopliae) and three strains of Beauveria bassiana (B1, B3 and B9) were evaluated under laboratory conditions, based on radial growth parameters, and conidia production and germination. The pathogenicity of the best strains was assessed at concentration of 1×108 conidia/mL, against second and third instar larvae of C. virescens, at 28 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5 % of relative humidity and a photoperiod of 12 hours light. The six strains caused larvae mortality of C. virescens, ranging from 57 % to 97 %, with statistically significant differences compared with the control (P < 0.02). The M1 strain of M. robertsii exhibited the highest radial growth of 4.79 ± 0.02 cm, a growth rate of 3.33 mm/day, and a production of 6×109 conidia/mL at 14 days, with 96 % of germination at 24 hours. In terms of pathogenicity M1 caused 97 % of total larvae mortality at 7 days with TL50 of 4 days. The M2 and M3 strains caused mortality of 83 % and 77 % with a TL50 of 4 days. Strains B1, B3 and B9 have mortalities of 63 %, 57 % and 70 % with a TL50 of 4,3 days. (M1) M. robertsii had the best performance across all evaluated parameters, and it is therefore recommended for field testing to control of C. virescens.

A few things I would like to know about social insects

2025-06-05T14:11:46-05:00

Looking back over 50 years of studying social insects, this article identifies eight outstanding problems in social insect biology: 1) Can life cycles of individual organisms serve as a reliable model for the colony cycle?; 2) Does the production of workers and sexuals in social hymenopterans fit the bang-bang model?; 3) Do females in social hymenopterans have a smaller individual behavioural repertory than those of solitary hymenopterans?; 4) Is memory in termite workers and soldiers limited to the sensory level?; 5) Do some social wasps and/or bees demonstrate coordinated colony defense?; 6) Is there an induced defense in termite colonies at the level of caste proportions?; 7) Are social wasps passing through a period of global population decrease?; and 8) Is there a relationship between the level of primary production in the habitat and the proportion of social species among the insects?

Delimitation of Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTU) and euglossine bees diversity in two altitudinal gradients of northern Colombia

2025-07-14T10:38:25-05:00

The tribe Euglossini (orchid bees) is vital for tropical pollination, making their diversity and distribution across altitudinal gradients crucial for ecological studies and conservation. This study assesses Euglossini diversity in northern Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Serranía del Perijá, focusing on altitudes from 600 to 2200 meters above sea level (m a.s.l.). Using Barcode Index Numbers (BIN) and the COI gene, 1258 male specimens were collected, with 415 individuals sequenced. We identified 21 Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs), from which BOLD: AEF4646 (Eufriesea) was identified as the most variable, BOLD: AEF4645 (Eufriesea) as the most divergent molecular species, and also species like BOLD: AAC0547 (Euglossa) are widely distributed in both SNSM and SP at 800 and 1000 m a.s.l., while BOLD: AAC3172 (Euglossa) is strongly associated with 800 m a.s.l. communities. Additionally, BOLD: ABY5852 (Euglossa) prefers sites between 1400 m and 1800 m a.s.l. Diversity analyses revealed no significant differences in species richness between the gradients, but richness declined with altitude. Eufriesea and Euglossa species were broadly distributed in the Sierra Nevada, while Euglossa and Eulaema dominated the Serranía del Perijá. Beta diversity analyses showed distinct distribution patterns, with intermediate elevations marking a transition zone. Above 2000 m a.s.l., evolutionary processes likely sustain Euglossini populations, emphasizing the role of these regions in bee diversification.

New geographical records of streblids (Diptera: Streblidae) with the first record of the genus Neotrichobius in Mexico

2025-04-24T21:06:31-05:00

The first record of Neotrichobius stenopterus (Diptera: Streblidae) for Mexico is presented, as well as four new records of streblid flies for the state of Oaxaca: Anastrebla modestini, Exastinion clovisi, Trichobius dugesii, and Trichobius intermedius. With these new records the list of species of the family Streblidae for Mexico is updated from 61 to 62, of which 32 are in the state of Oaxaca, representing 51.6 % of the species reported for the country.

Diversity and abundance of mites (Acari: Mesostigmata, Sarcoptiformes and Trombidiformes) on blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum (Ericaceae) in Michoacan, Mexico

2025-01-27T16:16:38-05:00

In recent years, several species of mites have been reported as an important phytosanitary problem for blueberries. Mexico has become one of the main producers of this crop worldwide, but few studies have focused on the diversity of species present in blueberries in Mexico. Thus, the objective of this research was to report the diversity and abundance of mites associated with V. corymbosum cultivation in Michoacán (Mexico). Plant material was collected in 42 orchards of 18 municipalities of Michoacán. Samples were placed in plastic bags and stored under refrigeration at 4 °C. Mites were processed for mounting in semi-permanent preparations with Hoyer's solution and identified using taxonomic keys. A total of 17 species of mite belonging to 12 genera, five families and three orders were collected. The families with the greatest abundance were Tetranychidae and Tenuipalpidae. Whereas Phytoseiidae was the most diverse with 11 species. The municipality of Peribán and the Biloxi variety were those that presented the greatest diversity and abundance. Of the identified species Oligonychus ilicis, Neoseiulus rufus, Typhlodromips jimenezi and Metaseiulus bidentatus are new records for Mexico. The phytophagous species O. ilicis and Brevipalpus yothersi must be further studied since they can become important pests for the crop. This research will be a starting point for further study of mites in blueberries in Mexico.

Effect of six diets during the larval and adult period of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory conditions

2025-03-19T09:40:41-05:00

Rearing the laboratory vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), a disease vector, necessitated diets nutritionally rich in protein and carbohydrates, yet low in fat. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of various diets on larval and adult stages, with a specific focus on wing size. Six diets were compared: CIETROP-CC concentrate, fish-based diets (Nutrafin-NF and Aqua One-AO), carnivore-based diets (Ricocan-RC and Supercat-SC), and brewer's yeast (LV). The development of larval stages was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, while wing length was compared using Mood's median test. The developmental duration from larva to adult was consistent across all six diets, averaging 13 days. Larvae fed LV exhibited a lower survival rate (88 %) compared to the other diets (99%). Female wing size ranged from 2.81 to 2.93 mm, with a mean of 2.88 mm and a standard deviation of 0.12, while male wing size ranged from 2.18 to 2.28 mm, with a mean of 2.23 mm and a standard deviation of 0.17. All diets supported satisfactory larval development, with no significant differences observed in larval survival or developmental duration (P > 0.05). Notably, the CIETROP-CC and commercial diets yielded similar results. These findings indicate that the laboratory-prepared diet exhibited comparable performance to the other five diets in terms of survival and developmental rates. Further analysis will enable the determination of its specific nutritional composition. The results underscore the efficacy of commercial diets in supporting larval.

In Memoriam AMADOR VILLACORTA MOSQUEIRA (1935-2014)

2025-01-10T17:34:00-05:00