An updated and annotated checklist of the larger butterflies (Papilionoidea) of Trinidad, West Indies: Papilionidae, Pieridae and Nymphalidae

A revised checklist for the butterfly families Papilionidae, Pieridae and Nymphalidae of Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago) is presented, bringing nomenclature in line with modern usage, indicating synonyms from earlier lists and adding new records since the last checklist was published in 1970. Migrant and vagrant species are provisionally recognised, and records considered incorrect are discussed. The checklist includes 204 species: 15 Papilionidae, 29 Pieridae and 160 Nymphalidae. The only taxonomic change is to treat Hamadryas feronia insularis (Fruhstorfer) as a synonym of H. f. feronia (Linnaeus), syn. nov., and not as a synonym of H. feronia farinulenta (Fruhstorfer)

Strategies for Biological Control of Invasive Insects

The most widely used of the various approaches to biological control of invasive insects is so-called “conventional” biological control, which consists in introducing natural enemies (parasitoids, predators or pathogens) that originate from the same region as the insect. This approach is particularly well-suited to controlling forest insects because they reduce the pest population directly and lastingly all over the invaded territory. In addition to providing a description of the various stages of a biological control programme, the presentation provided answers to questions often brought up about this type of biocontrol, concentrating particularly on forest tree and woody plant pests. Information supplied by two databases was presented: the BIOCAT2010 base that records all introductions of parasitoids and predators for the purpose of controlling the insects. Another base relating to the entomopathogens used against insects. Up to 2010, more than 6 000 introductions of parasitoids and predators were carried out, targeting 588 species of insects, achieving control over 172 of those insects. Approximately 55 % of these introductions targeted woody plant pests. The rate of establishment of the natural enemies and success rates were higher for woody plant pests than for other pests. The presentation compared the success rates under various production systems and for various groups of woody plants for different orders of insect pests and for different categories of natural enemies. Trends over time since the beginning of conventional biological control at the end of the 19th century were also presented, together with the economic benefits, the risks of the strategy and the measures implemented to limit the latter. Finally, the outlook and obstacles relating to future biocontrol practices in Europe were discussed

An updated and annotated checklist of the Hedylidae and Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) of Trinidad, West Indies

A revised checklist for the butterfly families Hedylidae and Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) of Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago) is presented, bringing nomenclature in line with modern usage, and indicating synonyms from earlier lists and papers. The following are new records for Trinidad: Thessia athesis (Hewitson), Bungalotis clusia Evans, Sarmientoia eriopis (Hewitson), Pellicia tyana toza Evans, Quadrus contubernalis contubernalis (Mabille) and Decinea decinea derisor (Mabille). The checklist includes two species of Hedylidae and 314 species of 157 genera of Hesperiidae, comprising 87 species of 37 genera of Eudaminae, 73 species of 41 genera of Pyrginae, and 154 species of 80 genera of Hesperiinae

The butterflies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) of Tobago, West Indies: An updated and annotated checklist

Six annotated lists are presented: A, a checklist of the butterf ies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) of Tobago (150 species); B, species for which there are no records in the last 80 years (49 species); C, species needing confirmation from Tobago (5 species); D, species not accepted from Tobago (12 species); E, species which are likely to occur in Tobago, but have not been recorded (6 species); and F, species and subspecies recorded from Tobago, but not from Trinidad (2 species and 2 subspecies). Remarkably, 33% of the 150 recorded species have not been reported in the last 80 years. While it is possible that some of these are not resident or have become extinct, it seems more likely that most have simply not been found in the last 80 years. The butterfly fauna of Tobago merits further study; year-round collecting in different habitats and areas, using a variety of techniques, will surely fi ll in many of the apparent gaps in our knowledge. Ouleus fridericus sheldoni ssp. nov. (Hesperiidae, Pyrginae) is described from Tobago, with illustrations of adults and male genitalia, and is compared to O. fridericus sinepunctis (Kaye) from Trinidad. Danaus plexippus tobagi A.H. Clark, 1941 is a syn. nov. of D. plexippus nigrippus (Haensch, 1909) (Nymphalidae, Danainae). Se presentan seis listas anotadas: A, una lista de mariposas de Tobago (150 especies); B, especies para las cuales no hay registros en los últimos 80 años (49 especies); C, especies de Tobago que necesitan confi rmación (5 especies); D, especies de Tobago no aceptadas (12 especies); E, especies que probablemente ocurran en Tobago pero sin registros (6 especies); and F, especies y subespecies con registros de Tobago, pero no de Trinidad (2 especies and 2 subespecies). Es destacable que el 33% de las 150 especies registradas no han sido identifi cadas en los últimos 80 años. Aunque es posible que algunas de esas especies no sean residentes o que se hayan extinguido, parece más posible que simplemente no se hayan encontrado en los últimos 80 años. La fauna de mariposas de Tobago merece un estudio más profundo; a lo largo del año en distintos hábitats y áreas y usando diversas técnicas se conseguirán resolver muchas de las aparentes lagunas de conocimiento. Se describe Ouleus fridericus sheldoni ssp. nov. (Hesperiidae, Pyrginae) de Tobago, ilustrando adultos y genitales masculinos, y se compara con O. fridericus sinepunctis (Kaye) de Trinidad. Danaus plexippus tobagi A.H. Clark, 1941 es un syn. nov. de D. plexippus nigrippus (Haensch, 1909) (Nymphalidae, Danainae)

FIGURE 7 in Taxonomic changes in the Neotropical wasp moths, Euchromiina and Ctenuchina (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini) relating to the fauna of Trinidad & Tobago, with descriptions of new species

FIGURE 7. Paratype male Calonotos flemingi new species, Curepe, MVL, 15–22.iv.1982 (M.J.W. Cock)Published as part of Cock, Matthew J.W. & Laguerre, Michel, 2022, Taxonomic changes in the Neotropical wasp moths, Euchromiina and Ctenuchina (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Arctiini) relating to the fauna of Trinidad & Tobago, with descriptions of new species, pp. 101-132 in Zootaxa 5222 (2) on page 107, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5222.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/745657

Ghost-moths of Trinidad and Tobago with description of a new genus and a new species (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae)

Mielke, Carlos G.C., Grehan, John R., Cock, Matthew J.W. (2020): Ghost-moths of Trinidad and Tobago with description of a new genus and a new species (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae). Zootaxa 4758 (1): 181-190, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.

Classical biological control of insect pests of trees : facts and figures

Classical biological control (CBC) is the introduction of a natural enemy of exotic origin to control a pest, usually also exotic, aiming at permanent control of the pest. CBC has been carried out widely over a variety of target organisms, but most commonly against insects, using parasitoids and predators and, occasionally, pathogens. Until 2010, 6158 introductions of parasitoids and predators were made against 588 insect pests, leading to the control of 172 pests. About 55% of these introductions were made against pests of woody plants. Establishment rates of natural enemies and success rates were higher in CBC projects targeting pests of woody plants than other pests. This review aims to answer the questions most commonly asked regarding CBC against insect pests, with particular emphasis on tree pests. The topics covered include, among others: variations in rates of successes among different systems, different target insect groups and different agents; temporal trends in CBC practices and successes; economic and environmental benefits; risks and ways to mitigate the risks; CBC against native pests; accidental successes through the adoption of the invasive pests by native natural enemies or accidentally introduced agents; and prospects and constraints for the practice of CBC in the future. Questions are answered based on the analysis of two databases, the BIOCAT2010 database of introductions of insect biological control agents for the CBC of insect pests, and a database of introductions of entomopathogens against insect pests.https://link.springer.com/journal/10530am2017Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI)Zoology and Entomolog

Hypercompe trinitatis (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) and its caterpillar in Trinidad, WI

We document the polyphagous minor pest caterpillar of Hypercompe trinitatis (Rothschild) from Trinidad. This is presented in the context of an analysis of the literature and museum specimens to document the history, taxonomy, variability and distribution of this species in Trinidad and Tobago. Notes on identification are provided in comparison with H. cunigunda (Stoll), the only other species of the genus known from Trinidad, here newly recorded for the island; images of pinned adults are provided for both. CO1 DNA barcodes were obtained for two Trinidad specimens of H. trinitatis. Comparison with sequences in the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) shows that H. trinitatis forms part of a species complex (or perhaps a complex species) which can be referred to as BIN (Barcode Identification Number) BOLD:AAA1342