Seasonal and microclimatic effects on leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in a tropical forest fragment in northeastern Mexico

Leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) constitute a family of abundant, diverse, and ecologically important herbivorous insects, due to their high specificity with host plants, a close association with vegetation and a great sensitivity to microclimatic variation (factors that are modified gradually during the rainy and dry seasons). Therefore, the effects of seasonality (rainy and dry seasons) and microclimate on the community attributes of chrysomelids were evaluated in a semideciduous tropical forest fragment of northeastern Mexico. Monthly sampling was conducted, between March 2016 and February 2017, with an entomological sweep net in 18 plots of 20 × 20 m, randomly distributed from 320 to 480 m a.s.l. Seven microclimatic variables were simultaneously recorded during each of the samplings, using a portable weather station. In total, 216 samples were collected at the end of the study, of which 2,103 specimens, six subfamilies, 46 genera, and 71 species were obtained. The subfamily Galerucinae had the highest number of specimens and species in the study area, followed by Cassidinae. Seasonality caused significant changes in the abundance and number of leaf beetle species: highest richness was recorded in the rainy season, with 60 species, while the highest diversity (lowest dominance and highest H’ index) was obtained in the dry season. Seasonal inventory completeness of leaf beetles approached (rainy season) or was higher (dry season) than 70%, while the faunistic similarity between seasons was 0.63%. The outlying mean index was significant in both seasons; of the seven microclimatic variables analyzed, only temperature, heat index, evapotranspiration and wind speed were significantly related to changes in abundance of Chrysomelidae. Association between microclimate and leaf beetles was higher in the dry season, with a difference in the value of importance of the abiotic variables. The results indicated that each species exhibited a different response pattern to the microclimate, depending on the season, which suggests that the species may exhibit modifications in their niche requirements according to abiotic conditions. However, the investigations must be replicated in other regions, in order to obtain a better characterization of the seasonal and microclimatic influence on the family Chrysomelidae

Distributional extension of Peltophorus polymitus (Boheman 1845) at Durango, Mexico

Consumption of mezcal in Mexico and its international exportation is increasing. Potential pests of agave, the plant distilled for this alcoholic beverage, need to be studied. Durango is the second state in mezcal production in Mexico. It is important to contribute to the knowledge of potential pests of agaves. Peltophorus polymitus (Boheman 1845) has been historically registered as pest at three municipalities in the State of Durango. However, little is known of the biology or ecology of P. polymitus, a potential pest of the agave crop. The objective of this work was to contribute to the knowledge of the distribution of the weevil of agave (P. polymitus) in Durango. Here, the distribution of P. polymitus was extended to 13 additional municipalities in an altitudinal range from 1,104-2,094 m above sea level, across all the ecoregions of the State.</p

Mexico ants: incidence and abundance along the Nearctic–Neotropical interface

International audienceto explore different aspects of the population and community research of ants at different spatial scales, and to aid in the establishment of conservation policies and actions. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using its data for publications or teaching events

Mexico's Ants: Who are They and Where do They Live?

International audienc