Tortricid Moths Reared from the Invasive Weed Mexican Palo Verde, Parkinsonia aculeata, with Comments on their Host Specificity, Biology, Geographic Distribution, and Systematics

As part of efforts to identify native herbivores of Mexican palo verde, Parkinsonia aculeata L. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae), as potential biological control agents against this invasive weed in Australia, ten species of Tortricidae (Lepidoptera) were reared from Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Venezuela: Amorbia concavana (Zeller), Platynota rostrana (Walker), Platynota helianthes (Meyrick), Platynota stultana Walsingham (all Tortricinae: Sparganothini), Rudenia leguminana (Busck), Cochylis sp. (both Tortricinae: Cochylini), Ofatulena duodecemstriata (Walsingham), O. luminosa Heinrich, Ofatulena sp. (all Olethreutinae: Grapholitini), and Crocidosema lantana Busck (Olethreutinae: Eucosmini). Significant geographic range extensions are provided for O. duodecemstriata and R. leguminana. These are the first documented records of P. aculeata as a host plant for all but O. luminosa. The four species of Sparganothini are polyphagous; in contrast, the two Cochylini and three Grapholitini likely are specialists on Leguminosae. Ofatulena luminosa is possibly host specific on P. aculeata. Host trials with Rudenia leguminana also provide some evidence of specificity, in contrast to historical rearing records. To examine the possibility that R. leguminana is a complex of species, two data sets of molecular markers were examined: (1) a combined data set of two mitochondrial markers (a 781-basepair region of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and a 685-basepair region of cytochrome c oxidase II) and one nuclear marker (a 531-basepair region of the 28S domain 2); and (2) the 650-basepair “barcode” region of COI. Analyses of both data sets strongly suggest that individuals examined in this study belong to more than one species

Two new species of Myrmedonota Cameron (Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) from Mexico

Two new species of Myrmedonota are described from Mexico. Illustrations and a distribution map are provided, as are keys to identify Myrmedonota known from the Nearctic and Neotropics. Specimens were collected by means of mercury vapor light traps or flight interception traps

A new genus and species of Placusini from a high mountain in Mexico

A new genus and species are described from the Cofre de Perote volcano, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Although the new genus is very similar to Placusa, it presents tergite VIII completely modified to form a horn, in both females and males, in addition to other differences in mouthparts. A map and illustrations are provided, as well as an identification key to the genera of Placusini. No morphological characters are apparent to separate Kirtusa Pace from Euvira Sharp in our genus key. The specimens of the new genus were collected using Lindgren and cross traps baited with a mix of semiochemicals: ipsenol, ipsdienol and lanierone

A new genus and species of Placusini from a high mountain in Mexico

A new genus and species are described from the Cofre de Perote volcano, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Although the new genus is very similar to Placusa, it presents tergite VIII completely modified to form a horn, in both females and males, in addition to other differences in mouthparts. A map and illustrations are provided, as well as an identification key to the genera of Placusini. No morphological characters are apparent to separate Kirtusa Pace from Euvira Sharp in our genus key. The specimens of the new genus were collected using Lindgren and cross traps baited with a mix of semiochemicals: ipsenol, ipsdienol and lanierone

FIGURES 2 – 6 in A new species of Dinothenarus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from Mexico

FIGURES 2 – 6. Details of Dinothenarus amisadaiae Santiago-Jiménez, sp. nov. (2 – 4) and D. capitatus (Bland) (5 – 6). 2, 5 — aedeagus in dorsal view showing the paramere with peg setae (visible by translucence); 3, 6 — aedeagus in lateral view (3: showing spines of the internal sac); 4 — paramere in ventral view showing the peg setae. Scale bar 1 mm (2 – 3, 5 – 6), 0.2 mm (4)

Phylogeography of Falagonia mexicana Sharp, 1883 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae)

Falagonia mexicana is an aleocharine distributed from northern Mexico to Guatemala and El Salvador. It is associated with Atta mexicana ants and lives within their piles of waste or external debris. The phylogeography and historical demography of 18 populations from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador were studied. The data set encompasses a 472 bp fragment of the COI. Results suggest that F. mexicana was originated during Middle Pliocene (ca. 0.5 Mya), starting its diversification at the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene. Populations were recovered forming at least four main lineages, with a significant phylogeographic structure. Evidence of contemporary restricted gene flow was found among populations. The historical demography suggests that the geographic structure is due to recent physical barriers (e.g., Isthmus of Tehuantepec) rather than ancient geological events. Also, recent geological and volcanic events in the east of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Sierra Madre Oriental might be responsible for the restricted gene flow among populations. Skyline-plot analyses suggested that a demographic expansion event took place at the end of the Late Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles