Un nuevo hospedero y distribución geográfica de Optatus palmaris Pascoe 1889 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) en México.

The diurnal weevil Optatus palmaris Pascoe was found on Annona muricata L. (Anonaceae) fruits in Nayarit, Mexico which represents a new plant host record and extends the weevil distribution. Other plant hosts and damages produced are mentioned.

Avocado seed moth, stenoma catenifer walsingham (lepidoptera: elachistidae) in Queretaro, Mexico

The avocado seed moth, Stenoma catenifer Walsingham, is recorded for the first time in the State of Queretaro, Mexico. Aspects about its habits and behavior are described

Identificación, distribución y plantas hospederas de diez especies de agromyzidae (insecta: diptera), de interés agronómico en México

Ten species of Agromyzidae of agronomic interest in Texcoco, (state of Mexico); Altamira, (state of Tamaulipas), Magdalena Contreras, (Mexico City), and Nativitas, (state of Tlaxcala) are presented. Adescription of the adults, their geographic distributions and their host plants, are provided. In addition a key with photographs of the aedeagus and sperm pumps of all species are provided. The species included are: Amauromyza abnormalis (Malloch), Liriomyza brassicae (Riley), Liriomyza sabaziae Spencer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), Melanagromyza minimoides Spencer, Melanagromyza neotropica Spencer, Melanagromyza splendida Frick, Melanagromyza tomaterae Steyskal, Melanagromyza viridis (Frost) and Ophiomyia lantanae (Froggatt).Se presentan diez especies de Agromyzidae de interés agronómico en Texcoco, (Estado de México), Altamira, (Tamaulipas), Magdalena Contreras, (D. F) y Nativitas, (Tlaxcala). Se proporciona unadescripción del adulto, distribución y plantas hospederas de cada especie, además de una clave para su identificación con fotografías que ilustran las características del edeago y bomba eyaculadora porespecie. Las especies identificadas fueron: Amauromyza abnormalis (Malloch), Liriomyza brassicae (Riley), Liriomyza sabaziae Spencer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), Melanagromyza minimoides Spencer,Melanagromyza neotropica Spencer, Melanagromyza splendida Frick, Melanagromyza tomaterae Steyskal, Melanagromyza viridis (Frost) y Ophiomyia lantanae (Froggatt)

Claves para la identificación de escolítinos (coleoptera: curculionidae: scolytinae) asociados al agroecosistema cacao en el sur de México

Se presenta una clave para la identificación de 51 especies de Scolytinae adultos pertenecientes a 26 géneros, con 40 fotografías que ayudan a la identificación de los insectos. Los especímenes fueron obtenidos por medio de trampas cebadas con alcohol etílico, trampa de luz fluorescente y la captura sobre sus plantas hospederas asociadas al agroecosistema cacao en el sur de México. Algunas especies como Xyleborus volvulus, X. Ferrugineus y Xylosandrus morigerus son consideradas plagas de importancia económica en las zonas tropicales de México ya que pueden atacar árboles sanos, enfermos o recién muertos, inclusive pueden provocar la muerte de árboles de sombra y hasta el mismo árbol de cacao

Bacteria associated with the extraradical mycelium of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus in an As/Cu polluted soil

Synergistic interactions between bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) occur under natural soil conditions; however, in polluted soils there is little information regarding these relationships. Microscopy was used to study the interaction between the hyphae of an AM fungus (Glomus claroideum BEG134 from an As/Cu polluted soil) and bacteria in polluted soil cultures. BacLight (TM) staining showed viable bacteria mainly in the runner hyphae of the fungus associated with plants (Holcus lanatus L.) growing in polluted soils. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that a morphologically different bacterial population was intimately associated with the extraradical mycelium (ERM). Bacteria were embedded in the mucilaginous outer layer, encrusted at the outer layer, between hyphal wall layers, and inside hyphae. Crystals, comprising precipitated metal, were observed outside the ERM. The ecological relevance of this bacteria-AMF interaction is discussed

Histología del daño en fruto y rama de aguacata "Hass" por escamas armadas ("Hemiptera: Diaspididae")

Armored scales Abgrallaspis aguacatae and Hemiberlesia lataniae are occasional pests of 'Hass' avocado trees; however, they can cause problems during the production and packing of the fruit. Despite its importance as pests, the interactions between these insects and their host plants has been little studied. The aim of this study was to determine if armored scale species cause histological alterations in fruits and branches of'Hass' avocado trees. Physiologically mature fruits and young branches with and without the presence of armored scales were collected in five commercial orchards of Michoacán, Mexico, in January and July 2011. Histological sections were performed in order to observe changes that occurred at the cellular level in response to the presence of the scales. Three species were identified: Hemiberlesia lataniae, Hemiberlesia diffinis and Abgrallaspis aguacatae. These scales caused no macroscopic or anatomical changes in the tissues ofbranches and fruits, but the accumulation ofphenols was detected, in response to the presence and the feed process of these species, in interior cell walls of epidermis and bark cells, as well as on the walls and cytoplasm of epidermal and parenchymal tissues of the exocarp, and in the area where the insects were located. In the branches, the stylets of the scales were found in the bark and fruits, and most were located in the exocarp cells. Apparently, the mouthparts of the scales penetrated the tissues of avocado intracellularly, and no association of the stylets with the vasculartissue was observed.Las escamas armadas Abgrallaspis aguacatae y Hemiberlesia lataniae son plagas ocasionales en aguacate 'Hass'; sin embargo, causan problemas durante la producción y empaque del fruto. A pesar de su importancia como plagas, las interacciones entre estos insectos y sus plantas hospederas han sido poco estudiadas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar si las especies de escamas armadas causan alteraciones histológicas en frutos y ramas de aguacate 'Hass'. Se colectaron frutos en madurez fisiológica y ramas jóvenes con y sin presencia de escamas armadas en cinco huertos comerciales de Michoacán, México en enero y julio de 2011. Se realizaron cortes histológicos para observar los cambios a nivel celular como respuesta a la presencia de la escama. Se identificaron tres especies: Hemiberlesia lataniae, Hemiberlesia diffinis y Abgrallaspis aguacatae. Éstas escamas no provocaron cambios macroscópicos ni anatómicos en los tejidos de ramas y frutos, pero como respuesta a la presencia y al proceso de alimentación de estas especies, se detectó acumulación de fenoles en paredes celulares, interior de las células de la epidermis y corteza así como en las paredes y el citoplasma de los tejidos epidérmico y parenquimatoso del exocarpio, en las paredes y el citoplasma de los tejidos epidérmico y parenquimatoso del exocarpio y en el área en donde se localizó el insecto. En rama, los estiletes de las escamas se detectaron en corteza, y en frutos la mayoría fueron localizados a nivel de las células del exocarpio. Aparentemente la penetración del aparato bucal de las escamas en los tejidos del aguacate fue intracelular y no se observó asociación de los estiletes con el tejido vascula

Fluctuación poblacional de Copitarsia decolora (Gueéne) y su asociación con crucíferas comerciales

El gusano del corazón de la col es la principal plaga de las crucíferas, por lo que se investigó la fluctuación poblacional y las especies de Copitarsia asociadas con tres variedades de crucíferas (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata, B. oleracea var. Italica y B. oleracea var. Botrytis), en Acatzingo, Puebla, de noviembre 2003 a diciembre 2004, y en Texcoco, Estado de México, de noviembre 2003 a enero 2005. Se realizaron muestreos al azar cada 14 y 7 d seleccionando 100 plantas por cultivar. Se encontró que la especie asociada en este periodo fue Copitarsia decolora (Guenée). Tanto en col como en coliflor C. decolora incidió entre 30 a 45 d después del trasplante. La población más abundante se presentó durante el crecimiento de la cabeza de la col y de la inflorescencia en coliflor; en brócoli no se detectó asociación con dicha especie

Nutritional quality of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni Stallings & Turner Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) of maguey lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla Torrey): Nutritional quality of the white worm of the maguey lechuguilla

Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the nutritional quality of larvae of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni) of the maguey lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla). Design/methodology/approach: Samples of A. remingtoni larvae, were collected from stems and leaves of wild maguey lechuguilla that grows in hills of the community of San Francisco, Municipio de Epazoyucan Hidalgo, Mexico. Proximal analysis was performed and content of calcium and phosphorus were determined on larvae samples.   Results: The larvae of A. remingtoni had a protein content of 33.69% on a dry basis, and 12.05% on a wet basis. Other results obtained were as follows:  ethereal extract 15.97%, dry matter 35.76%, humidity 64.24%, ash 0.82%, crude fiber 0.85%, free extract Nitrogen 6.07, Calcium 0.40%, Phosphorus 0.56%. Limitations/implications: During: In the literature review carried out, no reports were found on the nutritional quality of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni) of the maguey lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla). Findings/conclusions: Agathymus remingtoni larvae have excellent nutritional content, which makes them an alternative source of protein, fat, calcium and phosphorus for human and livestock feeding. Keywords: Agave lechuguilla, white worm, food, nutritional composition.Objective: to evaluate the nutritional quality of white worm larvae (Agathymus remingtoni) of the maguey lechuguilla plant (Agave lechuguilla).Design/Methodology/Approach: samples of A. remingtoni larvae were collected from the stems and leaves of wild maguey lechuguilla that grows in the hills of the community of San Francisco, Municipality of Epazoyucan, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Proximate analysis was performed and the calcium and phosphorus contents were determined inlarvae samples.Results: larvae of A. remingtoni had a protein content of 33.69% on a dry basis, and 12.05% on a wet basis. Other results obtained were as follows: ethereal extract 15.97%, dry matter 35.76%, moisture 64.24%, ash 0.82%, crude fiber 0.85%, free nitrogen extract 6.07, calcium 0.40%, and phosphorus 0.56%.Limitations/Implications: During: in the literature review carried out, no reports were found on the nutritional quality of the white worm (Agathymus remingtoni) of maguey lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla).Findings/Conclusions: Agathymus remingtoni larvae have excellent nutritional content, which makes them an alternative source of protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus for human consumption and livestock feed