New Records of Rhyparochromidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Lygaeoidea) from Colombia

Five species in the tribes Lethaeini, Cistalia neotropicalis Slater & Baranowski and Paragonatas divergens Distant, and Ozophorini, Balboa variabilis Distant, Lygofuscanellus ozophoroides Slater, and Pamozophora englemani Ashlock & Slater, are recorded for the first time from Colombia. They are also the first generic record for this country. Photographs of all five species are included.     

The alien flowering plants of Mexico

A list of 618 species of alien flowering plants recorded for Mexico is presented; they are distributed in 355 genera and 87 families. The families with the largest number of species are Poaceae (171), Fabaceae sensu lato (57), Asteraceae (56), and Brassicaceae (45). The representation of most families with alien species in Mexico agrees with the average distribution frequencies estimated by Pysek (1998 ) for 26 floras throughout the World. Exceptions are an under‐representation of Asteraceae and an over‐representation of Poaceae. Most alien species (78.9%) in Mexico have their origin in the Old World; South America ranks second with 9.6%. As defined by Richardson et al. (2000 ), 19.8% of the alien species could be considered casual aliens and 80.2% of them naturalized. The proportion of alien species relative to the 22,968 native flowering plant species recorded for Mexico is 2.7%.     

Insight into Salivary Gland Proteomes of Two Polyphagous Stink Bugs: Nezara viridula L. and Halyomorpha halys Stål

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys Stål, and the southern green stink bugs (SGSBs), Nezara viridula L., are widely distributed in Europe, even if the date of introduction and the diet differ. Saliva of Hemipteran pests plays essential roles in the interaction between insects and their host plants. The salivary proteomes of several aphid species have been studied and found to differ according to the species, while no comparative investigation between phytophagous stink bugs has been performed yet. Here, the salivary proteins from two bugs, BMSB and SGSB, are analyzed using LC‐MS/MS. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD011920 and PXD011976. A total of 238 and 305 proteins are identified in salivary glands of BMSB and SGSB, respectively. In comparison with salivary proteome from other Hemiptera, the most striking feature of the salivary gland proteomes of SGSB and BMSB is the similar pattern of protein functions between both species. Some of the proteins are speculated to play a significant role in plant–insect interactions. The results herein provide a framework for future research to elucidate the molecular basis of differential impact of piercing–sucking insects on host plants.     

Differential induction of volatiles in rice plants by two stink bug species influence behaviour of conspecifics and their natural enemy Telenomus podisi

Tritrophic interactions mediated by semiochemicals have been intensively studied from the viewpoint of ecological relationships with Nearctic tritrophic organisms. However, there are few studies involving interactions with different herbivores on the same host plant in Neotropical systems. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of herbivory by two species of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) with the same feeding habit – Tibraca limbativentris Stål and Glyphepomis spinosa Campos & Grazia – on indirect and direct defence strategies of rice plants. The responses of each stink bug species (virgin and mated females) and of their main natural enemy, the egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae; mated females), to volatiles from undamaged and herbivore-damaged rice plants were evaluated using a Y-tube olfactometer. The results showed that rice plants responded differently to T. limbativentris or G. spinosa herbivory, enhancing the production of a different blend of volatile compounds, which reduced the attraction for conspecific stink bugs and elicited the foraging behaviour of T. podisi.     

Vibrational communication and mating behaviour of Dichelops melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) recorded from loudspeaker membranes and plants

Vibrational communication is important for successful mating in various stink bugs species. The vibrational signals from males and females of Dichelops melacanthus Dallas (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are recorded from a nonresonant substrate (i.e. a loudspeaker membrane) to characterize the temporal and spectral properties of these vibrational signals, as well as on a resonant substrate (i.e. bean plants) to obtain information about how these signals are altered when they are transmitted through the plants. On the loudspeaker membrane, D. melacanthus males and females emit only one male or one female song, respectively. However, when the insects are placed on bean leaves, a more complex repertoire is recorded, with three different songs for each sex. The first female and male songs appear to have calling functions and the third male and female songs are emitted during courtship. The second female and male songs are emitted after the first song, although their functions in mating behaviour are not clear. The identified repertoire is similar to those of other Neotropical stink bugs, starting with songs 1 and 2 and developing into song 3. Frequency modulation is observed in the female songs recorded from the loudspeaker membrane and the plants. The signals recorded from plants present higher harmonic peaks compared with the signals recorded from the loudspeaker membrane. The presence of species and sex‐specific songs during mating confirms the important role of vibrational communication in mate location and recognition. The temporal and spectral characteristic signals are influenced by the substrate used to record the songs emitted by D. melacanthus.     

Soft scale insects (Homoptera: Coccidae) on Tillandsia in Central America*

A new genus of soft scale insect (Homoptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae), Tillancoccus, and two new species T. mexicanus and T. tillandsiae are described and illustrated from the adult females. The new species are recorded from Tillandsia plants in Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.     

Two new combinations in the South Sudanese flora

Two new combinations are made in preparation for a forthcoming checklist of the plants of Sudan and South Sudan: Dicliptera lanceolata (Lindau) I. Darbysh. & Kordofani (Acanthaceae), a South Sudan endemic, and Campylospermum likimiense (De Wild.) I. Darbysh. & Kordofani (Ochnaceae), recorded from South Sudan and Ethiopia to Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lectotypes are designated for each name. The habitat and ecology, distribution within South Sudan and conservation status are presented for each species.     

Suitability of native North American Rutaceae to serve as host plants for the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, a vector of citrus huanglongbing, is now present in all citrus‐producing states in the USA and Mexico. In addition to citrus, the insect can reproduce on several other plant species in the Rutaceae family; orange jasmine (Murraya spp.) and curry leaf (Bergera koenigii) are among its preferred hosts. There are several indigenous Rutaceae species in North America, and some are popular ornamentals. A study was therefore initiated to determine the suitability of some of these plants for feeding and development of the psyllid in choice and no‐choice experiments. D. citri was found to reproduce successfully on Choisya ternata, C. arizonica and Helietta parvifolia in no‐choice tests, but preferentially selected orange jasmine and curry leaf for feeding and reproduction, in choice tests. On Amyris madrensis, A. texana and Zanthoxylum fagara, adult psyllids laid eggs which hatched, but no successful nymphal development was recorded beyond the first instars. No oviposition was recorded on Esenbeckia berlandieri, Ptelea trifoliata and Casimiroa tetrameria, although adult psyllids were able to survive on these species for several days. Results showed that C. ternata, C. arizonica and H. parvifolia can serve host plants of D. citri and this constitutes the first report of these plants serving as host for D. citri. The findings of the present study suggest that native rutaceous host plants can serve as host plants and thus affect D. citri population dynamics and the epidemiology of Huanglongbing, the deadly citrus greening disease whose pathogen is vectored by D. citri. Thus, area‐wide management of this pest also should target these riparian habitats where these host plants are present with D. citri biological control agents for sustainable management of this pest.     

Biogeography and conservation of the genus Ficus (Moraceae) in Mexico

Aim The main objective of this study is to document the biogeographical patterns, endemism and degree of conservation of the species of Ficus (Moraceae) in Mexico. There are over 750 species of the genus Ficus distributed worldwide, and Mexico practically represents its northernmost limit in the American continent. Detailed studies at regional scales may help to understand the biogeography of large genera such as Ficus. Location Mexico. Methods The biogeographical patterns of Mexican Ficus were obtained from information of fig specimens available in two of the main herbaria of Mexico (2140 vouchers), collecting figs throughout this country, and revising the specialized literature. The presence of each species of Ficus was recorded for every one of Mexico's states and several tropical countries of America. Besides, the Mexican territory was divided into cells of 1° × 1° and the presence or absence of all species of the genus was recorded. Rarity of species was classified based on the width of geographic distribution, habitat specificity and population size. Results A total of 21 species of Ficus occur in Mexico, including six species (28.6%) that are endemic to this country. Five species are included in subgenus Pharmacosycea and 16 species are documented under subgenus Urostigma. Affinities of Ficus flora with other tropical countries in America generally decreased as geographical distances from Mexico increased. Mexican states and cells with highest values of Ficus species richness (both total and endemic species) were located. Ten species, including three endemics, presented a wide distribution. Five species, including two endemics, possess the three attributes of rarity (narrow geographical distribution, high habitat specificity and scarce local populations). Three species of Ficus, including the endemic and very rare Ficuslapathifolia (Liebm.) Miq., are not recorded in any protected area existing in Mexico. Main conclusions Most of the Mexican Ficus show a great morphological variation and occupy different habitats along their geographic distribution. The biogeographical patterns described here establish a fundamental scenario for ongoing studies on Ficus–pollinator interactions. However, many local populations are considered to be at risk, as there have been significant reductions in the number and size of local populations. Further studies are needed to understand the process of colonization, maintenance and persistence of fig–pollinator mutualism in species with different patterns of geographic distribution. Mexican Ficus require special policies for conservation due to their complex degree of rarity, particularly their geographic distribution in different types of vegetation, ranging from dry scrublands to tropical rain forests.     

Aphyllon castilloi sp. nov. (Orobanchaceae) from Veracruz,Mexico

Aphyllon castilloi Franc.‐Gut., Cházaro & Espejo (Orobanchaceae), a new species discovered in central Veracruz, Mexico is herein described, illustrated and compared with other Aphyllon species recorded from Mexico. The new species inhabits tropical semideciduous forest, a novel ecosystem for Aphyllon species native to North America, in contrast to most collections from Mexico, which are from warm sandy deserts. In addition, it parasitizes Simsia foetida (Asteraceae: Heliantheae). As far as known, the distribution of the new species is very restricted.     

New distributional data of the rare endemic species Eokochia saxicola (Guss.) Freitag and G. Kadereit (Chenopodiaceae): Effects on biogeography and conservation

Eokochia saxicola (Guss.) Freitag & G. Kadereit is a very rare endemic species of southern Italy and one of the rarest plants in Europe, included as priority species in the Annex II of the Council Directive 92/43/EEC. During the floristic surveys in the Cilento e Vallo di Diano National Park (Campania region, southern Italy), with the aim to assess the conservation status of rare and/or endemic species, new sites of occurrence of E. saxicola have been recorded representing the first known mainland sites; in fact, this endemic species was previously recorded only in the insular sites of Ischia (where it is extinct) and Capri in Campania region and Strombolicchio in Sicily region. Moreover, a further site was found in Capri island. So, three new sites of occurrence of E. saxicola have been recorded, increasing the total number from the two previously known to the actual five; in Campania, the total number increased from one to four. The research also increased significantly the global population size, currently made up of about 270 individuals compared with the 150 previously known. Consequences for the biogeography of the species and practical issues for conservation are discussed.     

A test of adaptive divergence in a newly discovered host association of the soapberry bug Jadera haematoloma on Mexican buckeye,Ungnadia speciosa

Host races represent an important step in the speciation process of phytophagous insects as they reflect the maintenance of genetically divergent host-associated populations in the face of appreciable gene flow. The red-shouldered soapberry bug, Jadera haematoloma (Herrich-Schäffer) (Hemiptera: Rhopalidae), is an oligophagous seed predator with a history of host race evolution on plant associations in the (soapberry) family Sapindaceae. Soapberry bugs are a model group for understanding rapid ecological adaptation to their hosts, and hence good candidates for investigating evolutionary divergence in host associations over short timescales. Here, we describe the recent discovery of Mexican buckeye, Ungnadia speciosa Endl., as a host of J. haematoloma in a region of the Chihuahuan desert including west Texas and southeastern New Mexico, USA. This host differs from J. haematoloma’s previously recorded hosts in the Sapindaceae in seed chemistry, ecology, and phylogeny. The tendency toward rapid, host-associated adaptations by populations of J. haematoloma and the unique biology of the newly discovered Ungnadia host create the opportunity for potential host race formation, as it overlaps geographically with two previously recorded host plants in this region – the native western soapberry tree, Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (Hook & Arn.), and the non-native goldenrain tree, Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm. We explore the possibility of host race formation on Ungnadia-associated insects by testing for host-associated differentiation in morphology and feeding behaviors. We find evidence of differentiation in the length of the mouth parts, which is an ecologically relevant feeding trait between host plant species with larger or smaller seed capsules. This divergence is maintained in the face of potential gene flow by reproductive isolation in the form of habitat isolation, which we detect in host preference trials. Together, our results demonstrate that soapberry bugs associated with this newly discovered host exhibit morphological and behavioral traits consistent with host race formation, but additional work is required to confirm its state along the speciation continuum.     

Host plant use of a polyphagous mirid,Apolygus lucorum: Molecular evidence from migratory individuals

While the host plant use of insect herbivores is important for understanding their interactions and coevolution, field evidence of these preferences is limited for generalist species. Molecular diet analysis provides an effective option for gaining such information, but data from field‐sampled individuals are often greatly affected by the local composition of their host plants. The polyphagous mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer‐Dür) seasonally migrates across the Bohai Sea, and molecular analysis of migrant bugs collected on crop‐free islands can be used to estimate the host plant use of A. lucorum across the large area (northern China) from where these individuals come. In this study, the host plant use of A. lucorum adults was determined by identifying plant DNA using a three‐locus DNA barcode (rbcL, trnH‐psbA, and ITS) in the gut of migrant individuals collected on Beihuang Island. We successfully identified the host plant families of A. lucorum adults, and the results indicated that captured bugs fed on at least 17 plant families. In addition, gut analyses revealed that 35.9% of A. lucorum individuals fed on multiple host plants but that most individuals (64.1%) fed on only one plant species. Cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., DNA was found in 35.8% of the A. lucorum bugs examined, which was much higher than the percentage of bugs in which other host plants were found. Our work provides a new understanding of multiple host plant use by A. lucorum under natural conditions, and these findings are available for developing effective management strategies against this polyphagous pest species.     

Incidence of natural enemies of the Colorado potato beetle,Leptinotarsa decemlineata [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae] on a native host in Mexico

In central Mexico, the center of origin forLeptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) and its principal host plants,L. decemlineata is associated with a diverse complex of natural enemies. Observations during 2 years in Morelos, Mexico revealed 4 species of asopine pentatomids, 7 species of foliar searching carabids, and 2 coccinellids among the predators ofL. decemlineata. Parasitoids include 3 species of tachinids andEdovum puttleri Grissel, an eulophid egg parasitoid. These natural enemies include several predators that have not previously been reported attackingL. decemlineata. University of Maine Agriculture Experiment Station No. 1553     

Invalidation of the genus Anomaloporus Voge & Davis, 1953 (Cestoda: Paruterinidae sensu lato)

The type-specimens of Anomaloporus hesperiphonae Voge & Davis, 1953 (type-species of Anomaloporus) from Coccothraustes abeillei (Passeriformes) and A. lambi Voge & Davis, 1953 from Streptoprocne semicollaris (Apodiformes), both from Mexico, are re-examined. The former species is considered a synonym of Orthoskrjabinia conica (Fuhrmann, 1908) (new synonymy) and, consequently, Anomaloporus is regarded as a junior synonym of Orthoskrjabinia Spassky, 1947. The latter species is recognised as valid under the name Anonchotaenia (Anonchotaenia) lambi (Voge & Davis, 1953) n. comb. Orthoskrjabinia rostellata (Rodgers, 1941) and Multiuterina dubininae Mathevossian, 1969, previously believed to be probable synonyms of O. conica, are considered species inquirendae.     

Host–parasite relationships of Rhabdochona kidderi Pearse, 1936 (Nematoda: Rhabdochonidae) in fishes of the Lacantún River in the Lacandon rain forest of Chiapas State, southern Mexico, with a key to Mexican species of Rhabdochona Railliet, 1916

For the first time, the nematode Rhabdochona kidderi kidderi Pearse, 1936 (Rhabdochonidae) was recorded from fishes of the Lacantún River (Usumacinta River basin) in the Lacandon rain forest, Chiapas State, southern Mexico. Amphilophus nourissati (Allgayer) and Theraps irregularis Günther (both Perciformes: Cichlidae) were found to be the only definitive hosts in the locality, whereas Eugerres mexicanus (Steindachner) (Perciformes: Gerreidae), Ariopsis sp., Cathorops aguadulce (Meek) and Potomarius nelsoni (Evermann & Goldsborough) (all Siluriformes: Ariidae), Ictalurus furcatus (Valenciennes) (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) and Strongylura hubbsi Collette (Beloniformes: Belonidae) all harboured the nematode’s fourth-stage larva and only served as paratenic hosts. All these fish species represent new host records for this parasite. The morphology of both adults and larvae was studied in detail by light and scanning electron microscopy, and some conspecific museum specimens from three other host species were also examined for comparison. Rhabdochona ictaluri Aguilar-Aguilar, Rosas-Valdez & Pérez-Ponce de León, 2010 is considered here to be a junior synonym of R. kidderi kidderi. A high degree of the variability of some morphological and biometrical features (deirid shape, left spicule length) and an unusually wide range of hosts suggest that R. kidderi may represent a species complex, but further studies are necessary in this respect. A key to Rhabdochona species and subspecies occurring in Mexico is provided.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clestobothrium gibsoni</Emphasis> n. sp. (Cestoda: Bothriocephalidae) from the bullseye grenadier <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bathygadus macrops</Emphasis> Goode &; Bean (Macrouridae) in the Gulf of Mexico

Clestobothrium gibsoni n. sp. is described from the intestine of the bullseye grenadier Bathygadus macrops (Macrouridae) collected in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The new species can be distinguished from both C. crassiceps (Rudolphi, 1819), the type-species of the genus, and C. neglectum (Lönnberg, 1893), the second species in the genus, by its unique ovary, which is transversely elongate and tapered on both ends rather than being U-or H-shaped, and by having more testes (60-65 vs 40-50 and 35-45 per proglottid). The new species is also compared to Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934 and B. kivuensis Baer & Fain, 1954, two species with similar scoleces which have previously been assigned to Clestobothrium . The generic diagnosis of Clestobothrium is amended to include species with either anoperculate or operculate eggs. This is the first report of an adult tapeworm from a species of Bathygadus , and the first report of a species of Clestobothrium Lühe, 1899 (Bothriocephalidae) from the Gulf of Mexico.     

New species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dypsis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ravenea</Emphasis> (Arecaceae) from Madagascar

Fourteen new species of palms (Arecaceae) from Madagascar are described and named, based on material collected over the last 15 years. Twelve species belong to the genus Dypsis, namely D. andilamenensis Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. anjae Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. betsimisarakae Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. culminis Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. dracaenoides Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. gautieri Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. gronophyllum Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. jeremiei Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. metallica Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. reflexa Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf., D. sancta Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and D. vonitrandambo Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and two species belong to the genus Ravenea: R. beentjei Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. and R. hypoleuca Rakotoarin. & J. Dransf. Despite the fact that most of these species have been recorded from protected areas that are difficult to access in the eastern region of Madagasacar, they are all threatened. Based on IUCN categories and criteria, seven are Critically Endangered and seven are Vulnerable.     

Soybean seed damage by different species of stink bugs

Abstract

• 1 Damage caused by the three main species of stink bugs occurring on soybean Nezara viridula (Linnaeus), Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) and Euschistus heros (Fabricius) was compared in field cages and in greenhouses. Infestation levels of 4 stink bugs/m row of plants (field cages) and 2 stink bug/plant (greenhouse) for 15 days during the pod filling stage are reported. At harvest, the yield and seed quality were evaluated.
• 2 In the field, there was no difference in yield between infested and insect‐free plants, but damage to seed quality varied with stink bug species. Plants damaged by P. guildinii had the lowest quality seeds. From 50 g seed samples harvested in the field, the mean weight of seeds classified as ‘good’ was 37.3 g in plants infested with P. guildinii, compared to 41.8, 44.2 and 46.6 g in plants infested with E. heros, N. viridula and the control, respectively.
• 3 Plants infested with P. guildinii showed the highest number of seeds damaged by stink bugs, whereas those infested with E. heros showed the lowest damage.
• 4 Plants infested with P. guildinii had 18.5% damaged seeds, higher than the 3.6% and 3.4% damaged seeds from plants infested with the two other species and 0.1% in control plants. The percentage of non‐viable seeds due to stink bug damage was 5.7% for P. guildinii but lower for the other two species.

     

Transgenic Bt potato and conventional insecticides for Colorado potato beetle management: comparative efficacy and non-target impacts

Field studies were conducted in 1992 and 1993 in Hermiston, Oregon, to evaluate the efficacy of transgenic Bt potato (Newleaf^®, which expresses the insecticidal protein Cry3Aa) and conventional insecticide spray programs against the important potato pest, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), Colorado potato beetle (CPB), and their relative impact on non-target arthropods in potato ecosystems. Results from the two years of field trials demonstrated that Newleaf potato plants were highly effective in suppressing populations of CPB, and provided better CPB control than weekly sprays of a microbial Bt-based formulation containing Cry3Aa, bi-weekly applications of permethrin, or early- and mid-season applications of systemic insecticides (phorate and disulfoton). When compared with conventional potato plants not treated with any insecticides, the effective control of CPB by Newleaf potato plants or weekly sprays of a Bt-based formulation did not significantly impact the abundance of beneficial predators or secondary potato pests. In contrast to Newleaf potato plants or microbial Bt formulations, however, bi-weekly applications of permethrin significantly reduced the abundance of several major generalist predators such as spiders (Araneae), big-eyed bugs (Geocorus sp.), damsel bugs (Nabid sp.), and minute pirate bugs (Orius sp.), and resulted in significant increases in the abundance of green peach aphid (GPA), Myzus persicae (Sulzer) – vector of viral diseases, on the treated potato plots. While systemic insecticides appeared to have reduced the abundance of some plant sap-feeding insects such as GPA, lygus bugs, and leafhoppers, early and mid-season applications of these insecticides had no significant impact on populations of the major beneficial predators. Thus, transgenic Bt potato, Bt-based microbial formulations and systemic insecticides appeared to be compatible with the development of integrated pest management (IPM) against other potato pests such as GPA because these CPB control measures have little impact on major natural enemies. In contrast, the broad-spectrum pyrethroid insecticide (permethrin) is less compatible with IPM programs against GPA and the potato leafroll viral disease.