Anovel Amet Barba-Alvarado

To compare the environmental space of four Anastrepha species in different ENSO episodes (El Niño, El Neutro and La Niña), we built ecological niche models with NicheA software. We analysed the fundamental niche and the combined establishment risk maps of these species developed with the ArcGisPro combine geoprocess. A comparison of the ellipsoids that represent the fundamental niche existing for the species showed changes in the El Niño, El Neutro and La Niña episodes. For A. grandis in the El Niño vs. El Neutro episodes, there was a Jaccard index of 0.3841, while the comparison between the La Niña vs. El Neutro episodes presented a Jaccard index of 0.6192. A. serpentina in the El Niño vs. El Neutro and La Niña vs. El Neutro episodes presented Jaccard indices of 0.3281 and 0.6328, respectively. For A. obliqua, the comparison between the El Niño vs. El Neutro and La Niña vs. El Neutro episodes presented Jaccard indices of 0.3518 and 0.7472, respectively. For A. striata, comparisons between the episodes of El Niño vs. El Neutro and La Niña vs. El Neutro presented Jaccard indices of 0.3325 and 0.6022, respectively. When studying the comparison between Anastrepha species and the different ENSO climatic episodes, we found that in the El Niño episode, the comparisons with the best environmental similarity were A. obliqua vs. A. striata and A. obliqua vs. A. serpentina, with higher Jaccard indices (0.6064 and 0.6316, respectively). In the El Neutro episode, the comparisons with the best environmental similarity were A. serpentina vs. A. striata and A. obliqua vs. A. striata, which presented higher Jaccard indices (0.4616 and 0.6411, respectively). In the La Niña episode, the comparisons that presented the best environmental similarity were A. obliqua vs. A. serpentina and A. obliqua vs. A. striata, with higher Jaccard indices (0.5982 and 0.6228, respectively). Likewise, our results present the risk maps for the establishment of these species throughout the Neotropics, allowing us to predict the level of risk in order to develop integrated pest management plans.

Introduction. Thrips (Thysanoptera) encompass a variety of phytophagous species that have an impact on the development of agriculturally important plants. Objective. To identify the species and damage caused by thrips associated with onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivation in the Arco Seco region of Panama. Materials and methods. The study was carried out from December 2020 to April 2021 in two onion-producing locations in the Arco Seco region of Panama. Fifty onion plant samples were taken per location. The species of thrips present, the number of thrips specimens captured in each life stage, the percentage of plants with damage and the characteristics of the damage were identified. Results. The species Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae: Panchaeothripinae) caused lacerations, spots, and leaf drying in 80 % of the onion plant samples from El Ejido locality. Among the captured specimens, 47.69 % were female, 46.30 % were immature, and 6.02 % were male. Conclusions. Damage to onions caused by C. phaseoli was recorded for the first time in the Republic of Panama. The knowledge generated represents the initial step for phytosanitary surveillance of this pest in onion cultivation.

Climate variability has made us change our perspective on the study of insect pests and pest insects, focusing on preserving or maintaining efficient production systems in the world economy. The four species of the genus Anastrepha were selected for this study due to their colonization and expansion characteristics. Models of the potential distribution of these species are scarce in most neotropical countries, and there is a current and pressing demand to carry out this type of analysis in the face of the common scenarios of climate variability. We analyzed 370 presence records with statistical metrics and 16 bioclimatic variables. The MaxEnt method was used to evaluate the effect of the ENSO cycle on the potential distribution of the species Anastrepha grandis (Macquart), Anastrepha serpetina (Wiedemann), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), and Anastrepha striata (Schiner) as imported horticultural pests in the neotropics and Panama. A total of 3472 candidate models were obtained for each species, and the environmental variables with the greatest contribution to the final models were LST range and LST min for A. grandis, PRECIP range and PRECIP min for A. serpentina, LST range and LST min for A. obliqua, and LST min and LST max for A. striata. The percentage expansion of the range of A. grandis in all environmental scenarios was 26.46 and the contraction of the range was 30.80; the percentage expansion of the range of A. serpentina in all environmental scenarios was 3.15 and the contraction of the range was 28.49; the percentage expansion of the range of A. obliqua in all environmental scenarios was 5.71 and the contraction of the range was 3.40; and the percentage expansion of the range of A. striata in all environmental scenarios was 41.08 and the contraction of the range was 7.30, and we selected the best model, resulting in a wide distribution (suitable areas) of these species in the neotropics that was influenced by the variability of climatic events (El Niño, Neutral, and La Niña). Information is provided on the phytosanitary surveillance systems of the countries in areas where these species could be established, which is useful for defining policies and making decisions on integrated management plans according to sustainable agriculture.

Introduction. The asian psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) is the main vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus that causes Huanglongbing (HLB) disease in citrus in Panama. Objective. To determine the geographic distribution and host plants of the asian psyllid within the citrus growing areas in Panama. Materials and methods. The study was carried out from June to October 2021 through systematic sampling within 46 localities associated with commercial citrus and home gardens in seven provinces of Panama. In each plant, two new shoots of 10 cm long were bagged with a magic-seal plastic bag to capture the specimens and introduce them into 2 mm plastic vials with 95 % alcohol for later identification. The study variable included the count of the total number of specimens, and the data was analyzed as a percentage. Results. Of the total of 73 collected samples, the presence of the Asian psyllid was confirmed in 21.92 % (16 samples). Its presence was positive in the provinces of Chiriquí, Coclé, Herrera, Panama, and West Panama, at altitudes of 17 to 1080 m.a.s.l. There was no presence of the psyllid in the provinces of Los Santos and Veraguas. Of the 16 samples that were positive, 50 % belonged to the myrtle plant, followed by orange (18.75%), and creole lemon (12.50 %). Conclusion. The distribution of the asian psyllid vector of HLB in commercial citrus and home gardens in the main citrus growing areas in Panama was presented at different heights above sea level, mainly associated with the presence of the host plants such as myrtle, orange, and creole lemon.

Las principales regiones productoras de tomate a campo abierto y en invernadero en Panamá (provincias de Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas y Chiriquí) fueron muestreadas para determinar la ocurrencia y distribución de Bemisia tabaci y Trialeurodes vaporariorum durante las temporadas de cultivo de 2017 y 2018. Se encuestaron veintidós parcelas y se analizaron extractos de ADN de 112 moscas blancas adultas mediante PCR múltiplex utilizando un conjunto de iniciadores específicos de B. tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW y T. vaporariorum. De los extractos de ADN correspondientes a 57 moscas blancas individuales (50.9 %) se obtuvieron productos de PCR del tamaño esperado con iniciadores específicos de B. tabaci (37 pertenecían a B. tabaci MEAM1 y 20 a B. tabaci NW), mientras que de los extractos de ADN restantes correspondientes a 55 individuos de moscas blancas (49.1 %) se obtuvieron productos del tamaño esperado con iniciadores específicos de T. vaporariorum. La secuenciación de estos productos de PCR y el análisis BLAST permitieron la identificación de B. tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW y T. vaporariorum. Bemisia tabaci NW se detectó en las cuatro provincias, mientras que B. tabaci MEAM1 se detectó en las provincias de Los Santos, Herrera y Chiriquí, y T. vaporariorum se detectó solamente en la provincia de Chiriquí. Bemisia tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW y T. vaporariorum fueron detectadas en ambos sistemas de producción (campo abierto e invernadero). Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 y B. tabaci NW fueron detectadas en los climas de selva tropical (Af) y sabana tropical (Aw), en un rango altitudinal de 19–1543 metros sobre el nivel del mar (m s. n. m.), mientras que T. vaporariorum fue encontrada solamente en el clima Af, en un rango altitudinal de 818–1661 m. s. n. m. Según nuestro conocimiento, este no es solo el primer reporte de B. tabaci MEAM1 y B. tabaci NW a una altitud por encima de 1000 m. s. n. m. en Panamá, sino también es el primer reporte de T. vaporariorum a una altitud por debajo de 1000 m. s. n. m. en este país. La información sobre la identificación y distribución geográfica de las moscas blancas en Panamá ayudará a diseñar estrategias efectivas para el manejo de plagas. The main open-field and greenhouse producer regions of tomato in Panama (Los Santos, Herrera, Veraguas and Chiriquí provinces) were surveyed to determine the occurrence and distribution of Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum during the growing seasons of 2017 and 2018. Twenty-two plots were surveyed, and DNA extracts of 112 adult whiteflies were analyzed by multiplex PCR, using a set of specific primers of B. tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW, and T. vaporariorum. DNA extracts corresponding to 57 individual whiteflies (50.9 %) rendered PCR products of expected size with B. tabaci-specific primers (37 belonged to B. tabaci MEAM1 and 20 to B. tabaci NW), whereas the remaining DNA extracts corresponding to 55 individual whiteflies (49.1 %) rendered the product of the expected size with T. vaporariorum-specific primers. The sequencing of those PCR products and BLAST analysis allowed for the identification of B. tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW, and T. vaporariorum. Bemisia tabaci NW was detected in all four provinces, while B. tabaci MEAM1 was detected in the provinces of Los Santos, Herrera and Chiriquí, and T. vaporariorum was detected only in the province of Chiriquí. Bemisia tabaci MEAM1, B. tabaci NW and T. vaporariorum were detected in both production systems (open fields and greenhouse). Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 and B. tabaci NW were detected in the tropical rainforest (Af) and tropical savanna (Aw) climates, at an altitudinal range of 19–1543 meters above sea level (MASL), while Trialeurodes vaporariorum was found only in the Af climate, at an altitudinal range of 818–1661 MASL. To our knowledge, this is not only the first report of B. tabaci MEAM1 and B. tabaci NW at an altitude above 1000 MASL in Panama, but it is also the first report of T. vaporariorum at an altitude under 1000 MASL in this country. Information about the identification and geographic distribution of whiteflies in Panama will help to design effective strategies for pest management.

La Canavalia ensiformis (L.) dc. (Fabales: Fabaceae) presenta legumbres con granos de color blanco y su cultivo se ha desarrollado con fines de consumo humano, forraje de alto valor nutritivo y como abono verde para determinados suelos. Los estudios de entomofauna asociados a esta destacada planta son muy escasos. El objetivo del trabajo fue identificar las especies de trips asociadas a flores de C. ensiformis en Coclé, República de Panamá. Los muestreos se realizaron cada dos semanas desde noviembre del 2021 hasta febrero del 2022, en la localidad de Río Hato en la provincia de Coclé, República de Panamá. El estudio se desarrolló en una superficie plantada de C. ensiformis estimada en 1000 m2, con la finalidad de ser utilizada como abono verde, donde se establecieron 10 puntos distribuidos en zigzag a una distancia de 10 metros de distancia entre cada uno. En cada punto fue seleccionada una inflorescencia por planta que se ingresó en un vial de vidrio de 4 Dram con tapa, conteniendo alcohol al 95 %. Los ejemplares de trips recolectados fueron contados e identificados sobre la base de preparaciones microscópicas y claves de identificación específicas. Se cita por primera vez la presencia de las especies Frankliniella cephalica (Crawford), Frankliniella gossypina Hood, Frankliniella insularis (Franklin) y Frankliniella williamsi Hood de Thripidae (Insecta: Thysanoptera) en inflorescencias de C. ensiformis en Panamá y se amplía el número de plantas hospederas de estas especies de trips en América. Durante los cuatro meses de estudio F. insularis fue la especie más abundante.

Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) (Fabales: Fabaceae) is used as a live fence and fodder for cattle in Panama. It has flowers that provide shelter and food for various species of insects, mainly thrips (Thysanoptera) that are associated as pests of crops of the Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae families, which justifies the present study. The study was conducted in the Pacific of Coclé in Panama during the rainy period of December 2021, until the dry period of March 2022, which is associated with plant flowering. For this purpose, 10 localities were chosen in a 103 km stretch where G. sepium plants are established as live fences, selecting in each locality a tree from which four flowers were taken, which were placed in glass vials with 70% alcohol to collect the thrips present every fifteen days. The captured thrips specimens were prepared in fixed slides for their respective identification with available dichotomous keys and the captured specimens were registered to obtain their total and sex. The results of the samplings indicate the presence of populations of Frankliniella insularis (Franklin) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in the flowers of G. sepium. This species is considered a pest of species of the Fabaceae and Rutaceae families that as a result of climate change and the geographic expansion of its host plants, as is the case of G. sepium, could potentially acquire a primary pest status in agroecosystems and crops sensitive to food security in different regions of the country.

Background. Floral visitor insects constitute part of the diversity of arthropods associated with flowers of angiosperm plants such as palms of the Arecaceae family, specifically Bactris gasipaes Kunth, known in Panama as pifá. Objective. Identify flower-visiting insects on inflorescences of B. gasipaes in Panama. Methodology. The study was carried out from March to June 2022, where 10 plots of one hectare were selected with at least 10 adult pifá plants, within which two palms were selected to sample an inflorescence in each plant, at six hours after the inflorescence opening. For sampling, a dried bamboo stalk and a transparent plastic bag were used to capture the insects in the inflorescence. The captured insects were preserved in a plastic container with 70% alcohol and were taken to laboratory conditions for their identification and to estimate the capture percentage of the relevant species. Results. The capture of 721,899 insect specimens was reported, of which 99.95% (721,563) of the specimens belonged to seven species of flower-visiting insects and 0.05% (336) corresponded to the phytophagous species known as the pifá fruit weevil Palmelampius heinrichi O´Brien. Implications. This implies the importance of identifying and separating floral-visiting insects from pest insects. Conclusions. The taxonomic groups of floral visitors in pifá constantly captured in the present study represent more than 99.95%, compared to a low percentage (0.05%) of insect pests that corresponded to the pifá fruit weevil, Palmelampius heinrichi.

The objective of this study was to identify Lepidoptera stinging larvae found in plots with horticultural crops in Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panama and to confirm the possible symptoms caused by erucism and lepidopterism. About 16 random samplings were carried out during 14 and a half months, in plots with crops, surrounding vegetation and infrastructure. Photographs were taken and samples were collected for processing in the laboratory. Specialized literature was consulted for identification. A survey of 33 people affected by erucism or lepidopterism was carried out. According to the results, the larvae found on the crops corresponded to Leucanella hosmera (Schaus, 1941) (Saturniidae), Halysidota tessellaris (Smith, 1797) (Erebidae), Acharia stimulea (Clemens, 1860) (Limacodidae) and an adult specimen of Megalopyge opercularis (Smith, 1797) (Megalopygidae) was also found on a wall. In wild vegetation, L. hosmera and possibly Automeris pallidior Draudt, 1929 (Saturniidae) larvae were found feeding on Faramea occidentalis (L.) A. Rich (Rubiaceae). The survey reflected burning, pain and inflammation as frequent symptoms due to erucism or lepidopterism in 93.9%, requiring medical attention in 18.18% of cases. In conclusion, five species of stinging larvae associated with horticultural crops were identified in Cerro Punta, which represent a potential health risk.

Epicaerus panamensis Girón & de Medeiros, a new species of broad-nosed weevil in the tribe Geonemini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) is described. Specimens have been collected on or around potato cultivars in Tierras Altas de Chiriquí, Panama. Field and habitus images, images of the male and female genitalia, an image of the feeding damage caused by the weevils on potato leaves, and a locality map are provided. The species is compared to the closely related Epicaerus inaequalis (Sharp, 1891), including a brief discussion regarding their morphological affinities and current taxonomic placement.