Isabel Ruiz-Galván

A new species of Eucalantica, E. nestori n. sp. is reported on the basis of 13 type specimens collected from blueberry farms in Atzingo and Xoxonacatla, Puebla, Mexico. Habitus and genital features of the species are described and illustrated. Larval feeding habit of E. nestori n. sp. is demonstrated from field observations. Damage of the larvae was observed from the leaves, flowers and shoots of blueberries. Agricultural concerns involving E. nestori n. sp. are discussed.

Berries are agricultural products of great economic interest for Mexico, and their production has increased in recent years; however, crops are affected by tortricid leafrollers. From August 2019 to April 2021 in Michoacán and Guanajuato, Mexico, a study was conducted to determine the species of tortricids associated with blackberries (Rubusspp. L.), raspberries (Rubus idaeusL.) and strawberries (Fragaria × ananassaDuch.), as well as their altitudinal distribution. In 12 orchards located in these states, shoots, leaves and flowers infested by larvae were collected. The species were identified by male genitalia and were determined taxonomically asAmorbia cuneana(Walsingham, 1879),Argyrotaenia montezumae(Walsingham, 1914) andPlatynotasp. Walker, 1859, found at elevations from 1290 to 2372 m. The most abundant species wereA. cuneanaandA. montezumae. Generally, these tortricids prefer to feed on tender vegetative parts of the plant, but the economic impact they have is not known. It is worth mentioning that the number of species found is lower than those reported in other countries, but it is necessary to broaden the study area to other berry-producing regions to determine whether their distribution is wider.

Thrips tabaci Lindeman is a worldwide onion pest that causes economic losses of 10–60%, depending on many factors. Population sampling is essential for applying control tactics and preventing damage by the insect. Conventional sampling methods are criticized as time consuming, while fixed-precision binomial and sequential sampling plans may allow reliable estimations with a more efficient use of time. The aim of this work was to develop binomial and sequential sampling for fast reliable estimation of T. tabaci density on an onion. Forty-one commercial 1.0-ha onion plots were sampled (sample size n = 200) to characterize the spatial distribution of T. tabaci using Taylor’s power law (a = 2.586 and b = 1.511). Binomial and sequential enumerative sampling plans were then developed with precision levels of 0.10, 0.15 and 0.25. Sampling plans were validated with bootstrap simulations (1000 samples) using 10 independent data sets. Bootstrap simulation indicated that precision was satisfactory for all repetitions of the sequential sampling plan, while binomial sampling met the fixed precision in 80% of cases. Both methods reduced sampling time by around 80% relative to conventional sampling. These precise and less time-consuming sampling methods can contribute to implementation of control tactics within the integrated pest management approach.

El manzano es uno de los principales frutales de importancia económica para México. Se ve afectado por diferentes plagas, una de ellas el caracol común de jardín (Helix aspersa), que se alimenta de hojas y fruta en desarrollo en la localidad de Mesa Miñaca, Guerrero, Chihuahua, desde 2013. A la fecha se desconocen las causas que han favorecido la presencia y dispersión de la plaga en esa localidad.

Summary The 2 cryptic species of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) have more than 300 known hosts, of which avocado is the most important. Fusarium dieback, the fungal disease associated with these beetles, has killed some host plant species in Israel and the USA. Kuroshio shot hole borer, one of the 2 cryptic species, is reported for the first time in Baja California, Mexico, and represents a new threat to avocado and other potential hosts in urban and natural areas. Sumario Las 2 especies cripticas de Euwallacea nr. fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), tienen más de 300 hospederos conocidos, de los cuales el aguacate es el mas importante. La muerte regresiva por Fusarium, una enfermedad de un hongo asociada con estos escarabajos, ha ocasionado la muerte de algunos de las plantas hospederas en Israel y los EE.UU. El barrenador de agujero del brote Kuroshio, una de las especies cripticas, se reporta por primera vez en Baja California, México y representa una amenaza para el aguacate y otros hospederos potenciales en áreas urbanas y naturales.