A New Species of the Anastrepha pseudoparallela Group (Diptera: Tephritidae) with a Synopsis of the Group in Brazil.

The genus Anastrepha contains some of the most important fruit pests in the Americas. It comprises more than 300 species, of which 129 occur in Brazil. The genus is divided into 26 species groups, including the pseudoparallela group with 31 species, whose known host plants are primarily fruits of the genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae). Fourteen species are recorded in Brazil. Here, a new species of Anastrepha reared from fruits of Passiflora actinia Hook. and Passiflora elegans Mast. from southern Brazil is described and illustrated. In addition, a synopsis of the Brazilian species of the pseudoparallela group is provided.

Assessing Natural Incidence of Resident Pupal Parasitoids on the Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) Population in Non-crop Fruits.

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), world-renowned as spotted-wing drosophila, is an invasive pest mainly affecting healthy, soft and stone fruit crops throughout Argentinian fruit-growing regions. Natural environments overgrown by exotic feral host plants apparently favour D. suzukii proliferation. This is common in the subtropical northwestern Argentina's berry-producing region. An assemblage of resident parasitoid species has been associated with D. suzukii in crop and non-crop areas of Tucumán, the Argentina's leading berries producer and exporter. Consequently, the hypothesis that the combined action of two pupal parasitoid species, Pachycrepoideus vindemiae Rondani (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) and Trichopria anastrephae Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), occurring in non-crop fruit areas, has a significant impact on D. suzukii natural regulation in such invaded habitats was tested. A survey of D. suzukii puparia from both feral peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] (Rosaceae) and guava (Psydium guajava L.) (Myrtaceae) fallen fruits and soil surrounding them was performed in a wilderness area of Tucumán. Abundance of D. suzukii and associated parasitoids, and parasitism levels were assessed. Whole of 3437 D. suzukii puparia were recovered; 78% and 22% were surveyed from fruits and soil underneath the fruit, respectively. Tested fruits are important D. suzukii multiplying hosts. Both P. vindemiae and T. anastrephae accounted for 99.8% of total parasitoid individuals. Pupal parasitoids contribute to the D. suzukii natural mortality, as they killed a quarter of all puparia. Mostly T. anastrephae foraged on host puparia located in the fruit and P. vindemiae in both microhabitats. This information supports an augmentative biological control strategy in non-crop areas.

Survey on Drosophila suzukii and Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Drosophilidae, Tephritidae) and Associated Eucoilinae Species (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) in Northwestern Argentina. First Record of Dicerataspis grenadensis and Leptopilina boulardi as Parasitoids of D. suzukii.

The Southeast Asian-native Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae), also known as "spotted-wing Drosophila," is one of the most globally invasive agricultural species. Although D. suzukii is a pest spread throughout all the Argentinian fruit-growing regions, few information has been published on its impact on local fruit production. Parasitoid species associated with D. suzukii in Argentina belong to Pteromalidae (Chalcidoidea), Diapriidae (Diaprioidea), both attacking host pupae, and Figitidae (Cynipoidea), which attack host larvae. Nine Eucoilinae (Figitidae) species, belonging to Dicerataspis, Dieucoila, Euxestophaga, Ganaspis, Hexacola, and Leptopilina genera, have been associated with D. suzukii in Argentina. Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), commonly known as "medfly," is native to Africa and has a worldwide distribution, covering many tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. In Argentina, C. capitata has been associated with several native hymenopterous parasitoids belonging to Braconidae (Ichneumonioidea), Eulophidae (Chalcidoidea), Pteromalidae, Diapriidae, and Figitidae families. Only two eucoline species, Ganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) and Leptopilina haywardi (Blanchard) have been related to medfly in Argentina. We report new trophic associations between the parasitoids Dicerataspis grenadensis Ashmead and Leptopilina boulardi (Barbotin, Carton and Kelner-Pillault) and D. suzukii, and between the parasitoid Odontosema albinerve Kieffer and C. capitata, after surveys conducted in Tucumán, northwestern Argentina. An annotated checklist and a taxonomic key of Eucoilinae associated with both invasive pests, in Argentina, are also provided.

The psyllid fauna (Hemiptera: Psylloidea) of vegetable fields in Brazil

ABSTRACT Some psyllids transmit 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso), the causal agent of devastating plant diseases of cultivated Solanaceae and Apiaceae. The recent detection of Bactericera cockerelli and Lso in Ecuador seriously threatens these crops in South America. There, neither the role of native psyllids in the Lso epidemiology nor the psyllid fauna of vegetables are known. With the aim to identify potential vectors and risk scenarios for the spread of Lso in South America, a survey of the psyllid fauna of Solanaceae and Apiaceae crops and associated weeds was conducted in Brazil. Samples were taken at 29 localities in four states. A total of 2857 specimens were sampled, representing at least 37 species of 23 genera and seven families. The most frequent species on carrot, chilli pepper and potato were Russelliana solanicola, R. capsici and Isogonoceraia divergipennis, respectively. Immatures of R. capsici were found on chilli pepper and of R. solanicola on carrot and potato, confirming these plants as hosts. The two psyllid species have been suspected previously to transmit plant pathogens of unknown identity. Russelliana solanicola is one of the few polyphagous species. Here the species is reported for the first time from carrot. Recent collections in Rio Grande do Sul suggest that Solanum laxum represents the original host of R. capsici, which subsequently shifted to chilli pepper. Both, adaptation to agricultural crops and the possibility of ability to transmit pathogens, make the two Russelliana species dangerous potential vectors of Lso and other plant pathogens in South America.

Potential Distribution of Wild Host Plants of the Boll Weevil (Anthonomus grandis) in the United States and Mexico

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) reproduces on a reported 13 species of wild host plants in North America, two in the United States and 12 in Mexico. The distributions of these plants are of economic importance to pest management and provide insight into the evolutionary history and origin of the BW. However, detailed information regarding the distributions of many of these species is lacking. In this article, we present distribution models for all of the reported significant BW host plants from Mexico and the United States using spatial distribution modelling software. Host plant distributions were divided into two groups: "eastern" and "western." In Mexico, Hampea nutricia along the Gulf Coast was the most important of the eastern group, and the wild cottons, Gossypium aridum and Gossypium thurberi were most important in the western group. Other species of Hampea, Gossypium, and Cienfuegosia rosei have relatively restricted distributions and are of apparent minimal economic importance. Cienfuegosia drummondii is the only truly wild host in the southern United States, east of New Mexico. Factors determining potential distributions were variable and indicated that species were present in five vegetation types. Ecological and economic considerations of host plant distributions are discussed, as well as threats to host plant conservation.

The Resistance of Seven Host Plants to Tetranychus merganser Boudreaux (Acari: Tetranychidae).

Red spider mites, Tetranychus merganser Boudreaux (Acari: Tetranychidae), is an agricultural pest that causes economic losses in papaya and nopal crops in Mexico. The aim of this research was to assess antibiosis and antixenosis as resistance mechanisms in seven host plants (Thevetia ahouai, Carica papaya, Phaseolus vulgaris, Moringa oleifera, Pittosporum tobira, Helietta parvifolia, Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) to red spider mites. Antixenosis was evaluated by non-preference for oviposition and feeding, antibiosis by infinitesimal rate of increase, finite rate of increase and doubling time, and the percentage of spider mites mortality. Oviposition and damage by feeding of T. merganser were significantly greater on C. papaya than on the other host plants. The growth rate of the spider mite was significantly lower in P. tobira and T. ahouai than in the other host plants. The percentage of hatched eggs of T. merganser was significantly higher in P. vulgaris than in the other plant species. Based on the demographic parameters, survival, food intake, and oviposition, these results indicated that compared with C. papaya, P. tobira and T. ahouai were more resistant. These results may be due to the fact that they were plants species of different families. The resistant plants can be studied as alternatives in the management of T. merganser.

Divergence in Heliconius flight behaviour is associated with local adaptation to different forest structures.

Microhabitat choice plays a major role in shaping local patterns of biodiversity. In butterflies, stratification in flight height has an important role in maintaining community diversity. Despite its presumed importance, the role of behavioural shifts in early stages of speciation in response to differences in habitat structure is yet to be established. Here, we investigated variation in flight height behaviour in two closely related Heliconius species, H. erato cyrbia and H. himera, which produce viable hybrids but are isolated across an environmental gradient, spanning lowland wet forest to high-altitude scrub forest. Speciation in this pair is associated with strong assortative mating, but ecological isolation and local adaptation are also considered essential for complete reproductive isolation. We quantified differences in flight height and forest structure across the environmental gradient and tested the importance of resource distribution in explaining flight behaviour. We then used common garden experiments to test whether differences in flight height reflect individual responses to resource distribution or genetically determined shifts in foraging behaviour. We found that the two species fly at different heights in the wild, and demonstrated that this can be explained by differences in the vertical distribution of plant resources. In both the wild and captivity, H. himera choose to fly lower and feed at lower positions, closely mirroring differences in resource availability in the wild. Given expectations that foraging efficiency contributes to survival and reproductive success, we suggest that foraging behaviour may reflect local adaptation to divergent forest structures. Our results highlight the potential role of habitat-dependent divergence in behaviour during the early stages of speciation.

La elección de microhábitat juega un papel determinante en los patrones locales de biodiversidad. En las mariposas, la estratificación (entendida como altura de vuelo) cumple un rol importante al promover la diversidad de las comunidades. A pesar de esta asumida importancia, todavía está por establecerse el rol de los cambios comportamentales en estadios tempranos de especiación en respuesta a diferencias en la estructura del hábitat. Aquí investigamos la variación en el comportamiento de estratificación en dos especies de mariposas Heliconius cercanamente emparentadas: H. erato cyribia y H. himera, las cuales producen híbridos viables, pero están aisladas a lo largo de un gradiente ambiental que va desde el bosque húmedo tropical de tierras bajas hasta el bosque de matorrales de altitud. La especiación en esta pareja de mariposas está asociada con un alto grado de emparejamiento selectivo, pero el aislamiento ecológico y la adaptación local también son considerados esenciales para un aislamiento reproductivo completo. Mostramos que las dos especies vuelan a alturas distintas, y demostramos que esto se explica por diferencias en la distribución vertical de los recursos florísticos. Posteriormente, usando experimentos controlados de jardín, exploramos si esta divergencia en altura de vuelo está determinada ambientalmente. Tanto en la naturaleza como en cautividad, H. himera escoge volar más bajo y alimentarse en lugares más bajos, lo que es consistente con las diferencias en la disponibilidad de recursos en la naturaleza. Dada la expectativa de que la eficiencia en el forrajeo contribuye al éxito reproductivo y de supervivencia, sugerimos que el comportamiento de forrajeo podría reflejar adaptación local a estructuras de bosque divergentes. Nuestros resultados resaltan el potencial rol de la divergencia dependiente del hábitat en el comportamiento en estadios tempranos de especiación.

Dynamics in Pest Status of Phytophagous Stink Bugs in the Neotropics.

In this review article, we present and discuss the main factors influencing the change in pest status of phytophagous stink bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in the Neotropics. We have surveyed the published records over the past 50 years and divided this timeframe into decades. This was done to rank in time the relative abundance (percentage) of the following species, known pests of commodities, in the Neotropical Region: the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.); the green-bellied stink bugs, Diceraeus melacanthus Dallas and D. furcatus (F.); the redbanded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood); the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.); and the brown-winged stink bug, Edessa meditabunda (F.). The analysis showed that E. heros, D. melacanthus, and D. furcatus, formerly minor pests, in the last decade (2010s) became major pests. The once most important pest species, N. viridula and P. guildinii, decreased their pest status in the last decade. Edessa meditabunda, which never achieved high populations, showed a tendency to increase in abundance in the last two decades (2000s and 2010s). Major factors believed to influence the dynamics of pest populations of stink bugs in the Neotropics include cropping systems (no-tillage replacing conventional soil plowing, and crop rotation); genetically modified (GM) plants (mostly plants expressing insecticidal crystalline proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner - Bt); change in availability of host and associated plants in the new landscape scenario; increased usage of chemicals (insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides); and change in the role of natural enemies in modern day agriculture.

Description of the Third-Stage Larva and Puparium of Platycheirus (Carposcalis) chalconota (Philippi) (Diptera: Syrphidae) with New Information About the Trophic Interactions and Larval Habitats.

In this study, the third-stage larva and puparium of the copper-backed fly, Platycheirus (Carposcalis) chalconota (Philippi, 1865) are fully described using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy from material collected in peach orchards of central-west Argentina. The immature stages of P. chalconota were compared with the third-stage larva and puparium of the best-studied species in the genus Platycheirus scutatus (Meigen, 1822); as well as with the only known Carposcalis immature stages description available for the Neotropical region namely Platycheirus stegnus (Say, 1829). New data on trophic interactions and larval habitats are given: P. chalconota larvae were found feeding on the aphid's species Uroleucon sonchi (Linnaeus, 1767) (large sow thistle aphid) and Hyperomyzus lactucae (Linnaeus, 1758) (blackcurrant-sow thistle aphid) in low vegetation as Sonchus oleraceus (common sow thistle); the species was also found feeding on Myzus persicae (Sulzer, 1776) (green peach aphid) in high vegetation as Prunus persicae (L.) Stokes (Peach trees). The third larval stage and puparium of P. chalconota are described and illustrated for the first time improving substantially the knowledge about the immature stages and natural history of Neotropical Platycheirus, constituting also a baseline for future comparative morphological studies. Despite the efficiency of P. chalconota in the biological control of pests has not been assessed, we think that relevant data presented here can be used in pest management of peach orchards and suggest P. chalconota as an excellent candidate for future studies on the life cycle, prey consumption, efficiency, artificial rearing, and its potential importance as pollinators of Peach crops.

Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) development, preference for feeding and oviposition related to different food sources

ABSTRACT The dispersion of Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas) from soybean (first crop season) to maize (second crop season) is facilitated by the presence of weeds (e.g. Commelina benghalensis) and soybean grains on the ground. Understanding insect development and behavior on different food sources is important to develop pest management strategies. Thus, three independent experiments were conducted to study D. melacanthus nymph development, and adult preference for feeding and oviposition in different food source scenarios in the field. The first two trials studied development and food preference of D. melacanthus related to different food sources (C. benghalensis branches, moistened soybean grain + soybean seedlings, maize seedlings + C. benghalensis branches, moistened soybean grains + maize seedlings, moistened soybean grains + C. benghalensis branches, maize seedlings, as well as a standard diet). The third trial evaluated D. melacanthus oviposition preferences between the aforementioned plants. Overall, moistened soybean grains resulted in better nutritional quality, thus being crucial for D. melacanthus development, triggering faster nymph development as well as better overall adult fitness. The combination of soybean grains and maize seedlings or C. benghalensis branches showed great potential to benefit D. melacanthus, since these complementary food sources improved stink bug fitness, increasing mainly adult longevity, fecundity and egg viability. Therefore, it can be concluded that in order to reduce D. melacanthus outbreaks in second season maize, it is important to reduce soybean harvest loss (reducing, therefore, moistened soybean grain on the ground) and eliminate stink bug associated plants like C. benghalensis.

Unusual host selection in Amblycerus dispar larvae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) and its potential impact on stored almonds (Prunus dulcis).

We present the first report of Amblycerus dispar (Sharp) attacking stored almonds [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb] in Argentina. A summarized diagnosis, illustrations, and photographs of the adult and mature larva are provided to facilitate identification. We performed species distribution models for A. dispar and its main host plant Geoffroea decorticans (Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.) Burkart. We include A. dispar into a previous morphological character matrix and conduct a phylogenetic analysis to infer its phylogenetic position. The evolution of host plant associations of the genus Amblycerus is herein re-analyzed. A. dispar and its main host shows high suitability areas especially in central-west Argentina and Chile, whereas for the USA, high suitability areas were found for the south-western which include the area of almond production in this country. Although the presence of A. dispar in the USA region is very unlikely, we recommend some awareness as other bruchines are present in the area. Although A. dispar is unlikely to become an economically important risk, monitoring for early detection is recommended to avoid productivity loss, especially when the native host is nearby cultivated areas. A. dispar is hypothesized to be the sister species of A. schwarzi Kingsolver. The colonization of a Rosaceae species is a novelty for this genus, being host shifts known as an important factor affecting both natural and agricultural systems.

New host and distribution records for Buprestidae (Coleoptera) from the state of Morelos, Mexico.

New state and host records are provided for 28 species of Buprestidae collected in Morelos, Mexico in the following genera: Acmaeodera Eschscholtz 1829, Actenodes Dejean 1833, Agrilus Curtis 1825, Brachys Dejean 1833, Chrysobothris Eschscholtz 1829, Leiopleura Deyrolle 1864, Lius Deyrolle 1864, Pachyschelus Solier 1833, and Tetragonoschema Thomson 1857.

The Bolivian fauna of the genus Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae).

The general aim of this study is to contribute to and summarize knowledge of the Bolivian fauna of the genus Anastrepha Schiner (Tephritidae) which includes species of both ecological and economic importance. In addition to compiling data from the literature, we report the results of fruit fly sampling using McPhail or multilure traps in the Tropic of Cochabamba region and at the private natural reserve of Potrerillo del Guendá in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, as well as records from various other sites based on specimens in museum collections. Fifty-seven named species and three unnamed species of Anastrepha are recorded from Bolivia. Distribution maps for all of these species are provided. Numerous new department records are reported as well as the first records for Bolivia of A. castanea Norrbom, A. dissimilis Stone, A. elegans Blanchard, A. haywardi Blanchard, A. macrura Hendel, A. montei Lima, A. punctata Hendel, and A. rosilloi Blanchard. Pacouria boliviensis (Markgr.) A. Chev. (Apocynaceae) is reported as a host plant of A. woodleyi Norrbom Korytkowski, and Myrciaria floribunda (H. West ex Willd.) Berg (Myrtaceae) and Pouteria glomerata (Miq.) Radlk. (Sapotaceae) as host plants of A. fraterculus (Wiedemann). This distribution and host information will be useful to monitor and manage species that damage fruit crops in Bolivia.

Cecidomyiidae (Diptera, Insecta): richness of species and distribution in Brazil / Cecidomyiidae (Diptera, Insecta): riqueza de espécies e distribuição no Brasil

Abstract: Most Neotropical species of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) have been described from Brazil, but a list of species with occurrence in the country has never been published. Little is known about their distribution and richness in the Brazilian phytogeographic domains. Additionally, a list of host plant species has never been gathered. The present study aims to fill these knowledge gaps and provides an overview of this family in Brazil. For this, data were obtained mainly from the literature, but also from the Cecidomyiidae collection of Museu Nacional and two herbaria (RB and R). Based on the site "Flora do Brasil 2020", botanical names were updated and plant species origin and distribution were verified. A total of 265 gall midge species have been recorded in Brazil, most from the Atlantic Forest (183), followed by Cerrado (60), and Amazon Forest (29). The other phytogeographic domains shelter from five to ten species. Phytophagous gall midges occur on 128 plant species of 52 families, almost all native, being 43 endemic to Brazil (21 endemic to Atlantic Forest, five to Cerrado, and one to Amazon). Although, the taxonomical knowledge is focused on the Atlantic Forest, each domain has its own fauna composition and these informations can be useful for environmental conservational purposes. About 58% of the Brazilian fauna are known only from the type-locality. In order to fill these gaps, it is necessary and important to collect in uninvestigated areas.

Resumo: A maioria das espécies neotropicais de Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) foi descrita do Brasil, mas uma lista das espécies com ocorrência no país nunca foi publicada. Pouco se sabe sobre sua distribuição e riqueza nos domínios fitogeográficos brasileiros. Adicionalmente, uma lista das espécies de plantas hospedeiras nunca foi elaborada. O presente estudo visa preencher estas lacunas de informação e fornecer um panorama geral desta família no Brasil. Para tal, dados foram obtidos principalmente da literatura, mas também da coleção de Cecidomyiidae do Museu Nacional e de dois herbários (RB e R). Com base no site "Flora do Brasil 2020", os nomes botânicos foram atualizados e a origem e distribuição das espécies vegetais foram verificadas. Um total de 265 espécies de cecidomiídeos é assinalado para o Brasil, a maioria da Mata Atlântica (183), seguida pelo Cerrado (60) e Floresta Amazônica (29). Os outros domínios fitogeográficos abrigam de cinco a dez espécies. Os cecidomiídeos fitófagos estão associados a 128 espécies de plantas de 52 famílias, quase todas nativas, sendo 43 endêmicas do Brasil (21 endêmicas da Mata Atlântica, cinco do Cerrado e uma da Floresta Amazônica). Embora o conhecimento taxonômico se concentre na Mata Atlântica, cada domínio tem sua própria composição faunística e estas informações podem ser úteis para a conservação ambiental. Cerca de 58% da fauna brasileira é conhecida apenas da localidade-tipo. Para preencher estas lacunas, é necessário e importante coletar em áreas não investigadas.

Detection and Identification of Phytoplasmas in the 16SrIV-A, -B, and -D Subgroups in Palms in Tabasco, Mexico.

The 16SrIV-A phytoplasmas are associated with the devastating disease lethal yellowing (LY) of palms. In Tabasco (Mexico), the death of Cocos nucifera, Adonidia merrillii, and Attalea butyracea palms have been suspected to be associated with LY based on symptomatology. Samples from the trunk of both symptomatic and nonsymptomatic palms were collected in three different environments: two species of palms within a rural zone and the other within an urban zone. DNA was extracted to perform a nested PCR with phytoplasma primers P1/P7-LY16SF/R16R2. A 1,345-bp fragment was amplified from the DNA extracted from each of the 29 LY-symptomatic palms sampled. Phytoplasma identification was achieved by amplicon sequencing and virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses. Three 16SrIV phytoplasma subgroups were detected: 16SrIV-A in C. nucifera, 16SrIV-B in A. merrillii, and 16SrIV-D in C. nucifera, A. merrillii, and A. butyracea. Phylogenetic analysis showed also that the three phytoplasma strains found in the palm species clustered with phytoplasmas reported in the literature in the three subgroups identified. This is the first report of phytoplasmas associated with these palm species in Tabasco.

The Mayan Tropical Rainforest: An Uncharted Reservoir of Tritrophic Host-Fruit Fly-Parasitoid Interactions.

Over a two-year period, we surveyed natural areas of the Mayan rainforest in Quintana Roo, Mexico. We found 11 species of Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) infesting 25 species of fruits belonging to ten plant families. We report the first records of 10 host plant species of the genus Anastrepha, which include the first report of a plant family (Putranjivaceae) serving as host of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) infesting Drypetes lateriflora (Sw.) Krug and Urb. (Putranjivaceae). Pouteria reticulata (Engl.) Eyma (Sapotaceae) was found, for the first time, to be infested by Anastrepha serpentina (Wiedemann) and by a new undescribed species of Anastrepha. We also report Casimiroa microcarpa Lundell (Rutaceae) as a possible ancestral host for the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), in Central America. The family Sapotaceae was the best-represented host group with three fruit fly species recovered: A. serpentina, an economically-important species, found in eight host plants, and A. hamata and A. sp. (new species). We recorded six species of koinobiont parasitoids: Doryctobracon areolatus Szepligeti, Utetes (Bracanastrepha) anastrephae Viereck, Opius hirtus Fisher, and Doryctobracon zeteki Musebeck, (all Braconidae), and Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brethés) and Odontosema anastrephae Borgmeier, (both Figitidae). All these parasitoid species represent at least a new report for their host plants. Of the whole parasitoid community, D. areolatus was the most important parasitoid species with 52.7% of presence in 12 host plant species, parasitizing six fruit fly species. The interaction between fruit flies and their parasitoids with host plants depends on fruit availability, which is crucial for the survival of each of these species. Conserving the landscape of the Mayan rainforest is important not only for species conservation, but also for the maintenance of fruit fly host plants in orchard agroecosystems in southeastern Mexico.

Adaptation of plants to high-calcium content kart regions: possible involvement of symbiotic microorganisms and underlying mechanisms / Adaptação de plantas a regiões de kart com alto teor de cálcio: possível envolvimento de microrganismos simbióticos e mecanismos subjacentes

Rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes can help their hosts absorb nutrients and regulate the levels of plant hormones. Moreover, they can modulate the expressions of host genes, assist hosts in eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secreting volatile organic compounds. Therefore, rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes are considered as determinant factors driving processes involved in the growth of host plants. However, the physiological and ecological functions, as well as the molecular mechanism underlying the behavior of rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes in their role in the adaptive capacity of host plants in the karstic high-calcium environment have not been systematically studied. This review summarizes the physiological and molecular mechanisms of rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes which help host plants to adapt to various kinds of adverse environments. The adaptive capacities of plants growing in adverse environments, partly, or totally, depends on microorganisms co-existing with the host plants.(AU)

Os microorganismos e endófitos da rizosfera podem ajudar seus hospedeiros a absorver nutrientes e regular os níveis de hormônios vegetais. Além disso, eles podem modular as expressões dos genes hospedeiros, auxiliar os hospedeiros na eliminação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) e secretar compostos orgânicos voláteis. Portanto, microorganismos e endófitos da rizosfera são considerados determinantes dos processos envolvidos no crescimento de plantas hospedeiras. No entanto, as funções fisiológicas e ecológicas, bem como o mecanismo molecular subjacente ao comportamento dos microrganismos e endofíticos da rizosfera no seu papel na capacidade adaptativa das plantas hospedeiras no ambiente cárstico de alto teor de cálcio, não foram sistematicamente estudados. Esta revisão resume os mecanismos fisiológicos e moleculares de microrganismos e endófitos da rizosfera que ajudam as plantas hospedeiras a se adaptarem a vários tipos de ambientes adversos. As capacidades adaptativas das plantas que crescem em ambientes adversos, em parte ou totalmente, dependem de microrganismos coexistentes com as plantas hospedeiras.(AU)

Adaptation of plants to high-calcium content kart regions: possible involvement of symbiotic microorganisms and underlying mechanisms / Adaptação de plantas a regiões de kart com alto teor de cálcio: possível envolvimento de microrganismos simbióticos e mecanismos subjacentes

Abstract Rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes can help their hosts absorb nutrients and regulate the levels of plant hormones. Moreover, they can modulate the expressions of host genes, assist hosts in eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secreting volatile organic compounds. Therefore, rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes are considered as determinant factors driving processes involved in the growth of host plants. However, the physiological and ecological functions, as well as the molecular mechanism underlying the behavior of rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes in their role in the adaptive capacity of host plants in the karstic high-calcium environment have not been systematically studied. This review summarizes the physiological and molecular mechanisms of rhizosphere microorganisms and endophytes which help host plants to adapt to various kinds of adverse environments. The adaptive capacities of plants growing in adverse environments, partly, or totally, depends on microorganisms co-existing with the host plants.

Resumo Os microorganismos e endófitos da rizosfera podem ajudar seus hospedeiros a absorver nutrientes e regular os níveis de hormônios vegetais. Além disso, eles podem modular as expressões dos genes hospedeiros, auxiliar os hospedeiros na eliminação de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) e secretar compostos orgânicos voláteis. Portanto, microorganismos e endófitos da rizosfera são considerados determinantes dos processos envolvidos no crescimento de plantas hospedeiras. No entanto, as funções fisiológicas e ecológicas, bem como o mecanismo molecular subjacente ao comportamento dos microrganismos e endofíticos da rizosfera no seu papel na capacidade adaptativa das plantas hospedeiras no ambiente cárstico de alto teor de cálcio, não foram sistematicamente estudados. Esta revisão resume os mecanismos fisiológicos e moleculares de microrganismos e endófitos da rizosfera que ajudam as plantas hospedeiras a se adaptarem a vários tipos de ambientes adversos. As capacidades adaptativas das plantas que crescem em ambientes adversos, em parte ou totalmente, dependem de microrganismos coexistentes com as plantas hospedeiras.

Overwintering of Piezodorus guildinii (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) Populations.

Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) is a soybean pest that causes significant economic losses in the Americas. The variability of overwintering (diapause) traits was evaluated in populations of the Southwest (SW) (33°55'-34°17'S, 57°13'-57°46'W) during 2-year period (2011-2013) and of the Northwest (NW) (32°01'-33°02'S, 57°50'-57°24'W) during 1-year period (2014-2015) Regions of Uruguay. Samples were taken from different plant species (cultivated legumes, wild shrubs, and trees) and from overwintering sites (leaf litter and bark). Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. was the main host, with a collection period of 10-11 months in the SW and 12 months in the NW. Cluster analysis for each sex was carried out to group the months according to the similarity in diapause traits of populations (body size, body lipid content, immature reproductive organs, and clear type of pronotum band and connexivum in females). Female diapause in the SW was longer (beginning of autumn to end of winter) than that in the NW (mid-autumn to mid-winter). Male diapause was longer (mid-autumn to mid-winter) in SW1 (1st year) than in SW2 (2nd year) and NW (late-autumn to mid-winter). In both regions, male diapause was shorter than female. Differences were associated with maximum temperature at daylight hours ≤ 12.1, being necessary maximum temperatures below 23.8 °C for females and 19.2 °C for males to initiate diapause.

Performance and Preference of Chinavia erythrocnemis (Berg) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on Reproductive Structures of Cultivated Plants.

Laboratory studies with the stink bug Chinavia erythrocnemis (Berg) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were conducted to evaluate the effect of reproductive structures of cultivated plants, on nymph and adult performance, and adult preference. Results indicated that nymphs were able to complete the development on all plants evaluated. Nymph developmental time was significantly shorter on immature soybean pod [Glycine max (L.) Merrill], compared with immature green bean pod (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), immature siliques of canola (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera), and immature ear heads of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Nymph survivorship was superior on soybean (60%), decreasing on the remaining food sources (< 38%). Fresh body weight of females and males at adult emergence was higher on green bean and on soybean, compared with wheat and canola. Survivorship of adults after 40 days was highest on soybean (80%) and on green bean (65%), and lowest on canola (25%). Females of C. erythrocnemis reproduced on all food sources tested, except on canola, on which no female laid eggs. The fecundity and longevity of adults were significantly higher on green bean and on soybean compared with wheat and canola. In general, adults gained weight over time when fed on green bean (18%), followed by soybean (3.4%). On wheat and on canola, the bugs lost weight over time (- 14.9% and - 27.4%, respectively). In general, soybean pod was preferred compared with green bean, canola, and wheat; green bean was preferred over wheat and canola; and canola was preferred to wheat.