O'Keefe et al. (2000) listed 291 ant species in Texas. We visually summarized the distribution of known myrmecofauna across Texas to identify counties and ecoregions that are under-surveyed. The mean number of documented species of ants per county was 16.7 ± 15.9. Counties in the Trans-Pecos ecoregion had the greatest known myrmecofaunal diversity. Most counties in the Piney Woods and the Oak Woods and Prairies ecoregions are probably under-surveyed, and are recommended for sampling priority. This study serves as a guide for future myrmecofaunal surveying efforts and introduces a collaborative project known as the Ants of Texas (AoT).

Queens of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, regulate colony dynamics by inducing workers to execute sexual larvae; proteins in the venom glands might be involved. Bioassays of the expressed, isolated queen venom proteins, Sol i 2q and Sol i 4q, did not show an increased rate of execution of sexual larvae compared to the control; however, Sol i 4q had a significantly lower execution rate than Sol i 2q and the control. Ants in the Sol i 4q treatments kept their brood primarily in the foraging chamber, closer to the added protein, and did not move them into the pumice nests; however, no difference in execution of sexual larvae between the colony and brood main locations (nest or tube/chamber) were observed. Identification of the crystal structure of the venom protein of red imported fire ant workers, Sol i 2w, revealed a hydrophobic cavity that binds to a ligand with an overall structure similar to LUSH, a pheromone-binding protein in Drosophila. If the proteins of the queen are structurally similar to the proteins of the worker, the possible cavity in Sol i 2q and Sol i 4q potentially binds to the execution pheromone, masking the protein as the pheromonal source instead of the ligand contained within. These hydrophilic queen venom proteins might act as a transport mechanism for the hydrophobic pheromones in the venom. Identification of the source of the pheromone and transport venom proteins is important in understanding the execution of sexual larvae in this pest species.

Detection and quantification of plant pathogens is a fundamental component of plant disease epidemiology. For vector-borne diseases, pathogen detection and quantification within the vector is often necessary to understand development and spread of disease. However, extraction and testing of pathogens from a single vector can be expensive and tedious, especially with large numbers of samples. Therefore, to simplify sample collection and reduce cost of analysis, we used a new nucleic acid elution approach using existing Flinders Technology Associates (FTA) technology from Whatman GE Healthcare. We applied this method in two very distinct vector-borne pathogen systems for Wheat streak mosaic virus (Tritimovirus) (McKinney 1937) and Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (Liefting et al. 2009). Total DNA and RNA were extracted from adult and nymphal psyllids (family Psyllidae) and wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella Keifer, respectively using FTA cards (Whatman GE Health care, Pittsburgh, PA), and results were compared to extraction with DNeasy/RNeasy^® kits (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). Additionally, composite samples of multiple mite and psyllid vectors were used to compare the efficiencies of both methods. FTA elution and kit extractions were significantly different (P < 0.001). Slightly lower cycle threshold (C_t) values of 27.8 ± 0.19 and 25.5 ± 0.17 and 29.8 ± 0.09 and 27.45 ± 0.05 were determined for the composite adult and nymphal psyllids for the FTA and kit extractions, respectively. Wheat curl mite C_t values averaged 32.5 ± 0.75 and 27.6 ± 1.5 for the FTA elution and kit extractions, respectively. Coefficient of variation values were found to be lower for the FTA elution method when compared to the kit extractions for both the adult and nymphal psyllid (0.7 and 0.9%) and wheat curl mite (2.3 and 5.5%). Despite lower C_t values the FTA elution method is more cost efficient, protects nucleic acid integrity, and proved to be a valuable and reliable tool for detection and comparative studies of both pathogens within a single-vector sample.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is the most economically important monocot besides grasses. The crop suffers severe damage from onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, a cosmopolitan and polyphagous insect pest. In addition to causing direct feeding damage, onion thrips is the principal vector of the economically important Iris yellow spot virus (Tospovirus sp., family Bunyaviridae). Any attempt to manage this pathosystem will require a multifaceted approach based on integrated pest management. Host plant resistance is an important foundation to the success of such approaches. A multi-state, multi-disciplinary research project was established to identify, validate, and deliver resistance to this pathosystem for use by the onion industry. As part of the project, diverse onion plant introduction (PI) accessions from the USDA germplasm collection, advanced breeding lines, and commercial cultivars were evaluated from 2009 through 2011 in fields in Colorado. Sixteen, 15, and 10 better performing onion genotypes were selected in 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. Of these, PI 264320 (Grano), PI 546140 (San Joaquin), and PI 546192 (Yellow Sweet Spanish) were selected in both 2009 and 2010, and PI 258956 (Calderana 1028) and PI 546188 (Yellow Sweet Spanish Winegar) were selected in all 3 years. These genotypes should be useful to improve commercial cultivars to reduce losses by the two pests.

The effect of abamectin was evaluated on the functional response of green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), at seven egg densities of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), using Holling s disc equation. Functional response of green lacewing was Type II, indicating that as prey density increased, predation rate also did. However, the predation rate of the three larval instars of green lacewing on tobacco budworm eggs was significantly less because of the insecticide effect, decreasing 48.0, 46.1 and 47.3% on first, second and third instar respectively. The same response was observed with fall armyworm decreased 64.5, 36.2 and 23.6% on first, second and third instar larvae respectively. Functional response parameters such as attack rate (a´), handling time (Th), total handling time (Tht), searching time (Ts), and search efficiency (E) were affected by reducing predation, causing a negative effect on predator behavior by increasing the time to identify and consume prey. This affected efficacy of green lacewing as a biological control agent.

The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc.) is one of the most economically important insect pests affecting solanaceous crops. Current research on entomopathogenic fungi for control of the pest has shown potential as biological insecticides. We evaluated four Mexican entomopathogenic fungus isolates (three B. bassiana s.l. and one M. anisopliae s.l.) and one commercial isolate (GHA) for control of the potato psyllid. All isolates at a single concentration of 1×10⁸ conidia ml^-1 were evaluated under laboratory conditions and were observed to kill more than 80% of psyllids. In addition, one Mexican isolate (Bb42) and the GHA B. bassiana strain were evaluated on ‘ancho’ pepper, Capsicum annuum L., under field conditions. Results showed that control of potato psyllid by Bb42 applied at 1 ×10¹³ conidia ha^-1 was comparable with that by the GHA strain at 2 × 10¹³ and 4 × 10¹³ conidia ha^-1. Field experiments resulted in significant (P < 0.001) differences in mortality (69.5%) of B. cockerelli by GHA at the highest concentration versus other treatments 7 days after fungal application (mortalities of 22.3 and 21.0% by GHA and BB42, respectively). Thirteen days after application, mortality caused by the lowest concentration of GHA was higher (87.3%) than that of BB42 (64.8%), but similar to the highest concentration of GHA (77.3%). These preliminary results confirmed the potential of selected entomopathogenic fungal isolates, commercial products included, to control potato psyllid on field peppers.

Comadia redtenbacheri Hamm. larvae are collected for human consumption in Mexico. The larvae often show different kinds of lesions, caused by ichneumonid or tachinid endoparasitoids, friction, or fungi. Lesions on agave red worm larvae caused by the parasitoids Acantholespesia texana (Aldrich & Webber) and Lissonota fascipennis Townes appear as an internal melanized structure, although the form and position vary depending on the parasitoid. It is possible to select healthy larvae by observing different kinds of lesions.

We examined the species composition and temporal occurrence of immature mosquitoes in containers and storm-water drains/catch basins from November 2011 to June 2013 in Mérida City, México. A wide range of urban settings were examined, including residential premises, vacant lots, parking lots, and streets or sidewalks with storm-water drains/catch basins. In total, 111,776 specimens of 15 species were recorded. The most commonly collected species were Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (L.) (n = 60,961) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (45,702), which together accounted for 95.4% of the immatures collected. These species were commonly encountered during both rainy and dry seasons, whereas most other mosquito species were collected primarily during the rainy season. Other species collected were Aedes (Howardina) cozumelensis Diaz Najera, Aedes (Ochlerotatus) taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann), Aedes (Ochlerotatus) trivittatus (Coquillett), Culex coronator Dyar and Knab, Culex interrogator Dyar and Knab, Culex lactator Dyar and Knab, Culex nigripalpus Theobald, Culex salinarius Coquillett, Culex tarsalis Coquillett, Culex thriambus Dyar, Haemagogus equinus Theobald, Limatus durhamii Theobald, and Toxorhynchites rutilus (Coquillett). The greatest number of species was recorded from vacant lots (n = 11), followed by storm-water drains/catch basins (nine) and residential premises (six). Our study demonstrated that the heterogeneous urban environment in Mérida City supports a wide range of mosquito species, many of which are nuisance biters of humans and/or capable of serving as vectors of pathogens affecting humans or domestic animals. We also briefly reviewed the medical importance of the encountered mosquito species.

Sensitivity of monitoring Aedes aegypti (L.) populations was determined to identify the distribution of dengue virus (DENV) during epidemics in Quintana Roo. From September to November 2012, we used a motorized aspirator to collect 2,144 female Ae. aegypti from 569 homes. These were grouped into 220 to use semi-nested RT-PCR for DENV, and positive groups were analyzed individually. Five groups (2.27%) were positive for DENV. Individual analysis yielded eight groups that tested positive, six with DENV-2, one DENV-1, and one DENV-4. The latter was not reported by the surveillance system that year. The mean number of female mosquitoes per household was 3.77 ± 5.71, and the rate of viral infection of Ae. aegypti was 0.4%. Most infected mosquitoes (49%) were concentrated in 10% of the houses. Monitoring Ae. aegypti infected with DENV has the potential to complement the current system of clinical and entomological surveillance.

Studies are lacking of entomofaunistic diversity studies in artificial ecosystems such as agroecosystems. It is estimated that in agroecosystems only 3% of the species behave as pests and 97% are auxiliary fauna. Transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has a protein toxic against some lepidopterans; however, some studies mention that it harms other orders of insects. The purpose of this study was to identify the entomological diversity in transgenic cotton in the State of Coahuila, Mexico (25°49′25″N and 103°13′21″W). Entomological net, pitfall traps, and direct sampling were used each week. All adults collected were identified to species per family and order and deposited in the entomological collection of the Biological Sciences Faculty of Juárez University of Durango State. In total, 570 specimens were collected, of which 192 seemed to be distinct species belonging to 57 families in 10 orders. The order with the most insects was Hemiptera with 40% of the specimens, followed by Hymenoptera and Coleoptera, with 22 and 19%, respectively. The orders with the most species were Hymenoptera with 42% and Hemiptera with 30%. The families with the greatest numbers of insects were Cicadellidae with 140 and Curculionidae with 47. The families with the most species were Sphecidae with 15, Cicadellidae with 14 and Formicidae with 13. Only one insect was collected from each of 16 families.

A new species of Erioptera Meigen crane fly was discovered from Utah. Erioptera brauni Taber is most closely related to Erioptera villosa Osten Sacken, but the two species can be distinguished by structures of the male genitalia and by the color of the halteres. Adult females and juveniles remain unknown.

We recorded for the first time Splendeuptychia kendalli L. D. Miller, 1978 from the countryside in Hidalgo and Veracruz. The previous records for Mexico were Campeche, Chiapas, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas.

Two new species of oak gallwasp, Loxaulus hyalinus Pujade-Villar & Melika n. sp. and L. laeta Pujade-Villar n. sp. are described from Mexico. They represent the first records of this genus in Mexico. Both species are known from asexual generations and induce galls on endemic Mexican Quercus: Q. dysophylla Benth. and Q. laeta, respectively. Data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology of the new species are given.

Species richness, abundance, and seasonal distribution of Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea were evaluated in a deciduous tropical forest at Choix and El Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico, from July to October 2009 by means of nocturnal collections at three locations. More than 36,000 specimens were obtained, representing 45 species and 21 genera of Melolonthinae, Rutelinae, Dynastinae, Scarabaeinae, Hybosoridae, Ochodaeidae, Geotrupidae, Trogidae, and Passalidae. The genus with the highest richness index was Phyllophaga with 12 species, Phyllophaga opaca being the dominant species. The best represented species were Oxygrylius ruginasus (96.97%), Digitonthophagus gazella (1.18%), Cyclocephala freudei (0.34%), Pelidnota virescens (0.13%), and Phyllophaga opaca (0.04%). Adult activities were strictly seasonal, because the greatest abundance occurred during August (89.91%), where high rains were recorded, while during October no scarab beetle was collected.

Soursop, Annona muricata L., is an economically important tropical crop in America, Asia, and Australia for its fresh pulp and processed products, and is attacked by insects from a variety of families. As many as 199 insects infest fruits of the family Annonaceae. Annona muricata fruits, leaves, and flowers were collected at 11 locations in central Veracruz, Mexico, producing new records for the region, including a fruit borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), Stenoma spp., (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), Neosilba spp. (Diptera: Lonchaeidae) in fruits: Acantocephala femorata Fab. (Hemiptera: Coreidae), Euphoria leucographa (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae), Collembola, Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in flowers, as well as parasitoids and predators. Of the 15 insects associated with soursop, seven are new records for Mexico and some have the potential to become pests. The two main pests at all locations were Bephratelloides cubensis and Cerconota anonella.

A new genus of Platynota n. sp. was registered for the first time in Opuntia spp. crops in the municipality of Villa Milpa Alta, Mexico DF. The morphological characteristics of the immature and adult stages are described, as well as their damage to the fruit.