El complejo de moscas de los estigmas Euxesta stigmatias (Loew), Chaetopsis massyla (Walker) y Eumecosommyia nubila (Wiedemann) han adquirido importancia como plagas en el cultivo de maíz en Sinaloa, y sus daños están asociados a pudriciones que afectan la calidad del elote y el rendimiento del grano. Este trabajo tiene por objetivo presentar el resultado de la búsqueda de enemigos naturales (parasitoides, depredadores y nematodos entomopatógenos) con potencial para el control biológico de este complejo de moscas. El trabajo se realizo durante el ciclo agrícola primavera verano de 2011. Se hicieron 8 muestreos semanales con red entomológica y colecta de frutos, en la etapa de fructificación y maduración del grano en lotes de maíz sembrados con el hibrido Asgrow Garañon, predominando dos avispas del orden Hymenoptera de las familias Pteromalidae y Eurytomidae, que parasitan a la mosca de los estigmas en el estado de pupa; Spalangia spp., se observó con mayor frecuencia ejerciendo un parasitismo natural del 47 % sobre Euxesta stigmatias (Loew) durante las etapas de fructificación y maduración de los frutos. La chinche pirata Orius insidiosus (Say) estuvo presente durante los meses de marzo a julio depredando a huevecillos y larvas de la mosca. Por otro lado, se realizaron muestreos de suelos para aislar e identificar poblaciones de nematodos entomopatógenos, utilizando al insecto trampa Galleria melonella (L)., se aislaron poblaciones en tres sitios sembrados con maíz localizados en el CIIDIR-IPN Unidad Sinaloa, en los ejidos Guasave y Maximiliano R. López, todos ubicados en el municipio de Guasave. Los nematodos encontrados en los sitios pertenecen a especies de la familia Rhabtitidae, la identificación a nivel de género está en proceso. Los enemigos naturales encontrados se caracterizan por tener potencial para evaluarse como agentes de control biológico del complejo de moscas de los estigmas. .

Specific strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus can cause Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND), a critical issue in shrimp aquaculture despite the application of several control strategies. The use of antibiotics is now restricted due to increasing bacterial resistance and overuse. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown potential in shrimp aquaculture, with applications in boosting immunity against certain types of pathogens, promoting growth, and improving survival rates. However, an economically viable solution that protects the organisms has not been found, which is why the search for nanoparticles synthesized with plant extracts is necessary to generate environmentally friendly control strategies. In this study, we synthesized AgNPs from Larrea tridentata extract and administered them orally with feed over a 35-day period. Shrimps fed with AgNP-enriched diets showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mRNA expression of immune-related genes (CTL-5, MNK, SR, and GILT), particularly within the first 24–48 h. No significant differences were observed in growth rates, but survival rates in a challenge against V. parahaemolyticus exceeded 85%, higher than the control group. Based on our findings and previous literature, L. tridentata can effectively promote the synthesis of AgNPs and shows potential as an antimicrobial agent, without affecting the growth or survival of treated shrimp.

Specific strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus can cause acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), a critical issue in shrimp aquaculture despite the application of several control strate-gies. The use of antibiotics is now restricted due to increasing bacterial resistance and overuse. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown potential in shrimp aquaculture, with applications in boosting immunity against certain types of pathogens, promoting growth, and improving sur-vival rates. However, an economically viable solution that protect the organisms has not been found, which is why the search for nanoparticles synthesized with plant extracts is necessary to generate environmentally friendly control strategies. In this study, we synthesized AgNPs from Larrea tridentata extract and administered them orally with feed over a 35-day period. Shrimps fed with AgNPs-enriched diets showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mRNA expression of immune-related genes (CTL-5, MNK, SR, and GILT), particularly within the first 24–48 hours. No significant differences were observed in growth rates, but survival rates in a challenge against V. parahaemolyticus exceeded 85%, higher than the control group. Based on our findings and previ-ous literature, L. tridentata can effectively promote the synthesis of AgNPs and shows potential as an antimicrobial agent, without affecting the growth or survival of treated shrimp.

We evaluated the inhibition activity of extracts from two common plants, moringa (Moringa oleifera) and croton (Croton californicus), against Vibrio parahaemolyticus (IPNGS16), which causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). The experiment was developed in three phases. First, extracts were prepared, and phytochemical screening of plants was performed. Second, microbiological tests were applied to calculate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Finally, two bioassays were performed on juvenile shrimp by administering the extracts (first) in shrimp feed at 24 and 72 h, pre-infection, and the second in feed and directly to the culture water. Based on preliminary results of antimicrobial activity, an extract concentration of 60 mg mL-1 inhibited V. parahaemolyticus (IPNGS16) at a final concentration of approximately 1×106 CFU mL-1. Bioassays were carried out in order to determine the V. parahaemolyticus (IPNGS16) median lethal dose (LC50) for juvenile Penaeus vannamei (0.20 ± 0.05 g); the LC50 was 85×103 CFU mL-1. As a first test, the extracts were added to commercial feed at doses of 20, 40, and 60 mg mL-1. After feeding, the shrimp were infected with V. parahaemolyticus (IPNGS16), and mortality was recorded. For the first infection time (24 h), survival was 46 and 33% with croton and moringa, respectively; for the second infection time (72 h), survival was 16 and 25% with croton and moringa. Application of antibacterial extracts directly to culture water were effective against V. parahaemolyticus (IPNGS16). The best result (94% survival) was obtained with a high dose (3.6 mg mL-1 or 30%) of moringa extracts added directly to culture water. Moringa methanol extracts produce active compounds capable of inhibiting replication of V. parahaemolyticus (IPNGS16) in shrimp aquaculture and reducing shrimp mortality.

El control de plagas en granos almacenados, especialmente del picudo del maíz (Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky) y el gorgojo pardo del frijol (Acanthoscelides obtectus Say), es crucial para la seguridad alimentaria. Ante los impactos negativos de los insecticidas sintéticos, el conocimiento etnobotánico ofrece alternativas sustentables. Esta revisión sistemática tuvo como objetivo analizar y sintetizar la evidencia científica disponible sobre la eficacia de extractos vegetales de origen etnobotánico para el manejo de estas plagas clave en México. Para ello, se realizó una revisión sistemática de literatura científica (1980-2024) en bases de datos especializadas, priorizando estudios experimentales que evaluaran actividad insecticida, repelente o antialimentaria. Los resultados identifican y documentan la eficacia biocida de metabolitos secundarios presentes en especies como el nim (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.), higuerilla (Ricinus communis L.), tabaquillo (Nicotiana glauca Graham) y cacachila (Karwinskia humboldtiana Roem. & Schult.). La evidencia recopilada demuestra que sus extractos actúan principalmente como repelentes, inhibidores de la alimentación y reguladores del crecimiento, mostrando altas tasas de mortalidad y reducción del daño al grano. En conclusión, los hallazgos validan el conocimiento tradicional y proporcionan una base científica sólida para el uso de estos bioplaguicidas botánicos. Se discuten sus limitaciones y su potencial como tecnología social accesible, que puede fortalecer la autonomía de los pequeños productores y contribuir a un manejo postcosecha más seguro y sostenible.