The Annonaceae fruits weevil (Optatus palmaris) causes high losses to the soursop production in Mexico. Damage occurs when larvae and adults feed on the fruits; however, there is limited research about control strategies against this pest. However, pheromones provide a high potential management scheme for this curculio. Thus, this research characterized the behavior and volatile production of O. palmaris in response to their feeding habits. Olfactometry assays established preference by weevils to volatiles produced by feeding males and soursop. The behavior observed suggests the presence of an aggregation pheromone and a kairomone. Subsequently, insect volatiles sampled by solid-phase microextraction and dynamic headspace detected a unique compound on feeding males increased especially when feeding. Feeding-starvation experiments showed an averaged fifteen-fold increase in the concentration of a monoterpenoid on males feeding on soursop, and a decrease of the release of this compound males stop feeding. GC-MS analysis of volatiles identified this compound as α-terpineol. Further olfactometry assays using α-terpineol and soursop, demonstrated that this combination is double attractive to Annonaceae weevils than only soursop volatiles. The results showed a complementation effect between α-terpineol and soursop volatiles. Thus, α-terpineol is the aggregation pheromone of O. palmaris, and its concentration is enhanced by host-plant volatiles.

Plutella xylostella is the main pest of cruciferous crops worldwide. To reduce P. xylostella populations, better integration of natural control and chemical control (dominant tactic used) is needed. This work analyzed the compatibility of nine insecticides with the parasitoid Diadegma insulare, outlining them as complementary tools in an integrated pest management strategy. The acute toxicity of spinosad, imidacloprid, indoxacarb, flonicamid, naled, pyridalyl, emamectin benzoate, and spinetoram against the parasitoid was assessed. Residual activity (persistence) was also evaluated over time; the mortality of the parasitoid in contact with leaf tissue of plants treated with insecticides was analyzed. According to the International Organization of Biological Control, all nine insecticides were toxic to D. insulare; the lowest mortality was recorded with spirotetramat (64%) and pyridalyl (48%), while the rest of the insecticides caused 100% mortality at 72 h after application. In terms of persistence, by days 14, 16, 16, 17, 17, 21, and 22 after application, flonicamid, naled, spirotetramat, spinosad, piridalyl, imidacloprid, and indoxacarb caused mortality of less than 25%, respectively, so they were considered harmless (Category 1). Nonetheless, some insecticide toxicity and residual activity must be regarded within integrated pest management programs for conserving the role of D. insulare field populations.

The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wiedemann, medfly) is a highly invasive agricultural pest with a considerable threat to global fruit production. Its olfactory system, mediated by odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), plays a fundamental role in key behaviors such as host localization, mate recognition, and oviposition site selection. This study presents a comprehensive homologation and systematic reclassification of CcapOBPs through comparative genomic analyses with the model organism Drosophila melanogaster Meigen and 8 Tephritidae species (tribes Dacini, Toxotrypanini, and Trypetini), supported by Bayesian phylogenetic inference. By integrating 2 genome assemblies (Ccap_2.1 and EGII-3.2.1), additional GenBank entries, a de novo head transcriptome from sexually mature wild males, and comparative analyses with D. melanogaster orthologs, we consolidated 156 candidate sequences into a homologized repertoire of 48 CcapOBPs. RT-PCR validation of 21 representative CcapObps confirmed their expression in male heads and highlighted how the de novo transcriptome recovered genes missing from individual genome assemblies, demonstrating consistency across all data sources. Phylogenetic reconstruction of CcapOBP and tephritid species revealed clustering patterns consistent with the established evolutionary relationships within the family, enabling the identification of ortholog genes, lineage-specific diversification events, gene duplications, expansions in C. capitata. However, limitations were identified in datasets for the other fruit fly species, and the need for nomenclature adjustments based on chromosomal localization. This study represents the most comprehensive OBP homologation in medfly to date, providing a robust framework for understanding the molecular evolution of chemosensory systems in Tephritidae and supporting the development of species-specific and environmentally sustainable pest management strategies.

Spodoptera frugiperda is a key pest in Latin America, capable of causing significant economic losses if management is not timely. Estimation of economic thresholds adapted to local conditions and specific varieties is essential to optimizing control and reducing unnecessary use of insecticides. The objective of this study was to estimate the economic threshold of S. frugiperda in short stature maize, Delfín variety, under field conditions in northern Sinaloa, Mexico. We set up seven treatments with different levels of artificial infestation (0–25%), plus a regional control, in a completely random design. We evaluated the percentage of damaged plants, with an estimated loss of 32.515 kg/ha for each 1% of damage. Considering a US $325 t⁻¹ price of maize and US $127 ha⁻¹ cost of control, we determined an economic threshold of 12.05% damaged plants. This value is a practical tool for better decision-making in S. frugiperda management in Delfín variety maize. We recommend validation in different agroecological contexts and growing seasons.

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.