Spiders are significant predators in terrestrial habitats, with the highest diversity found in tropical ecosystems, but it is also where they are studied least. In this study, we analyzed the effect of seasonality and three environmental variables (precipitation, evaporation, and temperature) in the orb-weaver composition, richness, abundance, dominance, and diversity. In addition, the species turnover between three localities with differences in the vegetation composition and maintenance in the Sierra de Huautla, Morelos, Mexico, were evaluated. The collection methods used included beating vegetation and direct searches conducted over seven hours during daylight, once per month, between April 2013 and March 2014. A total of 17 species from 14 genera were registered. With the records, we compiled the first species inventory of araneids for the three localities, adding eight new species records for the state of Morelos. The predominant species were Neoscona oaxacensis (Keyserling, 1864) and Trichonephila clavipes (Linnaeus, 1767), but over 50% of the species that we recorded corresponded to a single individual. The Araneid community changed between the dry and rainy seasons in all three localities, with each locality responding differently to changes in environmental variables, with most variables maintaining a long-term effect on the spider community.

In this study, we carried out an inventory of butterfly diversity and an analysis of alpha and beta diversity considering the effects of phenology and degree of disturbance in tropical dry forest. The study included three localities: Cañadas de Ajuchitlán and El Limón, situated within the Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve (REBIOSH) natural protected area, and San Miguel de los Elotes, which is outside of the REBIOSH. We systematically sampled each of the localities using two collection methods once per month for a full year (April 2013 to March 2014). A total of 4,017 specimens belonging to 119 species and 83 genera were collected. We recorded for the first time the presence of Perichares aurina Evans (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae), in Mexico, 14 additional Hesperiidae species were new records for Morelos, Mexico, and 16% of the species recorded in this study are endemic to Mexico. Species richness was highest in August for the two localities (Cañadas de Ajuchitlán and El Limón), located within the REBIOSH. Species richness was highest in November for San Miguel de los Elotes, which is outside of the REBIOSH. In terms of the alpha diversity values (0D, observed diversity), Cañadas de Ajuchitlán had the highest species richness. In the analysis of similarity (Beta diversity), the two localities within the REBIOSH had the highest species similarity, despite being the most geographically distant.

The first phylogenetic analysis of the weevil genus Megalostylus endemic to Mexico (Entiminae, Naupactini) is presented, based on a data matrix of 37 morphological characters of adults and 21 terminal taxa. The ingroup comprises 9 species, 4 varieties, and 5 specimens of Megalostylus whose identification at the species level is doubtful. The outgroup includes species representing closely related genera: Pantomorus albosignatus, Naupactus cervinus, and Megalostylodes hirsutus. The objectives were to test the monophyly of Megalostylus, to explore its species relationships, and to determine which synapomorphies allow its identification and differentiation from other genera. The analysis yielded a single cladogram of 61 steps, showing the following phylogenetic sequence: (Pantomorus albosignatus (Naupactus cervinus (Megalostylodes hirsutus (Megalostylus rhodopus (M. morpho 2 (M. macrophthalmus (M. tomentosus (M. dilaticollis (M. albicans (M. brevipilis, M. fusiformis (M. splendidus - M. sturmi))))))))))). The results support the monophyly of Megalostylus based on the following synapomorphies: protibia with a prominence opposite to mucro, elytra almost flat, sternite VIII subrhomboidal very elongated, and aedeagus smooth. They also support its sister-group relationship with Megalostylodes.

The broad-nosed weevil tribe Naupactini comprises 9 genera and 63 species recorded in Mexico, including Aramigus Horn, Ericydeus Pascoe, Megalostylodes Champion, Megalostylus Schönherr, Mimographus Schönherr, Naupactus Dejean, Pantomorus Schönherr, Phacepholis Horn, and Platyomus Sahlberg. The genus Lanterius Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal, historically recorded from Mexico, is based on a likely error in provenance, and we conclude is not present in the country. This study compiles and updates the available information on Naupactini in Mexico, providing a checklist of species recorded in the country and photographs of representative taxa. In addition, two types of identification keys are presented: a multi-entry digital key and a dichotomous key in both indented and pictorial formats. The main objective of this study is to update and expand the taxonomic knowledge of the Naupactini of Mexico.