Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) and Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) are invasive pests affecting berry crops in México. Z. indianus benefit from fruit damage caused by D. suzukii larvae, worsening infestations. Morelos state ranks eighth in Mexico for blackberry production, but these pests had not been previously reported in its berry crops. This study aimed to survey raspberry and blackberry crops in Morelos for coinfestations. Twelve multi-hole transparent traps baited with fermented juice were placed in raspberry and blackberry crops to capture flies. Additionally, 32 fruits per crop were collected, and emerging specimens were identified. The captured specimens were: 62.4 % D. suzukii , 2.4 % Z. indianus , 20.8 % Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen), other Diptera (12.3 %), Coleoptera (1 %), Hymenoptera (0.6 %), arachnids (0.3 %), Thysanoptera (0.1 %), and Hemiptera (0.1 %). From the collected blackberries, 23 male and 25 female D. suzukii , three Z. indianus, and 27 other drosophilids emerged. Similarly, from the raspberries, 19 male and 21 female D. suzukii, two Z. indianus and 13 other drosophilids, were recorded. This study provides the first evidence of D. suzukii and Z. indianus in berry crops in Morelos, Mexico, emphasizing the need for monitoring and management strategies.

Soursop possesses the largest fruit size of the Annona genus. However, this species is threatened by the Annonaceae fruit weevil (Optatus palmaris), which can cause the destruction of whole soursop fruits. Recently, the potential of semiochemicals for the management of this insect is highlighted, and its aggregation pheromone has been elucidated. This pheromone works well only when mixed with soursop volatiles. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine specific kairomone components to potentiate the aggregation pheromone of this Annonaceae fruit weevil. This task was carried out via volatilome analysis of soursop fruits, which was correlated with the biological activity of the identified volatiles. The GC–MS analysis of aroma collections of mature soursop fruits and flowers, determined using multivariate data analysis, confirmed a volatile differentiation between these organs. The volatile variation between fruits and flowers was reflected in weevils’ preference for mature fruits instead of flowers. Moreover, weevils’ response to soursop fruits increased with more mature fruits. This was correlated with volatile changes throughout the phenological stages of soursop fruits. The two volatiles most correlated with weevils’ attraction were benzothiazole and (E)-β-caryophyllene. These volatiles only evoked a response when mixed and potentiated the attraction of the aggregation pheromone. Thus, these two volatiles are active kairomone components with the potential for being used in combination with the aggregation pheromone of Annonaceae fruit weevils in field trials.

In this study, the seeking behaviour and food acceptance of larvae of Plodia interpunctella Hübner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were analysed under laboratory conditions. Larval orientation and feeding preferences were assessed using a selection arena for neonate larvae and a four-way olfactometer for third-instar larvae. Stimulants included amaranth bars with additives (honey and chocolate) and natural amaranth (toasted grain only). The results showed that amaranth volatiles influence the orientation and feeding behaviour of this polyphagous insect. A marked preference for sugar-rich foods was observed, with amaranth with honey and amaranth with chocolate being the food sources most frequently chosen by the neonate larvae. These individuals exhibited a gregarious feeding behaviour and did not engage in cannibalism. The third-instar larvae also showed a preference for sweet food but were more attracted to the amaranth–additive combination. In the four-way olfactometer bioassays, chocolate was the most frequently chosen stimulus, while cellophane did not differ significantly from air. An analysis of volatile compounds by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that amaranth with chocolate releases more volatile compounds (16) compared with honey (12) and natural amaranth (6), suggesting that these volatiles could possibly influence the larvae’s choice of food source.