Climate variability has made us change our perspective on the study of insect pests and pest insects, focusing on preserving or maintaining efficient production systems in the world economy. The four species of the genus Anastrepha were selected for this study due to their colonization and expansion characteristics. Models of the potential distribution of these species are scarce in most neotropical countries, and there is a current and pressing demand to carry out this type of analysis in the face of the common scenarios of climate variability. We analyzed 370 presence records with statistical metrics and 16 bioclimatic variables. The MaxEnt method was used to evaluate the effect of the ENSO cycle on the potential distribution of the species Anastrepha grandis (Macquart), Anastrepha serpetina (Wiedemann), Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart), and Anastrepha striata (Schiner) as imported horticultural pests in the neotropics and Panama. A total of 3472 candidate models were obtained for each species, and the environmental variables with the greatest contribution to the final models were LST range and LST min for A. grandis, PRECIP range and PRECIP min for A. serpentina, LST range and LST min for A. obliqua, and LST min and LST max for A. striata. The percentage expansion of the range of A. grandis in all environmental scenarios was 26.46 and the contraction of the range was 30.80; the percentage expansion of the range of A. serpentina in all environmental scenarios was 3.15 and the contraction of the range was 28.49; the percentage expansion of the range of A. obliqua in all environmental scenarios was 5.71 and the contraction of the range was 3.40; and the percentage expansion of the range of A. striata in all environmental scenarios was 41.08 and the contraction of the range was 7.30, and we selected the best model, resulting in a wide distribution (suitable areas) of these species in the neotropics that was influenced by the variability of climatic events (El Niño, Neutral, and La Niña). Information is provided on the phytosanitary surveillance systems of the countries in areas where these species could be established, which is useful for defining policies and making decisions on integrated management plans according to sustainable agriculture.

The objective of this study was to identify Lepidoptera stinging larvae found in plots with horticultural crops in Cerro Punta, Chiriquí, Panama and to confirm the possible symptoms caused by erucism and lepidopterism. About 16 random samplings were carried out during 14 and a half months, in plots with crops, surrounding vegetation and infrastructure. Photographs were taken and samples were collected for processing in the laboratory. Specialized literature was consulted for identification. A survey of 33 people affected by erucism or lepidopterism was carried out. According to the results, the larvae found on the crops corresponded to Leucanella hosmera (Schaus, 1941) (Saturniidae), Halysidota tessellaris (Smith, 1797) (Erebidae), Acharia stimulea (Clemens, 1860) (Limacodidae) and an adult specimen of Megalopyge opercularis (Smith, 1797) (Megalopygidae) was also found on a wall. In wild vegetation, L. hosmera and possibly Automeris pallidior Draudt, 1929 (Saturniidae) larvae were found feeding on Faramea occidentalis (L.) A. Rich (Rubiaceae). The survey reflected burning, pain and inflammation as frequent symptoms due to erucism or lepidopterism in 93.9%, requiring medical attention in 18.18% of cases. In conclusion, five species of stinging larvae associated with horticultural crops were identified in Cerro Punta, which represent a potential health risk.

Background. Insect pests, as well as other arthropods, constitute a constant threat to public health and food security and food sovereignty in a country. Although various techniques are currently used for integrated pest management, the search for new management alternatives is constant. In this sense, transcriptome analysis, which consists of the analysis of gene expression profiles of certain living organisms, could provide new alternatives. Objective. To determine the potential applications of transcriptomic analysis against insect pests in the agricultural sector in Panama. Methodology. The study was developed through the search for relevant information on transcriptome analysis applied within entomology. Search was performed in SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Dialnet, Web of Science, Springer Link, Ciencia.Science.gov, Scopus, Google Schoolar and ERIC (Institute of Education Sciences). Main findings. The analysis of transcriptomes is a tool to understand different biological, physiological, and molecular aspects of insects and other arthropods identified as pests in the Republic of Panama that put at risk the agricultural production of the country. Implications. Harmful arthropods have become more relevant in recent years due to climate change, invasive species and anthropogenic factors that increase the populations of these pest in Panama. Conclusion. The results indicate that transcriptomic analysis generates information about the existence of candidate genes, including those of harmful arthropods and natural enemies as predators, parasitoids and entomopathogenic microorganisms that could be used as targets to reduce the damage caused by arthropods to the agricultural sector.