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.

Epicaerus panamensis Girón & de Medeiros, a new species of broad-nosed weevil in the tribe Geonemini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) is described. Specimens have been collected on or around potato cultivars in Tierras Altas de Chiriquí, Panama. Field and habitus images, images of the male and female genitalia, an image of the feeding damage caused by the weevils on potato leaves, and a locality map are provided. The species is compared to the closely related Epicaerus inaequalis (Sharp, 1891), including a brief discussion regarding their morphological affinities and current taxonomic placement.

Introduction. Thrips (Thysanoptera) encompass a variety of phytophagous species that have an impact on the development of agriculturally important plants. Objective. To identify the species and damage caused by thrips associated with onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivation in the Arco Seco region of Panama. Materials and methods. The study was carried out from December 2020 to April 2021 in two onion-producing locations in the Arco Seco region of Panama. Fifty onion plant samples were taken per location. The species of thrips present, the number of thrips specimens captured in each life stage, the percentage of plants with damage and the characteristics of the damage were identified. Results. The species Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae: Panchaeothripinae) caused lacerations, spots, and leaf drying in 80 % of the onion plant samples from El Ejido locality. Among the captured specimens, 47.69 % were female, 46.30 % were immature, and 6.02 % were male. Conclusions. Damage to onions caused by C. phaseoli was recorded for the first time in the Republic of Panama. The knowledge generated represents the initial step for phytosanitary surveillance of this pest in onion cultivation.

Background. Floral visitor insects constitute part of the diversity of arthropods associated with flowers of angiosperm plants such as palms of the Arecaceae family, specifically Bactris gasipaes Kunth, known in Panama as pifá. Objective. Identify flower-visiting insects on inflorescences of B. gasipaes in Panama. Methodology. The study was carried out from March to June 2022, where 10 plots of one hectare were selected with at least 10 adult pifá plants, within which two palms were selected to sample an inflorescence in each plant, at six hours after the inflorescence opening. For sampling, a dried bamboo stalk and a transparent plastic bag were used to capture the insects in the inflorescence. The captured insects were preserved in a plastic container with 70% alcohol and were taken to laboratory conditions for their identification and to estimate the capture percentage of the relevant species. Results. The capture of 721,899 insect specimens was reported, of which 99.95% (721,563) of the specimens belonged to seven species of flower-visiting insects and 0.05% (336) corresponded to the phytophagous species known as the pifá fruit weevil Palmelampius heinrichi O´Brien. Implications. This implies the importance of identifying and separating floral-visiting insects from pest insects. Conclusions. The taxonomic groups of floral visitors in pifá constantly captured in the present study represent more than 99.95%, compared to a low percentage (0.05%) of insect pests that corresponded to the pifá fruit weevil, Palmelampius heinrichi.

Introduction. The asian psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) is the main vector of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus that causes Huanglongbing (HLB) disease in citrus in Panama. Objective. To determine the geographic distribution and host plants of the asian psyllid within the citrus growing areas in Panama. Materials and methods. The study was carried out from June to October 2021 through systematic sampling within 46 localities associated with commercial citrus and home gardens in seven provinces of Panama. In each plant, two new shoots of 10 cm long were bagged with a magic-seal plastic bag to capture the specimens and introduce them into 2 mm plastic vials with 95 % alcohol for later identification. The study variable included the count of the total number of specimens, and the data was analyzed as a percentage. Results. Of the total of 73 collected samples, the presence of the Asian psyllid was confirmed in 21.92 % (16 samples). Its presence was positive in the provinces of Chiriquí, Coclé, Herrera, Panama, and West Panama, at altitudes of 17 to 1080 m.a.s.l. There was no presence of the psyllid in the provinces of Los Santos and Veraguas. Of the 16 samples that were positive, 50 % belonged to the myrtle plant, followed by orange (18.75%), and creole lemon (12.50 %). Conclusion. The distribution of the asian psyllid vector of HLB in commercial citrus and home gardens in the main citrus growing areas in Panama was presented at different heights above sea level, mainly associated with the presence of the host plants such as myrtle, orange, and creole lemon.