The genus Conotrachelus Dejean is a large, diverse group in which some pest species are associated with fruit with high commercial value. Nevertheless, there are few morphological studies focused on differentiating the species. In Mexico, the species Conotrachelus perseae Barber, Conotrachelus aguacatae Barber, Conotrachelus dimidiatus Champion, Conotrachelus copalensis Salas and Romero, Conotrachelus crataegi Walsh, and Conotrachelus eburneus Champion cause damage and loss in fruit of economic importance. For this reason, this paper describes the most distinctive morphological characteristics of the species, considering easily observed external traits, as well as the aedeagus and Sternite VIII, and provides an illustrated taxonomic key.

Summary The presence of Zaprionus indianus, Drosophila suzukii, and Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in Nezahualcóyotl var. fig fruits is reported in commercial greenhouse plantations in the state of Morelos, Mexico. The area planted with fig has been increasing in this region, due to the opening of new markets; therefore, these pests represent a phytosanitary problem for the crop. The adults of Z. indianus emerged from ripe and overripe fig fruits, whereas the other 2 species only from overripe fruits. Sumario En el presente estudio, se reporta la presencia de Zaprionus indianus, Drosophila suzukii y Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae) en frutos de higo variedad Nezahualcóyotl en plantaciones comerciales cultivadas en invernadero, en el estado de Morelos, México. La superficie sembrada de higo se ha incrementado en esta región debido a la apertura de nuevos mercados, por lo que estas plagas representan un problema fitosanitario para el cultivo. Los adultos de Z. indianus emergieron de frutos de higo en varios estados de madurez y las otras 2 especies únicamente de frutos sobremaduros.

In Sep 2013, nopal growers in Teotihuacan, Mexico, reported resinous secretions emerging from the base of the spines of mature cladodes. Cladodes with symptoms were collected, and the weevil species Cylindrocopturus biradiatus Champion and Cylindrocopturus ganglbaueri Heller (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) emerged. This work confirms the presence of both species, and it provides illustrations and descriptions for their diagnosis. En Sep 2013, productores de nopal en Teotihuacán, México, reportaron escurrimientos de resina que emergían de la base de las espinas de cladodios maduros. Se colectaron cladodios con síntomas y emergieron los picudos Cylindrocopturus biradiatus Champion y Cylindrocopturus ganglbaueri Heller (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). El presente trabajo confirma la presencia de ambas especies, además proporciona ilustraciones y descripciones para su diagnosis.

This study assessed several bioecological aspects of the black fig fly, Silba adipata McAlpine (Diptera: Lonchaeidae), the main pest of fig (Ficus carica L.). Figs were collected from eight sites in the Mexican states of Michoacán (Plan de Ayala, Los Tejones, Antúnez, Tangancícuaro, Indaparapeo, El Carrizal, and Charapendo) and Morelos (Telixtac). No infestation was recorded in figs collected in Charapendo, but, in the remaining sites, it was variable (2–33%). Figs from Plan de Ayala and El Carrizal were longer and contained more larvae than those from Telixtac and Los Tejones. Some figs (≤12) collected in Telixtac and Los Tejones contained few pupae or adults. The survival of larval and pupal stages (≤86%) and the proportion of females (40–53%) were determined at the sites where the infestation of figs was >6% (Telixtac, El Carrizal, Plan de Ayala, and Los Tejones). In the second part of this study, the development of individuals collected in Los Tejones was analyzed under constant conditions. The estimated larval duration time was between 13 and 15 d, whereas pupae lasted 11 d. The survival rate and longevity of females and males were very similar. Our results could help design a program for integrated pest management against S. adipata.

Sphenophorus incurrens Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is an insect that feeds mainly on plants of the family Poaceae in the Neotropics. In Mexico, this weevil is an emergent pest of sugarcane. In this study, first the behavioral responses of both sexes to conspecifics were evaluated in a Y-tube olfactometer. Second, the volatiles of S. incurrens were sampled by the dynamic headspace technique and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD). Third, the antennal-active compound was identified by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Finally, the biological activity of the identified compound was evaluated in laboratory and field tests. Our results showed that males emitted a pheromone that attracts both sexes. The GC-EAD analysis of the male volatiles showed that one peak elicited antennal responses from male and female weevils. The compound was identified as 2-methyl-4-octanol. Laboratory and field tests showed that the identified compou... Resumen Sphenophorus incurrens Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) es un insecto que se alimenta principalmente de plantas de la familia Poaceae en el Neotrópico. En México, este picudo es una plaga emergente de la caña de azúcar. En este estudio, se evaluaron las primeras respuestas de comportamiento de ambos sexos a sus congéneres en un olfatómetro Y-tipo. En segundo lugar, se muestrearon los volátiles de S. incurrens por medio de la técnica de aeración dinámica y se analizaron por cromatografía de gases acoplada con detección electroantenográfica (CG-DEA). En tercer lugar, se identificó el compuesto antenal-activo por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas (CG-EM). Por último, se evaluó la actividad biológica del compuesto identificado en pruebas de laboratorio y de campo. Nuestros resultados mostraron que los machos emiten una feromona que atrae a ambos sexos. El análisis CG-DEA de los volátiles de machos mostró que 1 pico elicitó respuestas antenales de picudos de ambos sexos. Se...