The irregular presence and low abundance of wild triatomines inside domiciles make their detection more difficult than that of domiciled species, so that vector surveillance and evaluation of Chagas disease transmission risk are more challenging. We compared timed manual searches, considered as the gold standard, with community-based collections, for their efficacy at monitoring domestic and peridomestic infestation by non-domiciliated Triatoma dimidiata, and community-based collection was the most sensitive and cost effective. Scaling up community participation permitted investigation of fine temporal variations in infestation by T. dimidiata in over 700 houses. We confirmed a large seasonal infestation during March-July, but weekly and daily collections showed a rather stochastic pattern of bug presence in the houses, even during this period. These data are of key importance for the successful implementation of vector control, and community participation is a method of choice for sustained monitoring of infestation by non-domesticated triatomines.

Chagas disease is a major vector-borne disease, and regional initiatives based on insecticide spraying have successfully controlled domiciliated vectors in many regions. Non-domiciliated vectors remain responsible for a significant transmission risk, and their control is a challenge. We performed a proof-of-concept field trial to test alternative strategies in rural Yucatan, Mexico. Follow-up of house infestation for two seasons following the interventions confirmed that insecticide spraying should be performed annually for the effective control of Triatoma dimidiata; however, it also confirmed that insect screens or long-lasting impregnated curtains may represent good alternative strategies for the sustained control of these vectors. Ecosystemic peridomicile management would be an excellent complementary strategy to improve the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Because these strategies would also be effective against other vector-borne diseases, such as malaria or dengue, they could be integrated within a multi-disease control program.

Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), el ácaro rojo de las palmas, es una plaga importante en el mundo, dañando plantas comerciales y ornamentales. En 2009 fue observada por primera vez en México y se extendió rápidamente. Puede ocasionar daños importantes a los cultivos y también ha infestado en reservas protegidas. Para limitar el uso de acaricidas, principalmente en áreas protegidas, se han buscado depredadores naturales. Globalmente se han identificado 28 depredadores incluyendo otros ácaros, insectos y hongos. En este estudio, presentamos una nueva especie nativa coccinélida, Chilocorus cacti (Linnaeus), como depredador potencial de R. indica en México.

Objetivos. Evaluar la diversidad de chicharritas en dos sitios de la Península de Yucatán. Materiales y métodos. Se realizaron muestreos en cultivos de maíz en Xoy, municipio de Peto, y Uxmal, municipio de Muna en el mes de agosto de 2023 y 2024, en las etapas fenológicas del cultivo V5-V8. Se utilizó la técnica de red de golpeo para capturar los insectos, los cuales fueron identificados a nivel especie. Se analizaron los índices de diversidad de Hill: riqueza (q0), diversidad de Shannon (q1) y dominancia de Simpson (q2). Resultados. El estudio registró un total de 551 individuos, pertenecientes a 34 especies en total. Los análisis de riqueza, diversidad y dominancia mostraron diferencias sólo en 2024, el sitio Muna tuvo los mayores valores de estos índices. Dalbulus maidis fue la especie dominante en ambos sitios y años. Las especies Dalbulus elimatus, Phera centrolineata, Empoasca fabae, Homalodisca insolita y Stirellus catalinus se integran como nuevos registros para Yucatán. Conclusión. La diversidad y abundancia de chicharritas en el cultivo de maíz en Yucatán varía entre sitios y años de muestreo. Se reportaron 34 especies de chicharritas, con mayor diversidad en Uxmal, municipio de Muna. Se realizó el registro de cinco especies de chicharritas que no habían sido reportadas para Yucatán.

Soyabean (Glycine max L.) is a strategic crop worldwide; however, in tropical regions such as Mexico, production intensification does not necessarily lead to more efficient or profitable systems. This study aimed to characterize Soyabean producers based on socioeconomic, technical, and productive variables and to analyze the relationship between intensification, efficiency, and profitability. A total of 75 producers were surveyed during 2024 using a structured questionnaire, and the data were analyzed through multivariate techniques, including hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Three producer typologies were identified: low production intensification (PBIP), intermediate intensification (PIIP), and intensive input management (PMII). The results showed that PBIP producers achieved the highest yield (2.70 t ha⁻¹) and profitability (MXN 16,102.16 ha⁻¹), outperforming PIIP (2.28 t ha⁻¹; MXN 6365.31 ha⁻¹) and PMII (1.48 t ha⁻¹; MXN 3535.23 ha⁻¹), despite using fewer inputs. These findings suggest that higher levels of input use were not consistently associated with greater productivity or economic returns within the studied production systems. Promoting sustainable intensification strategies and targeted extension programs is essential to improve productivity, profitability, and resilience in rainfed Soyabean systems.