Geographic Differentiation of Colombian Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Haplotypes: Evidence for Solanaceae Host Plant Association and Holdridge Life Zones for Genetic Differentiation

Gomes F.B., Fortunato L.D., Pacheco A.L., Azevedo L.H., Freitas N., Homma S.K.

O objetivo com este experimento foi comparar o cultivo do tomateiro em monocultivo e policultivo (consórcio com coentro, cravo-de-defunto e o sorgo como cultura circundante) no sistema de produção orgânico, em relação à incidência de pragas, rendimento e qualidade de frutos. Foram avaliados a incidência de tripes, plantas e frutos com sintomas de virose (%), frutos broqueados por Neoleucinodes elegantalis (%), a produtividade total e comercial, o número total e comercial de frutos, o peso médio e o diâmetro dos frutos comercializáveis, o teor de sólidos solúveis totais (SST), o teor de acidez total titulável (ATT) e a relação SST/ATT. No policultivo ocorreu menor número de tripes e, consequentemente, menor percentagem de plantas e frutos com sintomas da virose. A incidência de broqueamento de frutos por N. elegantalis também foi menor em policultivo. A produtividade total e o número total de frutos no monocultivo foram superiores à do policultivo. Porém, a produtividade comercial foi igual nos dois sistemas de cultivo. O diâmetro dos frutos não diferiu entre os tratamentos, mas o peso médio dos frutos oriundos do monocultivo foi maior. Os frutos do policultivo apresentaram maiores teores de SST e ATT e a relação SST/ATT não diferiu entre os tratamentos. Assim, reforça-se a importância da diversidade vegetal no manejo de pragas, sendo necessários novos estudos que permitam definir melhor arranjo espacial das plantas para manter sua atuação na regulação de insetos-praga e qualidade dos frutos sem interferir na produtividade do tomateiro.

DÍAZ-M. A.E., BROCHERO H.L.

La diversidad de enemigos naturales de Neoleucinodes elegantalis está asociada a la solanácea hospedera y al ambiente ecológico donde se cultivan estas plantas en Colombia. Se recolectaron huevos y pupas de N. elegantalis en campo, se llevaron al laboratorio donde se mantuvieron en condiciones controladas hasta la emergencia de los parasitoides asociados a estos estados biológicos. Los parasitoides de larvas se recuperaron en cámaras de cría a partir de frutos infestados. En lulo (Solanum quitoense) se registró la mayor diversidad y amplia distribución de himenópteros parasitoides de larvas y pupas. Como parasitoides de larvas se registraron los bracónidos: Apanteles sp., Bracon spp. (dos morfoespecies) y Chelonus sp., y a la mosca Lixophaga sp. (Diptera: tachinidae). Como parasitoides de pupas se reconocieron a las familias ichneumonidae, Chalcididae y Eulophidae, siendo los primeros más abundantes, destacándose Pimpla sanguinipes, Lymeon sp. y Neotheronia sp. En Chalcididae Brachymeria sp., y en Eulophidae el más representativo fue Trichospilus diatraea. En tomate de árbol (Solanum betaceum) el parasitoide más frecuente y con mayor distribución fue Copidosoma sp. (Encyrtidae). El parasitoide de huevos Trichogramma sp. (trichogrammatidae) se encontró únicamente en tomate de mesa (Solanum lycopersicum). Se describe el comportamiento parasítico observado en campo, la distribución geográfica de los parasitoides y se plantean recomendaciones prácticas para su conservación en cultivos de solanáceas incluidos en este estudio.

Lankau R.A.

Understanding the forces that allow multiple species to coexist remains a central focus of community ecology. Building evidence that evolutionary changes frequently occur on timescales relevant for ecological dynamics suggests that a complete understanding of the maintenance of diversity is likely to require incorporation of evolutionary dynamics. Coexistence mechanisms can be classified into two groups on the basis of whether they reduce inherent differences in species performance (equalizing effects) or buffer against extinction by providing advantages to rare species (stabilizing effects). Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests that rapid evolution can increase equalizing and/or stabilizing effects in several ways. Directional evolutionary changes can result in new ecological conditions that are more equal or stable than the initial state. Additionally, coevolution between competitors or consumers can lead to cyclic dynamics that provide novel evolutionary equalizing or stabilizing effects.

DÍAZ-M. A.E., SOLIS A., BROCHERO H.L.

Neoleucinodes elegantalis es un insecto considerado como la plaga más limitante para la producción y comercialización de frutas y hortalizas solanáceas. El presente estudio actualiza la distribución geográfica de N. elegantalis en relación con las áreas de mayor producción agrícola de Solanum lycopersicum, S. melongena, S. betaceum, S. quitoense y Capsicum annuum de Colombia. Se eleva a 18 los departamentos con registro geográfico de la especie y su distribución en el piso térmico frío, templado y cálido en seis zonas de vida según Holdridge, correspondientes a bosque seco tropical (bs-T), bosque seco premontano (bs-PM), bosque húmedo premontano (bh-PM), bosque muy húmedo premontano (bmh-PM), bosque húmedo montano bajo (bh-MB) y bosque muy húmedo montano bajo (bmh-MB).

Avise J.C.

Tamura K., Peterson D., Peterson N., Stecher G., Nei M., Kumar S.

Comparative analysis of molecular sequence data is essential for reconstructing the evolutionary histories of species and inferring the nature and extent of selective forces shaping the evolution of genes and species. Here, we announce the release of Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version 5 (MEGA5), which is a user-friendly software for mining online databases, building sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees, and using methods of evolutionary bioinformatics in basic biology, biomedicine, and evolution. The newest addition in MEGA5 is a collection of maximum likelihood (ML) analyses for inferring evolutionary trees, selecting best-fit substitution models (nucleotide or amino acid), inferring ancestral states and sequences (along with probabilities), and estimating evolutionary rates site-by-site. In computer simulation analyses, ML tree inference algorithms in MEGA5 compared favorably with other software packages in terms of computational efficiency and the accuracy of the estimates of phylogenetic trees, substitution parameters, and rate variation among sites. The MEGA user interface has now been enhanced to be activity driven to make it easier for the use of both beginners and experienced scientists. This version of MEGA is intended for the Windows platform, and it has been configured for effective use on Mac OS X and Linux desktops. It is available free of charge from http://www.megasoftware.net.

Zhao Q., Liu H., Luo L., Ji X.

Eremias argus and Eremias brenchleyi are lacertid lizards that are sympatric throughout the distribution of E. brenchleyi. We sequenced partial mitochondrial DNA from cytochrome (cyt) b gene for 106 individuals of E. argus from nine localities, and for 45 individuals of E. brenchleyi from five localities, in central and northern parts of North China. We determined 53 cyt b haplotypes from the E. argus samples, and 27 cyt b haplotypes from the E. brenchleyi samples. Only E. brenchleyi had followed a stepping-stone model of dispersal. Partitioned Bayesian phylogenetic analysis reveals that E. argus and E. brenchleyi are reciprocally monophyletic, and the divergence time between the two species was dated to about 4.1±1.2 million years ago. Geographical structuring of haplotypes is more significant in E. brenchleyi than in E. argus. Haplotypes of E. brenchleyi could be divided into four groups by the Yellow River and Taihang Mountains. Within-population genetic diversity indices are correlated neither with latitude nor with longitude. We calculated significant among-population structure for both species (E. argus: Φ(ST)=0.608, P

E. Anteparra M., Vargas y K., B. Granados L.

Es el primer registro para el Perú del perforador del fruto N. elegantalis en la cocona Solanum sessiliflorum Duna!, conocida también como tupiro, topiro, cubui, tomate de indio, peach tomato, manzana o melocotón del Orinoco. En el Perú no ha sido reportada anteriormente atacando a cultivo alguno. Durante los años 2008 y 2009 hemos observado a esta especie en campos comerciales de cocona en la Provincia de Leoncio Prado, departamento de Huánuco en el Alto Huallaga. El daño producido es la destrucción de frutos, porque la larva se alimenta dentro de estos, lo que provoca la pérdida de la calidad de los frutos. Aunque se la puede hallar durante todo el año en la cocona, hemos observado que en el Alto Huallaga durante los meses de setiembre y diciembre, que los frutos infestados alcanzan entre 4 y 5 %, que la mayor población de N. elegantalis se presenta durante el aumento de las lluvias. Aunque su población es bastante baja, esta se incrementa durante los meses de setiembre a diciembre. Los adultos miden alrededor de 25 mm de envergadura de las alas, estas son de color blanco hialino. Su importancia radica en su condición de plaga cuarentenaria, en los eventuales países importadores.

Benvenga S.R., Bortoli S.A., Gravena S., Barbosa J.C.

Avaliou-se a relação entre o índice de plantas com ovos e de adultos da broca-pequena-do-fruto capturados em armadilhas com feromônio sexual, bem como a influência da infestação na produção da cultura do tomate. Estas avaliações objetivaram aperfeiçoar a tomada de decisão de controle pela densidade de adultos capturados nas armadilhas. Em Monte Mor, estado de São Paulo, áreas comerciais de cultivo de tomate foram divididas em parcelas experimentais para a instalação de armadilhas. Em intervalos médios de 3,7 dias foi avaliada a densidade de adultos capturados e a infestação de plantas com ovos nos frutos. O estudo foi conduzido entre as safras de 2003 e 2007 para os cultivos em ciclo de verão e inverno. As avaliações foram realizadas até o término da colheita e foi definida a produção comercializada e a descartada. O controle químico foi realizado quando a infestação atingia o nível de 5% de plantas com ovos nos frutos. A pressão populacional foi mais expressiva nos cultivos em ciclo de verão. O aumento no número de machos capturados nas armadilhas com feromônio sexual correspondeu a um incremento na infestação de ovos nos frutos e houve influência positiva da infestação de plantas com a produção descartada. A instalação das armadilhas deve anteceder o florescimento e a tomada de decisão de controle ocorrer no prazo médio de oito dias após a captura média de 0,24 e 0,23 adultos na armadilha por dia para os cultivos de tomate em ciclo de verão e inverno, respectivamente.

Saldamando C.I., Vélez-Arango A.M.

Wright T.F., Eberhard J.R., Hobson E.A., Avery M.L., Russello M.A.

Behavioral flexibility is an important adaptive response to changing environments for many animal species. Such plasticity may also promote the invasion of novel habitats by introduced species by providing them with the ability to expand or change their ecological niche, a longstanding idea with recent empirical support. At the individual level, flexibility may arise through innovation, in which an individual invents a new behavior, or through social learning, in which an individual adopts a behavior used by others. There is increasing evidence that the adaptive value of these two modes of learning, and the overall expression of behavioral flexibility, may vary with social and environmental context. In this paper, we propose that invasive species may change the degree to which they express behavioral flexibility in an adaptive manner during the different stages of invasion. Specifically, the “adaptive flexibility hypothesis” predicts that the expression of behavioral flexibility, and thus the diversity of...

Margam V.M., Coates B.S., Ba M.N., Sun W., Binso-Dabire C.L., Baoua I., Ishiyaku M.F., Shukle J.T., Hellmich R.L., Covas F.G., Ramasamy S., Armstrong J., Pittendrigh B.R., Murdock L.L.

Maruca vitrata Fabricius is a pantropical lepidopteran pest of legumes. Phylogenetic analysis of a mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase-I gene (cox1) fragment indicates that three Maruca sp. mitochondrial lineages have unique geographic distributions [lineages 1 and 2: Australia, Taiwan, and West Africa (Niger, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso), and lineage 3: Puerto Rico]. The haplotype (T30, T114) is specific to lineages 1&2 and was assayed by NsiI and SacI polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) within population samples; it was not observed in the Puerto Rican samples, but was nearly fixed among samples from West Africa, Australia and Taiwan (85.5–100%). Re-sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of PCR-RFLP defined cox1 haplotypes indicate that nucleotide diversity is highest among samples from West Africa. Phylogenetic reconstruction based upon ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) sequences provided additional evidence for three Maruca sp. clades. These data suggest that multiple unique Maruca species or subspecies are present worldwide, which has implications for the management of this pest species-complex.

Wu F., Tanksley S.D.

Over the past decades, extensive comparative mapping research has been performed in the plant family Solanaceae. The recent identification of a large set of single-copy conserved orthologous (COSII) markers has greatly accelerated comparative mapping studies among major solanaceous species including tomato, potato, eggplant, pepper and diploid Nicotiana species (as well as tetraploid tobacco). The large amount of comparative data now available for these species provides the opportunity to describe the overall patterns of chromosomal evolution in this important plant family. The results of this investigation are described herein. We combined data from multiple COSII studies, and other comparative mapping studies performed in tomato, potato, eggplant, pepper and diploid Nicotiana species, to deduce the features and outcomes of chromosomal evolution in the Solanaceae over the past 30 million years. This includes estimating the rates and timing of chromosomal changes (inversions and translocations) as well as deducing the age of ancestral progenitor species and predicting their genome configurations. The Solanaceae has experienced chromosomal changes at a modest rate compared with other families and the rates are likely conserved across different lineages of the family. Chromosomal inversions occur at a consistently higher rate than do translocations. Further, we find evidences for non-random positioning of the chromosomal rearrangement breakpoints. This finding is consistent with the similar finding in mammals, where hot spots for chromosomal breakages have apparently played a significant role in shaping genome evolution. Finally, by utilizing multiple genome comparisons we were able to reconstruct the most likely genome configuration for a number of now-extinct progenitor species that gave rise to the extant solanaceous species used in this research. The results from this study provide the first broad overview of chromosomal evolution in the family Solanaceae, and one of the most detailed thus far for any family of plants.

TELES PONTES W.J., RODRIGUES LIMA E., CUNHA E.G., TEIXEIRA DE ANDRADE P.M., PINHEIRO LÔBO A., BARROS R.

Recognition and acceptance of a suitable host plant by phytophagous insects requires the integration of visual, physical and chemical cues. The present study investigates the host cues that a specialist insect integrates to optimize oviposition decisions and whether these cues are weighted in a specific way. The study also determines whether the tomato fruit borer Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), an important pest on Solanaceae in Brazil, shows a preference for oviposition sites that differ in physical and/or chemical cues. When styrofoam balls are provided as artificial fruits, N. elegantalis deposit significantly more eggs on rough artificial fruits than on smooth ones. Hexane fruit extracts applied to the artificial fruits stimulate female oviposition strongly. Physical and chemical cues also affect the oviposition of females when offered together. Furthermore, certain parts of the artificial fruits are prefered, irrespective of the presence of chemical cues. Both physical and chemical cues affect oviposition decisions; hence, the fruit borer relies on cues of different sensory modalities.

Pyrcz T.W., Wojtusiak J., Garlacz R.

Elizabeth Diaz Montilla A., Kondo T.

Decker‐Franco C., San Blas G., Balbi E.I., Fichetti P., Puebla A.F., Toledo A.V., Arneodo J.D.

AbstractRachiplusia nu (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae, Plusiinae) is a defoliator of soybean (Glycine max L., Fabaceae), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., Asteraceae), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., Fabaceae), and horticultural crops in temperate southern South America; however, there is little genetic information available about this pest insect. Recently, concerns about this insect have increased because of its suspected resistance to Bt soybean and its spread to tropical regions. To better understand pest dynamics, and therefore implement suitable management strategies, a thorough knowledge of the genetic variability and spatial structuring of populations is required. In this paper, R. nu larvae were sampled from various crops and locations in central Argentina (where the pest is endemic) to assess diversity and population structure through mtDNA sequence analysis. In addition to the analysis of the standard cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) ‘barcode’ fragment, a new set of primers was developed to explore genetic variation in the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene. COI and Cytb concatenated sequences revealed an overall high haplotype diversity (mean ± SD = 0.798 ± 0.037) and low nucleotide diversity (0.00137 ± 0.00013). The haplotype network showed a total of 19 haplotypes, separated by at most five mutational steps. A main central haplotype and four additional frequent haplotypes (accounting for 80% of the specimens examined) were distributed across populations with no obvious pattern related to host plant or geographic origin. Analysis of molecular variance further supported a weak population structure, where genetic variation within populations was the main source of total variation (ca. 96%). Pairwise comparisons showed only minor genetic differentiation among some of the populations studied. Implications of these findings in the context of R. nu control are discussed.

Mlynarek J.J., Cull C., Parachnowitsch A.L., Vickruck J.L., Heard S.B.

How do researchers choose their study species? Some choices are based on ecological or economic importance, some on ease of study, some on tradition—but could the name of a species influence researcher decisions? We asked whether phytophagous arthropod species named after their host plants were more likely to be assayed for host-associated genetic differentiation (or ‘HAD’; the evolution of cryptic, genetically isolated host specialists within an apparently more generalist lineage). We chose 30 arthropod species (from a Google Scholar search) for which a HAD hypothesis has been tested. We traced the etymologies of species names in the 30 corresponding genera, and asked whether HAD tests were more frequent among species whose etymologies were based on host-plant names (e.g. Eurosta solidaginis , which attacks Solidago ) versus those with other etymologies (e.g. Eurosta fenestrata , from Latin fenestra , ‘window’). Species with host-derived etymologies were more likely to feature in studies of HAD than those with other etymologies. We speculate that the etymology of a scientific name can draw a researcher's attention to aspects of life-history and thus influence the direction of our scientific gaze.

da Silva T.L., Terenciano R.M., da Cruz C.G., Fernandes F.L., de Sena Fernandes M.E.

Plants employ defense strategies to reduce or prevent attacks by phytophagous insects and survive. These strategies can involve chemical constituents that are synthesized to be toxic or repellent to arthropods. The tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta, damages tomatoes on all continents. This insect can reduce yield and increase control costs. Genetic breeding can help improve the management of this pest. Therefore, the present study studied the resistance and toxicity of the main chemical constituents of tomato plants to T. absoluta. Bioassays of antixenosis, antibiosis and relative toxicity of chemical constituents were performed. T. absoluta were subjected to concentration–mortality bioassays using 2-tridecanone, p-cymene, α-tomatine and coumarin. Heterosis was examined in three hybrids for resistance to T. absoluta that could be used in plant breeding programs. The 2-tridecanone constituent was the most toxic chemical that most reduced leaf consumption by T. absoluta larvae. Our results showed that these chemical constituents (e.g., 2-tridecanone) could be used as a target for tomato breeding programs and perhaps sprayed to repel insects or applied as a contact insecticide.

Mlynarek J.J., Cull C., Parachnowitsch A.L., Vickruck J.L., Heard S.B.

AbstractHow do researchers choose their study species? Some choices are based on ecological or economic importance, some on ease of study, some on tradition – but could the name of a species influence researcher decisions? We asked whether phytophagous arthropod species named after their host plants were more likely to be assayed for host-associated genetic differentiation (or ‘HAD’; the evolution of cryptic, genetically isolated host specialists within an apparently more generalist lineage). We chose 30 arthropod species (from a Google Scholar search) for which a HAD hypothesis has been tested. We traced the etymologies of species names in the 30 corresponding genera, and asked whether HAD tests were more frequent among species whose etymologies were based on host-plant names (e.g., Eurosta solidaginis) vs. those with other etymologies (e.g., Eurosta cribata). Species with host-derived etymologies were more likely to feature in studies of HAD than those with other etymologies. We speculate that the etymology of a scientific name can draw a researcher’s attention to aspects of life-history and thus influence the direction of our scientific gaze.

Barker B.S., Coop L., Wepprich T., Grevstad F., Cook G.

Rapidly detecting and responding to new invasive species and the spread of those that are already established is essential for reducing their potential threat to food production, the economy, and the environment. We describe a new spatial modeling platform that integrates mapping of phenology and climatic suitability in real-time to provide timely and comprehensive guidance for stakeholders needing to know both where and when invasive insect species could potentially invade the conterminous United States. The Degree-Days, Risk, and Phenological event mapping (DDRP) platform serves as an open-source and relatively easy-to-parameterize decision support tool to help detect new invasive threats, schedule monitoring and management actions, optimize biological control, and predict potential impacts on agricultural production. DDRP uses a process-based modeling approach in which degree-days and temperature stress are calculated daily and accumulate over time to model phenology and climatic suitability, respectively. Outputs include predictions of the number of completed generations, life stages present, dates of phenological events, and climatically suitable areas based on two levels of climate stress. Species parameter values can be derived from laboratory and field studies or estimated through an additional modeling step. DDRP is written entirely in R, making it flexible and extensible, and capitalizes on multiple R packages to generate gridded and graphical outputs. We illustrate the DDRP modeling platform and the process of model parameterization using two invasive insect species as example threats to United States agriculture: the light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana, and the small tomato borer, Neoleucinodes elegantalis. We then discuss example applications of DDRP as a decision support tool, review its potential limitations and sources of model error, and outline some ideas for future improvements to the platform.

Silva É.M., Silva R.S., Gontijo P.C., Rosado J.F., Bacci L., Martins J.C., Picanço M.C.

The small tomato borer, Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a significant pest of tomato crops in Central and South America, where its occurrence and abundance is dependent on environmental factors. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of climate variables on the abundance of N. elegantalis in open-field tomato cultivation. The population density of N. elegantalis was sampled weekly after tomato fruits reached a diameter ≥0.5 cm until the final harvest, over 15 commercial tomato fields. Egg abundance and mortality, larval abundance and mortality, and pupae abundance was determined within each sample. Rain, photoperiod , wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity was monitored daily. The highest densities of N. elegantalis eggs, larvae, and pupae occurred between March and July. After July, N. elegantalis density was drastically reduced. Path analysis revealed that temperature, rainfall, and photoperiod had a significant and direct effect on N. elegantalis egg abundance, which indirectly affected larval and pupal densities. The path coefficient indicated a negative correlation between the number of N. elegantalis eggs and the photoperiod, while air temperature and rainfall had a positive effect on theses densities. This study improves our understanding of how climate influences N. elegantalis population dynamics. This information will assist in the development of more sustainable pest-management programs for tomato fields, allowing farmers to monitor and adopt control methods when populations rise. • Positive effects of temperature and rainfall on Neoleucinodes elegantalis. • Temperature, rainfall, and photoperiod influence N. elegantalis egg numbers. • The increase of photoperiod was detrimental to the number of N. elegantalis eggs. • Temperature increases provided favorable conditions for N. elegantalis. • Rainfall increases provided favorable conditions for N. elegantalis.

Barker B.S., Coop L., Wepprich T., Grevstad F., Cook G.

AbstractRapidly detecting and responding to new invasive species and the spread of those that are already established is essential for reducing their potential threat to food production, the economy, and the environment. We describe a new multi-species spatial modeling platform that integrates mapping of phenology and climatic suitability in real-time to provide timely and comprehensive guidance for stakeholders needing to know both where and when invasive insect species could potentially invade the conterminous United States. The Degree-Days, Risk, and Phenological event mapping (DDRP) platform serves as an open-source and relatively easy-to-parameterize decision support tool to help detect new invasive threats, schedule monitoring and management actions, optimize biological control, and predict potential impacts on agricultural production. DDRP uses a process-based modeling approach in which degree-days and temperature stress are calculated daily and accumulate over time to model phenology and climatic suitability, respectively. Products include predictions of the number of completed generations, life stages present, dates of phenological events, and climatically suitable areas based on two levels of climate stress. Species parameter values can be derived from laboratory and field studies, and from published and newly fitted CLIMEX models. DDRP is written entirely in R, making it flexible and extensible, and capitalizes on multiple R packages to generate gridded and graphical outputs. We illustrate the DDRP modeling platform and the process of model parameterization using two invasive insect species as example threats to United States agriculture: the light brown apple moth,Epiphyas postvittana, and the small tomato borer,Neoleucinodes elegantalis.We then discuss example applications of DDRP as a decision support tool, review its potential limitations and sources of model error, and outline some ideas for future improvements to the platform.

Noboa M., Viera W.

The fruit borer, Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée 1854) is the main pest infesting naranjilla crop (Solanum quitoense) in Ecuador, causing up to 70% loss of production. This research describes the biology of this insect in a laboratory environment simulating the subtropical environment of the Amazonian Andes (average temperature of 24 ± 1 °C and relative humidity of 85%). Adult insects were sexed, a population created with a ratio of two males for each female and larvae were reared in unripe naranjilla fruits. Eggs were placed on the fruit in masses of 3 to 15 units. Five larval instars were confirmed according to width of the cephalic capsules with a total larval duration of 20.4 ± 0.13 days. The pupal stage lasted 13.02 ± 0.35 days. Male adults had longevity of 10.06 ± 1.75 days and females 10.86 ± 1.30 days. Finally, pre-oviposition period lasted 2.67 ± 0.72 days, oviposition 4.33 ± 1.90 days and post-oviposition 3.87 ± 1.13 days.

da Silva É.M., da Silva R.S., da Silva L.J., da Costa Gontijo P., da Silva Galdino T.V., Picanço M.C., Bacci L.

Vargas-Ortiz M., Bobadilla D., Huanca-Mamani W., Vargas H.A.

Analysis of maternally inherited genes is especially helpful in population studies of host-specialized insects, as female dispersal is key to find an adequate host plant to ensure larval survival. Bucculatrix mirnae (Lepidoptera: Bucculatricidae) is a little-known Neotropical micromoth native to the arid environments of northern Chile whose hypermetamorphic larvae are miners and skeletonizers on leaves of two species of Baccharis (Asteraceae) shrubs. This micromoth has been detected in three isolated locations embracing a narrow geographic range: two from the coastal valleys of the Atacama Desert near sea level and one from the western slopes of the Andes at about 3000 m elevation. As the dispersal of B. mirnae is mostly restricted to the small adult stage, the altitudinal gradient and desert areas among the three localities could be effective barriers, triggering genetic differentiation among populations. Sequences of the DNA barcode fragment of the cytocrome oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene were analyzed to assess for the first time the patterns of genetic variation of B. mirnae. Fifteen haplotypes, each exclusive to one locality, were found in the 71 specimens analyzed. Genetic divergence (K2P) between haplotypes of different localities was at least 2.0%. A Bayesian analysis with sequences of congeneric species grouped all the B. mirnae haplotypes in a clade, in which three well-supported locality-specific haplogroups were found. In concordance with this pattern, an analysis of molecular variance showed that the highest genetic variation was found among populations. Furthermore, all the population pairwise comparisons (FST) were significant. These results suggest that female migration between isolated populations of B. mirnae is absent. This pattern must be considered in the current scenario of habitat destruction and modification in the arid environments of northern Chile.

Díaz-Montilla A.E., Gallego-Sánchez G., Suárez-Barón H., Cano-Calle D., Arango-Isaza R.E., Viera W., Saldamando-Benjumea C.I.

Díaz-Montilla A.E., Suárez-Barón H., Gallego-Sánchez G., Viera-Arroyo W.F., Saldamando-Benjumea C.I.

Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) represents the most damaging pest of the Solanaceae family. Current studies have demonstrated that the species has differentiated into four races according to variations in female genitalia, wing morphometrics and sequencing of the cytochrome Oxydase (CO1) mitochondrial gene. The number of males captured in Colombia and Ecuador were registered using traps baited with two sex pheromone: Neolegantol ® and P228. These pheromones were synthesized using natural female pheromones collected in Solanum lycopersicum L. plantations in Venezuela. In Colombia, the number of male catches was significantly higher for Neolegantol ® than for P228 and this number was significantly higher on S. lycopersicum followed by S. quitoense and S. betaceum. The haplotype net obtained with the CO1 gene produced two main clusters: one cluster was comprised by specimens from S. lycopersicum and S. quitoense plants (both with medium sized female genitalia) and the other cluster by specimens from S. betaceum (large sized genitalia). The Neolegantol® pheromone was also tested in Ecuador, however, insignificant number of males were attracted. Results suggest that pheromone composition or concentration, host biotypes and geographic location are relevant to monitor populations of N. elegantalis. Further studies of the species should concentrate on establishing the pheromone composition and concentration among the four biotypes.

Noboa M., Viera W., Díaz A., Vásquez W., Ron L.

Silva R.S., Arcanjo L.P., Soares J.R., Ferreira D.O., Serrão J.E., Martins J.C., Costa Á.H., Picanço M.C.

Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the major pests of solanaceous plants in South America. It is considered a great threat by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization due to the serious economic damage that it causes on tomato farms; therefore, controlling this pest is a challenging task in South America. Controlling N. elegantalis at the egg stage is the best way to prevent it from damaging crops; however, thorough studies about the effectiveness of chemicals on the different life stages of this insect pest are lacking. In this study, the effects of different chemical classes were evaluated on N. elegantalis adults, female oviposition behavior, larvae, eggs, and embryonic development. None of the tested insecticides demonstrated toxicity to the adults; however, the results showed that cartap hydrochloride affects oviposition behavior. Moreover, methomyl and cartap hydrochloride exhibited high toxicity against the eggs and larvae, with higher than 80% of mortality. These insecticides interrupted larval hatching and caused alterations in the chorion layer. Flubendiamide and deltamethrin demonstrated toxicity on N. elegantalis larvae; however, lufenuron, indoxacarb, methoxyfenozide, and chlorantraniliprole demonstrated low toxicity on both eggs and larvae, with lower than 70% of mortality. Fruit treated with cartap hydrochloride had a deterrent effect. The ovicidal activity revealed by methomyl and cartap hydrochloride might provide new approaches regarding insecticide effects on eggs. Methomyl, cartap hydrochloride, flubendiamide, and deltamethrin demonstrated toxicity on larvae. The evaluation of the chorion of the eggshell in this study has clarified the toxic effect of methomyl and cartap hydrochloride on eggs.