Resumen La supresión de moléculas de ácido ribonucleico mensajero (ARNm) mediante ARN interferente (ARNi) se ha propuesto como método de control de insectos plagas. El ARNi impide el desarrollo morfológico y funcional de los insectos y se considera altamente específico. En este estudio se buscaron receptores de insulina (InR) en Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) a partir del ARNm de pulgones, como primer paso para el diseño posterior de ARNi dirigido a la supresión de InR. A partir del ácido desoxirribonucleico complementario (ADNc) y mediante PCR anidada, se amplificó la región correspondiente a InR con dos pares de cebadores diseñados para Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae). No se logró identificar InR, en su lugar se predice la presencia de la proteína receptora Dip2A de unión a folistatina (FS) debido a que comparten regiones proteicas similares con los InR, involucradas en la traducción de señales en los insectos. Se sugiere continuar con la búsqueda de InR específicos para el pulgón, así como posibles cebadores para regiones de Dip2A, para lograr un ARNi altamente específico.

Abstract Suppression of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) molecules by RNA interference (RNAi) has been proposed as a method for controlling insect pests. RNAi impedes the morphological and functional development of insects and is considered highly specific. In this study, insulin receptors (InR) were searched for in Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae) from aphid mRNA, as a first step for further design of RNAi targeting InR suppression. From complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) and by means of nested PCR, the region corresponding to InR was amplified with two pairs of primers designed for Nilapavata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae). InRs could not be identified. However, the presence of the follistatin-binding receptor protein Dip2A (FS) was predicted from the regions of similarity with the InRs that are involved in signal translation in insects. We recommend continuing the search for aphid specific InRs, as well as possible primers for Dip2A regions, to identify a highly specific RNAi.

Anastrepha distincta (Greene) is a tephritid species that under natural conditions is found infesting fruits of plants of the genus Inga. Although rarely it has been reported infesting comercial fruits, it is doubtful whether these records were misidentifications or if this species really has the potential to develop in these fruits. In this study we evaluated whether this species is able to develop on mango fruits (Mangifera indica L.). The flies used for experiments were obtained as larvae infesting fruits of "cuajinicuil" (Inga spuria Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) under natural conditions. Fruits of mango of the "coche" and "Ataulfo" cultivars were exposed to groups of adult flies to promote their infestation under laboratory conditions. With a demographic approach, the offspring survival, reproductive capacity and ovarian development were determined. Anastrepha distincta was capable to infest mango fruits and successfully develop under lab conditions. Male life expectancy was 110.9, 107.9 and 114.3 days for "Ataulfo" mango, "coche" mango and I. spuria, respectively; in females it was 107.6, 69.0 and 132.3 for the same hosts. Gross fecundity (Σm x) was 392.5, 401.1 and 176.1 eggs/female, and net fecundity (Σl x m x) was 349.2, 244.4 and 168.6 eggs/female, for the females recovered from mango cultivars "Ataulfo", and "coche", and I. spuria, respectively. The females recovered from I. spuria showed the greatest number of ovarioles, while the greatest percentages of egg hatching were obtained from females reared on mango "coche". The possible causes that mango is not a natural host for A. distincta, even though this fly species can successfully develop and reproduce in mango fruits under laboratory conditions are discussed.

Anastrepha distincta (Greene) es una especie de tefrítido que en condiciones naturales se le encuentra infestando frutos de plantas del género Inga. Aunque en raras ocasiones se le ha reportado infestando especies de frutos comerciales, existen dudas si esos registros se deben a errores de identificación o si ésta especie realmente tiene el potencial para desarrollarse en esos frutos. En este trabajo se evaluó la capacidad de ésta especie para desarrollarse en frutos de mango (Mangifera indica L.) bajo condiciones de laboratorio. Las moscas utilizadas fueron recuperadas como larvas infestando frutos de "cuajinicuil" (Inga spuria Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) en condiciones naturales. Se expusieron frutos de mango de las variedades "coche" y "Ataulfo" a grupos de adultos promoviendo su infestación bajo condiciones de laboratorio. Con un enfoque demográfico se determinó la sobrevivencia, capacidad reproductiva y desarrollo ovárico de la progenie obtenida. Anastrepha distincta fue capaz de infestar frutos de mango y tener un desarrollo exitoso bajo estas condiciones. La expectativa de vida de los machos fue de 110.9, 107.9 y 114.3 días, en tanto que para las hembras fue de 107.6, 69.0 y 132.3 días cuando provenieron de mango "Ataulfo", mango "coche", e I. spuria, respectivamente. La fecundidad bruta (Σm x) de las hembras fue de 392.5, 401.1 y 176.1 huevos/hembra, y la fecundidad neta (Σl x m x) fue de 349.2, 244.4 y 168.6 huevos/hembra, en mango "Ataulfo", mango "coche" e I. spuria, respectivamente. Las hembras obtenidas de I. spuria registraron mayor número de ovariolas, mientras que los mayores porcentajes de eclosión de huevos se observaron en las hembras recuperadas de mango "coche". Se discuten las posibles causas de que el mango no sea un hospedero natural de A. distincta a pesar de que esta especie puede desarrollarse y reproducirse en esos frutos bajo condiciones de laboratorio.

A importância da idade e da alimentação no desempenho de Cephalonomia stephanoderis (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae) parasitóide da broca-do-café, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) foi investigada em laboratório. Grupos de parasitóides fêmeas foram submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: um grupo alimentado durante um, cinco e 10 dias após a emergência dos adultos sobre as larvas da broca-do-café; outro grupo foi alimentado apenas com uma solução de mel, durante cinco dias após a emergência; e como controle, um terceiro grupo foi mantido sem alimento por cinco dias. No final de cada tratamento de sobrevivência, a atividade do parasitóide (capacidade de andar e voar numa arena), a capacidade de busca (de encontrar frutos de café infestados com a broca), consumo do hospedeiro e oviposição (em hospedeiros imaturos), foram avaliados. Fêmeas em jejum mostraram uma diminuição significativa na sobrevivência de indivíduos em relação à alimentação. O tipo de alimento (insetos ou mel) não influenciou significativamente a atividade de busca do parasitóide e capacidades de oviposição. As fêmeas alimentadas com solução de mel consumiram significativamente menor número de imaturos da broca-do-café. Fêmeas mais jovens (um dia) andaram e voaram da arena significativamente mais rápido que as mais velhas (5 e 10 dias de idade). Implicações desses resultados são discutidas sobre o desempenho de C. stephanoderis como um agente de controle biológico da broca-do-café.

The importance of age and feeding on the performance of Cephalonomia stephanoderis (Hymenoptera, Bethylidae), a parasitoid of the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) was investigated in the laboratory. Groups of female parasitoids were subject to the following treatments: a group fed during one, five and ten days after emergence of adults with coffee borer larvae; another group fed only with honey solution during five days after emergence; and as a control, a third group was kept without food for five days. At the end of each treatment, survivorship, parasitoid activity (walking and flying capacity in an arena), search capacity for finding coffee borer-infested berries, host feeding and oviposition (on immature hosts), were assessed. Unfed females showed a significant decrease in survivorship compared to individuals that were fed. The type of meal (insects or honey) did not significantly influence parasitoid activity, search and oviposition capacities. Females fed with honey solution significantly consumed less immature coffee borers. Younger females (one day old) walked and flew out of the arena significantly faster than older ones (5 and 10 days old). Implications of these results are discussed on the performance of C. stephanoderis as a biological control agent of the coffee berry borer.

The life cycle of a lab-adapted mass reared strain of Anastrepha fraterculus at 24°C constant temperature was 41 days, including the preoviposition period. Mortality rates of 8%, 22%, 22%, 5%, and 43% were recorded for eggs, larvae, pupae, adults (preoviposition stage) and adults (reproductive stage), respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase was 0.065, the net fecundity rate was 120.4, and the gross fecundity rate was 328.4. In a stable population, 22% would be eggs, 53% larvae, 18% pupae, 4% preoviposition adults, and 3% reproductive adults.

El ciclo de vida de Anastrepha fraterculus en cría masiva a temperatura constante de 24°C fue de 41 días, incluyendo el período de preoviposición. Las mortalidades para huevo, larva, pupa, adultos en preoviposición y adultos reproductivos fueron de 8%, 22%, 22%, 5% y 43%, respectivamente. La tasa intrínseca de incremento natural fue de 0,065, la tasa de fertilidad neta fue de 120,4, y la tasa de fertilidad bruta fue de 328,4. En una población estable 22% debería ser huevos, 53% larvas, 18% pupas, 4% adultos en preoviposición y 3% adultos en etapa reproductiva.