Abstract Diaphorina citri detected in Ecuador for the first time in 2013, is an insect pest of global relevance. It is the main vector of the phloem-limited bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of Huanglongbing (HLB), a devastating disease of citrus trees. During the period from April 2016 - July 2017, population fluctuation studies and a search for natural enemies of D. citri were conducted on young shoots of orange jessamine, Murraya paniculata, and Citrus spp. The natural enemies of D. citri were collected in the Provinces of Guayas and Santa Elena, Ecuador. A total of 1660 specimens of predators belonging to five species were collected, consisting of three coccinellids, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, the most abundant species (39.9%, P <0.05), followed by Cycloneda sanguinea (15.8%), and Paraneda pallidula guticollis (4.1%) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an assassin bug, Zelus sp. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) (17.8%), and the lacewing Ceraeochrysa sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) (22.4%). The parasitoid wasp Tamarixia radiata also was found, reaching a parasitization rate of 90% of the psyllid nymphs. This study represents the first report of P. pallidula guticollis feeding on D. citri. The diversity of natural enemies and the high level of parasitism detected suggest the importance of natural enemies as biological control agents of this important phytophagous insect pest. The natural control by these beneficial insects would make unnecessary the applications of chemical insecticides that are carried out in Ecuador for the control of this insect, especially at this moment when the HLB causing bacterium has not been reported in Ecuador.

Resumen Diaphorina citri, especie detectada en Ecuador por primera vez en 2013, es una plaga de relevancia mundial debido a que es el principal vector de la bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, agente causal del Huanglongbing (HLB), una devastadora enfermedad de los cítricos. Durante el período abril 2016 – julio 2017, se realizaron estudios de fluctuación poblacional e inventario de enemigos naturales de D. citri en brotes jóvenes de azahar de la India, Murraya paniculata y citricos, Citrus spp. Los enemigos naturales fueron colectados en las provincias de Guayas y Santa Elena, Ecuador. Se colectaron un total de 1660 especímenes pertenecientes a cinco especies, entre estos, tres coccinélidos, Cheilomenes sexmaculata, la especie más abundante (39,9%, P<0,05), seguido por Cycloneda sanguinea (15,8%) y Paraneda pallidula guticollis 4,1% (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), una chinche depredadora, Zelus sp. (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) (17,8%) y la crisopa Ceraeochrysa sp. (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) (22,4%). La avispita parasítica Tamarixia radiata también fue encontrada, alcanzando un porcentaje de parasitismo del 90% en las ninfas de psílido. Este estudio representa el primer reporte de P. pallidula guticollis alimentándose de D. citri. La diversidad de enemigos naturales y el alto nivel de parasitismo detectado sugieren la importancia de los enemigos naturales como agentes de control biológico de esta importante plaga. El control natural existente haría innecesarias las aplicaciones de insecticidas químicos que se llevan a cabo en el Ecuador para el control de este insecto, especialmente en este momento que el HLB no se ha encontrado en Ecuador.

Resumo Crypticerya zeteki (Cockerell, 1914) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Monophlebidae) é registrada pela primeira vez no Brasil e Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) é registrada pela primeira vez para o estado do Maranhão, Brasil. Ambas as espécies foram coletadas em ramos, folhas e frutos de diferentes árvores frutíferas nos municípios de São José de Ribamar, São Luís e Paço do Lumiar, Maranhão, Brasil. Crypticerya zeteki foi coletada sobre Citrus spp. (Rutaceae), Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae), Cycas revoluta L. (Cycadaceae), Malpighia punicifolia L. (Malpighiaceae), Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), Musa paradisiaca L. (Musaceae) e Theobroma grandiflorum Schum (Malvaceae), todas registradas pela primeira vez para esta espécie. Maconellicoccus hirsutus foi coletado sobre Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae) e M. punicifolia, ambos novos registros para esta espécie.

Abstract Crypticerya zeteki (Cockerell, 1914) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Monophlebidae) is recorded for the first time from Brazil and Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) is recorded for the first time from the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Both species were collected from branches, leaves and fruits of various fruit trees in the municipalities of São José de Ribamar, São Luís and Paço do Lumiar, Maranhão, Brazil. Crypticerya zeteki was collected on Citrus spp. (Rutaceae), Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae), Cycas revoluta L. (Cycadaceae), Malpighia punicifolia L. (Malpighiaceae), Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), Musa paradisiaca L. (Musaceae) and Theobroma grandiflorum Schum (Malvaceae), all first records for this species. Maconellicoccus hirsutus was collected on Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae) and M. punicifolia L. (Malpighiaceae), both new records for this species.

Discourses on rights, duties and obligations predominantly take place within the context of constitutional, administrative and human rights law. In the last decade these debates have also begun to take place in international investment law, an "autonomous branch" of international law. The main debate centres on the adequacy and sustainability of investor-centred regulatory regimes which provide more rights than obligations to investors. The 2006 Southern African Development Community Finance and Investment Protocol (SADC FIP) was a typical example of such a regime. It offered antiquated protections which were characteristic of first generation Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). The result was that some countries, such as South Africa, opted not to conform to this binding instrument, which did not match their progressive vision of foreign investment. It is against this backdrop that the SADC FIP was recently amended. The amendment, balances the rights and obligations of investors and state parties to some degree, and moves towards sustainable foreign investment. However, this paper argues that more still needs to be done to modernise the document in line with more recent trends.

The lac insect genus Tachardiella Cockerell is reviewed and 17 species are recognized, including one new species. The adult female of Tachardiella palobrea Kondo & Gullan sp. n. is described and illustrated based on material collected in Argentina on 'brea', Parkinsonia praecox (Fabaceae). The adult female of Tachardiella argentina (Dominguez) is redescribed and a lectotype is designated based on newly discovered syntype material in the Bohart Museum of Entomology, University of California, Davis (BME). Diagnoses and notes are provided for the other species of Tachardiella studied and a lectotype is designated for Tachardiella ferrisi Chamberlin. A taxonomic key to separate all known species of lac insects in the New World is provided.