Abstract Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis L.) is a crucial crop in Ecuador, considerably affected by black palm weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for several years. Despite its importance, the behavior of the black weevil in Ecuador is not well comprehended presently. Therefore, this study aimed to predict infestation patterns of the black palm weevil in Ecuador using a mathematical model based on monitoring data. Data on the number of insects per trap from a commercial oil palm farm in Quinindé, Ecuador, was collected every two weeks for five years (2016-2020) and analyzed using the Classical Fourier (CF) spectrum and the Dickey-Fuller test to determine seasonality. The trend component of the data dropped from 16.33 in January 2017 to 11.96 in January 2019, with a fluctuation ranging from -0.11 to 2.50 observed for the entire data set. The results obtained after fitting the model ranged from -0.11 to 3.19, with a maximum of 5.30. The augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test for the black weevil time series yielded a result of -5.60 (P<0.01). The partial autocorrelation ranged from -0.35 to 0.1. Based on our model, we projected the occurrence of black palm weevil from 2021 to 2024, with a fluctuation in the number of insects per trap ranging from 12.68 in January 2021 to 13.023 in November 2023. This model can be used to predict future insect occurrences in Ecuador, providing valuable insights into the behavior of the black weevil and using it for effective development control measures for this pest.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a resposta das cultivares de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris) Triunfo, Garapiá e BRS-FC104 ao déficit hídrico representado pela fração de água transpirável no solo (FATS). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo bifatorial 3×2 (cultivares × irrigação e sem irrigação). Avaliaram-se a transpiração, o crescimento e a produtividade na safra e na safrinha. Na safra, com baixa demanda atmosférica do ar (inferior a 15 hPa em 55% dos dias), 'Garapiá' apresentou fechamento precoce dos estômatos com FATS crítica (FATSc) de 0,36, mas teve a mesma produtividade que 'Triunfo', cujos estômatos fecharam tardiamente (FATSc = 0,23). Na safrinha, com alta demanda atmosférica do ar (superior a 15 hPa em 83,3% dos dias), 'Garapiá' apresentou fechamento estomático precoce (FATSc = 0,17) e maior produtividade (392,2 kg ha−1 a mais que 'Triunfo'). Na safra e na safrinha, 'Garapiá' apresentou tolerância ao déficit hídrico no período reprodutivo. O déficit hídrico resultou em menores valores de estatura, massa seca da parte aérea, massa seca da raiz e área foliar. Tanto 'Garapiá' como 'Triunfo' apresentaram alta produtividade na safra, mas apenas Garapiá na safrinha. 'Garapiá' apresenta tolerância ao déficit hídrico, com controle estomático eficiente e com altos crescimento e produtividade.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the response of the Garapiá, Triunfo, and BRS-FC104 bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) cultivars to the water deficit represented by the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3×2 bifactorial arrangement (cultivars × irrigation and no irrigation). Transpiration, growth, and yield were evaluated in the crop season and off-season. In the crop season, with a low atmospheric air demand (below 15 hPa in 55% of the days), 'Garapiá' presented early stomatal closure with the critical FTSW (FTSWc) of 0.36, but had the same yield as 'Triunfo', whose stomata closed late (FTSWc = 0.23). In the off-season, with a high atmospheric air demand (greater than 15 hPa in 83.3% of the days), 'Garapiá' presented an early stomatal closure (FTSWc = 0.17) and a higher yield (392.2 kg ha-1 more than 'Triunfo'). In the crop season and off-season, 'Garapiá' showed tolerance to water deficit in the reproductive period. Water deficit resulted in lower values of height, shoot dry mass, root dry mass, and leaf area. Both 'Garapiá' and 'Triunfo' showed a high yield in the crop season, but only 'Garapiá' in the off-season. 'Garapiá' presents tolerance to water deficit, with efficient stomatal control and high growth and yield.

Abstract Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 300 million people, causing enormous socioeconomic burden. Little data has been known about prevalence of MDD in Ecuador. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of MDD in the population in a highly populated city in Ecuadorian Coast. This population-based study was accomplished in Portoviejo, Manabí. Here, we analyzed 114.239 records about MDD using Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnosis of DSM-IV Disorders in younger, adults, and older peoples. We observed that the MDD score of 8.6% of the studied population. There was a suitable agreement between mild MDD and residence location scores (urban or rural zone). Both models had a good standard of fit (R2 = 0.91 and 0.95) and a mean p-value of 0.04 for both locations. A significant positive correlation between marital status and MDD scores, particularly for single (p = 0.001361, r = 0.94), and education levels (p = 0.00102, r = 0.95) was also demonstrated. Moreover, both age (p = 0.001067, r = -0.94) and widowed (p = 0.009662, r = -0.87) were negatively correlated with MDD scores. Collectively, our results revealed a high prevalence of MDD in the Portoviejo population, an effect more prominent in man, living alone, young and resident of the urban zone.

Resumen El trastorno depresivo mayor (TDM) es un trastorno neuropsiquiátrico debilitante que afecta más de 300 millones de personas, causando una enorme carga socioeconómica. Pocos datos con conocidos sobre la prevalencia del TDM en el Ecuador. Así, el objetivo de ese estudio fue describir la prevalencia del TDM en la población de un cantón altamente poblado de la costa ecuatoriana. Este estudio de base poblacional se realizó en Portoviejo, Manabí. Aquí se analizaron 114.239 registros sobre TDM mediante la entrevista Clínica Estructurada para el Diagnóstico de Trastornos del DSM-IV en personas jóvenes, adultos y adultos mayores. Nosotros observamos que en la población estudiada 8.6% tenían el TDM. Fueran adecuados los puntajes del TDM leve y de ubicación de residencia (zona urbana o rural). Ambos modelos tenían un buen estándar de ajuste (R2 = 0,91 y 0,95) y un valor p medio de 0,04 para ambas ubicaciones. También se demostró una correlación positiva significativa entre el estado civil y las puntuaciones de TDM, en particular para solteros (p = 0.001361, r = 0.94), y niveles de educación (p = 0.00102, r = 0.95). Además, tanto la edad (p = 0.001067, r = -0.94) como estar viudo (p = 0.009662, r = -0.87) se correlacionaron positivamente con las puntaciones del TDM. Colectivamente nuestros resultados demuestran una alta prevalencia del TDM en la población de Portoviejo, un efecto más destacado en el hombre, que vive solo, joven y residente de la zona urbana.

ABSTRACT First records of parasitoids attacking the Asian citrus psyllid in Ecuador. The objective of the current study was to investigate the presence of natural enemies of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) (the Asian citrus psyllid) in Ecuador. Incidence of parasitoid Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) was assessed between November 2015 and March 2016, in Letamendi, Febres-Cordero and Tarqui, urban districts of Guayaquil. Highest incidence of parasitism occurred in those regions and seasons of the year with the highest temperatures commensurate with increase of citrus plant shoots. Similar to their host, these parasitoids appear to have established in Ecuador by accident, and were not the result of purposeful introduction. This fortuitous introduction is a potentially helpful tool in controlling the Asian citrus psyllid, and potentially Huanglongbing.