Agustín Aragón

La “Gallina Ciega” (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Melolonthidae) Vista Como Un “Ingeniero del Suelo”

Abstract. An updated review has been made on the potential of “white grubs” as beneficial insects for increasing soil fertility. Historically white grubs have been considered economic pests because they cause damage in diverse agricultural crops. However, many species of white grubs also consume plant residues in the decaying process. According to the written literature, white grubs may promote fertility in agricultural soils mainly through decomposition of organic matter, rendering humic substances in a similar way as earthworms do. Main activities in which white grubs are considered as soil engineers that may increase soil fertility are that: 1) white grubs may act as earthworms because they may positively affect soil physical functions through increasing soil pore space and improve drainage and aeration; 2) white grubs may affect soil chemical functions either by nutrient immobilization, nutrient distribution, mineralization and/or humification in a dynamic way acting like biological facilitators, and 3) white grubs may stimulate soil biological activities by increasing microbiological decomposition of organic matter and regulating soil biotic composition and exporting aboveground soil nutrients contained in the adult beetle. All of these activities may give us a different vision of the problem caused by white grub when it is regarded as a soil engineer and may inspire possible solutions for their management.

Species of Sphenophorus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) Associated with Golf Courses in Mexico

Summary Five species of Sphenophorus were found in golf courses from 7 states of Mexico on various host plants; Sphenophorus arizonensis Horn from the state of Puebla on Paspalum vaginatum Swartz (new state and host record); Sphenophoruscicatristriatus Fahraeus was collected in Puebla on Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; Sphenophorusincurrens Gyllenhal was collected in Querétaro on Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst, (new state record); Sphenophorus rectus (Say) was collected in Veracruz on P. clandestinum (new host plant record); and Sphenophorus venatus vestitus Chittenden was collected in Puebla, Veracruz, Guerrero, Baja California Sur and Nuevo León on C.dactylon and in Guanajuato on Lolium perenne L. (new host record). This information will aid in the development of improved management tactics for Sphenophorus species attacking turfgrass in México.