Daniel Jiménez-García

Determination of Spatial Distribution of Sphenophorus incurrens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Using GIS in Morelos, Mexico

The potential distribution of the sugarcane rootstock, Sphenophorus incurrens Gyll. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the Mexican state of Morelos was calculated using GIS techniques. Damage in all sampled fields was reported in 5 sugarcane varieties in the plots sampled. Se calculo la distribucion potencial del picudo barrenador del tallo radical de la cana de azucar, Sphenophorus incurrens Gyll. (e: Curculionidae), empleando tecnicas SIG. El dano en campo fue ocasionado a 5 variedades de cana de azucar.

Current and Potential Distribution of the Cactus Weevil, Cactophagus spinolae (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Mexico

Abstract The maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt) was used to create a model of the suitable environment for the cactus weevil, Cactophagus spinolae (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Mexico and to analyze the climatic factors influencing the weevils potential distribution and possible impacts on another Cactaceae species. Areas located west of the Transmexican Volcanic Belt, south of the Mexican Plateu, east of the Balsas Basin, and northwest of the Sierra Madre del Sur biogeographical provinces were found to be more suitable for the emergence of the cactus weevil. The climatic variables that determine the distribution of C. spinolae were seasonal temperatures (24.5%) and precipitation of coldest quarter (24.0%). The commercial production areas of edible Opuntia Mill. (prickly pear cactus and barbary fig) and pitahaya in Central Mexico match with the environmental suitability calculated for the cactus weevil.

Environmental suitability for Agrilus auroguttatus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Mexico using MaxEnt and database records of four Quercus (Fagaceae) species

The goldspotted oak borer Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer is an invasive pest of three Quercus species in southern California, U.S.A. As a native and potentially indigenous exotic species, its distribution and potential damage is largely unknown in Mexico. We used the maximum entropy algorithm to determine the bioclimatic variables that may explain the distribution of A. auroguttatus, as well as its interaction with the distribution of known hosts in Mexico. Our model calculated high suitability for A. auroguttatus in the biogeographical provinces of California, the northern and southern areas of Sierra Madre Occidental and the northwestern area of the Mexican Plateau; moderate suitability was projected in the Baja California, Sonora and Sierra Madre Occidental provinces. Potential distribution of A. auroguttatus was overlapping with native ranges of Quercus agrifolia, Quercus emoryi Torrey and Quercus hypoleucoides A. Camus. Precipitation of the coldest quarter (23.6%), isothermality (23.5%), precipitation seasonality (17.3%) and mean temperature of the coldest quarter (11.2%) contributed most to explaining its distribution in Mexico. The geographical interaction (i.e. the likelihood that the habitat would be suitable for coexistence) of A. auroguttatus with its hosts in Mexico was projected in the California province (46 382.60 km2, probably as an exotic species) and the northwestern areas of Mexican Plateau and Sierra Madre Occidental provinces (74 013.45 km2, probably as native). Determining the areas of environmental suitability for A. auroguttatus and its host distribution can focus ground surveys, contribute to management efforts and assist in the development of risk assessments for Mexico.

Predicción de la Disponibilidad Ambiental de Bulia schausi (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), una Plaga Potencial de Brócoli en México

Resumen. Se calculó la disponibilidad ambiental de Bulia schausi Richards (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) en México y su potencial interacción con áreas dedicadas a la producción de brócoli (Brassica oleracea L.), donde se empleó el algoritmo de Máxima Entropía. La principal disponibilidad ambiental se calculó en las provincias biogeográficas Sierra Madre Occidental, Altiplano Mexicano, Sierra Madre Oriental, Eje Volcánico Transmexicano, Cuenca del Balsas, Sierra Madre del Sur, y Costa del Pacífico Mexicano. El modelo calculado presentó un valor de AUC “Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic” (ROC) (índice AUC) = 0.982 y estableció que tres variables ambientales determinan la distribución de B. schausi en el país: temperatura mínima del mes más frío, media del rango diurno e isotermalidad. Las entidades federativas en las que se produce brócoli se encuentran dentro del área calculada como área disponible para el insecto. Esto nos indica que la palomilla se puede distribuir por el corredor geográfico hasta los Estados Unidos de América.

Major challenges for correlational ecological niche model projections to future climate conditions

Species‐level forecasts of distributional potential and likely distributional shifts, in the face of changing climates, have become popular in the literature in the past 20 years. Many refinements have been made to the methodology over the years, and the result has been an approach that considers multiple sources of variation in geographic predictions, and how that variation translates into both specific predictions and uncertainty in those predictions. Although numerous previous reviews and overviews of this field have pointed out a series of assumptions and caveats associated with the methodology, three aspects of the methodology have important impacts but have not been treated previously in detail. Here, we assess those three aspects: (1) effects of niche truncation on model transfers to future climate conditions, (2) effects of model selection procedures on future‐climate transfers of ecological niche models, and (3) relative contributions of several factors (replicate samples of point data, general circulation models, representative concentration pathways, and alternative model parameterizations) to overall variance in model outcomes. Overall, the view is one of caution: although resulting predictions are fascinating and attractive, this paradigm has pitfalls that may bias and limit confidence in niche model outputs as regards the implications of climate change for species’ geographic distributions.

Abundance of Insect Fauna Associated with Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. Crop, in Relation to Natural Living Fences

Abstract. Abundance of insect fauna associated with Amaranthus hypochondriacus L. in small-holder farm conditions, in terms of field complexity was studied. Agroecology theory suggests that natural fence rows reinforce good microclimatic conditions in a crop field, and provide food and cover for wildlife that could benefit the crop. However, organisms respond differently to the presence of an edge which could be positive or negative, and the response is driven by the form of the edge. In total, 1,621 specimens were collected in the insect orders Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera, the suborders Heteroptera, Homoptera, superfamily Mantodea, family Aleyrodidae, and class Arachnida. Results revealed that even when abundance of Heteroptera and Homoptera differ between sample areas of living fences, no fences, and natural vegetation, overall abundance was not related with field complexity. Response of arthropods to the presence of a natural living fence was neutral. However, tendencies in abundance suggested possible edge effects.

Actual and Potential Distribution of Five Regulated Avocado Pests Across Mexico, Using the Maximum Entropy Algorithm

Abstract Mexican avocado producers face phytosanitary barriers that limit the ability to ship avocados to foreign markets due to concerns about invasion by unwanted pests. The principal regulated pests are the big avocado seed weevil, Heilipus lauri Boheman; the small avocado seed weevils Conotrachelus aguacatae Barber and C. perseae Barber; the branch borer weevil, Copturus aguacatae Kissinger (all Coleoptera: Curculionidae); and the avocado seed moth, Stenoma catenifer Walsingham (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae). In Mexico, distribution information of these pests is largely based on a slow integration of the geographic data. This study was conducted to determine the potential distribution of these 5 insect pests in Mexican avocadogrowing areas by using the maximum entropy algorithm. Distributional data of these insects were obtained from scientific literature, databases, and field collection, and incorporated into the MaxEnt model using 19 global climatic variables and elevation data. Distributional models for Mexico, and geographic interaction with avocado-growing areas of the country, were calculated. Conoctrachelus aguacatae, C. perseae, Copturus aguacatae, and H. lauri showed similar environmental suitability patterns in Mexico, with a potential distribution from central to southern Mexico. High suitability was projected principally in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and surrounding biogeographic provinces. Stenoma catenifer exhibited an irregular environmental suitability pattern, with preference for western Mexico. Altitude, isothermality, and seasonality of precipitation were the variables that most influenced potential distribution of analyzed species. Geographic interaction with avocado-growing areas ranged from wider (Conoctrachelus aguacatae, C. perseae, Copturus aguacatae, and S. catenifer) to narrow or irregular (H. lauri), but the last species has the potential to invade new geographic areas. For the first time, the geographic distribution of these 5 insect pests was determined based on environmental suitability and their geographic interaction with avocados. These data could support development of management strategies throughout the country, and help focusing surveys and control tactics.

Hosts of five Anastrepha Species (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico

Summary Host plant records are reported for 5 species of Anastrepha (Diptera: Tephritidae) collected from wild and commercial fruit species in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

Xylophagous Beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae and Cerambycidae) from Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) in Morelos, Mexico

Abstract Xylophagous buprestid (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and cerambycid beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) associated with common fig or “higuera”, Ficus carica L. (Moraceae), were studied in small orchards from Morelos, Mexico. Three species of Buprestidae and 11 species of Cerambycidae were identified. The cerambycids Eutrichillus comus Bates and Neoptychodes trilineatus (L.) were the most prevalent and abundant species reared from the sampled orchards. Ficus carica is recorded for the first time as a host for the buprestids Acmaeodera rustica Fischer, Chrysobothris analis LeConte, and Chrysobothris distincta Gory and the cerambycids Anelaphus piceum (Chemsak), E. comus, Lagocheirus obsoletus obsoletus Thomson, Sphaenothecus trilineatus Dupont, and Stenosphenus rufipes Bates. The role of xylophagous insects in the phytosanitary conditions of this fruit crop is discussed.

New Records of Stagmomantis limbata 1 for Three States of Central Mexico

Abstract. The mantids of Mexico are not well known. We found records of Stagmomantis limbata Hahn for the states of Guerrero, Morelos, and Puebla, in central Mexico, and discuss the geographical range and weather variables in the recorded information. Results suggested that, at least S. limbata was found in deciduous forest, grassland, and cloudy forest vegetation in places with semi-warm to temperate climates throughout Balsas and Tuxpan-Nautla hydological regions.