Daniel Nieto-Ángel

El Barrenador de la Semilla Caryedon serratus Oliver (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) en Tamarindo en el Trópico Seco de México — Una Revisión

Abstract. Tamarind, Tamarindus indica L., is an economically important crop in the dry tropical region of Western Mexico. For more than a decade, damage caused by an insect borer in seeds has been observed. Since 2006, taxonomical identification, biology, hosts, and integrated management of the insect have been studied. In this review, current knowledge of the tamarind seed borer is presented. The beetle is 4 to 6 mm long, with a brown-colored body with pubescence, large hind legs, and large serrated antennae. Its elytra do not cover the last abdominal segments. The larvae are 7 to 8 mm long, pinkish-white in color, and slightly mobile. In the Western region of Mexico, tamarind is the main host. The insect oviposits on different legumes; however, only on tamarind (followed by peanut and chickpea) can it complete its life cycle. According to these characteristics, the insect was identified as Caryedon serratus Oliver and affects tamarind pods at pre-and postharvest. Its control should be oriented to damage reduction in the field and storage. The use of insecticides (deltamethrin and paraffinic oil) before harvest is suggested. Also, all the fruits on the tree must be cut during harvest, because this insect is able to complete its life cycle in them. The fumigation of the pods with aluminum phosphide can reduce damage during storage.

Alterations induced by Avocado sunblotch viroid in the postharvest physiology and quality of avocado 'Hass' fruit

Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) is an economically important pathogen that reduces the yield and quality standards of infected avocado trees. There are no reports on the effects of the viroid in the postharvest quality of avocado fruits. The present study has focused on three phenotypic classes: asymptomatic fruits harvested from vigorous trees (AF-V), asymptomatic fruits harvested from trees of regular vigor (AF-R) and symptomatic fruits harvested from trees expressing the disease (SF-S). The water loss was similar in the three fruit classes. The abnormal firmness condition, skin color and size reduction occurred only in SF-S fruits, which did not ripe uniformly due to reduced CO2 and ethylene production. The proximal analyses showed no significant differences in the variables analyzed, except for the lipid content and dry matter, which was lower in SF-S and AF-R fruits. ASBVd affects physiology and postharvest quality of symptomatic avocado fruits. In contrast, the ripening process of AF-V and AF-R fruits was normal and their physical characteristics and nutrient input were not altered, therefore, these fruits were classified as Supreme Quality, Extra Size (221-265 g) and Premium (172-210 g) according to the NMX-FF-016-SCFI-2006 standards.

Ferrisia virgata (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) and Formicidae Associated with Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) in Southeast Mexico

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) (Sapindaceae) is a tropical fruit originally from Malaysia and Indonesia. Its name comes from the Malaysian word “rambut”, which means “hair”, referring to the long and soft trichomes that cover the surface of the fruit. It is widely distributed in Southeast Asia and has developed successfully in Africa, Australia, and Central America (Walker 1988, Watson 1988). De la Garza and Cruz (2006) reported it was first introduced into Mexico, in the states of Chiapas and Veracruz, where it was kept as an exotic and ornamental plant. It was first grown in the state of Chiapas in 1950, especially in the Soconusco region (Fraire, 2001). According to Ochse et al. (1976), the fruit is delicious and is an option as a crop in low-altitude areas between 100 and 700 m above sea level in the humid tropics (Perez and Jürgen 2004). Rambutan usually is eaten fresh, or industrially canned (Vargas 2003), and recently, medicinal properties have been found in it (Román 2002). In Mexico, the fruit is little known but has great potential for increased consumption, establishment, and development in all the humid and sub-humid tropical areas. In the Soconusco region, fruit is produced commercially in plantations on more than 200 hectares (PFPAS 2007). Rambutan from Chiapas has been planted on a small scale in Campeche, Guerrero, Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, and Tabasco (Román 2002, Hernandez 2010). Most rambutan is produced in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, from where it is exported to Europe, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and the U.S.A. The fruit from Mexico is destined for markets in the U.S.A., Canada, and Japan (De la Garza and Cruz 2006). Because rambutan is recent in Central America, and especially in Mexico, little sanitary and health research has been done on it. One of the most recent studies refers to a qualitative characterization of rambutan fruits, besides the identification of two fungi that affect the fruit post-harvest (Hernández 2010). With regard to insects, Román (2002) mentioned that pests with economic importance in Mexico were the mealybug Pseudococcus sp. and Tessaratoma longicornis Dohrn, 1863 (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). However, in Costa Rica, the PFPAS (2007) reported the following pests: soft scales Ceroplastes floridensis Comstock, ________________________ Entomología Agrícola, Fitosanidad, Colegio de Postgraduados, Carr. México-Texcoco, Km. 36.5, Montecillo, Municipio de Texcoco, Estado de México C. P. 56230. Autor responsible nestor@colpos.mx Fitopatología, Fitosanidad, Colegio de Postgraduados, Carr. México-Texcoco, Km. 36.5, Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México C. P. 56230. Departamento de Fitotecnia, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Km. 38.5 Carretera MéxicoTexcoco, Chapingo, Texcoco, Estado de México C. P. 56230.

Uso de Aceites y Extractos Vegetales para el Control de Diaphorina citri Kuwayama1 en Lima Mexicana en el Trópico Seco de México

Resumen. El psílido asiático de los cítricos (PAC; Diaphorina citri) es la plaga más importante que afecta a la lima mexicanao (Citrus aurantifolia) en el trópico seco de México y es el vector de la enfermedad del Huanglongbing. Su control se basa en el uso de insecticidas sintéticos. La búsqueda de alternativas sustentables y eficaces es una prioridad en el manejo del PAC. En este estudio, se evaluó el efecto de diferentes tipos de aceites y extractos de plantas en el control de ninfas del PAC en el estado de Colima, México. Las pruebas fueron conducidas en árboles de lima mexicana y plantas de vivero infestadas con la plaga. Se realizó una aplicación foliar de cada tratamiento sobre brotes vegetativos de 5 a 7 días de edad. Las evaluaciones del número de ninfas vivas se hicieron antes y después de la aplicación de los aceites y los extractos de plantas. En la primera prueba, el aceite parafínico (99% de residuos no sulfonados) a concentraciones de 1, 2, y 3%, redujeron la población del PAC entre un 77 a 98% en comparación con el testigo sin control. En las otras pruebas, los diferentes aceites (parafínicos, de cocina y de cítricos) mostraron una baja infestación del PAC con relación al testigo. También, los extractos de neem, ajo y cebolla mostraron una reducción significativa de ninfas después de la aplicación. El aceite de semilla de Jatropha curcas tuvo una buena efectividad en el control del insecto. No se observaron signos de fitotoxicidad en los árboles tratados con cualquiera de los aceites durante el invierno, pero si los hubo durante el verano, principalmente con los aceites de cocina. Estos resultados demuestran que los aceites y extractos vegetales pueden ser incluidos en un programa de control del PAC en lima mexicana para reducir el uso de insecticidas sintéticos (organofosforados), los cuales están teniendo problemas de resistencia de D. citri.

Population Fluctuation and Altitudinal Distribution of Tetraleurodes perseae (Nakahara) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in Avocado (Lauraceae) in Morelos, Mexico

Although whiteflies Tetraleurodes perseae (Nakahara) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are considered a secondary pest of avocado crops, their presence and the damages that they cause can decrease crop vigor and affect production. The objective of the present work was to determine the population fluctuation and altitudinal distribution of the T. perseae Nakahara whitefly in avocado trees, as well as to determine the number of possible generations in one year. The study was done in three orchards in Morelos state, located at different altitudes, from February 2014 to April 2015. Samplings were done every 21 days from 10 randomly chosen trees in each orchard. The samples were taken randomly from the middle stratus (1.6 m in height) of each tree; in buds or young leaves for the number of adults and leaves only for nymphs. Additionally, two yellow traps (7 × 14 cm) with glue were placed in each tree for adult samplings. Data were collected regarding vegetative budding, rainfall, relative humidity, and temperature. T. perseae was present in all three sampled orchards, with a greater presence in the lowest orchard, during the whole study period. In the orchard with the lowest altitudinal gradient (1,736 masl), 11 whitefly generations developed; 10 generations developed in the medium gradient orchard (1,934 masl); and 8 generations developed in the highest orchard (2,230 masl). The adults showed a positive relationship with regard to vegetative buds, while the nymphs had a negative relationship with regard to relative humidity. The rest of the parameters showed diverse effects on the species depending on the altitude of the orchard.