Filippo Maria Buzzetti

A method to assess the effects of pesticides on the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory

Abstract Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari Phytoseiidae) is a major predator of Tetranychus urticae (Acari Tetranychidae). The performance of P. persimilis in controlling T. urticae may be altered by pesticides used to manage other pests. Therefore, knowledge of the side-effects of pesticides is essential for IPM. A number of laboratory methods were suggested to evaluate pesticide side-effects on predatory mites. Most methods assess residual effects only, and a number of them are characterised by high predator escape rates from experimental units. A method aimed at evaluating the topical and residual effects of pesticides on P. persimilis is herein described. Mites were treated by microimmersion and then reared in holding cells, on bean leaves previously dipped in a pesticide solution. Three insecticides (pyrethrins, spinosad and thiamethoxam), an insecticide-acaricide (abamectin), and two fungicides (azoxystrobin and tolylfluanide) were evaluated. The strain of P. persimilis used for evaluation was collected from unsprayed vegetable plants. All the pesticides affected the survival and fecundity of P. persimilis. Pesticides did not affect the egg-hatching of P. persimilis females exposed to pesticides. Pyrethrins and abamectin proved to be more toxic than other pesticides, and thiamethoxam was more toxic than spinosad, azoxystrobin and tolylfluanide. The escape rate from experimental units was lower than 5% in all trials. Additional experiments were performed on P. persimilis eggs by dipping leaves with eggs in the pesticide solution. None of the pesticides affected egg survival. Semi-field trials conducted on potted bean plants obtained results similar to those reported in laboratory trials.

BIOACOUSTICS OF SOME MEXICAN ORTHOPTERA (INSECTA: ORTHOPTERA: ENSIFERA, CAELIFERA)

ABSTRACT The songs of the following species are presented: Conocephalus (Xiphidion) cinereus Thunberg, 1815, C. (X.) ictus (Scudder, 1875), C. (X.) magdalenae Nascrecki, 2000, C. (Anisoptera) strictus (Scudder, 1875), Dichopetala brevihastata Morse, 1902, D. castanea Rehn & Hebard, 1914, D. pollicifera Rehn & Hebard, 1914, Phyllophyllia guttulata Ståi, 1863, Stilpnochlora azteca (Saussure, 1859), Boopedon gracile Rehn, 1904, Syrbula montezuma (Saussure, 1861) and Teniopoda tamaulipensis Rehn, 1904. Considerations on distribution, taxonomy, ethology, biodiversity and conservation are given.

Description and Bioacoustics of a New Species of the New Genus Pterodichopetala from Mexico (lnsecta: Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae)

Abstract Pterodichopetala cieloi cieloil n. gen. n. sp. from Mexico is here described. The song of the male is outlined and affinities with the genera Dichopetala Brunner v. W., 1878 and Marenestha Brunner v. W., 1878 discussed.

Bioacoustics of Metrioptera caprai baccettii Galvagni 1958 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae)

Abstract The song of Metrioptera caprai baccettii Galvagni 1958, an endemic subspecies of the Monti Sibillini region of Central Italy, is here described. The calling song consists of long series of polysyllabic echemes and differs from conspecific subsp. in having the lowest echeme repetition rate. The main differences between the subspecies lie in morphological characters: male subgenital plate, female ovipositor, lowest number of stridulatory pegs.

Huastecacris alexandri, a New Species of Melanoplinae from Tamaulipas, Northeastern Mexico

Abstract Huastecacris alexandri n. sp., is described from the El Cielo Biosphere Reserve in southern Tamaulipas, northeastern México. Geographic distribution is limited to the highlands of the reserve where it occurs from 1300 to 1700 m in open areas on natural, low vegetation. This species is most related to Huastecacris zenoni Fontana & Buzzetti 2007, which is found in the lowlands of the reserve, extending the distribution of the genus along the Eastern Sierra Madre up to Cd. Victorias mountain range. The species are distinguished by details of the male cerci, supra-anal plate, genitalia and color pattern.

Contribution to the orthopteroid (insecta: Blattoptera, orthoptera, dermaptera) fauna of Sal Island (cape verde)

Abstract Nineteen taxa of orthopteroid insects are reported from Sal Island in the Cabo Verde Archipelago. Two species of Blattoptera are new for Sal. The song oscillogram of a male of Acheta dome‐sticus (Linnaeus, 1758) recorded in the island is shown.

The Tribe Dysoniini Part V: The group Paraphidniae, with Three New Species from Guatemala and Ecuador (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae)

Abstract The moss-and-lichen mimic katydids of the group treated here are easily recognized by their long and slender wings held upward at an almost 45-degree angle. They live in rainforests of central and northern South America, with one species ranging southward to subtropical forest in NE Argentina. Here the recently introduced subgenus Anaphidna is raised to genus beside Paraphidnia, and three additional species are described: P. brevicristata n. sp. and P. tunki n. sp. from Ecuador, the latter along with the relatively complex male calling song, as well as A. obrieni n. sp. from Guatemala. P. gallina is redescribed. A key for the three species of Paraphidnia s. str. is included.

New Species of Necaxacris Roberts, 1939 (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Northeastern Mexico

Abstract The genus Necaxacris Roberts, 1939 (Acrididae: Melanoplinae) is endemic to Mexico. Two species were previously known for this genus: N. micans (Hebard, 1932) and a species collected by Roberts in 1936, mentioned in litteris by Descamps(1975) as N. moctezumae Roberts, 1975, but never formally described. We here describe and assign the name of N. tamazunchale n. sp. for this taxon and describe three additional new species: N. azura n. sp., N. afurculae n. sp. and N. davidi n. sp. A revision, description and illustration of diagnostic characters to identify the species that make up the genus are provided for the first time. Information on distribution and habitat of the species treated is also provided herein.