Jorge M. González

Observation of yttrium oxide nanoparticles in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) through dual energy K-edge subtraction imaging

BackgroundThe potential transfer of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) from plants into the food chain has raised widespread concerns. In order to investigate the effects of ENPs on plants, young cabbage plants (Brassica oleracea) were exposed to a hydroponic system containing yttrium oxide (yttria) ENPs. The objective of this study was to reveal the impacts of NPs on plants by using K-edge subtraction imaging technique.ResultsUsing synchrotron dual-energy X-ray micro-tomography with K-edge subtraction technique, we studied the uptake, accumulation, distribution and concentration mapping of yttria ENPs in cabbage plants. It was found that yttria ENPs were uptaken by the cabbage roots but did not effectively transferred and mobilized through the cabbage stem and leaves. This could be due to the accumulation of yttria ENPs blocked at primary-lateral-root junction. Instead, non-yttria minerals were found in the xylem vessels of roots and stem.ConclusionsSynchrotron dual-energy X-ray micro-tomography is an effective method to observe yttria NPs inside the cabbage plants in both whole body and microscale level. Furthermore, the blockage of a plant’s roots by nanoparticles is likely the first and potentially fatal environmental effect of such type of nanoparticles.

Maximum Entropy Niche-Based Modeling (Maxent) of Potential Geographical Distribution of Coreura albicosta (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Ctenuchina) in Mexico

Abstract There are many butterfly and moth species in Mexico whose possible areas of distribution are still largely unknown. Some are endemic and rare but are not yet protected by the Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 (Environmental protection—Native species of flora and fauna from Mexico). An example is the moth Coreura albicosta Draudt (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Ctenuchina), a rare and apparently endemic species known from southern Mexican cloud forest habitats. To document the distribution of this species, ArcView was used to map its known distribution in Mexico. Maxent models were used to predict C. albicostas potential distribution. Results indicate that C. albicosta is distributed exclusively in high altitudes along mountainous cloud forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental and the mountains of Chiapas. The Maxent model proved to be highly reliable (AUC = 0.984), and the ability to predict the excluded grid in every model was high (88.9%). Environmental variables with a large contribution to the model were vegetation type and mean annual precipitation. Only 1.0% of the species known distribution and 6.8% of the potentially favorable grids coincided with the existing network of spaces protected in Mexico. Results emphasize the need to promote the conservation of this endemic cloud forest species and support the proposed inclusion of C. albicosta in the Mexican legislation for species protection with the purpose of conservation.

Macadamia integrifolia Maiden and Betche (Proteaceae), a New Host Plant Record for Automeris zozine (Druce 1886) from a Cloud Forest at Veracruz State, Mexico

Abstract. n Automeris zozine (Druce) is a silk moth in the family Saturniidae whose larvae typically defoliate plants in the Fagaceae, Fabaceae, and Anacardiaceae families, but little is known about other host plants. We documented the species defoliating Macadamia integrifolia Maiden and Betche (Proteaceae) associated with a plantation of coffee (Coffea spp., Rubiaceae) in a mountainous mesophyll forest at Veracruz, Mexico.

Semiochemical exploitation of host-associated cues by seven Melittobia parasitoid species : Behavioral and phylogenetic implications

Chemical compounds (infochemicals or semiochemicals) play an important role both in intra-specific and inter-specific communication. For example, chemical cues appear to play a key role in the host selection process adopted by insect parasitoids. In recent years significant advances have been made in order to understand the chemical ecology of insect parasitoids. However, little information is available about the evolution of semiochemical use in the host location process of insect parasitoids. Here we investigated the strategy adopted by seven closely related parasitoid species in the genus Melittobia when foraging for four different suitable hosts. By using an integrated approach that combined olfactometer bioassays and phylogenetic investigations, we found that: 1) exploitation of host-derived semiochemicals is widespread in the Melittobia genus; 2) there is specificity of attraction towards the different host species tested; in particular, the early-branching species in the Melittobia genus are attracted to odors associated with leaf cutting bees (Megachile rotundata) whereas the most-diverged species are attracted to odors associated with solitary mud dauber wasps (Trypoxyilon politum). Regardless of the phylogenetic relationships, no Melittobia species exhibited attraction towards odors of factitious laboratory hosts (i.e. the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata). Interestingly, five Melittobia species are also attracted by odors associated with honeybees hosts which indicate that these parasitoids could be potential pests of honeybees. Our study shed light on the host location within the Melittobia genus and represents a first attempt to understand semiochemical use in an evolutionary perspective in the context of parasitoids’ foraging behavior.

First records of Synpalamides phalaris (Fabricius, 1793) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in Venezuela, with comments on its natural history

New records of Synpalamides phalaris (Fabricius, 1793) (Lepidoptera: Castniidae), collected from Venezuela, one of them from the Orinoco Delta, are presented. A brief historical account, brief description, comparison with specimens from other South American regions, natural history notes and illustrations are included.

First reports of Bactrophora dominans Westwood, 1842 (Orthoptera: Romaleidae) from Venezuela and French Guiana (South America), with comments on biology, ecology and distribution of the species

New records of Bactrophora dominans xa0Westwood, 1842 collected for the first time in Venezuela (Tepui Ichum), and French Guiana (Belizon and Regina), are presented. Description of the insect, its colors, as well as ecological and biological notes and a historical overview of the known specimens in the genus and species are also included.

Geographic Distribution and Conservation of Cyanopepla griseldis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Ctenuchina) an Endemic Wasp Moth of Mexico

Abstract n Mexico contains a large diversity of Lepidoptera (14,385 spp.), but it is a contradiction that only two species of butterflies are officially protected and moths are not even contemplated for protection. Among the 240 known species of Mexican wasp moths 10 are endemic to the country. Herein we update the knowledge of the geographical distribution of the wasp moth, Cyanopepla griseldis (Druce 1884) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Ctenuchina), which is endemic to the mountains of central Mexico. We also evaluated C. griseldiss current vulnerability, using a method that allowed us to categorize it as “threatened” based on the corresponding equivalent designation in the Official Mexican Norm for Species Protection (NOM-059). We also propose that the taxon should be included in the Official Mexican Norm for Species Protection.