Liberato Portillo | Universidad de Guadalajara (original) (raw)

Papers by Liberato Portillo

Journal of The Professional Association for Cactus Development, Feb 16, 2022

Ariocarpus retusus is an endemic species of Mexico subject to special protection by the Mexican g... more Ariocarpus retusus is an endemic species of Mexico subject to special protection by the Mexican government due to its vulnerability to habitat disturbance. Previous studies have reported secondary metabolites in A. retusus with interesting biological activity. However, the use of these secondary metabolites has limitations. The aim of this study was to establish protocols for obtaining friable callus and cell suspension cultures that allow the subsequent development of strategies for obtaining secondary metabolites. Seedlings were obtained from seeds which were exposed to different concentrations of auxins and cytokinins to induce callogenesis. The callus generated was subcultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with modifications in the content of ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate, and incubated in different photoperiod conditions (16:8 h light: dark and continuous darkness). Likewise, cell suspensions were established and characterized by friable callus. The MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 of 2,4-D, 2 mg L-1 of BAP, and 3 mg L-1 of KIN allowed the development of vigorous callus. Callus friability was enhanced by decreasing ammonium nitrate (410 mg L-1) and increasing potassium nitrate (2850 mg L-1). The absence of light during incubation induced friable callus. The addition of myo-inositol (3 mg L-1) significantly (p = 0.000) influenced the increase in biomass of cell suspensions.

Zonas Áridas, Dec 31, 2006

Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 2023

Multipurpose cactus pear plant with great potential as a source of food and livestock faced a thr... more Multipurpose cactus pear plant with great potential as a source of food and livestock faced a threat from Dactylopius spp in different countries. Specifically, D. coccus is an important pest damaging significant areas in Tigray-Ethiopia. Using pest-resistant cultivars is an important element of an integrated pest management strategy, and studying the mechanisms of resistance is vital. It can be chemical or physical such as oxalate crystals and other cladode characteristics. Cladode features of six cultivars (three O. ficus-indica, two O. cochenillifera, and one O. robusta) were examined for resistance to D. coccus in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. 'Rojo Pelón' (O. ficus-indica), 'Robusta' (O. robusta), and 'Bioplástico' (O. cochenillifera) are resistant cultivars; and 'Atlixco' and 'Chicomostoc' (O. ficus-indica) and 'Nopalea' (O. cochenillifera) are susceptible. Cultivars showed a significant difference in cladode weight in g, and cladode length, cladode width, and cladode thickness in cm, where cladode thickness was higher in 'Rojo Pelón' followed by 'Robusta'. Calcium oxalates number per mm was higher in 'Bioplástico' (20.7 ± 2.08) followed by 'Robusta' (18.9 ± 2.31) and 'Rojo Pelón' (15.9 ± 0.34); and similarly, epidermis thickness found higher in 'Bioplástico' (0.21 ± 0.032) and 'Robusta' (0.19 ± 0.014), but similar with 'Rojo Pelón' (0.18 ± 0.026). However, cuticle thickness didn't show a difference among cultivars. Cladode thickness, calcium oxalate number, and epidermis thickness had positive correlations with resistance. These results demonstrate that calcium oxalate number and epidermis thickness might have a positive role in

Diversity and Distributions, Mar 13, 2021

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Biocontrol, Sep 11, 2020

Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) is a key pest of the prickly pear cactus in Mexic... more Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) is a key pest of the prickly pear cactus in Mexico where the plant, and its phytophagous community, are native. It is also an introduced pest in Brazil and the Mediterranean basin. Amongst the phytophagous community of prickly pear in Mexico there is also Dactylopius coccus, the cultivated cochineal. This cochineal is used to obtain carminic acid as a natural dye, but it has also been reported as an invasive pest in Ethiopia. The most feasible control option for these insects is biological control, but whether their natural enemies develop well in both species is unknown. The aim of this work was to study the biology of the predator, Laetilia coccidivora (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), when it was fed either D. opuntiae or D. coccus in the laboratory. The predator completed its development on both species. Carminic acid was at higher concentrations in D. coccus (8-25%) than D. opuntiae (2-5%), and feeding on D. coccus had negative effects on larval duration (16.7 vs. 22.0 days), developmental time (36 vs. 43.2 days) and survival rate of the predator (42.5 vs. 92.4%). Fecundity (22.7 vs. 12.9 eggs per female), net reproductive rate (R 0 = 10.1 vs. 5.8) and intrinsic rate of increase (r m = 0.064 vs 0.041) were also diminished when L. coccidivora fed on D. coccus, compared with D. opuntiae. We discuss possible reasons for variation in predator fitness when fed on each prey type.

Industrial Crops and Products, Mar 1, 2009

Acta horticulturae, Jun 1, 2013

Journal of The Professional Association for Cactus Development, Apr 27, 2015

Black spot is an important fungal disease widely spread in different cactus pear production syste... more Black spot is an important fungal disease widely spread in different cactus pear production systems in Mexico. In Jalisco, the disease was detected in the 1990's; nowadays almost 100% of plantations are damaged by it. The objective of this paper was to study the morphological variability, pathogenicity and virulence of the causal agent in cactus pear production systems, for fruit and vegetable (nopalitos) crops, in Jalisco, Mexico. Pseudocercospora opuntiae was isolated and characterized morphologically and molecularly from cladodes collected in cactus pear production systems of Zapopan and Ojuelos showing advanced symptoms of the disease. Pseudocercospora opuntiae exhibited high growth rates and conidia development in malt extract at 2% in 16/8 h light/darkness at 26°C. Pathogenicity and virulence were tested in healthy cladodes under field and greenhouse conditions, as well as on individual cladodes, in vitro young explants and Phaseolus vulgaris inoculated with the fungus. Pseudocercospora opuntiae was able to infect under all established conditions, the first symptoms appeared 120 days after inoculation. This is the first report of isolation, identification, morphological and molecular characterization, and pathogenicity of the causal agent of cactus pear black spot in Jalisco, Mexico.

Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, Nov 8, 2020

Physalis angulata is considered an important crop in Mexico, established for commercial productio... more Physalis angulata is considered an important crop in Mexico, established for commercial production due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. This study's objective was to develop an efficient method for the mass multiplication of P. angulata and cryopreservation of apical meristems by droplet-vitrification. In vitro propagation was given in MS basal culture medium supplemented with 2.22, 4.43, and 6.65 μM 6-Benziladenine (BA) in combination with 2.32, 4.64, and 6.96 μM Kinetin (Kin). Root induction was obtained by dipping shoots in an auxin medium 1.07, 2.68, 5.37, and 8.05 μM 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 1.41, 2.85, 5.70, and 8.55 μM Indoleacetic acid (IAA). The plantlets were acclimatized and transferred to the greenhouse. Results showed an efficient proliferation with an offshoot number of 6.57 ± 0.46 with 4.43 µM BA in combination with 2.32 µM Kin. Efficient rooting was obtained with 1.07 µM NAA with an average of 30.51 ± 0.94 roots. For cryopreservation, the effect of dehydration was evaluated by exposing shoot-tips to plant vitrification solution 2 at different times; 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 min were tested before and after immersion to liquid nitrogen, and the highest percentage of regrowth (90%) was observed at 30 min. Key message Experimental micropropagation by shoot proliferation system with cytokinins interaction (BA/Kin), rooting stimulation with auxins (NAA or IAA), successful acclimation, and cryopreservation by the droplet-vitrification procedure of Physalis angulata apical meristems.

Protoplasma, Jan 22, 2012

Florida Entomologist, Dec 1, 2001

In Mexico, cactus pears (Opuntia spp.) are regarded as very important plants, especially in semi-... more In Mexico, cactus pears (Opuntia spp.) are regarded as very important plants, especially in semi-arid and arid regions where few crops can be cultivated. Historically, Mexicans have used cactus pears for food, as fodder for cattle, for medicinal purposes, in cosmetics, to produce dyes, and as natural fences. Cactus pears are also an important component of native ecosystems. Central Mexico is considered to be one of the main centers of cactus diversity. Approximately 200 species of Opuntia are recognized worldwide, 114 of which occur in Mexico. Because most Opuntia species are thought to be susceptible to attack by the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), spread of this moth into Mexico would likely have significant economic and social impacts. A number of the most widely used and/or distributed species, including O. compressa Macbride, O. ficus-indica (L.) Miller, O. megacantha Salm-Dyck, O. stricta (Haw.) Haworth and O. tomentosa Salm-Dyck, are known hosts of the cactus moth.

Acta horticulturae, Jun 1, 2013

A natural ideal pigment to replace the synthetic colorings and to be used in textile industry is ... more A natural ideal pigment to replace the synthetic colorings and to be used in textile industry is the insect Dactylopius coccus Costa. This pigment is generally used for artisanal textiles. It is necessary to carry out research that allows the employment of this natural pigment in textile industries. With the aim to determine the effect of the dyeing process in cotton fabric, using as pigment the extract of cochineal, eight tests of dyeing were carried out changing in each one the concentration of the mordant used during the process. The eight dyed fabrics were analyzed in a scan electronic microscope. Also the original fabric without any process was analyzed, the washed fabric and the pre-mordanting fabric in their three phases (1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd mordanting stages). No differences were observed between the micrographies of the fabric after the stage of wash with regard to the original fabric; nevertheless, there were differences between the micrographies from the first phase of mordanting up to the stage of dyeing, with regard to the original fabric. On the other hand microscopic difference did not differ among each of the fabrics dyed in eight tests. At the same time, in order to observe other differences among the eight fabrics, their colors were measured and absorbance was determined. Presenting the major dark-red tone, the fabric dyed with the process of test 3, and this fabric allowed crossing a medium intensity of light. The dyed fabric that allowed crossing the minor intensity of light was that obtained with test 5, being very close to the result of test 8.

European Journal of Entomology, Sep 17, 2021

http://www.eje.cz into other, better-defi ned deltocephaline tribes (Zahniser & Dietrich, 2013). ... more http://www.eje.cz into other, better-defi ned deltocephaline tribes (Zahniser & Dietrich, 2013). The tribe includes many members that are highly specialized on host plants or habitats with distributional ranges limited and rarely extended beyond particular habitats or regions. From the 1920s to the 1940s a comprehensive series of surveys on Mexican leafhoppers conducted by Dr. D.M. DeLong of Ohio State University (USA) and colleagues suggested that a large percentage of athysanine leafhopper species inhabit only specifi c areas within particular types of forests in western or central Mexico. Additional distributional records have not been published for most of the species documented in these original surveys. Thus, additional surveys are needed to further elucidate the distributions and conservation status of these endemic Mexican taxa. Mexico is recognized as a megadiverse country with highly endemic genera and a mixture of Nearctic and Neotropical cicadellid faunas. The leafhopper fauna of Mexi

Acta horticulturae, Feb 1, 2009

Dactylopids hemipterans are used as pigment for food, drugs, cosmetics, handcrafts, and biologica... more Dactylopids hemipterans are used as pigment for food, drugs, cosmetics, handcrafts, and biological control agents. However, no study has reported how the distribution of dactylopids has been influenced by man. The present work had as objective to review the influence of man on geographic distribution of dactylopids. Based in literature, visits to natural habitats of Opuntia host plants and several areas where cochineal was or is produced, the distribution of dactylopiids is discussed with special emphasis in ecology and human factors. Since cactus fossils have not yet been found, it was necessary to look back to the continental drift theory as well as the phylogeny of cactus hosts and related plants. Cacti originated in South America and dispersed to North America; there, specific factors allowed developing new associations as happened to Opuntia and their natural enemies, which coevolved to become new species. Dactylopius coccus, D. confusus, D. bassi, D. opuntiae and D. tomentosus are found in North America, and D. austrinus, D. ceylonicus, D. confertus, D. salmianus and D. zimmermanii in South America. Because of their usefulness to man, both Opuntia and dactilopids are organisms of wide interest for commercial production; the effect is that their distribution, originally Neotropical and Neartic, now encompasses Afrotropical, Australasian, Paleartic and Oriental regions. Some effects of these activities have made that cochineal world production currently reaches more than 2000 t yr-1 , but they also created new plagues issues, as seen in the presence of D. opuntiae in Opuntia ficusindica plantations in Brazil, Spain, and other countries.

Neotropical Entomology, May 4, 2012

Carmines obtained from the dye of Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) were used for t... more Carmines obtained from the dye of Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) were used for the detection of larvae and pupae of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) in broccoli inflorescences. Larvae were dyed with carmine II and red cochineal, while the majority of the dyes, with the exception of carmine III and the aqueous extract, were suitable to dye pupae. In the broccoli lumps exposed to the dyes, only the verge of the stems were actually dyed, right in the position where the incision took place, an appropriate characteristic for implementing this technique for commercial use.

Horttechnology, Jun 1, 2018

Adaptation parameters as leaf width, leaf length, mesophyll thickness, number of adaxial and abax... more Adaptation parameters as leaf width, leaf length, mesophyll thickness, number of adaxial and abaxial stomata, and biomass were measured in eight stonecrop species (Crassulaceaae), spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), and maria's heart (Peperomia tepoztecoana) in vertical greenery system (VGS) and containers (POT). Statistical significance among parameters was probed by t test and principal component analysis was performed to detect global morphological changes. Mexican gem (Echeveria elegans), graptosedum (• Graptosedum 'Vera Higgins'), lavender scallops (Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi), coppertone sedum (Sedum nussbaumerianum), ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense), and jelly-beans (Sedum rubrotinctum) were the species that did not change significantly their morphological traits during growth in the VGS. This provides evidence of the potential for these species to be used in green walls or any VGS while maintaining their characteristic shape and beauty. Graptopetalum (Graptopetalum macdougalli), gray sedum (Sedum griseum), maria's heart, and spider plant showed changes in its morphology during growth in the VGS when compared with growth in POT, indicating a lower potential for adaption to VGS.

Royal Society Open Science, Mar 1, 2021

Tropical forests cover 7% of the earth's surface and hold 50% of known terrestrial arthropod spec... more Tropical forests cover 7% of the earth's surface and hold 50% of known terrestrial arthropod species. Alarming insect declines resulting from human activities have recently been documented in temperate and tropical ecosystems worldwide, but reliable data from tropical forests remain sparse. The sap-sucking tribe Athysanini is one herbivore group sensitive to anthropogenic perturbation and the largest within the diverse insect family Cicadellidae distributed in America's tropical forests. To measure the possible effects of deforestation and related activities on leafhopper biodiversity, a survey of 143 historic collecting localities was conducted to determine whether species documented in the Mexican dry tropical forests during the 1920s to 1940s were still present. Biostatistical diversity analysis was performed to compare historical to recent data on species occurrences. A data matrix of 577 geographical records was analysed. In total, 374 Athysanini data records were included representing 115 species of 41 genera. Historically, species richness and diversity were higher than found in the recent

Acta horticulturae, Aug 1, 2019

The genus Dactylopius, to which cochineals belong, comprises ten species, all distributed origina... more The genus Dactylopius, to which cochineals belong, comprises ten species, all distributed originally in North or South America. Two species native to Mexico, Dactylopius coccus (fine cochineal) and Dactylopius opuntiae (wild cochineal), are the ones with the highest economic importance, because of the commercial interest in fine cochineal as a natural pigment source, and the invasiveness of both species in commercial plantations of cactus pear. Since the dispersal of cactus pear throughout the arid areas of the world, the arrival of cochineal (fine or wild) has led to a number of agricultural disasters that are still occurring. A tool created to prevent and control these issues is good agricultural practice (GAP), which involves a compilation of principles to be applied on any farm during production and post-production processes. Here, we want to show the importance of GAP and highlight important measures to control cochineal in cactus pear plantations.

Journal of The Professional Association for Cactus Development, Feb 16, 2022

Ariocarpus retusus is an endemic species of Mexico subject to special protection by the Mexican g... more Ariocarpus retusus is an endemic species of Mexico subject to special protection by the Mexican government due to its vulnerability to habitat disturbance. Previous studies have reported secondary metabolites in A. retusus with interesting biological activity. However, the use of these secondary metabolites has limitations. The aim of this study was to establish protocols for obtaining friable callus and cell suspension cultures that allow the subsequent development of strategies for obtaining secondary metabolites. Seedlings were obtained from seeds which were exposed to different concentrations of auxins and cytokinins to induce callogenesis. The callus generated was subcultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with modifications in the content of ammonium nitrate and potassium nitrate, and incubated in different photoperiod conditions (16:8 h light: dark and continuous darkness). Likewise, cell suspensions were established and characterized by friable callus. The MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 of 2,4-D, 2 mg L-1 of BAP, and 3 mg L-1 of KIN allowed the development of vigorous callus. Callus friability was enhanced by decreasing ammonium nitrate (410 mg L-1) and increasing potassium nitrate (2850 mg L-1). The absence of light during incubation induced friable callus. The addition of myo-inositol (3 mg L-1) significantly (p = 0.000) influenced the increase in biomass of cell suspensions.

Zonas Áridas, Dec 31, 2006

Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 2023

Multipurpose cactus pear plant with great potential as a source of food and livestock faced a thr... more Multipurpose cactus pear plant with great potential as a source of food and livestock faced a threat from Dactylopius spp in different countries. Specifically, D. coccus is an important pest damaging significant areas in Tigray-Ethiopia. Using pest-resistant cultivars is an important element of an integrated pest management strategy, and studying the mechanisms of resistance is vital. It can be chemical or physical such as oxalate crystals and other cladode characteristics. Cladode features of six cultivars (three O. ficus-indica, two O. cochenillifera, and one O. robusta) were examined for resistance to D. coccus in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. 'Rojo Pelón' (O. ficus-indica), 'Robusta' (O. robusta), and 'Bioplástico' (O. cochenillifera) are resistant cultivars; and 'Atlixco' and 'Chicomostoc' (O. ficus-indica) and 'Nopalea' (O. cochenillifera) are susceptible. Cultivars showed a significant difference in cladode weight in g, and cladode length, cladode width, and cladode thickness in cm, where cladode thickness was higher in 'Rojo Pelón' followed by 'Robusta'. Calcium oxalates number per mm was higher in 'Bioplástico' (20.7 ± 2.08) followed by 'Robusta' (18.9 ± 2.31) and 'Rojo Pelón' (15.9 ± 0.34); and similarly, epidermis thickness found higher in 'Bioplástico' (0.21 ± 0.032) and 'Robusta' (0.19 ± 0.014), but similar with 'Rojo Pelón' (0.18 ± 0.026). However, cuticle thickness didn't show a difference among cultivars. Cladode thickness, calcium oxalate number, and epidermis thickness had positive correlations with resistance. These results demonstrate that calcium oxalate number and epidermis thickness might have a positive role in

Diversity and Distributions, Mar 13, 2021

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which... more This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Biocontrol, Sep 11, 2020

Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) is a key pest of the prickly pear cactus in Mexic... more Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) is a key pest of the prickly pear cactus in Mexico where the plant, and its phytophagous community, are native. It is also an introduced pest in Brazil and the Mediterranean basin. Amongst the phytophagous community of prickly pear in Mexico there is also Dactylopius coccus, the cultivated cochineal. This cochineal is used to obtain carminic acid as a natural dye, but it has also been reported as an invasive pest in Ethiopia. The most feasible control option for these insects is biological control, but whether their natural enemies develop well in both species is unknown. The aim of this work was to study the biology of the predator, Laetilia coccidivora (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), when it was fed either D. opuntiae or D. coccus in the laboratory. The predator completed its development on both species. Carminic acid was at higher concentrations in D. coccus (8-25%) than D. opuntiae (2-5%), and feeding on D. coccus had negative effects on larval duration (16.7 vs. 22.0 days), developmental time (36 vs. 43.2 days) and survival rate of the predator (42.5 vs. 92.4%). Fecundity (22.7 vs. 12.9 eggs per female), net reproductive rate (R 0 = 10.1 vs. 5.8) and intrinsic rate of increase (r m = 0.064 vs 0.041) were also diminished when L. coccidivora fed on D. coccus, compared with D. opuntiae. We discuss possible reasons for variation in predator fitness when fed on each prey type.

Industrial Crops and Products, Mar 1, 2009

Acta horticulturae, Jun 1, 2013

Journal of The Professional Association for Cactus Development, Apr 27, 2015

Black spot is an important fungal disease widely spread in different cactus pear production syste... more Black spot is an important fungal disease widely spread in different cactus pear production systems in Mexico. In Jalisco, the disease was detected in the 1990's; nowadays almost 100% of plantations are damaged by it. The objective of this paper was to study the morphological variability, pathogenicity and virulence of the causal agent in cactus pear production systems, for fruit and vegetable (nopalitos) crops, in Jalisco, Mexico. Pseudocercospora opuntiae was isolated and characterized morphologically and molecularly from cladodes collected in cactus pear production systems of Zapopan and Ojuelos showing advanced symptoms of the disease. Pseudocercospora opuntiae exhibited high growth rates and conidia development in malt extract at 2% in 16/8 h light/darkness at 26°C. Pathogenicity and virulence were tested in healthy cladodes under field and greenhouse conditions, as well as on individual cladodes, in vitro young explants and Phaseolus vulgaris inoculated with the fungus. Pseudocercospora opuntiae was able to infect under all established conditions, the first symptoms appeared 120 days after inoculation. This is the first report of isolation, identification, morphological and molecular characterization, and pathogenicity of the causal agent of cactus pear black spot in Jalisco, Mexico.

Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, Nov 8, 2020

Physalis angulata is considered an important crop in Mexico, established for commercial productio... more Physalis angulata is considered an important crop in Mexico, established for commercial production due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. This study's objective was to develop an efficient method for the mass multiplication of P. angulata and cryopreservation of apical meristems by droplet-vitrification. In vitro propagation was given in MS basal culture medium supplemented with 2.22, 4.43, and 6.65 μM 6-Benziladenine (BA) in combination with 2.32, 4.64, and 6.96 μM Kinetin (Kin). Root induction was obtained by dipping shoots in an auxin medium 1.07, 2.68, 5.37, and 8.05 μM 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 1.41, 2.85, 5.70, and 8.55 μM Indoleacetic acid (IAA). The plantlets were acclimatized and transferred to the greenhouse. Results showed an efficient proliferation with an offshoot number of 6.57 ± 0.46 with 4.43 µM BA in combination with 2.32 µM Kin. Efficient rooting was obtained with 1.07 µM NAA with an average of 30.51 ± 0.94 roots. For cryopreservation, the effect of dehydration was evaluated by exposing shoot-tips to plant vitrification solution 2 at different times; 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 min were tested before and after immersion to liquid nitrogen, and the highest percentage of regrowth (90%) was observed at 30 min. Key message Experimental micropropagation by shoot proliferation system with cytokinins interaction (BA/Kin), rooting stimulation with auxins (NAA or IAA), successful acclimation, and cryopreservation by the droplet-vitrification procedure of Physalis angulata apical meristems.

Protoplasma, Jan 22, 2012

Florida Entomologist, Dec 1, 2001

In Mexico, cactus pears (Opuntia spp.) are regarded as very important plants, especially in semi-... more In Mexico, cactus pears (Opuntia spp.) are regarded as very important plants, especially in semi-arid and arid regions where few crops can be cultivated. Historically, Mexicans have used cactus pears for food, as fodder for cattle, for medicinal purposes, in cosmetics, to produce dyes, and as natural fences. Cactus pears are also an important component of native ecosystems. Central Mexico is considered to be one of the main centers of cactus diversity. Approximately 200 species of Opuntia are recognized worldwide, 114 of which occur in Mexico. Because most Opuntia species are thought to be susceptible to attack by the cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg), spread of this moth into Mexico would likely have significant economic and social impacts. A number of the most widely used and/or distributed species, including O. compressa Macbride, O. ficus-indica (L.) Miller, O. megacantha Salm-Dyck, O. stricta (Haw.) Haworth and O. tomentosa Salm-Dyck, are known hosts of the cactus moth.

Acta horticulturae, Jun 1, 2013

A natural ideal pigment to replace the synthetic colorings and to be used in textile industry is ... more A natural ideal pigment to replace the synthetic colorings and to be used in textile industry is the insect Dactylopius coccus Costa. This pigment is generally used for artisanal textiles. It is necessary to carry out research that allows the employment of this natural pigment in textile industries. With the aim to determine the effect of the dyeing process in cotton fabric, using as pigment the extract of cochineal, eight tests of dyeing were carried out changing in each one the concentration of the mordant used during the process. The eight dyed fabrics were analyzed in a scan electronic microscope. Also the original fabric without any process was analyzed, the washed fabric and the pre-mordanting fabric in their three phases (1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd mordanting stages). No differences were observed between the micrographies of the fabric after the stage of wash with regard to the original fabric; nevertheless, there were differences between the micrographies from the first phase of mordanting up to the stage of dyeing, with regard to the original fabric. On the other hand microscopic difference did not differ among each of the fabrics dyed in eight tests. At the same time, in order to observe other differences among the eight fabrics, their colors were measured and absorbance was determined. Presenting the major dark-red tone, the fabric dyed with the process of test 3, and this fabric allowed crossing a medium intensity of light. The dyed fabric that allowed crossing the minor intensity of light was that obtained with test 5, being very close to the result of test 8.

European Journal of Entomology, Sep 17, 2021

http://www.eje.cz into other, better-defi ned deltocephaline tribes (Zahniser & Dietrich, 2013). ... more http://www.eje.cz into other, better-defi ned deltocephaline tribes (Zahniser & Dietrich, 2013). The tribe includes many members that are highly specialized on host plants or habitats with distributional ranges limited and rarely extended beyond particular habitats or regions. From the 1920s to the 1940s a comprehensive series of surveys on Mexican leafhoppers conducted by Dr. D.M. DeLong of Ohio State University (USA) and colleagues suggested that a large percentage of athysanine leafhopper species inhabit only specifi c areas within particular types of forests in western or central Mexico. Additional distributional records have not been published for most of the species documented in these original surveys. Thus, additional surveys are needed to further elucidate the distributions and conservation status of these endemic Mexican taxa. Mexico is recognized as a megadiverse country with highly endemic genera and a mixture of Nearctic and Neotropical cicadellid faunas. The leafhopper fauna of Mexi

Acta horticulturae, Feb 1, 2009

Dactylopids hemipterans are used as pigment for food, drugs, cosmetics, handcrafts, and biologica... more Dactylopids hemipterans are used as pigment for food, drugs, cosmetics, handcrafts, and biological control agents. However, no study has reported how the distribution of dactylopids has been influenced by man. The present work had as objective to review the influence of man on geographic distribution of dactylopids. Based in literature, visits to natural habitats of Opuntia host plants and several areas where cochineal was or is produced, the distribution of dactylopiids is discussed with special emphasis in ecology and human factors. Since cactus fossils have not yet been found, it was necessary to look back to the continental drift theory as well as the phylogeny of cactus hosts and related plants. Cacti originated in South America and dispersed to North America; there, specific factors allowed developing new associations as happened to Opuntia and their natural enemies, which coevolved to become new species. Dactylopius coccus, D. confusus, D. bassi, D. opuntiae and D. tomentosus are found in North America, and D. austrinus, D. ceylonicus, D. confertus, D. salmianus and D. zimmermanii in South America. Because of their usefulness to man, both Opuntia and dactilopids are organisms of wide interest for commercial production; the effect is that their distribution, originally Neotropical and Neartic, now encompasses Afrotropical, Australasian, Paleartic and Oriental regions. Some effects of these activities have made that cochineal world production currently reaches more than 2000 t yr-1 , but they also created new plagues issues, as seen in the presence of D. opuntiae in Opuntia ficusindica plantations in Brazil, Spain, and other countries.

Neotropical Entomology, May 4, 2012

Carmines obtained from the dye of Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) were used for t... more Carmines obtained from the dye of Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) were used for the detection of larvae and pupae of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) in broccoli inflorescences. Larvae were dyed with carmine II and red cochineal, while the majority of the dyes, with the exception of carmine III and the aqueous extract, were suitable to dye pupae. In the broccoli lumps exposed to the dyes, only the verge of the stems were actually dyed, right in the position where the incision took place, an appropriate characteristic for implementing this technique for commercial use.

Horttechnology, Jun 1, 2018

Adaptation parameters as leaf width, leaf length, mesophyll thickness, number of adaxial and abax... more Adaptation parameters as leaf width, leaf length, mesophyll thickness, number of adaxial and abaxial stomata, and biomass were measured in eight stonecrop species (Crassulaceaae), spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), and maria's heart (Peperomia tepoztecoana) in vertical greenery system (VGS) and containers (POT). Statistical significance among parameters was probed by t test and principal component analysis was performed to detect global morphological changes. Mexican gem (Echeveria elegans), graptosedum (• Graptosedum 'Vera Higgins'), lavender scallops (Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi), coppertone sedum (Sedum nussbaumerianum), ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense), and jelly-beans (Sedum rubrotinctum) were the species that did not change significantly their morphological traits during growth in the VGS. This provides evidence of the potential for these species to be used in green walls or any VGS while maintaining their characteristic shape and beauty. Graptopetalum (Graptopetalum macdougalli), gray sedum (Sedum griseum), maria's heart, and spider plant showed changes in its morphology during growth in the VGS when compared with growth in POT, indicating a lower potential for adaption to VGS.

Royal Society Open Science, Mar 1, 2021

Tropical forests cover 7% of the earth's surface and hold 50% of known terrestrial arthropod spec... more Tropical forests cover 7% of the earth's surface and hold 50% of known terrestrial arthropod species. Alarming insect declines resulting from human activities have recently been documented in temperate and tropical ecosystems worldwide, but reliable data from tropical forests remain sparse. The sap-sucking tribe Athysanini is one herbivore group sensitive to anthropogenic perturbation and the largest within the diverse insect family Cicadellidae distributed in America's tropical forests. To measure the possible effects of deforestation and related activities on leafhopper biodiversity, a survey of 143 historic collecting localities was conducted to determine whether species documented in the Mexican dry tropical forests during the 1920s to 1940s were still present. Biostatistical diversity analysis was performed to compare historical to recent data on species occurrences. A data matrix of 577 geographical records was analysed. In total, 374 Athysanini data records were included representing 115 species of 41 genera. Historically, species richness and diversity were higher than found in the recent

Acta horticulturae, Aug 1, 2019

The genus Dactylopius, to which cochineals belong, comprises ten species, all distributed origina... more The genus Dactylopius, to which cochineals belong, comprises ten species, all distributed originally in North or South America. Two species native to Mexico, Dactylopius coccus (fine cochineal) and Dactylopius opuntiae (wild cochineal), are the ones with the highest economic importance, because of the commercial interest in fine cochineal as a natural pigment source, and the invasiveness of both species in commercial plantations of cactus pear. Since the dispersal of cactus pear throughout the arid areas of the world, the arrival of cochineal (fine or wild) has led to a number of agricultural disasters that are still occurring. A tool created to prevent and control these issues is good agricultural practice (GAP), which involves a compilation of principles to be applied on any farm during production and post-production processes. Here, we want to show the importance of GAP and highlight important measures to control cochineal in cactus pear plantations.