In vitro evaluation of venom extracts of Sphecid wasps against phytopathogens of horticultural crops and mass spectrometric profiling of venom peptide components

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  In vitro evaluation of venom extracts of Sphecid wasps against phytopathogens of horticultural crops and mass spectrometric profiling of venom peptide components Abstract As the shortcomings of synthetic chemicals become gradually evident, the dynamics of pest and disease management in modern agriculture are progressively shifting towards environmentally safer alternatives. Biopesticides, such as peptide-based approaches offer attractive alternatives, although their potential remains yet to be fully explored. In this exploratory study, crude venom extracts from previously unexplored Hymenopteran sphecid wasps ( Chalybion bengalense , Sceliphron madraspatanum , Ammophila atriceps and Sphex argentatus ) were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against selected plant pathogens. The venom extracts demonstrated prominent antibacterial activity lacking antifungal activity. Among the wasps, C . bengalense exhibited the most significant antibacterial activity against Gram-negati...

New Theraphosinae from Ecuador: description of five species (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae, Romopelma, and Homoeomma) with the establishment of a new genus

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New Theraphosinae from Ecuador: description of five species (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae, Romopelma, and Homoeomma) with the establishment of a new genus

Abstract

A review of specimens from the subfamily Theraphosinae in Ecuador resulted in the identification of five new species across three genera; from the genus Romopelma Peñaherrera-R et al., 2024, Romopelma chirapa sp. nov. (♂♀); from the genus Homoeomma, Homoeomma josti sp. nov. (♂♀). The female of Romopelma barrigae Peñaherrera-R et al., 2024, the type species of the genus, is described for the first time. The proposed synonymy of Homoeomma strabo (Simon, 1892) from Colombia with H. familiare Bertkau, 1880, from Brazil, is rejected. Additionally, one new genus is established, and three species are described: Yunka gen. nov., Y. suenos sp. nov. (♂♀), Y. guasaganda sp. nov. (♂♀), and Y. baboso sp. nov. (♂♀). SEM images of palpal bulb, and urticating setae are presented, and morphological nomenclature of palpal bulb keels is updated.

Dupérré N, Tapia E, Salazar-Valenzuela D (2026) New Theraphosinae from Ecuador: description of five species (Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae, Romopelma, and Homoeomma) with the establishment of a new genus. Evolutionary Systematics 10(2): 217-261. https://doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.10.196576