Exploring the potential of Proboscidea louisianica (Martyniaceae) as a live trap for insects, with emphasis on aphids and parasitoids

Yellow sticky traps are a recommended tool for pest monitoring; however, they are not selective and can harm non-target organisms. An alternative is sticky plants, such as Proboscidea louisianica . To document the vectors of phytopathogens and parasitic hymenoptera trapped in the glandular trichomes of P. louisianica and their potential for pest management, a study was conducted in the Cienega of Chapala, Michoacán, México. From 2022 to 2023, insects adhering to glandular trichomes were collected weekly and identified as vectors of phytopathogens and parasitic Hymenoptera. Insect captures on yellow sticky traps were used as a control. Proboscidea louisianica captured vector groups, with Aphididae as the most prominent (20.7%). Forty species were identified (including six morphospecies), highlighting Tetraneura nigriabdominalis (42.8%), Aphis craccivora (38.78%), Melanaphis sorghi (32.65%), A. nerii (30.61%), Hyperomyzus lactucae (28.57%), and Aphis gossypii (16.33%). Similarly, 27 families of parasitic hymenoptera were identified. Higher capture rates were observed on the abaxial surface, and the largest catches in the South coincided with the prevailing winds. Aphid and parasitoid captures in yellow traps were 2.78 and 5.7 times higher, respectively, than those for P. louisianica ; however, the temporal trend was similar in both cases. Based on insect captures, P. louisianica showed high potential for aphid monitoring, with lower capture rates of non-target species than yellow sticky traps.