Alive and kicking in Central America and the Riviera Maya: first reports of Papilio demoleus Linnaeus, 1758 in Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico, with a warning to their citrus producers (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Papilio demoleus malayanus Wallace, 1865 is reported for the first time in Mexico, based on four specimens collected in Cancún, Quintana Roo, and 11 additional observations from the state Quintana Roo, documented on the citizen science platform iNaturalist.org. This species is a recognized pest of citrus crops, and its monitoring is recommended to prevent its spread within the country and to mitigate potential economic impacts on the citrus industry. Furthermore, records of this species from other countries in the Americas are presented, based on citizen researchers’ observations uploaded in iNatuaralist.org, including the first documented records for Costa Rica and Panama. Two new host plants are reported for Papilio demoleus, and various aspects of its ecology are discussed. Lastly, the importance of iNaturalist.org as an effective platform for detecting rare species, Lepidoptera pests, and other taxonomic groups is emphasized.
DOI: 10.57065/shilap.1141
Institution: Instituto de Ecología
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7166809128