Abstract. Gene flow from transgenic crops can introduce novel traits into related species, but the ecological importance of this process is unknown. Here, we report the first empirical evidence that wild plants can benefit from a bacterial transgene under uncaged, natural conditions. Cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is known to hybridize frequently with wild sunflower (H. annuus) in the western and midwestern United States. We studied a crop-developed Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgene, cry1Ac, in backcrossed wild sunflower populations. Lepidopteran damage on transgenic plants was strongly reduced relative to control plants at our two study sites, while damage by several weevil and fly species was unaffected. Our results suggest that reduced herbivory caused transgenic plants to produce an average of 55% more seeds per plant relative to nontransgenic controls at the field site in Nebraska. A similar but nonsignificant trend was seen at the site in Colorado (14% more seeds per plant). In a greenhouse experiment the transgene had no effect on fecundity, suggesting that it was not associated with a fitness cost. If Bt sunflowers are released commercially, we expect that Bt genes will spread to wild and weedy populations, limit damage from susceptible herbivores on these plants, and increase seed production when these herbivores are common.

Peruvian biodiversity is pivotal for conserving and managing natural resources, food security, poverty reduction, health, biosecurity, new industrial product development, and ecotourism (Smith et al., 2011). Geotrupidae Diversity in Peru: 1 subfamily, 4 genera, and 11 species. Recognition: The body shape is oval or round, and the head is not deflexed. The antennae are 11-segmented with a 3-segmented, opposable club with all antennomeres tomentose. The eyes are completely or partially divided by a canthus. The clypeus is often with a tubercle or horn. The labrum is truncate, prominent, and produced beyond the apex of the clypeus. The mandibles are prominent and produced beyond the apex of the labrum. The pronotum is convex with a base wider than or subequal to the elytral base and with or without tubercles, ridges, horns, or sulci. The elytra are convex, with or without striae. The pygidium is concealed by the elytra (Jameson, 2002a). Habitat: Life histories of the geotrupids are diverse, and food habits vary from saprophagous to coprophagous and mycetophagous. Adults of most species are secretive, living most of their life in burrows. Although adults do not tend larvae, adults provision food for larvae in brood burrows. Adults dig vertical burrows (15-200 cm in depth) and provision larval cells with dead leaves, cow dung, horse dung, or humus. Burrows of some species extend to a depth of 3.0 m (Jameson, 2002a). Notes: The family Geotrupidae includes 68 genera and about 620 species (Scholtz and Browne, 1996). The subfamily Geotrupinae does not occur in South America.

General confusion has surrounded the status of Nearctic Dorcus species since the 19 th Century. In this paper the two Nearctic species are clarifi ed and compared, and morphological characters discussed that will readily distinguish them. Examination of the type specimens of D. mexicanus reveals that they are actually mislabeled specimens and that the species is a new synonym of the Palearctic D. parallelipipedus (L.).

Four species of stag beetles in the genus Sclerostomus Burmeister from southern South America (composing the subgenera Chileistomus Weinreich and Sclerostomulus Weinreich) are redescribed: S. cucullatus (Blanchard), S. nitidus Benesh, S. tuberculatus (Solier), and S. varasi Nagel. A key to the southern South American genera of Lucanidae and species of Sclerostomus are provided to facilitate identification. The classification of the genus within the Lucanidae is discussed. Nomenclatural problems within Sclerostomus are resolved, and the generic concept is fixed through a lectotype designation for the type species, S. costatus [Westwood]. Lectotypes are also designated for S. cucullatus (Blanchard) and S. tuberculatus (Solier). A neotype is designated for S. varasi, a validly described but heretofore misidentified species. ResumenCuatro especies de los ciervos volantes del sur de Sudamérica en el género Sclerostomus (componiendo los subgéneros Chileistomus Weinreich y Sclerostomulus Weinreich Burmeister) son redescritas: S. cucullatus (Blanchard), S. nitidus Benesh, S. tuberculatus (Solier) y S. varasi Nagel. Se proporcionan claves para los géneros de Lucanidae del sur de Sudamérica y para el género Sclerostomus para facilitar su identificación. Se discute la posición del género dentro de Lucanidae. Se resuelven los problemas nomenclaturales en Sclerostomus y el concepto del género con la designación del lectotipo para la especie tipo, S. costatus [Westwood]. Se designan tambien lectotipos para S. cucullatus (Blanchard) y S. tuberculatus (Solier). Un neotipo se señala para S. varasi, una especie válida pero hasta ahora incorrectamente identificada.