Given its culinary importance and high market value, the cultivation of Vanilla (Orchidaceae) has been expanding annually in Brazil. As observed in many crops, the increase in cultivated areas leads to a greater incidence of insects associated with species of this genus. This study reports the herbivory of larvae from Cremna thasus (Stoll, 1780) (Papilionoidea: Riodinidae: Riodininae), Hypercompe cunigunda (Stoll, 1781) (Noctuoidea: Erebidae: Arctiinae), and Spodoptera cosmioides Walker, 1858 (Noctuoidea: Noctuidae: Noctuinae) on Vanilla bahiana Hoehne and V. planifolia Andrews in the Federal District, Brazil. A list of 19 Lepidoptera species from six families associated with Vanilla spp. worldwide is provided based on a literature review. Most (n=15) of them exhibit polyphagous larvae. Given reports of exotic larvae spreading with orchids worldwide and the discussed larval polyphagy, we address precautions that producers of Vanilla and other orchids should take to reduce the incidence of insect pests in crops, especially in areas with intensive cropping systems involving annual commodities such as maize and soybean.

This study reports the herbivory of larvae from Cremna thasus (Stoll, 1780) (Papilionoidea: Riodinidae: Riodininae), Hypercompe cunigunda (Stoll, 1781) (Noctuoidea: Erebidae: Arctiinae), and Spodoptera cosmioides Walker, 1858 (Noctuoidea: Noctuidae: Noctuinae) on Vanilla bahiana Hoehne and V. planifolia Andrews in the Federal District, Brazil.

The species of the cleptobiotic bee genus Lestrimelitta Friese, 1903 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) are generally known as a menace to Meliponiculture and Apiculture, that is why it is common to observe recommendations to beekeepers to avoid the proximity of their meliponaries with any Lestrimelitta hives. So, besides other anthropic pressures, the growth of beekeeping may represent a particular threat to its species. In this note we address the distribution of three species recorded in the triple border region of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. One of these species, Lestrimelitta chacoana Roig-Alsina, 2010 (Hymenoptera: Apidae), previously described from the Argentinian Dry Chaco, is recorded for the Semideciduous Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil where it was already expected to be found due to its previous record in a contiguous forest type in Northeastern Argentina. A discussion about the characters to differentiate it from two other species is made.

The species of the cleptobiotic bee genus Lestrimelitta Friese, 1903 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) are generally known as a menace to Meliponiculture and Apiculture, that is why it is common to observe recommendations to beekeepers to avoid the proximity of their meliponaries with any Lestrimelitta hives. So, besides other anthropic pressures, the growth of beekeeping may represent a particular threat to its species. In this note we address the distribution of three species recorded in the triple border region of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. One of these species, Lestrimelitta chacoana Roig-Alsina, 2010 (Hymenoptera: Apidae), previously described from the Argentinian Dry Chaco, is recorded for the Semideciduous Atlantic Forest in Southern Brazil where it was already expected to be found due to its previous record in a contiguous forest type in Northeastern Argentina. A discussion about the characters to differentiate it from two other species is made.