Bruchid beettle damage to seeds of Pithecellobium ebano (Leguminosae) in the thornscrub of North-Eastern Mexico
A life table study of the development of seeds of Pithecellobium ebano was conducted in North-Eastern Mexico. Two species of bruchid beetles were found. Merobruchus major infested 11 per cent of the seeds and Stator beali 2.2 per cent. Both bruchid species spend little time within dispersed seeds. M. major avoids seed dispersal by cementing the seeds it attacks to the inside of the pod valves while S. beali emerges within a week of seed dispersal. Reasons for this are discussed. S. beali does not attack seeds on the ground which confirms that, despite being a host specialist, it belongs to the mature fruit guild.
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| Format: | biblioteca |
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1994
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| Subjects: | PITHECELLOBIUM, LEGUMINOSAE, SEMILLAS, BRUCHIDAE, INSECTOS DAÑINOS, PLAGAS DE PLANTAS, CICLO VITAL, DAÑOS, |
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| Summary: | A life table study of the development of seeds of Pithecellobium ebano was conducted in North-Eastern Mexico. Two species of bruchid beetles were found. Merobruchus major infested 11 per cent of the seeds and Stator beali 2.2 per cent. Both bruchid species spend little time within dispersed seeds. M. major avoids seed dispersal by cementing the seeds it attacks to the inside of the pod valves while S. beali emerges within a week of seed dispersal. Reasons for this are discussed. S. beali does not attack seeds on the ground which confirms that, despite being a host specialist, it belongs to the mature fruit guild. |
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