Abstract

MAYA, Yolanda; PALACIOS-CARDIEL, Carlos  and  JIMENEZ, Ma. Luisa. The giant cardon cactus Pachycereus pringlei, a new host for Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2011, vol.82, n.3, pp.1041-1045. ISSN 2007-8706.

This is the first record of a cactus, Pachycereus pringlei (giant cardon), which is a dominant species of the xerophyllous scrub in the Baja California peninsula, as a host of Scyphophorus acupunctatus (agave weevil). Based on observations and the sampling of adults and larvae, it was possible to establish that this weevil causes at least 3 types of damage to the cardon: 1), drilling of the tip of the branches by adults; 2), consumption of the branch medulla by larvae, which can be so extended that could cause the cardon’s death, and 3), perforations in the branches, used by larvae to eliminate wastes, that could serve as entrance to other pests and remain as tumor-like scars. The success that this insect seems to have by using the giant cardon cactus as host represents a threat to its natural populations and even to the xerophillous scrub environmental services.

Keywords : agave weevil; xerophyllous scrub; Cactaceae.

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