Resumo

PARRA-GIL, Pedro de Jesús et al. Preference and predation of mesquite seeds by beetles (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2020, vol.91, e912855.  Epub 01-Mar-2021. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2020.91.2855.

To assess the effect of beetles (Bruchidae) that consume seeds on the establishment of Prosopis laevigata in the Mezquital Valley, Hidalgo, the damage they cause in the seeds of 20 trees was quantified. We assessed if the damage affects seed viability, if the beetles have preference for some seed size and if beetle size is related to the size of the seed from which it emerges. Twenty-two percent of the seeds presented damage by beetles in the pre-dispersion stage, and 2, 4 and 6 months after they had fallen to the ground, the damage was 32.0, 54.4 and 66.3%, respectively. The seeds damaged by beetles did not germinate because they damaged the embryo. Bruchids use larger sized seeds for oviposition and beetle size was positively and significantly related with the size of the seeds from which they emerged. The loss of seeds by bruchids and their preference for larger seeds to oviposit may limit the establishment of P. laevigata, although the potential ecological implications of this seed predation still needs to be assessed.

Palavras-chave : Algarobius; Bruchinae; Leguminose; Pest; Prosopis.

        · resumo em Espanhol     · texto em Espanhol     · Espanhol ( pdf )