Nota Científica

 

First report of Cactophagus spinlae (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on three species of Hylocereus (Cactaceae) in Morelos, México

 

Primer informe de Cactophagus spinolae (Gyllenhal) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) en tres especies de Hylocereus (Cactaceae) en Morelos, México

 

Ramírez-Delgadillo, J. J.¹, E. Rodríguez-Leyva¹, M. Livera-Muñoz¹, A. Pedroza-Sandoval², N. Bautista-Martínez¹ & C. Nava-Díaz¹

 

¹ Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Km 36.5 Carr. México-Texcoco, Montecillo, 56230 Texcoco, Edo. de México. México. <jjrd@colpos.mx>

² Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Unidad Regional Universitaria de Zonas Áridas (URUZA), Km. 40 Carr. Gómez Palacio, Durango - Chihuahua. 35230 Bermejillo, Durango. México.

 

Recibido: 11/10/2010
Aceptado: 28/06/2011

 

RESUMEN

Se observó daño de un insecto en tallos y botones florales de tres especies y una subespecie de Hylocereus en Morelos, México durante 2006 y 2007. El objetivo de este trabajo fue la identificación específica de la plaga y la descripción del daño. Mensualmente se recolectaron pupas y adultos en campo en ambos años, y se identificó a Cactophagus spinolae (Gyllenhal). Las larvas se alimentaron de tallos maduros (incidencia del 50%) y afectan el cilindro vascular, lo que puede matar a la planta. Los adultos se alimentaron de tallos inmaduros (5% de incidencia) y de brácteas y sépalos de botones florales (1% de incidencia).

 

The pitahaya, Hylocereus spp. (Cactaceae), is a fruit that has been used in Mexico since prehispanic times, and commercial orchards have been established in the last 20 years (Ortiz 1999) mainly in Peninsula de Yucatan. Three species and one subspecies of Hylocereus, H. undatus (Haworth) Britton & Rose, H. purpussi (Weing) Britton & Rose, H. ocamponis (Salm-Dyck) Britton & Rose and H. undatus subsp. luteocarpus are native of Mexico and they are considered high value crops (Bravo 1978, Anónimo 1999, Ortiz 2000, Cálix de Dios 2005, Le Bellec et al. 2006, Guzmán et al. 2007). Recently, commercial orchards were reduced from 1,100 to 350 ha because of low production combined with pest and diseases incidence (Rodríguez 2002, Castillo et al. 2003). Several pests of Hylocereus have been reported to genus level in Mexico (Ortiz & Livera-Muñoz 2000) and worldwide (Anónimo 1999, Rodríguez 2002, Le Bellec et al. 2006, Pohlan et al. 2007). For example, Trucios (2005) found Metamasius sp., probably Cactophagus sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) affecting stems and fruits of H. undatus.

During our surveys in 2006, insect damage was observed on stems and floral buds on 17 clones of H. undatus, two clones of H. undatus subsp. luteocarpus, one of H. purpussi and one of H. ocamponis in a experimental orchard that belongs to "Progra-ma de Recursos Genéticos de Hylocereus del Colegio de Postgraduados" located at Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico [1,541 masl, climate (A)Ca(w2)(w)(i')g]. The principal objective of this research was to identify the insect, describe the damage and quantify it. From October 2006 to April 2007, surveys were carried out at 30-day interval in order to collect larvae, pupae and adults of the pest on damaged plants. Larvae and pupae were placed in plastic containers and were fed with Hylocereus stems at 25±1.5 ºC, 55% of RH, and 14:10 h (L: D) until life cycle was completed.

Emerged adults were conserved in 70% alcohol then labeled, mounted and identified (M.Sc. Raul Muñiz Velez^†, Instituto Politécnico Nacional). The specimens were identified as Cactophagus spinolae (Gyllenhal 1838) (Fig. 1); voucher specimens are held at the "Colección de insectos del Colegio de Postgraduados" in Texcoco, Mexico. C. spinolae is a well known pest of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia spp. and Nopalea spp.) that has been reported from North America to Central America (Mann 1969, Zimmermann & Granata 2002). This insect is frequently found as a pest on prickly pear that is grown in highlands at Central Mexico (Mann 1969, Méndez 1994). Vaurie (1967) mentions this species as pest of the family Cactaceae in the genera Cereus, Ferocactus, and Opuntia; and Zimmermann & Granata (2002) points out that there is no specific information about pests of cultivated Hylocereus and Stenocereus. There are at least other 20 insect pest of natural occurrence on Opuntia species in Mexico, and some biology information does exist.

Adults of C. spinolae fed on Hylocereus immature stems and observed on 5% of sampled plants, and 1% of the bracts and floral buds (N = 478). The principal damage was caused by larvae which affected 50% of the surveyed plants (N = 478). Larvae that fed on mature stems induced secretion of sap, destroyed parenchyma and vascular tissue, and killed branches and even whole plants (Fig. 1 A, B, C, D). In Nicaragua has been reported that closely related species C. fahrei striatoforatus (Gyllenhal) attacks stems, floral buds and flowers (inducing floral drop) and causing deformations and fruit rotting (Anónimo 1999 & 2000, Pohlan et al. 2007). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of C. spinolae attacking H. undatus, H. undatus subsp. luteocarpus H. purpussi and H. ocamponis. Because of the high incidence and fatal consequences of larvae attack, this insect represents a potential pest for commercial pitahaya orchards in Mexico. It is important to study the life cycle and to better understand its relationship with the host in order to develop management strategies.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT), Mexico, for the scholarship granted to the first author to pursue a doctorate and providing some economical support to develop this research. We also thank to M.Sc. Raúl Muñiz Vélez^† (IPN) for the support to identify the insect collected on Hylocereus.

 

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