Abstract

RUBIO G., José David et al. FIRST RECORD OF Heilipus elegans Guérin-Méneville (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) ATTACKING THE AVOCADO TREE STEM IN COLOMBIA. rev.udcaactual.divulg.cient. [online]. 2009, vol.12, n.1, pp.59-68. ISSN 0123-4226.

The damage on avocado trees was evaluated in a field in Fresno, Tolima, Colombia and the presence of Heilipus elegans Guérin-Méneville, 1844 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was registered attacking the avocado tree trunk. The varieties Lorena, Choquette, Santana, Trinidad, Booth 8 and native cultivars were affected by this pest. The damage is characterized by a reddish coloration and exudates from the galleries made by the larvae. A single larva or one pupa was found per gallery. Adults were located in the cracks of the trees bark. The control method of this pest in avocado is performed by removing the larva from the galleries followed by an application of a healing paste onto the wounds. Samples of larvae, pupae and adults were collected and deposited in the entomological collection of the Universidad of Caldas, Manizales, Colombia. In this publication, the damage caused by H. elengans is illustrated as well as the characteristics of the larva, the pupa and the adult. These illustrations can serve as a field guide for the recognition and management of this insect pest in avocado orchards.

Keywords : Weevil; varieties; survey; illustration; damage; stages.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )