Contribution about the occurrence of Pachymerus bridwelli (Prevet) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in diaspores of pindo palm (Butia odorata) (Barb.Rodr.) Noblick & Lorenzi

Abstract

Contribution about the occurrence of Pachymerus bridwelli (Prevet) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in diaspores of pindo palm (Butia odorata) (Barb.Rodr.) Noblick & LorenziSeveral studies have demonstrated the importance of Pindo palm in Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, mainly through preservation but also due to the economic potential of using its fruit. In collections of Pindo palm fruit carried out in some regions of Rio Grande do Sul, the presence of beetle larvae inside of seeds was observed. This study aimed at identifying the species and evaluating the level of infestation of this insect in Pindo palm endocarps. Endocarps were kept in observation in the laboratory to verify the emergence of adults. The number of endocarps with the presence of the exit hole of the adult insect was registered. Afterwards, the endocarps were broken, and the number of adult insects, larvae and intact seeds was registered. The insect that occurred in the Pindo palm trees was identified for the first time in the country, at the species level, as Pachymerus bridwelli (Prevett, 1966). Infestation occurred in 75.1% of the endocarps. Among the damaged ones, the occurrence of only one larva was verified in 75.7%. However, it was also possible to verify the presence of two larvae (22.1%) and up to three larvae (2.2%) per endocarp. The loss of seeds reached 53.4%.