Curculionid beetles in aborted flower buds and immature fruits of Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae)

Abstract

We determined the incidence of curculionid beetles of the genus Lonchophorus on aborted and not aborted flower buds and developing fruits of the tree Ceiba pentandra in southeastern Costa Rica. Beetle larvae were found in reproductive parts of all trees sampled trees. The frequency of beetle larvae was greater in aborted buds and immature fruits. A positive correlation between larvae development and flower bud development indicates that female oviposition occurred in an early flower developmental stage and time until bud abortion is variable. Weevil herbivory could be considered as one of the main factors that cause flower bud and fruit abortion in C. pentandra.Resumen Determinamos la incidencia de curculió nidos del gé nero Lonchophorus en botones florales y frutos inmaduros tanto abortados como no abortados en el á rbol Ceiba pentandra en el SE de Costa Rica. Las larvas de curculió nidos fueron encontradas en todos los á rboles muestreados. La frecuencia de larvas fue mayor en botones y frutos abortados. Una correlació n positiva entre el desarrollo larval y el desarrollo del botó n indica que la oviposició n ocurre en una fase temprana de este y que el tiempo hasta el aborto es variable. La herbivoría por larvas de curculió nidos puede ser uno de los factores má s importantes en el aborto de botones y frutos inmaduros en C. pentandra.

Temporal variation in extrafloral nectar secretion in different ontogenic stages of the fruits ofAlibertia verrucosaS. Moore (Rubiaceae) in a Neotropical savanna

“…Several authors have demonstrated that the damage caused by predators is greater in young fruits, mainly due to their physical properties, which make them softer (Reuveni & Reuveni 1995;Alford 2007;Ferna´ndez et al 2008;Wise & He´bert 2010). However, sometimes the predators do not have a special preference for young fruit (Clarke 1992;Lenzi et al 2006;Silva et al 2007), mainly because in some plant species the young fruits contain high levels of tannins compared with ripe fruits (Dement & Mooney 1974).…”

Estructura genética y germinación de semillas en poblaciones portuguesas de <em>Cheirolophus uliginosus</em> (Asteraceae): Implicaciones para su conservación

“…Insects found inside Ch. uliginosus flower heads belong to taxonomic groups specialised in achene and capitulum consumption (Metcalf et al, 2009) and a relationship between the presence of curculionid and hemiptera larvae and the damage to developing seeds has also been reported in other species (louda, 1983;Fernández et al, 2008). therefore, the observed increase in seed predation in larger populations could explain the lower but not statistically significant decrease in germination capacity.…”

Key‐factor/key‐stage analysis of long‐term life table data for a fruit gall midge, Asphondylia sphaera (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

“…Among these causes, the insect damage reflects the host–herbivore interaction directly. For example, infestation by curculionid larvae of Lonchophorus species (Coleoptera) was considered as one of the main factors that cause flower bud and fruit abortion in Ceiba pentandra (Linnaeus) Gaertner (Bombacaceae) (Fernández et al , ). In contrast, larval infestation did not promote the abortion of flower buds and flowers in the L. japonica–A.…”