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Seed predators and the fruiting phenology of Pithecellobium pallens (Leguminosae) in thornscrub, north-eastern Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Christoph Grimm
Christoph Grimm
Affiliation:
Institut für Forstentomologie, Forstpathologie und Forstschutz, Universität für Bodenkultur, Hasenauerstr. 38, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
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Abstract

Life table studies were conducted on the flowers, pods and seeds of the tree Pithecellobium pallens to assess the extent of damage by the seed predators Stator limbatus and Merobruchus insolitus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Brachyacma palpigera (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was also found to feed on the seeds of this tree. Seed predation and herbivore damage destroyed 41% of the seeds. Pods were taken to the laboratory and seed predators within were reared and identified. B. palpigera and M. insolitus were major causes of mortality, whereas damage by S. limbatus was slight. The growth ratio of pods to seeds did not indicate a rapid development of seeds as an evasive strategy against bruchid attack. Experiments showed no successful attack by bruchids on seeds exposed on the ground after dispersal from the tree.

Keywords

Brachyacma palpigeraColeopteraLeguminosaeLepidopteralife tableMerobruchus insolitusMexicoPithecellobium pallensseed predationStator limbatus
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , August 1995 , pp. 321 - 332
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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