Trophic relationships between palms and bruchids (Coleoptera: Bruchidae: Pachymerini) in Peruvian Amazonia

Abstract

Qualitative and quantitative host plant data are provided for palm bruchids in a part of Amazonia from where previously few or no data were available. The host range and geographical distribution of several species are extended. The role of fruit structure on susceptibility to bruchid infestation and fruit maturity on oviposition site selection is discussed. The importance of mesologic conditions, particularly in areas subjected to flooding, on population dynamics of palm seed beetles is stressed. A specialist parasitoid of Caryoborus serripes, which is a specific predator of Astrocaryum nuts, is recorded for the first time; a trichogrammatid parasitic on the eggs of the same bruchid is also identified