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

• Published in: Revista Ceres 2021-04, Vol.68 (2), p.149-154
• Main Authors: Tonietto, Adilson, Schlindwein, Gilson, Efrom, Caio Fábio Stoffel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; Arecaceae; bruchine; Coleoptera; Dormancy; Embryonic growth stage; Fruits; Germination; insect; Insects; Laboratories; Larvae; Predation; Propagation; Reproduction (biology); Seedlings; Seeds; Sexual reproduction; Somatic embryogenesis
• ISSN: 0034-737X; 2177-3491; 2177-3491
• DOI: 10.1590/0034-737x202168020009

Despite the studies of somatic embryogenesis in palms like the oil palm (Elaeis guineesnsis Jacq) (Silva et al., 2012), coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) (Gomes et al., 2004) and açaí palm (Euterpe oleraceae Mart.) (Scherwinski-Pereira et al., 2012), the seedlings production of most palms occurs via sexual reproduction (Lorenzi et al., 2010), being the sanity of seeds an important factor to the success of the propagation. Besides dormancy, which affects the germination of palm seeds like the Pindo palm (Butia spp.) (Fior et al., 2011; Schlindwein et al., 2013), seed infestation by insects interferes directly with the quality of fruit and reduces its reproductive capacity. According to the authors, these beetles lay their eggs on seeds or fruits, and their larvae feed inside the seeds, usually destroying them. In other taxonomic review of bruchids in palm trees, Nilsson & Johnson (1993) considered Butiobruchus synonymous with the genus Pachymerus Thunberg, 1805. [...]it is highly probable that the genus mentioned by Link & Costa (1982) and Link & Naibo (1995) is the same cited by Nilsson & Johnson (1993). A total of 150 seeds were not damaged. [...]as each insect eats only one seed while growing, the total number of seeds in the studied lot was 322.