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METAMASIUS CALLIZONA (CHEVROLAT) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE), AN IMMIGRANT PEST, DESTROYS BROMELIADS IN FLORIDA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

J.H. Frank
Affiliation:
Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, PO Box 110620, Gainesville, Florida, USA 32611-0620
M.C. Thomas
Affiliation:
Florida State Collection of Arthropods, PO Box 147100, Gainesville, Florida, USA 32614-7100

Abstract

Metamasius callizona (Chevrolat), a previously obscure weevil species known from Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama, was discovered in Florida (USA) in 1989. In Mexico and Florida its larvae mine meristemmatic tissue and flower-stalks of epiphytic Tillandsia bromeliads, which they kill. In Florida, populations of Tillandsia utriculata L. are being decimated; the weevils also mine and kill introduced ornamental bromeliads of 12 other genera, including Ananas. Fruits of Ananas comosus (L.) (pineapple) are destroyed. Where they occur in southern Florida, populations of the weevil are now much greater than could be found in Mexico in July 1992. In Florida, M. callizona seems to breed throughout the year. Females deposit eggs singly into slits cut in leaf bases of the host-plants. Fully grown larvae pupate in a fibrous cocoon, and development time from oviposition to adult is approximately 11 weeks in the laboratory. No insect parasitoids of the weevil have been found, but Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) was found as a pathogen in Mexico.

Résumé

Metamasius callizona (Chevrolat), un charançon à ce jour peu connu vivant au Mexique, au Guatémala et au Panama, a été trouvé en Floride (É.-U.) en 1989. Au Mexique et en Floride, les larves de cet insecte creusent des tunnels dans les tissus du méristème et dans les tiges florales des broméliacées epiphytes Tillandsia, qu’elles font éventuellement mourir. En Floride, les populations de Tillandsia utriculata L. sont actuellement décimés par l’insecte qui s’attaque également aux broméliacées ornementales de 12 autres genres, notamment le genre Ananas. Les fruits d’Ananas comosus (L.) se font détruire. Les populations de ces charançons dans le sud de la Floride sont maintenant beaucoup plus importantes qu’elles ne l’étaient au Mexique en juillet 1992. En Floride, M. callizona semble pouvoir se reproduire durant toute l’année. La femelle dépose un oeuf unique dans une fente qu’elle aménage à la base d’une feuille de la plante hôte. Les larves à maturité font leur nymphose dans un cocon fibreux et la durée du développement entre la ponte et l’âge adulte est d’environ 11 semaines en laboratoire. Aucun insecte parasitoïde de ce charançon n’a été trouvé en Floride, mais il existe un pathogène au Mexique, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo).

[Traduit par la Rédaction]

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1994

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