A remarkable leaf mine induced by Tachygonus sp.n. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae: Rhamphini) on Erythroxylum subsessile (Erythroxylaceae) with a description of the new species / Mina foliar singular induzida por Tachygonus sp. n. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Tachygoninae) em Erythroxylum subsessile (Erythroxylaceae) com descrição da nova espécie

In this study, we describe and present original data on the bionomics and ecology of Tachygonus erythroxyli Hespenheide, New Species, on Erythroxylum subsessile (Mart.). Thirty individuals of E. subsessile were analysed every two months, from October, 2006 to October, 2007 at the National Park of Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ) Carapebus, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Females of T. erythroxyli lay their eggs singly on the upper surface of the host's leaves. The mine of T. erythroxyli is expanded with three bubbles, each one representing one larval instar. These mines occur throughout the year in at least half of the host plants and are markedly more abundant in summer. We obtained three parasitoid species, making a total of 53% of the rate of parasitism. Cirrospilus sp. (Eulophidae) was the most prevalent and represented 88% of the parasitoids. The great abundance of Tachygonus mines, their high frequency in their host plant, and local monophagy of this leaf miner weevil suggest a close association between T. erythroxyli and Erythroxylum subsessile.

No presente estudo, foram descritos e apresentados os primeiros dados sobre bionomia e ecologia de Tachygonus erythroxyli Hespenheide, New Species, em Erythroxylum subsessile (Mart.). Trinta indivíduos de E. subsessile foram amostrados a cada dois meses, de outubro de 2006 a outubro de 2007, no Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba (PNRJ), Carapebus-Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Fêmeas de T. erythroxyli colocam ovos isolados na face superior das folhas do seu hospedeiro. A mina de T. erythroxyli é do tipo expandida e apresenta um formato de três bolhas, sendo que cada bolha corresponde a um estádio da larva. Essas minas ocorrem ao longo de todo o ano em pelo menos metade das plantas hospedeiras, sendo marcadamente mais abundantes no verão. Foram obtidas três espécies de parasitoides que, juntas, demonstraram uma taxa de parasitismo de 53%. Cirrospilus sp. (Eulophidae) foi a mais abundante e representou 88% dos parasitoides. A grande abundância de minas de Tachygonus, a alta frequência em seu hospedeiro e a monofagia local desse besouro minador de folhas sugere uma forte associação entre T. erythroxyli e Erythroxylum subsessile.

Scelianoma elydimorpha, a new genus and new species of entimine weevil from southwestern Puerto Rico (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Entiminae) / Scelianoma elydimorpha, género nuevo y especie nueva de picudo entimino del suroeste de Puerto Rico (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Entiminae)

Scelianoma elydimorpha Franz & Girón, new genus and new species, an entimine weevil endemic to southwestern Puerto Rico, is described and illustrated in detail, and assigned to the tribe Eustylini (Curculionidae: Entiminae). Scelianoma is distinguished from related taxa by the following diagnostic features: shape narrowly elongate, length/width ratio 2.8-3.5; integument with densely arranged scales; pronotum without conspicuous sculpturing; male metatibia with row of 5-7 teeth, each tooth with a spine-like seta; female metatibia lacking teeth, yet with row of long, narrowly depressed setae; metatibial corbel linear; elytral humeri absent, elytra in lateral view with dorsal outline subplane, lacking cuticular projections, posterior declivity strongly angulate, slightly convex (male) to rectate (female); and wings absent. The elytra of S. elydimorpha are sexually dimorphic, attenuating in males along the posterior 5/6 yet mostly subparallel in females, and the females furthermore have two rows of erect setae along each mesal side of the declivity. Scelianoma elydimorpha is common on the southern limestone slopes of the well-preserved Guánica dry forest. The immature stages and host plants are unknown.

Scelianoma elydimorpha Franz & Girón, género nuevo y especie nueva, un picudo entimino endémico al sureste de Puerto Rico, se describe e ilustra en detalle, y se asigna a la tribu Eustylini (Curculionidae: Entiminae). Scelianoma se distingue de taxones relacionados por los siguientes rasgos diagnósticos: forma estrechamente elongada, relación largo-ancho 2.8-3.5; integumento con escamas densamente arregladas; pronoto sin esculturas conspicuas; metatibia del macho con fila de 5-7 dientes, cada diente con una seta espinosa; metatibia de la hembra sin dientes, pero con fila de setas largas y estrechamente deprimidas; corbela de la metatibia linear; hombros elitrales ausentes, élitros en vista lateral con perfil dorsal subplano, sin proyecciones cuticulares, declive elitral fuertemente angulado, ligeramente convexo (macho) hasta recto (hembra); y alas ausentes. Los élitros de S.elydimorpha son sexualmente dimórficos, atenuándose en machos a lo largo de los 5/6 posteriores pero en su mayor parte subparalelos en hembras, y las hembras tienen además dos filas de setas erectas a lo largo de cada lado mésico del declive. Scelianoma elydimorpha es común en las pendientes de piedra caliza del sur del bosque seco y bien preservado de Guánica. Los estadios inmaduros y las plantas hospederas no son conocidos.

Genitalia de tres especies de Heilipus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) que dañan frutos de aguacate (Persea americana Mill) en México y Costa Rica / Genitalia of three species of Heilipus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that damage avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill.) in Mexico and Costa Rica

The male and female genitaliae of three species of the genus Heilipus Germar (H. lauri Boheman, H. pittieri Barber and H. trifasciatus Fabricius) that damage avocado fruits (Persea americana Mill.) in Mexico and Costa Rica are described and illustrated. The aedeagus, spiculum gastrale, styli of 8th sternite are different in each one of the three species studied and can be used for specific identification.

La genitalia masculina y femenina de tres especies de Heilipus Germar (H. lauri Boheman, H. pittieri Barber y H. trifasciatus) que dañan frutos de aguacate (Persea americana Mill.) en México y Costa Rica es descrita e ilustrada. El edeago, espícula gastrale, y estilos del esternitos VIII son diferentes en cada una de las tres especies estudiadas y pueden ser usadas para la identificación específica.

Life history and larval morphology of Eurhinus magnificus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a new weevil to the United States

Eurhinus magnificus Gyllenhal has been collected in south Florida, presumably introduced through trade with countries in its native range. Very little information has been published on the biology or taxonomy of this insect. We conducted studies to investigate various aspects of its life history and host plant associations. The pre-imaginal life stages of E. magnificus are described for the first time. Dimensions of the adult, egg, larval, and pupal stages are also provided; head capsule measurement revealed five larval instars. All life stages of E. magnificus were collected at several sites in Broward and Miami-Dade counties from the host plant Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & Jarvis (Vitaceae). Eggs were laid singly within the succulent, young subterminal portion of the host plant stem, one or two occurring between two nodes. Gall formation was apparent by the first to third instar and continued to increase in size until pupation which occurred within the gall. Predators and pathogens appeared to be responsible for considerable mortality in the field; there was no evidence of parasitism of any of the life stages. Greenhouse studies were undertaken to determine E. magnificus development time and host specificity. Adult weevils attacked grape cultivars (Vitis spp.) and feeding opened the stems to fungal agents but no physical evidence of larval development was apparent on grapes.

Se ha recolectado, en el sur de Florida, a Eurhinus magnificus Gyllenhal. Se efectuaron estudios de investigación sobre varios aspectos del ciclo biológico, y asociaciones entre el picudo y plantas hospederas. Se describen aquí por primera vez los estados inmaduros de E. magnificus. Se dan a conocer las dimensiones de los estados de adulto, huevo, larva y pupa. Las medidas de la cápsula cefálica revelaron que hay cinco estadios en esta especie. Todos los estados de E. magnificus fueron colectados en la planta hospedera Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicholson y C.E. Jarvis (Vitaceae) en varios lugares localizados en los condados de Broward y Miami-Dade. Los picudos depositan un o dos huevos dentro de la parte más tierna del tallo que se encuentra entre dos yemas laterales localizadas en la región subterminal de la planta hospedera. En esta región, aparece una agalla, la cual es más visible cuando la larva esta entre el primer y tercer estadios. La agalla crece en tamaño hasta empupamiento, el cual ocurre dentro de esta. Los depredadores y patógenos parecen ser responsables por una gran mortalidad de estados inmaduros en el campo; En el campo, no se observó ningun indice de parasitismo en esta especie. Se llevaron a cabo estudios en casa de malla con el fin de determinar el tiempo de desarrollo y especificidad de hospederos de E. magnificus. Los picudos atacaron cultivares de uva (Vitis spp. - Vitaceae). No se observó el desarrollo larvario de E. magnificus en Vitis L.

Pollination of Anthurium (Araceae) by derelomine flower weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Cyclanthura flower weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Derelomini) are identified for the first time as pollinators of multiple species of Anthurium (Araceae) in Costa Rica. The weevils are present on the inflorescences in small numbers during the pistillate and staminate phase of anthesis, and consume plant tissues and pollen. The individuals of one species of Cyclanthura can visit several Anthurium species within the same locality. They also engage in reproductive activities and are likely to oviposit into the flowers. The mating strategies suggest that sperm precedence selects males that are able to secure their position as the last partner prior to oviposition.