Parasitoids and Entomopathogens Associated with the Avocado Stem Weevil, Copturus aguacatae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Nayarit, Mexico

Abstract

The natural enemies of the avocado stem weevil, (Copturus aguacatae Kissinger) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, were identified. Branch samples were taken biweekly during Feb–Dec 2015 in avocado orchards located in Tepic and Xalisco. The branches with C. aguacatae larvae were placed in cages and checked weekly until parasitoids or adult borers emerged. Eleven species of parasitic Hymenoptera were found; particularly abundant was Heterospilus bruchi (Viereck) (Braconidae). In addition, three species of entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium pingshaense, Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana) were identified associated with avocado stem weevil in Nayarit.