Ambrosial Species Collected by Direct Sampling on Avocado, Persea americana Miller, Branches in Three Municipalities of Nayarit, Mexico

Abstract

Mexico is the main producer and exporter of avocado, with an area of 234,269 ha. Nayarit is the fourth largest producer in the country. Ambrosia beetles have gained relevance due to the threat posed by Xyleborus glabratus-Raffaelea lauricola and Euwallacea fornicatus-Fusarium euwallaceae, two species regulated in Mexico. Therefore, it is important to know the diversity of these borers that have the potential to affect different hosts. In addition, if R. lauricola and F. euwallaceae are present, native species could be secondary vectors and hosts of natural enemies. In total, 202 specimens were collected between September and December 2020 in the municipalities of Xalisco, Tepic, and San Blas, where 10 species were identified: Xyleborus affinis (73.76\%), X. volvulus (7.92\%), X. bispinatus (6.43\%), X. morulus (4.95\%), X. macer (2.47\%), X. ferrugineus (1.98\%), X. posticus (0.99\%), X. intrusus (0.49\%), X. spinulosus (0.49\%), and X. squamulatus (0.49\%), showing there is a diversity of ambrosial species in the avocado crop in Nayarit, Mexico.