Florida Entomologist (2003) 86, 174-177

Thomas Weissling, Robin Giblin-Davis, Barbara Center, Robert Heath and Jorge Peña (2003)
Oviposition by Metamasius hemipterus sericeus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae: Rhynchophorinae)
Florida Entomologist 86 (2), 174-177
Abstract: Metamasius hemipterus sericeus (Olivier) is a widely distributed weevil in Central and South America, as well as the West Indies. It was introduced into Florida, Miami-Dade County, in 1984. This insect generally is regarded as a secondary pest of sugarcane, bananas, palms and several other tropical plants grown as ornamentals. Larvae bore into stems and petioles, thus weakening the plant and providing a pathway for penetration by fungi or other pests. In addition to investigating the biology, this study was conducted to gather basic information to help optimize culturing efforts for large numbers of M. h. sericeus to be used for mass rearing of potential biological control organisms. After pairing males and females, it took an average of 27.0 days for females to begin oviposition. The oviposition period lasted 56.8 days. Females lived 142.3 days and laid an average of 51.6 eggs. Mean generation time was 63 days. Mean egg production during the oviposition period was 1.1 eggs/day. Egg eclosion averaged 81.3% during the oviposition period.

El picudo rayado Metamasius hemipterus sericeus (L.) esta ampliamente distribuido en Centro y Suramerica, así como también en las Indias Occidentales. Fué introducido en el condado de Miami-Dade, Florida en 1984. Se le considera una plaga de segunda importancia en caña de azucar, banano, palmas y en varias plantas ornamentales tropicales. La larva perfora los tallos y peciolos, debilitando la planta y brindando un puerto de entrada a hongos y otras plagas. Ademas de investigar la biologia basica durante este estudio, hemos generado información con el fin de ayudar a la optimizacion de metodos de crianza masiva de M. h. sericeus. Las hembras comienzan a ovipositar en un promedio de 27 días despues de aparear con los machos. El periodo de oviposición dura 56.8 días. Las hembras viven 142.3 días y ovipositan un promedio de 51.6 huevos. El promedio de produccion diaria de huevos por hembra fué de 1.1. El porcentaje promedio de eclosión de huevos durante el período de oviposición fué de 81.3%.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Database assignments for author(s): Robin M. Giblin-Davis

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Metamasius hemipterus		U.S.A. (SE)