On the identity of a U.S. intercepted Conotrachelus Dejean (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) with avocado (Perseaamericana)

摘要

BackgroundThe multimillion-dollar avocado industry is threatened by a number of serious insect pests, including at least seven species of Curculionidae. Of these, three Conotrachelus species are known to develop and feed on avocados: Conotrachelus aguacatae Barber, Conotrachelus perseae Barber and C. serpentinus (Klug); the first two are of economic importance. Recently, a series of unrecognised Conotrachelus was intercepted with avocado and other commodities by the USDA at various southern U.S. ports of entry. The species most closely resembled the U.S. native Conotrachelus posticatus Boheman. Given the threat posed by certain species of Conotrachelus to avocado, the identity and biology of intercepted unknown Conotrachelus species becomes a matter of much concern for regulators due to the potential risk posed by non-native species to local agriculture. This study aims to determine the identity, which in turn may shed light on the biology and native distribution, of possible new non-U.S.-native weevils and provide the tools necessary to distinguish amongst phenotypically similar native species.