Abstract
The first record of Conotelus luteicornis Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) was made in a commercial passion fruit vine planting in the municipality of Senador Guiomard, Acre state, Brazil. The insects were found inside the flowers where larvae and adults feed, causing early abortion and, consequently, losses in production. Therefore, the first record of this species is made in the Brazilian Amazon. Researches related to damage level, population dynamics, prospecting for natural enemies, and control methods are strongly recommended since this nitidulid is an insect with high harmful potential to the passion fruit vine culture in the Amazon region.
Highlights
Originating in the tropical region of South America, passion fruit (Passiflora spp.; Passifloraceae) is widely cultivated and commercialized in Brazil, with around 150 native species registered in the country (Cervi et al, 2010)
The beetles were identified as Conotelus luteicornis Erichson (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) (Figure 1) based on the comparison with the holotype specimens
According to producers’ reports in Rondônia state, the economic loss resulting from the attack of these coleopterans in commercial passion fruit plantations can reach up to 80%
Summary
Originating in the tropical region of South America, passion fruit (Passiflora spp.; Passifloraceae) is widely cultivated and commercialized in Brazil, with around 150 native species registered in the country (Cervi et al, 2010). In Amazon, the most cultivated species is the yellow or sour passion fruit, Passiflora edulis Sims (Passifloraceae), and its fruits are used mainly for the production of juice, sweets, jellies, ice creams and other culinary products (Morais et al, 2016). The social aspect of passion fruit culture has great relevance since it is a vine fruit cultivated predominantly by family producers in small areas (from 1 to 4 ha) and promotes job creation and workforce stability in the rural environment (Souza et al, 2002). In Brazil, the cultivation of this fruit tree is surrounded by phytosanitary problems, causing economic losses for producers
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