Abstract
ABSTRACT: The weevil Ozopherus muricatus Pascoe, 1872 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is already considered a pest in Brazil for açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) plantations. Its presence has become more frequent and caused significant reduction in the production of açaí fruit. Studies on the biology of this insect pest are still scarce, hindering its management. For studies on pheromones, for instance, it is essential to correctly identify the sex of the insect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the existence of sexual dimorphism in pupae and adults of O. muricatus in order to allow the identification of males and females. Larvae, pupae and adults were collected from açaí plantations and kept in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) type incubation chambers. Adults and pupae were examined under a stereomicroscope, and dimorphism was determined through observation of external morphological characteristics. In addition, adults were dissected in order to observe genitalia and confirm the sex of specimens. In the pupae, sexual dimorphism was characterized by the presence of two protuberances in the terminal ventral region of the abdomen of females, which were absent in males. In adults, sexual dimorphism was also observed, based on the final abdominal segments. In males, it was possible to see all eight abdominal tergites, while in females tergite VIII is covered by tergite VII. Thus, the sexual dimorphism present in the morphological characteristics of O. muricatus allows the distinction between males and females of this species.
Highlights
The weevil Ozopherus muricatus Pascoe, 1872 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is already considered a pest in Brazil for açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) plantations
The objective of this study was to identify sexual dimorphism in O. muricatus, recording characteristics that allow the recognition of males and females and support new research on the biology and control of this insect pest
For the determination of sexual dimorphism, 193 adults and 20 pupae of O. muricatus from the field were examined under a stereoscope at magnification of 40×, to observe characteristics that would provide information for differentiation of their sex
Summary
The weevil Ozopherus muricatus Pascoe, 1872 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is already considered a pest in Brazil for açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) plantations. The weevil Ozopherus muricatus Pascoe, 1872 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) (Fig. 1) is an endemic species in the Amazon region, and has gained great visibility due to its deleterious effects on açaí palm cultivation, causing up to 42% of loss of fruit bunches and becoming a pest with the potential to cause major damage (TREVISAN; OLIVEIRA, 2012).
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