Temporal and Spatial Variation of the Abundance of the Black Weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum L., Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Ornamental Palm Crops from Central Veracruz, Mexico

Rhynchonphorus palmarum is an important pest in palm crops of America because it is the vector of Bursaphelenchus cocophilus, which cause the red ring disease. In central Veracruz, Mexico, ornamental palm crops are economically important, and in this work the temporal and spatial abundance of R. palmarum was analyzed. The presence of R. palmarum was reported for the first time for Veracruz State associated with different hosts. This beetle was significantly abundant in the rainy season which is synchronous between the life cycle of the beetle and the seasons in the region. The abundance of the palms Whashingtonia robusta, Livistonona australis, and Dypsis lutescens was significantly related with and the total abundance of R. palmarum. Our results suggested there is a preference of this insect for Washingtonia robusta.