Food quality influences ovarian development in Scyphophorus acupunctatus (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae)
Keywords:
female reproductive system, Polianthes tuberosa, agave weevil, meridic diet, tuberose bulbsAbstract
This paper describes the anatomy of the female reproductive system of the agave weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhall (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae). This insect is considered a primary pest of agave (Agave spp.) (Asparagaceae) and tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.) (Asparagaceae) in Mexico. Developmental biology and ovarian maturation of laboratory-reared S. acupunctatus fed a meridic diet was compared with individuals fed tuberose bulbs. Ovarian maturation was classified according to ovariole and follicle differentiation, as well as the presence of follicular relics. This classification yielded 1 parous and 3 nulliparous stages. We found that ovarian maturation was delayed for those weevils fed the meridic diet compared with those fed tuberose bulbs. Also, the greatest number of ovarian follicles occurred in individuals fed tuberose bulbs; however, this relationship changed with the age of the insect. Proximal length and follicular area also varied according to age and type of diet. We believe that the ovarian developmental stages described here for S. acupunctatus could be a useful method to monitor parity status of field populations when assessing the effectiveness of control programs for this weevil pest.
Resumen
En este trabajo se describe por primera vez la morfología del sistema reproductor femenino del picudo del agave, Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhall (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae). Este insecto es considerado la principal plaga del agave (Agave spp.) (Asparagaceae) y nardo (Polianthes tuberosa L.) (Asparagaceae) en México. Se comparó el desarrollo biológico y la maduración ovárica de individuos alimentados con dieta merídica y los alimentados con bulbos de nardo. La clasificación de la maduración ovárica se basó en la diferenciación de ovariolas y folículos, la presencia de reliquias foliculares u ovulación. Esta clasificación comprende 1 paro y 3 estadios nuliparos. Encontramos que los picudos alimentados con dieta merídica sufren un retraso en su maduración ovárica en comparación con los alimentados con nardo. Además, el mayor número de folículos se presentó en individuos alimentados con nardo. Sin embargo, esta relación cambió con la edad. La longitud y el área del folículo próximo se modificaron dependiendo de la edad y el tipo de alimento. La información presentada en este estudio permite conocer la madurez sexual de Scyphophorus acupunctatus obtenidos del campo, la cual proporciona una valiosa guía para monitorear la efectividad de las acciones de su manejo.
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