Head capsule width is useful for determining larval instar in Heilipus lauri (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Authors

  • Álvaro Castañeda-Vildózola Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, 56230 Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México, México Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Campus El Cerrillo, Toluca, Estado de México, C.P. 50200, México
  • Héctor González-Hernández Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, 56230 Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México, México
  • Armando Equihua-Martínez Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, 56230 Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México, México
  • Jorge Valdez-Carrasco Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, 56230 Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México, México
  • Jorge E. Peña University of Florida, Entomology and Nematology Department, Tropical Research and Education Center, 18905 SW 280th Street, Homestead, Florida 33031, USA
  • Lucas Emiliano Cazado ITANOA-EEAOC-CONICET, Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Argentina;
  • Omar Franco-Mora Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Campus El Cerrillo, Toluca, Estado de México, C.P. 50200, México

Keywords:

weevil, avocado pest, Molytinae, Dyar’s rule

Abstract

Summary

The purpose of this study was to determine the number of larval instars for Heilipus lauri Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). We reared 385 larvae under laboratory conditions and measured the width of the larval head capsules from digital images. Data were analyzed using the Hcap program and Dyar’s rule. Analysis of the frequency distribution showed the existence of 4 distinct peaks. The mean Dyar’s constant was 1.42, where the relationship between the natural logarithm of the head capsule widths and the number of larval instars resulted in a near-perfect geometric growth for each instar. The excellent fit of the data to a linear model suggests that there was nearly no overlap among the 4 instars in the head capsule measurements, making it possible to distinguish the 4 instars of H. lauri accurately.

 

Sumario

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el número de estadios larvarios de Heilipus lauri Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Un total de 385 larvas fueron criadas en condiciones de laboratorio. El ancho de la capsula cefálica de cada larva fue medido por medio de un sistema computarizado de análisis de imágenes. Los datos fueron analizados con el programa HCap y la regla de Dyar. El gráfico de distribución de frecuencias mostró cuatro picos de distribución del ancho de la cápsula cefálica. El promedio de la constante de Dyar fue de 1.42 donde la relación entre el logaritmo natural del ancho de la cápsula cefálica y el número de estadio larvario resultó en un perfecto crecimiento geométrico de cada estadio larvario. El excelente ajuste lineal de las datos sugiere que no existen instares traslapados y es posible distinguir cuatro estadios larvarios en H. lauri.


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Author Biography

Álvaro Castañeda-Vildózola, Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo. Km 36.5 Carretera México-Texcoco, 56230 Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México, México Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Campus El Cerrillo, Toluca, Estado de México, C.P. 50200, México

Facultad de Ciencias Agrícolas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Campus El Cerrillo, Toluca, Estado de México, C.P. 50200, México

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Published

2016-12-31

Issue

Vol. 99, No. 4 (December 2016)

Section

Scientific Notes

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