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GRIMM, C.
(1995): SEED PREDATORS AND THE FRUITING PHENOLOGY OF PITHECELLOBIUM PALLENS (LEGUMINOSAE) IN THORNSCRUB, NORTH-EASTERN MEXICO
J TROP ECOL. 1995; 11: 321-332.

Abstract:: Life table studies were conducted on the flowers, pods and seeds of the tree Pithecellabium pallens to assess the extent of damage by the seed predators Slater limbatus and Merobruchus insolitus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). Brachyacma palpigera (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) was also found to feed on the seeds of this tree. Seed predation and herbivore damage destroyed 41% of the seeds. Pods were taken to the laboratory and seed predators within were reared and identified. B. palpigera and M. insolitus were major causes of mortality, whereas damage by S. limbatus was slight. The growth ratio of pods to seeds did nor indicate a rapid development of seeds as an evasive strategy against bruchid attack. Experiments showed no successful attack by bruchids on seeds exposed on the ground after dispersal from the tree.
Authors BOKU Wien:
Find related publications in this database (Keywords): BRACHYACMA PALPIGERA; COLEOPTERA; LEGUMINOSAE; LEPIDOPTERA; LIFE TABLE; MEROBRUCHUS INSOLITUS; MEXICO; PITHECELLOBIUM PALLENS; SEED PREDATION; STATOR LIMBATUS