First report of Aegomorphus quadrigibbus and Thryallis undatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) damaging Persian lime orchards in Veracruz, México

Abstract

The species Aegomorphus quadrigibbus (Say) and Thryallis undatus (Chevrolat) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) were identified causing damage to Persian lime trees in Martínez de la Torre municipality orchards, in central Veracruz state, Mexico. Ovipositions made by the adults to lay eggs on trunks and branches were observed, with galleries between two and five cm deep, which caused the branches to dry up and, in some cases, complete death of the trees. In trees previously affected with vascular pathogens or with nutrient deficiencies, the damage was more severe because the larvae formed galleries that surrounded the trunk or branches, preventing the flow of nutrients. The average incidence in the sampled trees was 10.8%. Since the Martínez de la Torre area is the most important Persian lime production region in Mexico, it is necessary to monitor crops to determine the presence of insects and develop studies to define levels of damage and management strategies for their insects’ populations when required. This is the first record of A. quadrigibbus and T. undatus associated with trees of the Rutaceae family and causing damage to Persian lime orchards.