Damage Caused by Seed-Feeding Insects in Senna corymbosa: A New Host Plant for the Subfamily Bruchinae

Abstract

In the larval stage, bruchines can cause several damages to the seeds of their host plants due to the consumption of the embryo. The aim of this study was to identify the species of seed-feeding insects in Senna corymbosa (Fabaceae) and quantify the damage caused to seeds. For this purpose, ripe fruits of S. corymbosa were collected monthly from May to August 2014. The fruits were stored in containers to obtain the adult insects and quantify the damage to the seeds. A total of 3,548 seed beetles emerged from the fruits, around 89% belonging to Sennius lateapicalis. Insects consume up to 43.2% of the internal seed content. Moreover, the seed beetles Hymenoptera parasitoids emerged. In this study, seed-feeding insects are recorded for the first time in S. corymbosa. In addition, it contributes to describing fruits and seeds, as well as associated bruchine species and the damage they cause to seeds.