Predators of Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Larvae

Effects of Host Age, Female Parasitoid Age, and Host Plant on Parasitism of Ceratogramma Etiennei (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

“…After mating, the females deposit their eggs between host plant leaves glued together with an adhesive produced by the female (Richman et al 1983). The eggs hatch in 7-10 d and the larvae drop to the surface of the ground and feed on the roots of most host plants (Woodruff 1964;Whitcomb et al 1982). A lack of native parasitoids attacking this weevil in Florida (Hall et al 2001) and past failures to establish exotic parasitoids against this weevil (Beavers et al 1980), justify further efforts to introduce, release, and evaluate candidate par-asitoids for Florida (Peña et al 1998;Peña & Amalin 2000).…”

Effects of Herbivory by <I>Diaprepes abbreviatus</I> (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Larvae on Four Woody Ornamental Plant Species

“…Cannibalism is common among Diaprepes larvae and may help account for these low survival rates. In addition, predators such as ants, spiders, earwigs, hemipterans, and lady beetles are known to attack Diaprepes larvae (Whitcomb et al 1982;Richman et al 1983a, b;Tryon 1986;Jaffe et al 1990;McCoy et al 2000;Stuart et al 2002). Predators such as Þre ants (Solenopsis sp.)…”

Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Other Natural Enemies as Mortality Factors for Larvae of Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Numerous species of ants are the predominant predators of the larvae of D. abbreviatus on and in the soil beneath the tree of citrus groves in Florida (Whitcomb et al, 1982) and regions of the Carribean (Jaffe et al, 1990). Field observations by several investigators indicated that larval mortality is extremely high on the surface and in the soil after larval entry (Whitcomb et al, 1982). In disturbed situations, S. invicta, 1 of 30 species of ants reported from citrus, increases population levels more quickly than other species (Lemke and Kissam, 1988;Tedders et al, 1990).…”