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Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) is an economically important crop in the dry tropical region of Western Mexico. During more than one decade, damage caused by a borer insect in tree branches and trunk have been observed. Until recently, the taxonomy and generalities of this pest were unknown. In this brief review, current knowledge of the tamarind borer is presented. The insect is a large beetle, 18 to 33 mm, glossy, of fusiform black- or brown-colored body with yellow/black alternate sections in tarsus and antennal segments. The adult is characterized by extremely long antennae as long as or longer than the body of the beetle. Each elytra has two yellow spots. The larvae are cerambyciform, whitish in color, and its head is wider than the rest of the body. The insect was identified as Trachyderes (Dendrobias) mandibularis Dupont. In this region, the borer has been observed affecting only tamarind, in spite of other hosts such as Mexican lime, orange, and mango. The borer attacks young plants and ... |
