Predation by Megacerus baeri (Pic, 1934) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) on seeds of Ipomoea imperati (Convolvulaceae) at Joaquina beach, Florianópolis, southern Brazil

Autor: Helena Picolli Romanowski, Karla Zanenga Scherer
Jazyk: English<br />Spanish; Castilian<br />Portuguese
Rok vydání: 2005
Předmět:
Zdroj: Biotemas, Vol 18, Iss 1, Pp 39-55 (2005)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 0103-1643
Popis: Bruchidae beetles are important seed predators that feed on the seeds of a large array of plants. Predation levels by the bruchid Megaceus baeri were quantified on 333 fruits of beach morning glory Ipomoea imperati (Convolvulaceae), collected at Joaquina Beach, Santa Catarina Island (27o36’S; 48o 27’W), Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The damage caused by M. baeri larva had affected 73% of the fruit collected and had killed 67% of the seeds. Among the fruits that had been predated, 76.5% had only one seed and 23.5% had two seeds. The average size of the seeds attacked by M. baeri was larger than the average size of those that had not been predated. Since this bruchid has to complete its development in a single seed, it is suggested that seed size reflects its quality as a resource.
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