Diaprepes abbreviatus(Coleoptera: Curculionidae): Host Plant Associations

Abstract

Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) is an insidious pest of citrus, sugarcane, and other economic crops of subtropical and tropical areas of the United States and several Caribbean island nations. Host plants associated with this pest, 157 genera, ≍270 species in 59 plant families, are listed. Plants that support egg deposition to adult include Citrus spp.; Arachis hypogaea L., peanut; Sorghum bicolor L. (synonym: S. vulgare ) sorghum; Sorghum bicolor L. ssp. bicolor , guinea corn; Zea mays L., corn; Eugenia uniflora L., Surinam-cherry; Dracaena draco (L.) L. dragon tree; Ipomoea batata (L.) Lam., sweet potato; and Saccharum officinarum L., sugarcane. More than 40 plant species, in 20 families, are associated with larval feeding. As a result of inadequate management strategies and a wide range of adult and larval food plants, D. abbreviatus can be considered a major long-term threat to the survival of several agronomic crops.