Influence of Insects on Mesquite Seed Production

Abstract

In field sleeve cage studies we found that conchuela [Chlorochroa ligata (Say)] reduced mesquite seed production at least 70% at all population densities studied by sucking juices from immature seeds. The seed beetle Algarobius prosopis LeConte reduced production of viable mesquite seeds at least 22% at the population densities studied by consuming, during its larval stage, the seed cotyledons. A seasonal insect control program on mesquite revealed that the native insect populations generally reduced 1) the numbers of mesquite pods produced per tree, 2) the total numbers of seeds per pod, and 3) the percentage of good seeds.