Mites associated with ambrosia and bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in avocado orchards in Michoacan, Mexico

Abstract

Avocado is one of the most important crops in Mexico. To investigate mite species associated with ambrosia and bark beetles in avocado plantations, three study sites with different management and crop conditions were selected in the state of Michoacan. Orchards were checked for trunks infested with ambrosia and bark beetles during 2017. In the laboratory, avocado trunks were placed in emergence chambers, and insects and mites collected, mounted and identified. Four species of Scolytinae were found associated with avocado trunks; three ambrosia beetle species, namely Monarthrum exornatum, M. frimbriaticorne and Dryocoetoides capucinus, and one bark beetle, Phloeocleptus plagiatus. Monarthrum fimbriaticorne was the most common beetle found at the three sites. The seven mite species collected belonged to 6 genera, Proctolaelaps, Trichouropoda, Mexecheles, Eutogenes, Elattoma and Tyrophagus. Elattoma abeskoun was the most abundant species in this study. These results represent the first report in the country on mites associated with ambrosia and bark beetles in avocado orchards.