Conotrachelus Species of Agricultural and Quarantine Importance for Mexico

Abstract

The genus Conotrachelus Dejean is a large, diverse group in which some pest species are associated with fruit with high commercial value. Nevertheless, there are few morphological studies focused on differentiating the species. In Mexico, the species Conotrachelus perseae Barber, Conotrachelus aguacatae Barber, Conotrachelus dimidiatus Champion, Conotrachelus copalensis Salas and Romero, Conotrachelus crataegi Walsh, and Conotrachelus eburneus Champion cause damage and loss in fruit of economic importance. For this reason, this paper describes the most distinctive morphological characteristics of the species, considering easily observed external traits, as well as the aedeagus and Sternite VIII, and provides an illustrated taxonomic key.