Damage by Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal(1) in Species of Agave

The State of Guerrero is characterized by various agroecological niches in which different agave species are produced naturally for production of mezcal. Currently, mezcal agaves have become economically important to farmers who produce them. Agave production is affected by problems such as pests and diseases that reduce production of pineapples of Agave angustifolia Haw. and decrease the quality of mezcal. At Guerrero, agave plots at Municipallity of Huitzuco de los Figueroa, Teloloapan, Tixtla de Guerrero, and Zitlala; and at Puebla, Municipality of Acatlan de Osorio, and Xayacatlan de Bravo were visited six times to monitor and capture agave weevil, Scyphophorus acupunctatus Gyllenhal. Specimens of agave weevil were preserved in 70% alcohol and kept in a Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology of the FCAA-UAGro, for identification. S. acupunctatus damaged the agave bud to mate, feed, and initiate colonization of the plant. When necrosis occurred in the bud and pineapple, the plant stopped growing and began to die. A. angustifolia plants with withered leaves were infested by S. acupunctatus.