ECOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR OF ACANTHOSCELIDES-MUNDULUS IN SEEDS OF NISSOLIA-SCHOTTII (COLEOPTERA-BRUCHIDAE-LEGUMINOSAE)

The host of A. mundulus is the vine N. schottii. This bruchid ranges from southern Arizona [USA] to central Mexico. Eggs are glued to the indehiscent pod and the larvae enter the seeds directly. Each larva consumes a seed and much of the seed coat as well. Pupation is inside the seed remnants inside the pod. A. mundulus continues to breed in the laboratory for at least 2 generations. About 2.9% of the seeds that were collected were fed on by these bruchids but continuous breeding apparently would take a greater toll of seeds in nature. It is hypothesized that the unique winged fruits of Nissolia are wind dispersed, which allows them to escape the depredations of A. mundulus.