New Contributions to the Knowledge of Heilipus lauri Barber (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Mexico

Biological aspects, preference, incidence of damage to fruits of Mexican criollo (Persea americana var. drymifolia) and Hass variety avocado, and new distribution sites of Heilipus lauri in the eastern region of the state of Hidalgo and states surrounding this zone are reported. The biological cycle had a duration of 79.66 ± 4.56 days, and there was a sex ratio of 1.07 females: 0.92 males. There was evident sexual dimorphism; females are larger than males and have a longer, thinner rostrum. The damage attributed to H. lauri was 30% in Hass avocados and 70% in Mexican criollo avocados. Fruits were perforated when they measured 2.0 cm wide and 3.0 cm long for criollo avocados, and 4.0 wide and 5.0 cm long in Hass avocados. There were between one and four perforations per fruit, but all seeds had only one larva inside. The highest percentages of damage occurred on the east-facing quadrant of the tree. Heilipus lauri is reported here at 2100 m above sea level in criollo avocado, yielding a reported elevational range of H. lauri in Mexico from 570 to 2100 m above sea level.