Effect of Plant Sex (dioecism) on the Performance of Apocnemidophorus pipitzi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), A Stem Boring Weevil of Brazilian Peppertree, Schinus Terebinthifolia

Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (Sapindales: Anacardiaceae), is an ornamental dioecious shrub introduced from South America that has become one of the major invasive weeds in Florida. Anecdotal evidence from the literature suggests that crushed leaves from female plants produce a more pungent aroma, indicating these plants may be better defended chemically than their male counterparts. To test this hypothesis, we compared the performance (adult feeding and survival) of the South American stem boring weevil Apocnemidophorus piptzi (Faust) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) by caging insects on foliage collected from both male and female Brazilian peppertree plants. Results showed that weevils consumed significantly less leaf tissue from female plants compared to male plants. Furthermore, the LT50 (average time required to cause 50% mortality of the weevils) was significantly shorter when weevils fed exclusively on female leaf tissue. Our findings confirmed male-biased plant herbivory on Brazilian peppertree by one of its folivorous natural enemies.