Host specificity and association of Cerambycidae with the physical characteristics of the wood of trees in a tropical dry forest

Few studies test the host specificity of tropical dry forest cerambycids, in this study, we examined the host preferences of the cerambycids of a tropical dry forest in central Mexico and the association of cerambycid richness and abundance with the physical characteristics of the wood of their host plants. Branch segments of 81 species of woody plants were cut and left exposed to allow cerambycids oviposition, and the branches were collected and placed in emergence chambers. We measured the density, decomposition rate, and volume of wood for each branch segment. Fifty‐seven species of cerambycids emerged. We categorized the cerambycids by the degree of host specificity: 23% were generalists, 14% were specialists, and for 63% of the data were insufficient to determine specificity. For the first time we report, for the tropical dry forest, preference patterns between Cerambycidae (subfamilies and species) and their host plants (families and species). Physical characteristics of wood, such as density and decomposition rate, were strongly related to the presence of cerambycids. Cerambycidae in this forest use wood resources that decompose at an intermediate rate and are relatively soft. The cerambycids were most often generalists, and specific cerambycid/tree species associations were rare, but close commensal relationships were found at the level of subfamilies and plant families. Cerambycid richness and abundance depend on the type of host, medium decomposed woods, and the great abundance of each individual host in the area. Resumen Pocos estudios prueban la especificidad de hospedero de los cerambícidos del bosque tropical seco, en este estudio examinamos las preferencias de hospedero de los cerambícidos de un bosque tropical seco en el centro de México y la asociación de la riqueza y abundancia de cerambícidos con las características físicas de la madera de sus plantas hospederas. Se cortaron segmentos de ramas de 81 especies de plantas leñosas y se dejaron expuestos para permitir la oviposición de cerambícidos, las ramas se recolectaron y colocaron en cámaras de emergencia. Medimos la densidad, la tasa de descomposición y el volumen de madera para cada segmento de rama. Surgieron 57 especies de cerambícidos. Clasificamos los cerambícidos por el grado de especificidad de hospedero: el 23% eran generalistas, el 14% eran especialistas y el 63% de los datos eran insuficientes para determinar la especificidad. Por primera vez reportamos, para el bosque tropic