First Report on Chenopodium quinoa Willdenow (Amaranthaceae) Stem-Boring Damage by Athesapeuta dodonis (Marshall) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) with Associated Fungal spp. Interactions in South Africa

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a pseudo-cereal originating from the Andean mountain chain where diverse biotypes with cold and drought tolerance traits exist. Introduction of this hardy annual into South Africa is very recent and information on associated pest and disease complexes is limited for the southern African subcontinent. Recent observations made on C. quinoa plant damage caused by Athesapeuta dodonis, are highlighted. A description and illustrations of damage symptoms caused by this weevil are given. Athesapeuta dodonis also attacks other Amaranthaceae in South Africa, which necessitates an approach that includes perspectives on damage symptoms previously described for Amaranthus spp. In addition, and because of the close phylogenetic relationship between these plant genera, plant damage symptoms are also viewed from the perspective of the large South African weevil complex that exists on Amaranthus spp. Comparisons in terms of similarities between possible weevil fungal associations described earlier for Amaranthus spp. are drawn for C. quinoa and dominant fungal taxa are highlighted.