Ancylostomia stercorea

Zeller, 1848

pigeonpea pod borer

Ancylostomia stercorea is a pod-boring whose feed on developing seeds of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). In Trinidad, it is considered the most serious pest of this . The has been documented across the Caribbean, southern Florida, southern Texas, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It serves as to multiple species that have been studied for potential.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ancylostomia stercorea: /ˌæŋsɪloʊˈstoʊmiə stɛrˈkɔriə/

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Habitat

Agricultural areas cultivated with pigeon pea; develop inside pods, pupate in soil

Distribution

Southern Florida, southern Texas, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, Grenada, St. Kitts, Trinidad, Mexico, Guatemala, Rica, Panama, Colombia, French Guiana, Brazil, Guyana, Dominica, Montserrat, Antigua, and Galápagos Islands

Seasonality

Breeds throughout the year in Trinidad

Diet

Developing seeds of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)

Host Associations

Cajanus cajan - pigeon pea; primary for larval development

Life Cycle

laid on young pods; feed on developing seeds within pods; occurs in soil; complete life-cycle requires 26–32 days

Behavior

Pod-boring larval habit; soil

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest of pigeon pea; for agents used against related pod borer

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pest of pigeon pea in Trinidad; source of (Bracon cajani and Eiphosoma annulatum) shipped to Mauritius for trials against Etiella zinckenella and Maruca testulalis

More Details

Parasitoid complex

Eight of have been reared from , including: Apanteles etiellae isolatus (solitary , 14–18 day life-cycle), Phanerotoma bennetti (solitary -larval , 20–28 days), Eiphosoma annulatum (solitary endoparasite, 26–35 days), Bracon thurberiphagae and Bracon cajani (gregarious , 13–16 days), and Perisierola sp. (gregarious ectoparasite, 11–15 days). Hyperparasites attacking parasite have also been documented.