Population dynamics and response to mesquite pod supplementation for Algarobius bottimeri and Mimosestes amicus

Two of our studies showed that Algarobius bottimeri Kingsolver could overwinter in mesquite beans (Prosopis glandulosa Torr. var. glandulosa) and emerge the following two summers, with peak emergence coming in the first spring, while Mimosestes amicus (Horn) emerged only through one. Densities of bruchids in Wilbarger County consisted of 97% A. bottimeri and 3% M. amicus. We found that in years when mesquite trees produced very few pods, supplementation of beans could very effectively boost bruchid densities. When trees produce fairly large amounts of beans, supplementation was not as effective. Algarobius bottimeri and M. amicus oviposit on dry and green pods, but M. amicus prefers green pods.