Land-cover change and effects at the local scale on pre-dispersal seed predation by Pachymerus nucleorum (Bruchinae) in the tropical palm Syagrus coronata (Arecaceae)

•The threatened tropical palm, Syagrus coronata, named licuri, is found in Brazil.•Their seeds are preyed by Pachymerus nucleorum beetle in pre-dispersal.•We found that total licuri density and tree richness were greater positively affected seed predation.•Seed predation was negatively affected by the abundance of fruiting individuals.•We suggest that fruit harvest could be focused in habitats with low licuri density.