In the beginning of 2001, a high infestation of Heilipus rufipes Perty larvae boring avocado trees at ground level was observed in a commercial orchard in São Benedito, State of Ceará, Brazil. The damage observed was the presence of tunnels at the trunk basal part as well on the lower branches and superficial roots. Several attacked trees showed the most superficial roots with extensive barkless areas. In about 30% of the trees, the symptoms evolved to branch drought and death of the plant. More than 90% of the trees examined presented five to twelve adult insects, sometimes hidden under the bark. That is the first time of detection of immature stages of H. rufipes causing damage to avocado trees; even in other plant species, there is no report of such incidence. This report makes the Heilipus genus more important as pest of fruit plants, mainly avocado.
Insecta; Molytinae; pest