Plant–arthropod associations in custard apples, genus Annona: A global perspective

Annona L. species, custard apples, interact with a wide range of arthropods, including both herbivorous arthropods and pollinators that play vital roles in their ecology. Understanding their interactions with phytophagous arthropods and pollinators is crucial for developing effective pest and crop management strategies. Annona species present diverse secondary metabolites of significant interest for their potential defensive roles against arthropod pests. In addition, the introduction of Annona crops to new regions using planting material carries risks, including the potential introduction of pests that may harm local ecosystems and crops. Nonetheless, the diversity of Annona's associated phytophagous arthropods remains largely underexplored. This study aimed to fill this gap by documenting the diversity of arthropods associated with Annona species across various geographical regions using information available in the scientific literature and specialized databases. We explored whether the phylogenetic relationships of Annona species are also reflected in their associated phytophagous arthropods. Our review identified 614 arthropod species, with most associations recorded on the cultivated species A. muricata L., A. squamosa L., and A. cherimola Mill. (Annonaceae). The most common orders were Hemiptera, followed by Lepidoptera and Coleoptera. The study also revealed that arthropod assemblages associated with genetically closely related Annona species tend to be more similar to those of more distantly related species. These findings illustrate the diverse arthropod communities associated with these fruit trees, offering valuable insights into plant–insect interactions and contributing to the prevention of phytosanitary risks in their cultivation.

This work was funded with a research grant to EDLP, PID2023-153182OB-I00 Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spain

Peer reviewed