LAUSR

Abstract. Much amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) is produced in the State of Puebla, Mexico. Considering the increase in agricultural production, there has been an increase in area devoted to the crop, favoring conditions and increasing pests including the white grub complex that damages it. The objective of this work was to determine the species of the white grub complex associated with cultivation of amaranth in the State of Puebla, Mexico, as well as to develop a dichotomous key for identification of larvae to species found in the amaranth crop. In total, 2,330 larvae in two families, two subfamilies, eight genera, and 23 species were collected. The genus Phyllophaga was most common at the study area. However, the amaranth-producing zone in the State of Puebla also included genera such as Euphoria and Strigoderma that are saprophagous. A dichotomous key was created for larvae of 23 species (Coleoptera: Lamellicornia) associated with cultivation of amaranth in the State of Puebla, Mexico.