ATTACK BY THE WOOD-BORING WEEVIL, PSELACTUS SPADIX ON TIMBERS IN THE INTERTIDAL AND SPLASH ZONES IN PORTS IN THE UK

The weevil, Pselactus spadix (Herbst) occurs around the southern coast of the U.K. and has been found to cause significant damage by forming galleries in the intertidal and splash zones in wharf timbers at Shor eham and Newhaven. This is the first report of such damage. It can be distinguished from other wood-boring weevils by its body shape and fea tures of its eyes, elytra and antennae. In the intertidal zone, it has to tolerate a saline environment and immersion of the wood for period s estimated to range up to 7 hours within a day. Weevil tunnelling is associated with timber degraded by either soft rot or brown rot. The f act that this species is found at ports around the world indicates tha t it might be a potential pest species which can be spread by shipping .