DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHITE-PINE WEEVIL (COLEOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE) ON CUT LEADERS OF WHITE-PINE

In 1989 and 1990, after the egg-laying period of the white pine weevil , Pissodes strobi (Peck), infested leaders of white pine, Pinus strobu s L., were harvested in a young plantation. To test the influence of b ark quality modification on weevil development, leaders were set direc tly into water or kept dry. The number of insects emerging per leader and the adult mean weight of the weevils were measured for leaders exp osed to both treatments. During the second year, the data were also co llected on weevil development in the field. Results show that the whit e pine weevil can complete its development on cut leaders. However, th e dry treatment significantly reduced the mean weight and the number o f weevils when compared with the wet treatment. The number of insects emerging per leader was less affected by treatment than was the adult mean weight.