Jm. Kashefi et R. Sobhian, Notes on the biology of Larinus minutus Gyllenhal (Col., Curculionidae), an agent for biological control of diffuse and spotted knapweeds, J APPL ENT, 122(9-10), 1998, pp. 547-549
Citations number
7
Categorie Soggetti
Entomology/Pest Control
Journal title
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY-ZEITSCHRIFT FUR ANGEWANDTE ENTOMOLOGIE
The weevil, Larinus minutus oviposits in open flowers of diffuse and spotte
d knapweed [Centaurea diffusa and C. maculosa (Asteraceae)] and the larvae
feed on developing achenes. The species is univoltine and overwinters as an
adult in soft soil or among debris near the host plant. Overwintered adult
s appear on plants by mid-May. Oviposition begins at the end of June and th
e new generation starts to emerge by the end of July. Up to 130 eggs per fe
male were laid in C. diffusa flowers in cages. One larva destroys 100% of t
he seeds in an infested seedhead. During the warm hours of the day lover 30
degrees C) the adults hide under flowers or other parts of the plants and
remain inactive.