21 Kas 2024 Perşembe
On the distribution and biology of Lixus filiformis, a potential agent for biological control
Abstract :The area of the weevil Lixus filiformis (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) covers almost whole Europe (to 56° North), North Africa, Asia Minor, Middle East, Iran, and Turkmenistan. Some distributional data are given in the current paper. The species is univoltine, and adults usually hibernate into the stems of host plants. Adults feed on foliage and peduncles of some genera of Asteracea (Carduus, Cirsium, Cousinia, Onopordum, Galactites, Senecio, Serratulae, Silybum). Preimaginal development occurs on Carduus, Cirsium, and Cousinia only. Eggs are inserted into stems, branches and peduncles. Immature stages develop into pith where larvae gnaw the mines. Niche segregation among L. filiformis and other stem borers may be a result not only of genetic factors but of larval cannibalism as well. The crab spiders (Araneae: Thomisidae), parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae, Eupelmidae, Eurytomidae, Ichneumonidae, Pteromalidae), and rooks (Aves) were observed among natural enemies of L. filiformis. Considering feeding specialization and local high density, L. filiformis should be of interest for biological control of thistles.
Asteraceae, biocontrol, Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lixus filiformis, thistles