A review of the biology and control of the vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Abstract

SummaryAt the turn of the century, damage by Otiorhynchus sulcatus was sporadic and limited to small areas. Increasing horticultural intensification and the adoption of husbandry techniques favourable to the weevil, such as the use of polythene mulches, increased its pest status. The development of the early inorganic pesticides reduced the number of serious outbreaks of this pest and weevil control was further improved by the development of the persistent organochlorine insecticides in the 1940's. The banning of a number of the more persistent insecticides over recent years has now left the horticultural industry in a very vulnerable position. O. sulcatus is now a pest on a range of horticultural crops throughout the temperate regions of the world. Infestations are most common in Europe (where it originated) and the USA, and nearly 150 plants species have been identified as potential hosts to O. sulcatus. Damage is most frequently caused by the root feeding larval stage. Populations as low as one larva plant can kill sensitive species such as Cyclamen. Severe damage by the leaf feeding adults is less common, although low levels of damage or contamination by adults may be unacceptable in certain situations. There is one generation a year. Oviposition by the flightless parthenogenetic females occurs over the summer months with oviposition rates of c. 500 and 1200 eggs adult‐1for outdoor and laboratory populations, respectively. O. sulcatus mainly overwinters as larvae, although significant numbers of adults may survive in areas where winter temperatures are not too severe.A number of natural enemies, such as hedgehogs, frogs and predatory beetles, help to maintain O. sulcatus populations at a low level in natural environments, but they are less successful in intensive horticultural systems where persistent chemicals have been heavily relied on to maintain the population below the economic threshold level. Increasing environmental concern is now forcing growers to consider new pest control strategies. Controlled release formulations of non‐persistent products, such as fonofos and chlorpyrifos, have shown potential as control agents for O. sulcatus larvae. Biological control agents, such as insect parasitic nematodes, have been developed commercially and new microbial control agents are in the process of development. Most of the new control products are directed towards control of O. sulcatus larvae. Adult vine weevils are nocturnal and a much more difficult target for the new control agents. It is likely that an integrated approach to pest control will be required to maintain O. sulcatus populations below their economic threshold level.

Impact of fungicides on Metarhizium anisopliae in the rhizosphere, bulk soil and in vitro

“…The black vine weevil (BVW), Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a univoltine, polyphagous insect that is a serious pest of field and container-grown ornamentals as well as small fruit crops worldwide (Moorhouse et al 1992). Adults are nocturnal and cause mainly cosmetic damage to plants by notching the leaves.…”

COMPATIBILITY OF INSECTICIDES WITH ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI <em>Beauveria bassiana</em> AND <em>Metarhizium anisopliae</em>

“…Test vegetative growth was measured by poisoned food technique (Moorhouse et al, 1992). A total of 10 ml warm sterile PDA medium (+ 45 °C) was poured into a petri dish, then the given dose of insecticide was added aseptically under laminar air flow.…”

Aggregation, abundance and dispersal capabilities of Otiorhynchus rugosostriatus Goeze and Otiorhynchus raucus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in plantations of ornamental plants

“…Aside from O. sulcatus numerous other weevil species like O. rugosostriatus Goeze, O. raucus Fabricius, O. ovatus L. or O. salicicola Heyden have recently increased in their importance as pests of agricultural and horticultural crops, possibly as a result of climatic change and/or spread of these species due to an intensified global trade of plant material and horticultural products (Wheeler 1999;Dehnen-Schmutz et al 2010). Symptoms and damage inflicted by all Otiorhynchus species are more or less similar: Adult weevils feed on leaves or flowers, causing mostly cosmetic damage, whereas soilborne larvae feed on roots, which may result in reduced water and nutrient uptake and subsequent death of the plant (Moorhouse et al 1992).…”