Environmental Entomology (1988) 17, 694-698

James L. Hanula (1988)
Oviposition preference and host recognition by the black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Environmental Entomology 17 (4), 694-698
Abstract: The black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (F.), preferred to oviposit in containers with Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidata Siebold and Zuccarini, cv. Densa, foliage over 10 other plant species when given alternating 5- or 7-d exposures. Host experience of larvae or prereproductive adults generally had no effect on their overall preference for Taxus. Weevils did not differentiate between pairs of most nonhosts but exhibited some preference for strawberry, Fragaria ananassa Duchesne. Females had to contact Taxus foliage to be stimulated to oviposit. Antennectomized weevils were able to differentiate between Taxus and Ilex crenata compacta Thunberg foliage, but they laid a greater proportion of their eggs on Ilex than intact weevils. It is suggested that T. cuspidata and possibly strawberry foliage contain an oviposition stimulant for the black vine weevil which is perceived only by contact or feeding.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): James L. Hanula

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Otiorhynchus sulcatus	Strawberry (Fragaria)
	Otiorhynchus sulcatus	Yew (Taxus)