Journal of Economic Entomology (2004) 97, 316-320

D. Lykouressis, A. Kapsaskis, D. Perdikis, A. Vatos and A. Fantinou (2004)
Rates of population increase, abundance, and life stage distribution of Rhynchites cribripennis (Coleoptera: Attelabidae) on trees and in the soil in an olive grove
Journal of Economic Entomology 97 (2), 316-320
Abstract: The seasonal population abundance of Rhynchites cribripennis (Desbrochers) adults on olive trees was studied by collecting samples from an olive grove on the island of Zakynthos, Greece, from April 1994 to the end of July 1995. Moreover, the population abundance of larvae, pupae, and adults of R. cribripennis was recorded in soil samples from two soil depths (0-4 and 4-8 cm) from October 1994 to October 1995. Results showed that adult populations increased considerably on trees during May and June and peaked on 16 June (19.9 adults per twig) and 8 July (7.7 adults per twig) in 1994 and 1995, respectively. In 1994, no significant differences were found in the number of adults sampled from the different tree quadrants (northwest [NW], northeast [NE], southwest [SW], and southeast [SE]). However, in 1995, adult numbers in the NW quadrant of trees were significantly higher than those in the SE or SW quadrants. In soil samples, larvae were recorded throughout the sampling period with the highest numbers occurring in December, 2.4 larvae per soil sample, whereas pupae were found in lowest numbers in October and November. Adults were present in the soil samples from December to May, but the highest numbers were recorded in December, with a peak of one adult per sample. The number of adults was significantly higher, and that of larvae numerically higher, in the upper compared with lower soil layer, whereas pupae were found with similar numbers in both soil layers. Results of these studies suggest that this weevil exhibits a prolonged larval diapause and a 2-yr life cycle. The ecological implications of this behavior are discussed. Moreover, a prediction of the highest adult population on trees was estimated by taking into account the rate of increase of adult numbers in the early period of adult occurrence on trees.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Dionyssios Ch. Perdikis, Argyro A. Fantinou

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
population dynamics/ epidemiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Rhynchites cribripennis	Olive (Olea europaea)	Greece