The Biology of Exechesops foliatus Frieser, 1995 (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea, Anthribidae) in the European Part of Its Range

Abstract

The life cycle, host plants, distribution, and economic importance of Exechesops foliatus Frieser, 1995 in the European part of its range was studied. The species has a one-year generation. Its larvae feed and develop in the seeds of Acer tataricum and A. ginnala. Adult beetles are active from early June to mid-August, and oviposition continues from late June to early July. Larvae develop from the end of June to mid-August; late instar larvae hibernate, and pupation begins in May of the following year. From 1.5 to 97.0% of maple seeds were damaged. No parasites were found but up to 25% of the weevil larvae were infested with predatory mites of the genus Pyemotes, with 1 to 15 mites per larva.