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Notes on the biology of Larinus minutus Gyllenhal (Col., Curculionidae), an agent for biological control of diffuse and spotted knapweeds
Author(s) -
Kashefi J. M.,
Sobhian R.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of applied entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0418
pISSN - 0931-2048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0418.1998.tb01542.x
Subject(s) - biology , weevil , curculionidae , voltinism , botany , larva , achene , asteraceae , biological pest control
The weevil, Larinus minutus oviposits in open flowers of diffuse and spotted knapweed [ Centaurea diffusa and C. maculosa (Asteraceae)] and the larvae feed on developing achenes. The species is univoltine and overwinters as an adult in soft soil or among debris near the host plant. Overwintered adults appear on plants by mid‐May. Oviposition begins at the end of June and the new generation starts to emerge by the end of July. Up to 130 eggs per female were laid in C. diffusa flowers in cages. One larva destroys 100% of the seeds in an infested seedhead. During the warm hours of the day (over 30°C) the adults hide under flowers or other parts of the plants and remain inactive.