ISSN:
1365-2494
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
An account is given of the damage caused by the larvae of the Common Leaf Weevil, Phyllobius pyri L. to grassland on sandy soils in E. Yorkshire. This insect is probably an insidious pest of grassland causing deterioration of some swards, but occasionally large infestations occur causing severe damage. These investigations suggest that the severity of the damage is related to the degree of larval infestation, the age and the composition of the sward.Work on the biology of the pest indicates that eggs are likely to be laid from the second week of April up to the fourth week of May. Larvae begin feeding on the grass roots in May and continue until about mid-September, when they start migrating into the 3- to 6-in. level in the soil prior to pupation. When environmental conditions are favourable, all larvae are in the pupal stage by late November and adult beetles emerge from the soil during the second week of April. These beetles feed on the grass for a short period before migrating to their woody hosts, whitethorn, hazel, oak and fruit trees.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2494.1962.tb00296.x
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