Hylobius transversovittatus
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| Hylobius transversovittatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| H. transversovittatus on purple loosestrife | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Curculionidae |
| Genus: | Hylobius |
| Species: | H. transversovittatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hylobius transversovittatus (Goeze, 1777) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Curculio transverso-vittatus Goeze, J.A.E., 1777 | |
Hylobius transversovittatus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae.[1] It is native to the Old World where both adults and larvae feed on purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).[2] This plant is regarded as an invasive species in North America and the weevil has been introduced into both the United States and Canada in an effort to control the plant.[3]
The adult Hylobius transversovittatus is a dark brown colour with two irregular transverse lines of tufts of white hair. It is about thirteen millimetres long and six millimetres wide and has a narrow head and thorax and a curved trunk-like proboscis. The antennae are elbowed and the legs reddish.[4] The eggs are white or pale yellow and oval in shape and hatch within about two weeks. The larvae are a creamy colour with dark brown heads and adopt a crescent shape.[5]
Biology
Adult Hylobius transversovittatus beetles emerge in the spring from the soil or leaf litter where they have been overwintering. They feed on the leaves of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and are mostly nocturnal. Their presence is evidenced by the ragged edges to leaves caused by their chewing. They are most active from June to August and may live for several years. The females lay about 200 eggs over a period of two to three months with each being deposited singly near the roots of purple loosestrife or occasionally on the stem. On hatching, the soil-laid larvae feed on root hairs before burrowing their way into the root where they feed on tissue within the woody rootstock. Stem-laid larvae tunnel into the stem and work their way down to the root. Larval development may be interrupted by periods of flooding and resume when the water level falls.[5] The larvae undergo two moults over a period of one to two years before forming pupation chambers in the upper part of the root. They then moult again and become pupae. When metamorphosis is complete, the adult beetles chew their way out, usually emerging between July and October.[4] The weevils can overwinter in any of their life stages, as eggs, larvae, pupae or adults.[5]