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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2006 Publication Date: 12/12/2006 Citation: Reding, M.E. 2006. Black Vine Weevil Oviposition Behavior in Container-Grown Nursery Crops. Meeting Abstract. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: The black vine weevil (BVW, Otiorhynchus sulcatus) is a serious pest of container- and field-grown nursery crops. The larvae are the most damaging stage because they feed on the roots of a large variety of plants often killing their hosts. One area where information is lacking is host preference for oviposition in container- or field-grown nursery crops. Most of the previous research on preference for oviposition was conducted on detached foliage or in small pots (<1 liter) of herbaceous plants. The objectives of this research were to determine whether or not BVW have preferences for infestation between various larval hosts (Astilbe, Rhododendron, Sedum, Taxus) when grown in containers or the field. Adult BVW were caged with combinations of plant species that were known as good hosts for larvae. All plants were potted in soilless media in 1-gallon containers. The species of plants used were Astilbe (false spirea), Huechera (coral bells), Sedum (stonecrop), Taxus (Yew), and Cercis (Redbud). The adult BVW fed on all species available to them in each cage. When adults were given a choice to lay eggs between Astilbe, Cercis, Sedum, and Taxus, larvae were found almost exclusively in the Sedum pots. When given a choice between Astilbe, Huechera, Sedum, and Taxus, higher numbers of larvae were found in the Huechera and Sedum pots. Adult BVW appear to choose between acceptable larval hosts, laying eggs primarily in certain species instead of distributing eggs more evenly among species. Previous research and field observations have shown Taxus to be a very good larval host with large numbers of larvae found on Taxus in nurseries. However, very few larvae were found in Taxus in our study. |
