Pine weevil: types and characteristics of pests of coniferous plantings
Even the most prickly and unsightly needles love to eat bugs. On conifers, pine weevils of various sizes are often found. They were named respectively, large and small.
Content
Description of the pine weevil
Beetles are weevils and get their name from their long noses. But some proboscis are thicker and shorter, while others are longer. Coniferous pests are pine weevils.
Most representatives of the species prefer to be active only at dusk. They do not fly in sunny bright colors, they prefer to rest in the forest litter.
Life cycle
All types of weevils go through a standard cycle. Most often, the generation of representatives is one-year. The beginning of active movement is observed in May, in some regions in early June:
Weevil life cycle.
- after emergence, weevils mate and lay eggs in the roots;
- larvae appear after 3-4 weeks, actively move and make heaps of moves;
- they make deep and wide cradles where pupation takes place;
- imago beetles come out the next year with warming.
Diet preferences
Several types of weevils were united under one name "pine" for some feature.
Weevil larvae are completely monophagous - they feed only on the roots of conifers.
They mainly affect weakened trees and settle in fresh clearings. But at the same time, adults are polyphagous. Everything that grows near damaged conifers is at risk:
- oak;
- alder;
- Birch;
- cherry;
- grapes;
- apple.
Weevil control methods
Very quickly, a weevil colony can destroy the planting of conifers and move to deciduous ones. They do not move from place to place if they have enough food.
Agrotechnical and biological methods
Pine weevil.
Since it is impossible to move tree plantings from place to place, care must be taken in advance to place the plantings away from the felling sites. On the site, remove coniferous stumps in a timely manner.
This includes spraying with preparations based on beneficial bacteria. They destroy insects without harming other animals.
Another method of biological influence is natural enemies:
- rooks;
- crows;
- jays;
- goats;
- woodpeckers;
- ground beetles;
- ktyri;
- braconids.
Chemical methods
Weevils on stumps.
With the mass distribution of pests on plantations, as with single plantings, it is possible to use insecticidal preparations. They are treated with conifers in the spring to destroy adults before the start of flight and mating.
Coniferous stumps are also processed, because they are the most attractive for weevils. You can repeat the procedure at the end of summer. Of the drugs used Karbofos, Metafos, Aktellik.
Conclusion
Pine weevils are several different beetles that spoil the plantings of conifers. But starving adults can eat wood of deciduous and even various shrubs.
