Impact of Insects on the Regeneration Potential of Oaks in France : I. Action of Phyllophagus Curculionidae (Coleoptera) on Female Flowers Prior to Fecundation

1995

zahlr. Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

2479

200036927

Insect damage to female flowers of Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl. and Quercus robur L. was surveyed in situ from 1989 to 1993 on isolated oaks as well as on forest trees in the central part of France. Depending on the year, 200 to 1000 flowers located 2-12m high were selected and continuous observations of damage development were made from bud-burst to fecundation. Thirteen weevil species (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), previously known only as defoliators, were noticed to attack buds, flowers or peduncles prior to flower fecundation. The most significant damage was caused by Polydrusus cervinus L., Strophosoma capitatum De Geer, Brachyderes incanus L. Phyllobius piri (L.) and Coeliodes ilicis (Bed.). Details of the biology of these species and the damage caused are given.