Polydrusus formosus

Polydrusus formosus is a species of broad-nosed weevil belonging to the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae.[1][2]

Polydrusus formosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Curculionidae
Subfamily:
Entiminae
Tribe:
Polydrusini
Genus:
Polydrusus
Species:
P. formosus
Binomial name
Polydrusus formosus
(Mayer, 1779)
Synonyms
  • Curculio formosus Mayer, 1779
  • Curculio sericeus Schaller, 1783 nec Goeze, 1777
  • Polydrusus sericeus (Schaller, 1783)
  • Thomsoneonymus sericeus

Distribution

This beetle is present in most of Europe and in the Nearctic realm.[3]

Description

The adults grow up to 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) long. The colour of this insect is brilliant metallic green, as the black body is coated in emerald round scales. If the scales wear off the body beneath appears dark. Antennae are pale with a dark club. These beetles show a short groove between the eyes and evident striae on the elytra.[4]

Biology
Polydrusus formosus – mating

Adults can mostly be encountered from April through August.[4] These beetles lay their eggs in the bark or leaves of the host-plants. The soil-inhabiting larvae grow up to 7 millimetres (0.28 in) long feeding on juicy plant roots. In Autumn their development is complete. They overwinter and pupate in Spring.

The adults are eaters of young leaves and open blossoms of a wide variety of woodland trees and shrubs (Corylus avellana, Quercus species, etc.), but also fruit trees (apple, pear, cherry, etc.) They are considered a pest of fruit trees, causing extensive damages to their buds, blossoms and shoots.[5][6]

Bibliography

References
  1. Biolib
  2. Invertebrated Online
  3. Fauna europaea
  4. Nature Spot
  5. Pest Information
  6. D. V. Alford Pests of Fruit Crops: A Color Handbook
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