Optimising Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Monitoring Tool Design

Vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an economically important insect pest of horticultural crops. To identify an effective and reliable monitoring system for adult vine weevil, this study investigated the influence of colour, height and entrance position on the efficacy of a model monitoring tool using modified paper cups as refuges. Vine weevil preferences were determined by the number of individuals recorded within a refuge. When provided with a binary choice between black or white refuges, vine weevil adults showed a preference for black refuges. Vine weevils provided with a range of coloured refuges (blue, green, red and yellow) in addition to black and white refuges showed a preference for black and blue over the other colours and white refuges in group choice experiments. Refuge height and entrance position also influenced vine weevil behaviour with individuals exhibiting a preference for taller refuges and those with entrance openings around the refuge base. These results provide insights into refuge selection by adult vine weevils, which can be exploited to improve monitoring tool design. The importance of developing an effective monitoring tool for vine weevil adults as part of an integrated pest management programme is discussed.

Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Management: Current State and Future Perspectives

Vine weevil, also known as black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, has been one of the most economically important pest species of global horticultural crops for the past five decades. This period has seen many changes in crop protection practices, including wide-scale adoption of biological controls such as entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi in place of conventional synthetic insecticides. Despite the experimental efficacy of these controls, growers continue to report significant crop losses associated with vine weevil infestation. We argue that simply switching from synthetic insecticides to biological controls, rather than using these controls as part of an integrated management program, is a key factor in the continued importance of this pest. An improved understanding of vine weevil biology and ecology is at the center of the development of truly integrated pest management programs. To this end, we identify opportunities created through recent vine weevil research and highlight key knowledge gaps in which further research may contribute to improved future management approaches.

Feeding status influences adult vine weevil (coleoptera: curculionidae) behaviour to conspecific volatiles

ABSTRACTVine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is widely considered to be one of the most economically important pests of soft-fruit and ornamental crops. The chemical ecology of vine weevil has been extensively studied in the pursuit of a semiochemical lure to improve monitoring tool sensitivity/reliability and develop novel control methods. Although vine weevil adults exhibit a strong tendency to aggregate, the mechanism underlying this behaviour has not, to date, been identified. It is notable, however, that previous studies have not considered the impact of feeding status on vine weevil aggregation behaviour. To investigate the importance of feeding status on aggregation behavior, this study recorded the responses of satiated and starved vine weevil adults to the odour of starved conspecifics. Satiated adults exhibited a preference for the odour of conspecifics while starved vine weevils exhibited no such preference. Therefore, this study provides evidence to support the hypothesis that feeding status is an important factor for vine weevil aggregation.