The biology and ecology of the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): a problem of dispersal?

Abstract

AbstractThe biology and pest status of Hylobius abietis Linnaeus in Europe are critically reviewed. New data are presented and the relationships between the weevil and its host plants considered. In Europe, H. abietis is the major pest of establishment forestry causing millions of ECUs of damage annually and perpetuating the addition of insecticide residues to sensitive habitats. Predator and parasitoid complexes in Britain and Europe are compared and contrasted. The lack of knowledge of the processes involved in adult dispersal and longevity are highlighted as major areas of concern. The biology and behaviour of the adult and larval stages are reviewed and new data presented. The feeding preferences of the adult weevils are considered and the possibility of using deterrents as a pest management strategy discussed. The development of risk assessment and forecasting tools aimed at more effective deployment of pest-management options are discussed. Risk criteria have their origins in important ecological relationships which require new understanding, but the prospects for determining high-risk forest sites are promising. The options for biological control are evaluated, in particular the use of mycopesticides and increased larval predation. It is concluded that much more research into the biology and ecology of H. abietis is required before a successful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme can be initiated.