ARS | Publication request: THE TWOBANDED JAPANESE WEEVIL, PSEUDOCNEORHINUS BIFASCIATUS (ROELOFS) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE): SOUTHEASTERN U.S. DISTRIBUTION OF AN ADVENTIVE PEST OF ORNAMENTAL SHRUBS

Submitted to: Southern Nursery Association Research Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 20, 2004
Publication Date: January 1, 2005
Citation: Boyd Jr, D.W., Wheeler, A.G. 2005. The twobanded japanese weevil, pseudocneorhinus bifasciatus (roelofs) (coleoptera: curculionidae): southeastern u.s. distribution of an adventive pest of ornamental shrubs. Southern Nursery Association Research Conference vol. 49: 192-194.

Interpretive Summary: The twobanded Japanese weevil is an introduced insect that could reach pest status in the southeastern U.S. We collected the insect and looked for specimens in insect museums to determine the distribution of the weevil in the Southeast. We found that the weevil has been collected in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. This work will help growers and other scientist to be aware of this potential pest.

Technical Abstract: Even though the twobanded Japanese weevil is a potentially important pest of landscape plantings in the Southeast, it has received scant attention, and its southeastern distribution has remained little known. Collections of P. bifasciatus were made in Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina and attempted in Mississippi and Florida. Label data were recorded from specimens in state and national museums, or provided by curators. In addition, the Cooperative Economic Insect Report, published by the USDA, was consulted for records.The Southeastern distribution of the weevil is in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Early detection and control of this potential pest could reduce the likelihood of its reaching pest status in nurseries and landscapes in the southeastern United States.