Microlarinus lypriformis (Wollaston)
[Coleoptera: Curculionidae]
Biology | History | Successes | Implementation | Host Range | Research | Literature | Links
Biology
Eggs are deposited in pits chewed in the root crowns and the stems. The larvae mine the stems and roots. Larvae look very similar to M. lareynii. They pupate in the stems. Adults emerge from exit holes in the stems and root crowns. They feed on stems and leaves. There may be multiple generations per year.
History
The adults of this weevil look very similar to adults of M. lareynii and often occur together. Consequently, the history of releases for puncturevine weevils are generally combined. Please see the section on puncturevine seed weevil to review that information.
Refer to Puncturevine seed weevil, Microlarinus lareynii (Jacquilin du Val). These weevils are released simultaneously for the biological contrtol of puncturevine.
Both the seed weevil and the stem weevil for biological control of puncturevine are native insects of Europe. The first releases of these species in the United States were imported from Italy. Weevil establishment is favored by warm temperature areas associated with mild winters. The range of weevils released is ordinarily between 250 and 1000 weevils. Cold temperatures sometimes limit the population.
Microlarinus lypriformis feeds on puncturevine, Tribulus terrestris, Jamaica feverplant, Tribulus cistoides and Kallstroemia spp.
Refer to Puncturevine seed weevil, Microlarinus lareynii (Jacquilin du Val). These weevils are released simultaneously for the biological contrtol of puncturevine.
Goeden, R. D., and R. L. Kirkland. 1978. An Insecticidal-Check Study of the Biological Control of Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) by Imported Weevils, Microlarinus lareynii and M. lypriformis (Col.: Curculionidae). Environmental Entomologist 7(3):349-354.
Maddox, D. M. 1976. History of Weevils on Puncturevine in and Near the United States. Weed Science 24(4):414-419.
Rummel, D. R., and M. D. Arnold. 1992. Status of the Puncturevine Seed Weevil in the Texas Southern High Plains. Southwestern Entomologist 17(4): 347-348.
Turner, C. E. 1995. Microlarinus lypriformis. In Biological Control of Weeds in the West. Western Society of Weed Science.
