''Anthonomus rubi'', the strawberry-blossom weevil or strawberry blossom weevil, is a species of

weevil Weevils are beetles belonging to the Taxonomic rank, superfamily Curculionoidea, known for their elongated snouts. They are usually small, less than in length, and Herbivore, herbivorous. Approximately 97,000 species of weevils are known. They b ...

found in Europe and western Asia. It feeds on plants of the family

Rosaceae Rosaceae (), the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera. The name is derived from the type genus ''Rosa''. Among the most species-rich genera are ''Alchemilla'' (270), ''Sorbus ...

and is an important pest of

strawberry The garden strawberry (or simply strawberry; ''Fragaria × ananassa'') is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus '' Fragaria'', collectively known as the strawberries, which are cultivated worldwide for their fruit. The fruit is widely ap ...

(''Fragaria'' × ''ananassa'' Duchesne) and

raspberry The raspberry is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus ''Rubus'' of the rose family, most of which are in the subgenus '' Idaeobatus''. The name also applies to these plants themselves. Raspberries are perennial with w ...

(''Rubus idaeus'' L.). This insect is a particularly problematic pest of strawberry in Europe, in some cases responsible for up to 80% loss of the berry crop.

Ecology and description

Adults are long and dull black, covered with a fine grey pubescence. The larvae are long, curved, and white with brown head. Adults feed on strawberry foliage, and females lay eggs inside unopened flower buds (one egg per bud) before partially or totally severing the stalk; larvae develop inside the severed buds, feeding on the wilting tissue.

Role of pheromones

Adults are thought to be attracted to strawberries by chemicals released by the plants.

Monoterpenes Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of two isoprene units and have the molecular formula C10H16. Monoterpenes may be linear (acyclic) or contain rings (monocyclic and bicyclic). Modified terpenes, such as those containing oxygen funct ...

sesquiterpenes Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of three isoprene units and often have the molecular formula C15H24. Like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes may be cyclic or contain rings, including many unique combinations. Biochemical modificatio ...

, and aromatic compounds acted as odorants (attractors) on weevils' receptor neurons. Male ''A. rubi'' then release their own blend of aggregation pheromone, three components of which have been shown to attract weevils to baited traps.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1348959 Curculioninae Strawberry pests Beetles of Asia Beetles of Europe Beetles described in 1795 Taxa named by Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Herbst

Ecology and description

Role of pheromones

See also

References