Other Common Names
Citrus Root Weevil, sugarcane rootstalk borer weevil
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Author: Linnaeus, 1758
Identification
Numerous forms or morphs from gray to yellow to orange to black.
Range
Native to the Caribbean.
First discovered in Orange County, Florida in 1964. Now established in 23 South and Central FL counties where it is considered as the worst long-lasting threat to the citrus industry in that state.
First discovered Hidalgo and Cameron Counties of south Texas in 2000 (French & Skaria 2000).
Specimens collected in Corpus Christi, Nueces Co., TX in 2005 and 2007.
Established in 2005 in Orange County, Los Angeles County and San Diego County, California.
In lower Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana since fall 2008.
Recently (July 2009)
reported from Houston, TX.
Season
Adults found year round in Florida.
Food
Larvae feed on roots, adults on foliage of a Citrus (esp. oranges in TX) and a wide range of other plants.
Diaprepes - Host Plants - Texas Dept. Agriculture
Life Cycle
The larvae of D. abbreviatus are found in the soil where they feed on the roots of the host. They will often girdle the taproot, impeding the ability of the plant to take up water and nutrients resulting in plant mortality. (In addition, this type of injury provides an avenue for root rot infections by Phythophora fungus.)
A single larva can kill young hosts while several larvae can cause serious decline of older, established hosts. Because larvae are below ground, it is difficult to detect them before decline of above ground potions of the host is observed. - Texas Dept. Ag.
The reproducing capacity of this weevil is extremely high, a female can produce over 20,000 adults in four years.
Remarks
The California Dept. of Food & Agriculture has issued a flier saying, "The weevil was accidentally introduced into Florida in the 1960s and caused extensive damage. It has been intercepted in shipments of plants to California." Said to feed on some 270 different plants, it's described as "a significant threat to both urban and agricultural trees and plants."
If you see or catch one in California, call the California Dept of Food & Agriculture at 1-800-491-1899
In Florida, citrus growers spend up to $400/acre for combined Diaprepes and Phytophthora control.
Print References
French, J.V. & M. Skaria. 2000. Citrus root weevil identified. Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center Newsletter. 18(6).
SIMPSON, S.W., H.N. NIGG, N.C. COILE, & R.A. ADAIR. 1996. Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): host plant associations. Environ. Entomol. 25: 333-349.
Skaria, M. & J.V. French. 2000. Loss of citrus trees associated with root weevil and Phytophthora fungus. Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center Newsletter. 18(5).
Woodruff, R.E. 1968. The present status of a West Indian (
Diaprepes abbreviata (L.)) in Florida (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry Entomology Circular
Full PDF
Woodruff, R.E. 1985. Citrus weevils in Florida and the West Indies: preliminary report on systematics, biology, and distribution (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Fla. Entomol. 68(3): 370-379.
Full PDFInternet References
TX:
Quarantine Notice - Texas Dept. Agriculture
