Golden weevil

Cyllorhynchites auricapillus, widely referred to as the golden weevil, belongs to the Attelabidae family within the order Coleoptera. This small beetle is recognized by its vibrant metallic gold or green sheen and represents a significant threat to various orchard ecosystems globally.

This pest targets a range of stone and pome fruits, including apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees. Adults primarily focus on flower buds, blossoms, and newly formed fruitlets. Their feeding activity significantly disrupts the reproductive capacity of the plants, leading to fruit drop and reduced yield.

The biology of the golden weevil is synchronized with the phenological development of host trees. Overwintering adults emerge in early spring as temperatures rise. Once active, females damage the fruit stems or the fruit itself to deposit eggs, which triggers a physiological response in the tree leading to premature abscission of the fruit.

Economic damage is substantial because the larvae develop within the fallen fruit, feeding on the developing tissues. This process not only destroys individual fruits but can also serve as a vector for secondary fungal infections in the orchard, further compromising the health of the tree canopy.

• Prompt collection and destruction of fallen fruit (mummified or infested).
• Cultivation of soil in the spring to expose and destroy pupae.
• Application of systemic insecticides during the pre-blossom stage.
• Monitoring adult population densities with sticky traps or manual beating.

Management of the golden weevil requires a combination of sanitation and chemical controls. Agronomists recommend monitoring tree health closely from bud burst onwards. By reducing the number of overwintering sites in the orchard floor and utilizing targeted insecticides, growers can effectively mitigate the damage caused by this resilient beetle.