Hairy leaf-rolling weevil

Systematic position. The hairy leaf-rolling weevil (Involvulus pilosus) belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Rhynchitidae. It is a well-known pest in horticulture, primarily targeting fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, causing economic damage if not managed properly.

Host plants and damage. The pest attacks a variety of Rosaceae species, including apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees. The damage is twofold: adults feed on young buds, leaves, and developing fruits, while females create characteristic incisions on fruit stalks or leaf stems, causing them to wither and eventually fall off the tree.

Biology and life cycle. This species overwinter as adults in the soil or under debris. Emergence typically occurs in early spring, coinciding with bud burst. After mating, females deposit eggs into the fruit tissues. Larvae develop inside the fruit or stems, leading to severe localized necrosis and eventual premature fruit drop, which disrupts the tree's reproductive cycle.

Economic impact. The infestation leads to significant yield losses in orchards. When populations are high, the damage to young shoots can hinder tree growth, while the destruction of fruits directly reduces marketability. In addition to direct tissue damage, the wounds created by the weevils can serve as entry points for various secondary fungal and bacterial pathogens.

Control measures. Integrated pest management (IPM) is crucial for controlling Involvulus pilosus. Key strategies include:

• Sanitation: Regularly clearing and destroying fallen fruits and leaves to break the pest's lifecycle.
• Soil management: Cultivating the soil under tree canopies in late autumn to expose overwintering adults.
• Chemical control: Applying targeted insecticides during the pre-blossom and post-blossom periods if monitoring indicates high pest density.