Phyllobius pomonae

Systematic position. Phyllobius pomonae is a beetle species belonging to the order Coleoptera and the family Curculionidae. It is a well-known pest in horticultural environments, frequently affecting both agricultural orchards and wild deciduous habitats across its range.

Host plants and damage. The species is polyphagous, targeting a variety of fruit trees such as apples, pears, cherries, and plums. It also feeds on various shrubs. The adult weevils cause damage by feeding on the edges of leaves, creating distinctive serrated or scalloped patterns. In cases of high population density, trees may suffer from extensive defoliation, severely impacting the foliage area.

Biology and lifecycle. The lifecycle of this beetle includes egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Larvae typically live in the soil, where they feed on the roots of grasses and herbaceous plants, and overwinter underground. Pupation occurs in the spring. Adults emerge in late spring and early summer to feed on the foliage, mate, and lay eggs back in the soil to initiate the next generation.

Economic impact. The primary economic damage is caused by adult weevils feeding during the active growing season. Significant leaf loss compromises the photosynthetic capacity of the trees, which can lead to reduced yield and stunted development of younger trees. In nurseries, heavy infestations can kill young grafts and seedlings, representing a substantial loss for growers.

Protection measures. Effective control involves a combination of mechanical and chemical strategies:

• Tilling the soil in orchards to disrupt the development of larvae and pupae.
• Application of suitable insecticides targeting adults during the peak emergence period.
• Utilizing sticky barriers on tree trunks to prevent non-flying weevils from accessing the canopy.
• Maintaining healthy orchard hygiene to minimize alternative host plant populations for larvae.