Soft leaf weevil

The soft leaf weevil (Polydrusus mollis) belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Curculionidae. It is a common insect pest that inhabits orchards, forest edges, and nurseries, where it can cause significant damage to young foliage during the spring and early summer seasons.

This species primarily targets a wide range of fruit trees, including apple, pear, cherry, and plum trees. Additionally, it frequently attacks deciduous forest trees like birch, hazel, and alder. In young orchard plantations, the infestation can lead to stunted growth and reduced vigor in developing trees.

The biological development of this pest involves overwintering in the soil, usually at the pupal stage. As temperatures rise in spring, the adult weevils emerge and begin feeding on developing buds and young leaves. The mating phase occurs shortly after, followed by egg-laying, which typically takes place on the plant foliage or within bark crevices.

The damage caused by Polydrusus mollis is easily recognizable by the characteristic irregular notches along the leaf margins. In severe cases, high populations can defoliate entire branches, significantly hindering the tree's photosynthetic capability and potentially impacting the overall fruit production quality.

Effective management requires an integrated approach that includes both cultural and chemical control methods. Key strategies include:

• Soil cultivation around the base of the trees to disturb overwintering pupae.
• Application of contact insecticides during the early leaf-development phase.
• Installation of sticky barriers on trunks to prevent the migration of beetles into the canopy.