Green leaf weevil

The green leaf weevil (Polydrusus pterygomalis) belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Curculionidae. It is a widespread insect species frequently found in orchards and deciduous forests, recognized for its metallic green coloration and its role as a foliage-consuming pest.

The species feeds primarily on a variety of fruit trees, including apples, pears, cherries, and plums, as well as various forest trees such as oaks and hazelnuts. The adult beetles cause damage by feeding on the leaves, usually starting from the edges and progressing inwards, resulting in distinctive irregular leaf edges.

The life cycle of this weevil typically involves a single generation per year. The larvae spend the winter underground, feeding on the root systems of host plants. As temperatures rise in spring, the insects pupate in the soil before emerging as adults during the budding and early leaf development stage.

The pest's harmful impact is most visible when populations are dense, leading to significant defoliation of trees. This loss of leaf area stresses the plants, disrupts photosynthesis, reduces overall plant vigor, and may lead to a decrease in fruit production and quality if left untreated.

Integrated pest management strategies are recommended to keep populations below economic damage thresholds:

• Application of registered insecticides during the adult emergence phase in spring.
• Mechanical soil cultivation in orchards to disturb the development of larvae and pupae.
• Installation of sticky barriers on the trunks of fruit trees to prevent beetle ascent.
• Encouraging natural predators such as birds and beneficial parasitic insects in the garden ecosystem.