Gorse pod susceptibility and oviposition preference to the gorse seed weevil,Apion ulicis(Forster) (Coleoptera: Apionidae)

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) is an economically important weed in New Zealand. To contain its spread, the gorse seed weevil, Apion ulicis (Forster) was released in 1931. Some aspects of the bionomics of this insect have been studied previously, but the oviposition behaviour of A. ulicis was not investigated. Results indicated that A. ulicis can oviposit in gorse pods in the age range 10–35 days. Pods 21 days old and pods that have not been previously attacked by other females were preferred. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to the biological control of gorse in New Zealand.