Blossom weevil

The animals present are knocked down from the branches with a knockdown funnel. This type of test is especially important in the case of the blossom weevil and should be carried out around midday, when the temperature is high (>12°C). 

LIFE CYCLE. The apple blossom weevil overwinters in crevices in bark, in piles of wood, under leaves or in other dry, sheltered places outside the orchard, especially in woodland. 

Fig. 5. 53. Life cycle of the apple blossom weevil (Anthonomus pomorum).

ENEMIES. The apple blossom weevil does not have any enemies that control it really effectively. The egg, grub and pupa are very well protected in the blossom. 

INSPECTION AND DAMAGE THRESHOED. The apple blossom weevil is monitored mainly by means of the knockdown test. 

The widely held opinion that the apple blossom weevil is a welcome blossom thinner is not applicable to modern organic fruit production. The blossom weevil cannot be controlled and can thus cause damage even when there is abundant production of blossom buds. 

CONTROL. The pyrethrum-rotenone sprays used against the apple blossom weevil are also effective against the apple fruit rhynchites. The control deadline is much later, however (May-June). 

APPEARANCE. Beetle 4.5-6 mm long, brownish with a light cross-band . Larva 5-7 mm long, creamy white with dark-brown head, more pronounced C shape than the larva of the apple blossom weevil. 

Areas of application Mode of action How obtained Remarks Aphids, blossom weevils and other weevils, tortricids, winter moth, bugs, noctuid moths Contact, ingestion and inhalation insecticide Pyrethrum is produced from chrysanthemums and contains piperonyl butoxide as an additive which increases UV stability Very broad spectrum of action Not completely harmless to beneficials Pyrethrum is poisonous to fish Sprays consisting of pyrethrum alone are also commercially available (e.g. Spruzit)... 

BICHAO, H., BORG-KARLSON, A.-K., ARAUJO, J., MUSTAPARTA, H., Five Types of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in the Strawberry Blossom Weevil Anthonomus rubi Selective Responses to Inducible Host-plant Volatiles, Chem. Senses, 2005, 30, 153-170. 

The main pests are vine weevil, blossom weevil, spider mites, tarsonemid mite, caterpillars, capsids and aphids. Slugs can be a problem under plastic mulching. 

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