Hypomeces pulviger
| Hypomeces squamosus | |
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| Hypomeces squamosus from Laos on a green leaf. | |
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| Species: | squamosus
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| Hypomeces squamosus | |
Hypomeces squamosus, also known as the gold-dust weevil, is a species of the true weevil family.[1] The adult weevil can reach a length of about 12 mm (0.5 in) and is covered with iridescent green glitter all over the body. This species can be found in India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. Both the larvae and adults are crop pests. The larvae live in and pupate in the soil, feeding on living plant roots. Adults are long-lived, doing damage to foliage, sometimes defoliating young bushes.[1]
Distribution
Hypomeces squamosus is native to southeastern Asia, its range extending from Pakistan and India to Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia.[2]
Damage
The adult Hypomeces squamosus feeds by chewing leaves. The growing tip and young leaves are preferentially chosen and eaten from the edge inwards. When older, more mature leaves are consumed, the softer parts between the veins are eaten and the veins are left. Host plants include Citrus, Gossypium (cotton), Helianthus annuus (sunflower), Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato), Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco), Oryza sativa (rice), Persea americana (avocado), Saccharum officinarum (sugarcane) and Zea mays (maize).[2]
References
- ^ a b Hill, Dennis S., ed. (2008). "Major Tropical Crops and Their Pest Spectra". Pests of Crops in Warmer Climates and Their Control. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. p. 334.
- ^ a b "Green weevil: Hypomeces squamosus". Plantwise Knowledge Bank. CABI. Retrieved 5 September 2021.