Pachnaeus opalus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
southern citrus root weevil, Pachnaeus litus
The southern citrus root weevil, Pachnaeus litus is found in southern Florida, but the distribution of the northern citrus root weevil and the southern citrus root weevil overlap in central Florida. The northern citrus root weevil and the southern citrus root weevil look almost identical, but the southern citrus root weevil has a visible notch on the pronotumpronotum:
the dorsal surface of the first thoracic segment
, and the northern citrus root weevil has a smooth pronotal edge.
United States: eastern United States.
Worldwide: Mexico.
Native to the eastern United States.
All Citrus species and their hybrids
Northern citrus root weevil has been identified on 27 different hosts in Florida with no particular affinities for certain plant families.
A female lays about 4,000 eggs in her lifetime. Adults usually emerge from the ground mid-May through mid-July. Eggs are laid directly on the host planthost plant:
the plant the provides sustenance for an insect
foliage and hatch in 7 - 10 days, depending on the moisture level. Larvae drop to the ground to feed underground on the roots for about one year then pupate below ground. Throughout the year, adults can be found in the early morning and late afternoon but move deeper into the canopycanopy:
referring to the crown of a tree that includes the leaves, stems, and branches
during the day. An adult lifespan is 100 - 120 days.
Duncan, L.W., M.E. Rogers, C.W. McCoy, S.H. Futch, J.H. Graham, and H.N. Nigg. 2011. Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide: Citrus Root Weevils. University of Florida. (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/cg006).
Weeks, J.A., A.C. Hodges, and N.C. Leppla
northern citrus root weevil larva; photo by Jerry A. Payne, USDA ARS, www.bugwood.org
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northern citrus root weevil larva; photo by Jerry A. Payne, USDA ARS, www.bugwood.org
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northern citrus root weevil adult; photo by Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, www.bugwood.org
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northern citrus root weevil adult; photo by Natasha Wright, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, www.bugwood.org
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northern citrus root weevil adult; photo by Natasha Wright, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, www.bugwood.org
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