The influence of fungal species and the level of decay on the mortality and feeding activity of adult Euophryum confine (Broun)
IRG/WP 02-10448
M Green, A J Pitman
The mortality and feeding activity of adult Euophryum confine (Broun) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are used to establish the substrate conditions most suitable for their rearing. Weevils were allowed to feed on Pinus nigra (Arnold) sapwood blocks, either undecayed or
decayed to 10% weight loss ±5% by two brown rots Coniophora puteana (Schum.:Fr.) Karst. and Serpula lacrymans (Wulf.:Fr.) Schroeter, or the white rot Fibroporia vaillantii (DC.:Fr.)
Parmasto in a non-choice test for seven days at 20°C (±1°C) and 92% relative humidity ±5%. Weevils were also allowed to feed on blocks acid pre-treated to 10% (±1%) weight loss. Weevil mortality and block weight losses resulting from feeding were recorded. Those pre-treatments resulting in low mortality and high feeding activity were considered most suitable for rearing adult weevils.