Pales and Pitch-Eating Weevils: Ratio and Period of Attack in the South

Abstract

Weevils were trapped for 3 years after a pine stand was cut near Asheville, North Carolina, and for 14 months after a pine stand was cut near Olustee, Florida. Of the weevils collected in North Carolina, about 89 percent were pales, Hylobius pales (Herbstl, 8 percent were pitch-eating, Pachylobius picivorus (Germar), and 3 percent were Pissodes spp. In North Carolina. weevil activity ceased in the early part of October or November each year and did not resume until spring. Of the weevils collected in Florida, 66 percent were pales and 34 percent were pitch-eating. In Florida, adults were active the year round and activity was restricted only in December and January. Disking and burning of the Florida site in early November was followed by an immediate renewal of weevil attraction, indicating that these measures probably increase rather than decrease the likelihood of additional weevil damage.

Citation

Speers, Charles F. 1971. Pales and Pitch-Eating Weevils: Ratio and Period of Attack in the South. Res. Note SE-156. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 5 p.