First phenological data of the rose pest Homalorhynchites hungaricus (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Rhynchitidae) in Greece

Abstract

The rose curculio Homalorhynchites hungaricus (Herbst, 1783) (=Rhynchites hungaricus, =Mechoris ungaricus, =Mecorhis ungaricus) (Coleoptera: Rhynchitidae) has been recorded in Greece (Attica, May 2004) infesting blooms of ornamental roses [Rosa sp. (Rosaceae)]. This pest has also been recorded in Bulgaria and in Turkey causing serious damages on oil-bearing roses (Rosa damascena Mil1. var. kazanlika and Rosa damascena Mill. var. tringipetala respectively). In Turkey the subspecies Η. hungaricus (Herbst) subsp. marginicollis Schilskly seems to be more important. Homalorhynchites hungaricus completes one generation per year in Attica, The first adults of the beetle appear late April and infest the rose blooms feeding on them. The flight of Η. hungaricus adults lasts until the end of June. The female beetles bear often more than one hole in the young blooms and lay one egg in each hole. The development of the larvae takes place inside the calyx and lasts 30 – 42 days. The pupation of Η. hungaricus takes place in the ground, where the insect overwinters. The adults appear from late April to early May of the next year.