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Gorse Seed Weevil

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Caused By:-     The Weevil Exapion ulicis

Description

The Gorse Seed weevil Exapion ulicis (formerly Apion ulicis) is a species of straight-snouted weevil native to Europe. It was one of the first biological pest control against the spread gorse (Ulex europaeus) in New Zealand in the 1950s. The predation on Gorse does not do serious damage to the gorse, but by limiting seed production it slows the spread of the gorse. Although the adults feed on the soft tissues of the plant they do not do enough damage to destroy or significantly weaken whole plant. The adult weevils appear greyish due to the presence of minute hairs covering the body, but the underlying colour is black. The body length varies from 1.8-2.5 mm. The adults have a long curved snout which is characteristic of the weevil family.
The eggs are yellow and the larvae are white, legless grubs approximately 2 mm long with brown head. The pupae are white when newly formed but change to grey as they develop.
Adults emerge in the Summer and over-winter in sheltered areas then mate and commence egg-laying in spring. The females bore a hole in the developing seed pods through which they lay eggs. The developing larvae feed on the developing seeds inside the pods. Picture by Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org.
See these other Weevils Apple Blossom Weevil, Beech Leaf Mining Weevil, Figworth Weevils, Leaf Weevils, Nut Weevil, Pea and Bean Weevil, Turnip Gall Weevil,Vine Weevil, Weevils, Willow Flea Weevil.

Control

These pests do not cause enough damage to warrant spraying as the Gorse is capable of overcoming the predation.

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