Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Curculionidae Scientific name Anthonomus rubi | Phylum Arthropoda Order Coleoptera Subfamily Curculioninae Rank Species | |
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Similar Anthonomus, Raspberry beetle, Anthonomus pomorum, Byturus, Tarsonemus | ||
The Strawberry blossom weevil, Anthonomus rubi is a weevil that feeds on members of the Rosaceae and is an important pest of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne) and raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.). This insect is a particularly problematic pest of strawberry in Europe, in some cases responsible for up to 80% loss of the berry crop. Adults feed on strawberry foliage, and females lay eggs inside unopened flower buds (one egg per bud) before partially or totally severing the stalk; larvae develop inside the severed buds, feeding on the wilting tissue.
Role of pheromones
Adults are thought to be attracted to strawberries by chemicals released by the plants. Monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and aromatic compounds acted as odorants (attractors) on weevils' receptor neurons. Male A. rubi then release their own blend of aggregation pheromone, three components of which have been shown to attract weevils to baited traps.
