Forest Pests: Insects, Diseases & Other Damage Agents

European Snout Beetle
Phyllobius oblongus L.

Hanson, T., and E. B. Walker. [n.d.] Field guide to common insect pests of urban trees in the Northeast. Waterbury, VT: Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

Coleoptera: Curculionidae Hosts: Sugar and mountain maples, yellow birch, elm and serviceberry are particularly damaged, but the beetles also feed on many other hardwoods and softwoods Evidence: In spring, look for notch feeding along leaf edges. Adult weevils, which are brown and 4-5 mm long, may appear in large numbers at that time (a). They are sometimes quite active, dropping from foliage onto other surfaces and entering homes. Life Cycle: There is one generation per year. Eggs are laid in the soil in midsummer, and larvae feed and develop on roots. Winter is spent in the soil as a mature larva. Adults appear in spring, and feed along leaf margins (b).

a. European snout weevil adults are sometimes present in large numbers, but the natched feeding along leaf margins is usually of little consequence.

b. European snout weevil defoliation.

Management: Weevils disappear by midsummer. Control is not usually warranted.

Photo Credits:

Figure a: E. Bradford Walker, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Waterbury, VT.

Figure b: Ronald S. Kelley, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, Morrisville, VT.

References:

Drooz, A.T. 1985. Insects of Eastern Forests. USDA Forest Service Miscellaneous Publication 1426. p 320;

Johnson, W.T. and Lyon, H.H. 1991. Insects That Feed on Trees and Shrubs. 2nd edition. Cornell University Press. p 244;

Rose, A.H. and Lindquist, O.H. 1982. Insects of Eastern Hardwood Trees. Canadian Forest Service Publication, Forestry Technical Report 29. p 129.

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