Lixus pulverulentus (Scopoli, 1763) (synonym Lixus angustatus)
Family: Curculionidae - “True Weevils”
Length: 10.5 to 17.5mm
Adult Season April to July, (peaking in May to June)
This is a widespread Weevil although it is quite a rare species, mainly found in warmer climates. More common around the Mediterranean countries including North Africa and over into the Middle Eastern countries.
Habitat: Various habitats, along woodland edges, hedgerows, farm crops, meadows, waste grounds, coastal regions, mainly all locations having adequate vegetation.
The larvae are polyphagous, (able to feed on many different species of host plants) they predominately develop in the stems of plants. The adult female weevil, will use her elongated rostrum equipped with mouth cutting parts, her “snout,” enables her to cut deep into a main stem of a host plant where she will lay her eggs. The larvae will feed and develop within the stems of the host plant and pupation also takes place within the plants stem. Hibernation takes place in the matured dried stems or in the soil.
As with most weevils, they are considered as pests, some species of weevils can be very serious pests to farmers and horticultural pests, because at first the larvae are not visible, because they live inside or around the root system of the host plant.