Naupactus cervinus Boheman (Coleoptera; Curculioniae)
Biology
This insect species usually completes one to two generations per year. The adult female can lay from 200 to 1000 eggs in her lifetime. Adults feed on the foliage and buds of avocados, while larvae feed on roots and root hairs in the soil.
Symptoms
Adult foliage feeders can cause serious damage to young avocado seedlings, as they can completely defoliate the foliage. In addition, the larva as they feed on root hairs and roots make young trees susceptible to soil-borne pathogens such as Phytopthora spp. and susceptible to periods of drought as they may die.
Manage
Application of registered insecticides mainly on young seedlings or large insect populations where there is a risk to the growth of the plant.
Area of observation
At young avocado plantations in the area of Skine, Fourne and Agia.
