AFPP – 3rd CONFERENCE ON MAINTENANCE OF AMENITIES AREA TOULOUSE – 15, 16 AND 17 OCTOBER 2013 TO THE FAUNA OF WEEVILS (CURCULIONOIDEA) ON THE INTRODUCED TREES AND SHRUBS IN MINSK J. MELESHKO Nezavisimisty Ave., 4, The Faculty of Biology. Belarussian State University. The Faculty of Biology, 220030, Minsk , Repablic of Belarus [email protected] ABSTRACT In the article, there is a list of 35 species of weevils (Curculionoidea) recorded on the introduced species of trees and shrubs in the city of Minsk. We examined 27 species of introduced plants from 13 families from different parts of the city. While examining the plants damages applied by weevils were noted. The weevils registered in the examined plants on trophic specialization are polyphages – 21 species and oligophages – 14 species. More than 1-2 species of weevils have not been observed simultaneously on one species of trees or shrubs. The first to be recorded on plants are polyphagous insects, which in case of mass reproduction can significantly reduce the decorative and aesthetic value of plants. Great damage was caused to plants which growing in parks and gardens with native vegetation. Plants growing in lawns or separately far away from native plants usually were not damaged. Keywords: introduced plant, phytophagous insect, weevil, injury. RÉSUMÉ LES CHARANÇONS (CURCULIONOIDEA) INTRODUITS SUR LES ARBRES ET ARBUSTES A MINSK Dans l'article, 35 espèces de charançons (Curculionoidea) enregistrées ont été identifiées sur les arbres et les arbustes de la ville de Minsk. Nous avons examiné 27 espèces de plantes introduites à partir de 13 familles dans différents lieux de la ville. En examinant les plantes les dégâts provoqués par les charançons ont été notés. Les charançons observés sont polyphages : 21 espèces et oligophages : 14 espèces. Plus de 1-2 espèces de charançons n'ont pas été observées simultanément sur une seule espèce d'arbres ou d'arbustes. Les premiers à être enregistrés sur les plantes sont des insectes polyphages qui, en cas de reproduction de masse peuvent réduire considérablement la valeur décorative et l’esthétique des plantes. Les plus grands dégâts ont été causés aux plantes qui poussent dans les parcs et jardins sur la végétation autochtone. Les plantes qui poussent dans les pelouses ou loin des plantes autochtones n'ont pas été endommagés. Mots-clés : plante introduite, les insectes phytophages, charançon, dégâts. 317 sur 712 INTRODUCTION The study of species of animals living in the city has roused increasing interest in recent years. Artificial green plantations (parks, public gardens) and preserved natural complexes like urban forests and grasslands are an important component of the urban area. As large green areas have a positive impact on the climate of the city (regulate rainfall, are the reservoirs of clean air, etc.), they are constantly being updated and expanded. However, the green areas of the city attract many species of animals that find food and shelter here. From a practical point of view the information on phytophagous insects is most important. Weevils (Curculionoidea) are one of the largest superfamily from Coleoptera order. Many species are associated with a wide range of plants and are known as grave pests. These beetles both larvae and adults cause great damage. In addition to aboriginal species a number of introduced species are cultivated to diversity the urban landscape. MATERIAL AND METHODS Collections of weevils from introduced plants in different parts of the city (parks, public gardens, National Botanic Garden of the Central Botanical Garden of the NAS of Belarus, singly growing plants on the green area) of many years (2000-2012) served as material for the research. Insects were collected by hand, with a pooter, were shaken off vegetation onto a white sheet of paper or in an entomological net from mid-April to the end of September, two days each week. Weevils were determined by Arnoldi et al., 1965; Dieckmann, 1980, 1983; Freude et al., 1981. In total 1635 beetles belonging to 35 species, 22 genera, 2 families (Alonso-Zarazaga & Lyal, 1999) were collected. We examined 27 species of introduced plants from 13 families: Pinaceae Pinaceae – Larix deciduas Mill., L. sibirica Ldb., Picea pungens Engelm; Salicaceae – Populus deltoides Marsh., Populus pyramidalis Borkh.; Juglandaceae – Juglans manshurica Maxim.; Fagaceae – Quercus rubra L.; Berberidaceae – Berberis vulgaris L.; Saxifragaceae – Philadelphus latifolius Schrad.; Rosaceae – Cotoneaster lucida Schlecht., Cydonia oblonga Mill., Padus maackii (Rupr.) Kom. , Sorbaria sorbifolia (L.) A. Br., Spiraea salicifolia L.; Fabaceae – Caragana arborescens Lam., C. frutex (L.) C. Koch, Cladrastis lutea (Michx. fil.) C. Koch; Rutaceae – Phellodendron amurense Rupr.; Aceraceae – Acer campestre L., A. negundo L.; Hippocastanaceae – Aesculus hippocastanum L.; Oleaceae – Forsythia intermedia Zab., Syringa josikaea Jacq. f., S. vulgaris L., Ligustrum vulgare L.; Caprifoliaceae – Lonicera tatarica L., Symphoricarpos rivularis Suksdorf. On examination of the plants the damage inflicted by the weevils was recorded. RESULTS Table I shows the plants on which the species of weevils were collected, and damage inflicted by them (+). 1. Otiorhynchus raucus (Fabricius, 1777) – a common species, not often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted (injuries): gnaw needles on the lower branches of Picea pungens; gnaw petiole and leaf blade nibble of Caragana frutex; crop flowers of Sorbaria sorbifolia. The species was also collected on Caragana arborescens and Syringa vulgaris, but the feeding has not been observed. 2. Otiorhynchus ovatus (Linnaeus, 1758) – a common species often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw needles of Larix sibirica and Picea pungens; damage bark on young twigs of Picea pungens; feeding on leaves and flowers of Cydonia oblonga; feeding on flowers of Spiraea salicifolia, almost completely destroyed them on young shrubs on the edge of the forest-park. The species was also collected on Caragana arborescens and Phellodendron amurense, but the feeding has not been observed. 318 sur 712 3. Otiorhynchus tristis (Scopoli, 1763) – a not numerous species, recorded only in a few places in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw buds and leaves on young seedlings of Acer campestre and A. negundo; gnaw leaves and blossoming buds of Cydonia oblonga. 4. Omiamima mollina (Boheman, 1834) – a rare species in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Collected on Philadelphus latifolius, where there was little nibble, but the moment of feeding has not been observed. 5. Phyllobius brevis Gyllenhal, 1834 – is not often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Oligophage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw leaves of Caragana arborescens, C. frutex and Syringa josikaea; damage flowers of Forsythia intermedia. 6. Phyllobius oblongus (Linnaeus, 1758) – a common species often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann L., 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw leaves, buds, catkins of Populus deltoides and P. pyramidalis; gnaw leaves of Lonicera tatarica; flowers of Sorbaria sorbifolia. 7. Phyllobius arborator (Herbst, 1797) – a common mass species often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw leaves, buds, flowers buds of Caragana arborescens, C. frutex, Cladrastis lutea, Syringa josikaea, S. vulgaris, Ligustrum vulgare; gnaw the young leaves of Acer campestre. 8. Phyllobius glaucus (Scopoli 1763) – a common species, not often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann L., 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw leaf blade of Cydonia oblonga, Quercus rubra. The species was also collected on Syringa vulgaris, but the feeding has not been observed. 9. Phyllobius pomaceus Gyllenhal, 1834 – a common mass species often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). It feeds on herbaceous plants, rarely on trees and shrubs. Damage inflicted: gnaw on young leaf blade of Cydonia oblonga. The species was also collected on Spiraea salicifolia, but the feeding has not been observed. 10. Phyllobius maculicornis (Germar, 1824) – a common species, not often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Oligophage ((Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw young leaves of Quercus rubra. The species was also collected on Philadelphus latifolius, but the feeding has not been observed. 11. Phyllobius argentatus (Linnaeus, 1758) – a common mass species often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw leaf blade of Quercus rubra, gnaw young needles of Larix deciduas in early spring, gnaw leaves, rarely flowers of Syringa josikaea and S. vulgaris. 12. Polydrusus aeratus (Gravenhorst 1807) – not often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw needles of Picea pungens. 13. Polydrusus cervinus (Linnaeus, 1758) – a common species, not often found in the city (Meleshko, 2001, 2004). Polyphage (Dieckmann, 1980; Freude et al., 1981). Damage inflicted: gnaw buds and young leaves, and thin bark of Quercus rubra,