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Hosts

This weevil was first found in Hawaii in white ginger roots 

(Hedychium coronarium). Since then it has been reported on avocado seed, bird-of-paradise tubers (Strelitzia reginae), cycad trunk, lemons, Marrattia fern, sugarcane, taro roots, and ti cuttings (Cordyline terminalis).

Distribution

Believed to be endemic to the Austro-Malayan subregion, this weevil is present on several Pacific islands including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti and Tutuila. The first report of the Fijian ginger weevil in Hawaii was on Tantalus and in Nuuanu Valley in 1918.

Damage

The grub of this weevil, or larval stage, burrows into the root, corm, or tuber of the host plant. The subsequent feeding results in wilting and loss of vigor of the host. If feeding is extensive the host plant dies.

In the Cook Islands, this weevil infested lemon by boring into the pulp at the base of the stalk and pupating there.

Biology

Very little developmental biology of the Fijian ginger weevil is known because it is very difficult to rear under laboratory conditions.

EGGS

Description unavailable.

LARVAE

Description unavailable.

PUPAE

Description unavailable. Pupation occurs within the feeding site.

ADULTS

The adult weevil is dark brown to black. The head and snout are not visible when looking directly down at this beetle, but may be viewed from the side. By viewing from the top, the Fijian ginger weevil is 5/16 to 1/4 inch in length.

Behavior

-

Management

NON-CHEMICAL CONTROL

Infested material should be removed and destroyed to prevent spread of this pest.

CHEMICAL CONTROL

No information available.

References

Anonymous. 1919. Minutes, December 12th, 1918. Proc. Hawaiian Ent. Soc. 4(1): 83-83.

Ford. 1955. Notes and Exhibitions, Elytroteinus subtruncatus (Fairmaire). Proc. Hawaiian Ent. Soc. 15(3): 385.

Fullaway, D. T. and N. L. H. Krauss. 1945. 168. Elytroteinus subtruncatus (Fairm.). pp. 96. In: Common Insects of Hawaii. Tongg Publishing Company, Honolulu. 228 pages.

Illingworth, J. F. 1924. Elytroteinus subtruncatus (Fairm.). Proc. Hawaiian Ent. Soc. 15(3): 351.

Marshall, G. A. K. 1920. Elytroteinus subtruncatus, Frm. Bull. Ent. Res. 11(3): 276.

Rosa, J. 1959. Notes and Exhibitions, Elytroteinus subtruncatus (Fairmaire). Proc. Hawaiian Ent. Soc. 17(1): 6.

Swezey, O. H. 1952. Notes and Exhibitions, Elytroteinus subtruncatus (Fairmaire). Proc. Hawaiian Ent. Soc. 14(3): 368.

Zimmerman, E. C. 1938. A Second Species of Elytroteinus (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). Proc. Hawaiian Ent. Soc. 155-156.

FEB/1992.

E-SUBTRA

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