Distribution and harmfulness of Mordellistena parvuliformis Beetle in the left Bank Steppe of Ukraine

Abstract

Harmfulness and spread of a new dangerous pest of Mordellistena parvuliformis Stshegol.-Bar, 1930 have been recorded in the north-east of Ukraine. The results of researches of the reasons of occurrence, harmfulness and distribution of this dangerous pest of sunflower are generalized.
 It was found that the larvae of the sunflower Mordellistena parvuliformis from the diapause occur from the end of the third decade of April after feeding on dead stem tissue. Depending on the time of hatching, the presence of pupae is observed until the end of May. From the third decade of May, you can see the flight of adults and after a short additional feeding on flowering vegetation — the beginning of mating. Adult flight lasts a little more than 1.5 months — until the second decade of July. Embryonic development lasts about two weeks. The last eggs laid were observed in early August. From the second decade of June there was a revival of larvae, which are in an active state inside the stems until mid-September until the end of feeding and transition to a state of rest for further wintering. Thus, the development of one complete generation of toadstools per year is established.