Synthesis of Known and New Host Plant Records of the Fijian Ginger Weevil, Elytroteinus geophilus (Lucas) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Cryptorhynchinae) Suggests a Preference for Starch-storing Plant Organs.

Ryan J Whitehouse,M Lourdes Chamorro

doi:10.3390/insects10080229

Abstract

Elytroteinus geophilus (Lucas) is a polyphagous weevil that is widespread in the South Pacific islands and is known to cause damage to various crops with large nutrient storage structures such as kava, ginger, yellow passion fruit, yams and sweet potatoes. More significantly, E. geophilus, the Fijian Ginger Weevil, has been linked, along with two wound invading fungal pathogens, to a passion fruit collar rot in Samoa. This species is considered a high-risk insect pest and it is included in the USDA’s prioritized offshore pest list. We report on new plant hosts and behavior of this weevil. The first new host record resulted from interception of this weevil in bulbs of Tropical Spider Lily (Crinum sp.) in Alabama. This interception initiated an examination of museum specimens and the literature that resulted in a second previously unreported host record (vanilla (Orchidaceae)) and a new behavioral trait for this weevil: the use of plant fibers to spin a cocoon for pupation. A synthesis of known host plants records is reported here and suggests a preference by this weevil of starch-storing plant organs. A distribution map and a differential diagnosis of the species is also provided.

Highlights

The Fijian Ginger Weevil, Elytroteinus geophilus (Lucas, 1861), is a polyphagous weevil known to cause severe damage to mostly roots, corms, and tubers of a wide range of host plants (Table 1) in many different orders and families
This led to the listing of the Fijian Ginger Weevil as a federal quarantine pest for sweet potato in the United States
The weevils dissected from Crinum sp. were identified as Fijian Ginger Weevils, Elytroteinus geophilus

Summary

Introduction

The Fijian Ginger Weevil, Elytroteinus geophilus (Lucas, 1861), is a polyphagous weevil known to cause severe damage to mostly roots ( near the base of the stem), corms, and tubers of a wide range of host plants (Table 1) in many different orders and families. In 1995 and 1997, this weevil was intercepted at the Keahole International Airport in Hawaii in sweet potatoes in passenger baggage (Convolvulaceae) [1]. This led to the listing of the Fijian Ginger Weevil as a federal quarantine pest for sweet potato in the United States. Follett et al [1] were not able to find this weevil in commercial sweet potato fields in Hawaii or in stored sweet potatoes

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion