| Euhrychiopsis lecontei | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Superfamily: | Curculionoidea |
| Family: | Curculionidae |
| Genus: | Euhrychiopsis |
| Species: | E. lecontei |
| Binomial name | |
| Euhrychiopsis lecontei (Dietz, 1896) |
|
Euhrychiopsis lecontei is a type of weevil that has been investigated as a potential biocontrol agent for Eurasian water milfoil .[1] It is found in the eastern and central United States and western Canada .[2]
E. lecontei is a holometabolous insect, undergoing true metamorphosis. Development is temperature dependent, but the time to develop from egg to larvae is about 4 days, from larvae to pupae 13 days, and from pupae to adult 13 days. Larvae are stem borers and damage plant tissue from about 7 cm from the tip of the plant.
Milfoil weevils occur in natural populations in much of North America, but rarely reach sufficient densities to suppress water milfoil infestations. Studies indicate that for effective control a density of about 1 to 2 weevils per stem of milfoil is necessary .[3] There is evidence that fish such as bluegills can reduce weevil populations below these levels.[4] Supplementing weevil populations may enhance biocontrol, at least in the short-term until populations revert to their naturally low abundance. Milfioil weevils are offered for sale as a management option for Eurasian water milfoil by at least one firm. .[5]