Ixapion variegatum

Ixapion variegatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Superfamily: Curculionoidea
Family: Brentidae
Genus: Ixapion
Species: I. variegatum
Binomial name
Ixapion variegatum
Wencker, 1864

Ixapion variegatum (Wencker, 1864), the Kiss Me Slow Weevil, is a weevil[1] in the family Brentidae, which occurs at low densities throughout its west European range.[2]

It is a parasite of Mistletoe, from which its English vernacular name is derived.[1] Eggs are laid in the plants stems, just below terminal buds.[1] In Europe, the larvae feed from April–July, and emerge the following June.[1]

Feeding by adult weevils, which are between 2.1 and 2.8 mm long,[3] results in brown speckling on the plant's leaves.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Lowe, Marilyn (2012). "Kiss Me Slow: Kiss and Go". Annual Report. Warwick Natural History Society (58): 28–30.
  2. Foster, AP; Morris MG; Whitehead PF (2001). "Ixapion variegatum (Wenker, 1864) (Col., Apionidae) new to the British Isles, with observations on its European and conservation status". Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine (137): 95–105.
  3. Green, Harry; Meiklejohn, John (November 2004). "Mistletoe Bugs and a Weevil: Ixapion variegatum in Worcestershire". Worcestershire Record. Worcestershire Biological Records Centre (17): 24–25.
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