Anthonomus musculus

Say, 1832

cranberry weevil

Anthonomus musculus, commonly known as the , is a small weevil to North America that is a significant agricultural pest of blueberries and cranberries. are tiny reddish- with the characteristic curved snout of weevils. The has one per year, with females depositing in flower where develop internally, preventing fruit formation. It ranges from New England to Florida and west of the Rocky Mountains, with notable pest pressure in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Papers on the cotton boll weevil and related and associated insects (1909) (14595371158) by United States. Bureau of Entomology. Used under a No restrictions license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anthonomus musculus: //ænˈθɒnəməs ˈmʌskjʊləs//

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Identification

Distinguished from other by its small size (under 2.5 mm), reddish- coloration, and association with Vaccinium plants. The curved snout and compact oval body separate it from non-weevil . Similar Anthonomus may require examination of or host association for definitive identification.

Images

Appearance

are tiny reddish- measuring 1.6 to 2.0 millimeters in length (some sources report up to 3 mm). The body is stout and oval-shaped. The features a curved snout typical of . are smooth, oblong, and pale , approximately 0.4 to 0.5 millimeters long.

Habitat

Cultivated and wild stands of Vaccinium including bogs and blueberry fields. Overwinters in protected areas adjacent to , including leaf litter and debris. Associated with woody shrubs in the Ericaceae including swamp sweetbells, staggerbush, dangleberry, sheep laurel, swamp honeysuckle, and chokeberry.

Distribution

to North America. Ranges from New England to Florida and west of the Rocky Mountains. Documented as a pest in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Distribution records include Nova Scotia, Ontario, Québec, and Saskatchewan in Canada.

Seasonality

are active during the day in spring and summer. One per year. Adults overwinter in protected areas and emerge in spring to feed on , flowers, and developing fruit.

Diet

feed on flowers, leaves, and of Vaccinium . develop inside flower buds, feeding internally on tissue and preventing fruit development.

Host Associations

Vaccinium macrocarpon - primary cultivated
Vaccinium corymbosum - primary cultivated blueberry
Lyonia mariana - wild swamp sweetbells
Lyonia ligustrina - wild staggerbush
Gaylussacia frondosa - wild dangleberry
Kalmia angustifolia - wild sheep laurel
Rhododendron viscosum - wild swamp honeysuckle
Aronia melanocarpa - wild chokeberry

Life Cycle

One per year. overwinter in protected areas. In spring, adults emerge and feed on , flowers, and leaves. Females in flower buds. develop inside the buds, preventing fruit formation. occurs within the bud. New adults emerge and feed before seeking sites.

Behavior

activity pattern. are attracted to damaged flower . Males are attracted to volatile chemicals emitted by blueberry buds including hexanol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, hexyl acetate, and (Z)-3-hexenyl butyrate. Adults may aggregate on plants.

Ecological Role

and agricultural pest. Acts as a regulator of Vaccinium in natural settings, but causes in cultivated settings by reducing fruit yield through larval development in flower .

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pest of commercially cultivated and blueberries. results from reduced fruit set when develop in flower . Subject to and control measures in cranberry-growing regions. No known uses.

Similar Taxa

Anthonomus eugenii with similar body plan but associated with Capsicum and Solanum rather than Vaccinium
Orius insidiosus of similar size that may occur in same but is a with different body shape (, not )

More Details

Chemical Ecology

Males are attracted to specific volatile compounds from blueberry : hexanol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, hexyl acetate, and (Z)-3-hexenyl butyrate. This kairomonal attraction may be exploitable for or control.

Historical Taxonomy

Described by Thomas Say in 1832. The specific epithet 'musculus' means 'little mouse,' likely referring to the small size and perhaps the snout resembling a mouse's nose.