Host plant range and biology of Lixus nordmanni Hochhuth (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) on hogweed Heracleum L. in eastern Turkey

The biology and host plant range of Lixus nordmanni Hochhuth were studied in the eastern part of Turkey. This weevil feeds and grows on Heracleum trachyloma Fisch. et C.A. Mey, Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden, Heracleum pastinacifolium C. Koch, H. platytaenium Boiss., Angelica sylvestris L. and Falcaria sp. of the family Apiaceae (=Umbellifera). In the early spring, adults emerged from overwintering places and started feeding on host plants. After feeding for several days on leaves, they mated and laid eggs on the main stem of a host. After emergence, larvae fed in stems up to late summer and pupated in the same places. Pupae were found at the beginning of autumn and then adults of the new generation emerged from the stem. Most of adults overwinter under dry plants at rootneck and under stones. L. nordmanni have one generation per year in eastern Anatolia. This Caucasian weevil species is recorded for the first time for Turkish fauna. The biology and host plant records are presented. © Springer-Verlag 2005.