Liparus glabrirostris

Butterbur weevil

Description

Description: With a size of 14.3–18.3 mm, it ranks among the largest weed beetles found in the Slovak Republic. The head is black, the shield sparsely dotted, there are yellow scales behind the eyes and a Y-shaped spot extending half the length of the shield towards the head. Shrubs are black with numerous yellow spots, which are very variable. The limbs are covered with tiny yellow hairs. Possible confusion: With our other species Liparus germanus, which is very similar. The basic difference is the Y-shaped spot mentioned above. Liparus glabrirostris has a shield that is longer than it is wider, and Liparus germanus has the opposite. Liparus germanus is a smaller species. Distribution: Relatively abundant species in Central Europe. Common in Slovakia in foothills and mountain areas.

Symptom

Biology and ecology: Imagas appear from early spring, we can often find them around mountain streams, where they live on the growths of petasites, it has also been found on bolshevnik (Heracleum) and sedge (Tussilago farfara). The females bite the roots and lay eggs individually, the larvae live in the root part of the food plants, pupate in the soil.

Pest significance: Not harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Present in EU: Yes