Sexual Dimorphism in <I>Apoderus sissoo</I> Marshall. (Coleoptera : Curculionidae) a Pest of Shisham in Jammu Forests

Abstract

The authors describe sexual dimorphism in Apoderus sissoo Marshall, a serious defoliator pest of Shisham in Jammu forests. New morphological differences were observed in the examined material; they allow a faultless determination of sex in this species. These features are difference in the colour of tarsal segments and variable number of tibial spurs in pro-, meso- and metathoracic legs of male and female weevil and difference in the shape of male and female head. Presence of variable number of tibial spurs, is connected with the biology of the species. Presence of two sharp spurs in females helps in making leaf-roll cradles during oviposition.