Life History and Seasonal Activity of Sal Seed Weevil, <I>Sitophilus</I> (<I>Calandra</I>) <I>Rugicollis</I> Casey (Coleoptera : Curculionidae)

Abstract

Shorea robusta is an important tropical timber. Seeds of this plant are economically important and infested by a weevil, Sitophilus (Calandra) rugicollis Casey. The insect hibernates in adult stage within soil or decomposed roots under the soil during September to May. They are most abundant during May-June when sal seeds become mature and fall on the forest floor. No alternate host of this insect is recorded in the area. Life history and seasonal activity of this pest has been studied and discussed in this paper.