THE FIR WEEVIL PISSODES-PICEAE .3. (COLEOPT, CURCULIONIDAE) LIFE-CYCLE IN CENTRAL FRANCE - A POSSIBLE VECTOR OF PHYTOPATHOGENIC FUNGI

In the central mountainous region of France, the life cycle of the weevil Pissodes piceae can be completed in one year. This cycle, shorter than those previously observed in Central Europe, could be correlated with a succession of several warmer than usual years. A sampling of the specimens collected in different areas of this region showed that about 10 % of the individuals, male or female, could carry several phytopathogenic non specific fungi such as Ophiostoma (= Ceratocystis) canum or Ophiostoma ips. Most often, these fungi were vectored in the round cuticular depressions located near the sensorial prothoracic setae. The bottom of each well communicates with an epidermal glandular apparatus. These structures are similar to those described in several species of bark beetles.