Overwintering of the Rice Water Weevil, Lissorhoptrus Oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Under Snow and Freezing Conditions at a High Elevation

Abstract

The overwintering of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzopilus, was observed at Kaida-mura, Nagano Prefecture, which is located at an elevation of about 1,150 meters above the sea level in 1982. Most of the adults overwintered in shallow soil under the ground which was covered with snow. The adults were able to overwinter even in the frozen soil. Although the minimum temperature at that location was -19°C from January till March, the minimum temperature on the ground covered with snow remained at about -2°C. It appeared that low temperature at a high elevation in winter does not prevent the weevil from overwintering. © 1988, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.