Distribution, biology and integrated management of the pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with an analysis of research needs

The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), is a significant pest of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and broad bean (Vicia faba L.) crops throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and North America and it has recently become an established pest in the Canadian prairies. The geographical expansion and current distribution of S. lineatus, its life history, economic impact and control strategies are reviewed. Primary hosts of the pea leaf weevil, on which pre-imaginal development can occur, are identified, in addition to its secondary hosts, which provide nourishment for adults when not in their reproductive phase. The importance of pheromones and host plant volatile compounds for mate finding and host plant location is reviewed. Research on control strategies for S. lineatus is summarized, but to date surprisingly little effort has been expended to develop and implement integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, even though combining insecticide use with host plant resistance, cultural and biological control strategies promises to enhance its management. The development of an effective population monitoring system for pea leaf weevil, scientifically derived economic threshold values, and designing an IPM programme for S. lineatus comprise the most critical research needs for improving the sustainable management of this insect. © CAB International 2009.