Apate monachus

The attacks of adult Apate monachus (Fabricius) on pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) trees in a plant nursery in southern Italy was described. The adult beetles produce circular holes and large sinuous tunnels on young trees that can involve the trunk and branches. The same plant can be affected by large numbers of such access holes. The adults appear during late June and reach a peak during the first three weeks of July. Given the increase in the spread of cultivation of these trees and, therefore, in the rate of spread of this pest species, further damage to crops is expected.

Foto G. Audoly