# First Report of Polydrusus tibialis Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Infesting Peaches in Northern Greece

## TL;DR

This paper reports the first occurrence of a weevil species, Polydrusus tibialis, infesting peach orchards in Northern Greece, highlighting its potential economic impact and the need for pest management.

## Contribution

The first documented report of Polydrusus tibialis infesting peaches in Northern Greece, including its morphology, biology, and potential economic impact.

## Key findings

- Polydrusus tibialis was identified in peach orchards in Pella, Northern Greece, for the first time.
- The weevil causes leaf and fruit damage as an adult and root damage as a larva, potentially leading to economic losses.
- The pest completes one generation per year, with adults emerging in early April.

## Abstract

This study provides the first report of Polydrusus tibialis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) infesting peach orchards in Northern Greece. It identifies the pest’s morphology and biology, with adults causing leaf and fruit damage and larvae feeding on roots, possibly leading to significant economic losses. This discovery highlights the need for monitoring and integrated pest management to protect peach cultivation in this region.

Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] is a major fruit crop particularly in Northern Greece, which is infested by several pests that threaten both yield and quality. In 2024, Polydrusus tibialis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a weevil species known to attack various fruit trees, was identified infesting peach orchards in the region of Pella, Northern Greece, for the first time. In this study, we present the initial report of P. tibialis as a pest in peach production, focusing on its morphology and biology. The monitoring was conducted in two orchards in the region of Pella using pyramid traps, and species identification was confirmed through morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding. The observations revealed that P. tibialis completes one generation per year, with adults emerging in early April and feeding on peach foliage and young fruit, causing economic damage. Larvae feed on root tissues, leading to wilting and stunted tree growth. The emergence of P. tibialis as a potential pest underscores the need for the immediate monitoring and development of integrated pest management strategies to protect peach cultivation in Northern Greece. Future research should focus on the pest’s ecology and effective control measures.