First record of the wood boring weevil, Pentarthrum huttoni, in Austria (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Authors: Halmschlager, Erhard; Ladner, Christof; Zabransky, Petr; Schopf, Axel

Source: Journal of Pest Science, Volume 80, Number 1, February 2007 , pp. 59-61(3)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The wood boring weevil, Pentarthrum huttoni Wollaston, is reported for the first time from Austria. It was recorded from coffins in the crypt of St. Michael's church in the centre of Vienna. Extensive tunnelling of the larvae and surface damage by the adults caused disintegration of the historically significant wooden 18^th century coffins. Beetles were also detected in rotten cardboard on the loamy soil of the crypt. Infestation by this Cossonine weevil is promoted by the very damp conditions in the crypt, a consequence of the closure of ventilation funnels in the 1940s.

Keywords: Pentarthrum huttoni; Wood boring weevil; Wooden coffins; Austria

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10340-006-0148-3

Affiliations: 1: Email: erhard.halmschlager@boku.ac.at

Publication date: 2007-02-01