{"id":553,"date":"2015-03-16T01:07:54","date_gmt":"2015-03-16T08:07:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=553"},"modified":"2022-05-16T09:22:49","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T16:22:49","slug":"pagiocerus-frontalis-fabricius-a-scolytid-weevil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=553","title":{"rendered":"Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius): A Scolytid Weevil"},"content":{"rendered":"
California Pest Rating for<\/h5>\n
Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> (Fabricius): A Scolytid Weevil<\/h5>\n
Coleoptera: Cucurlionidae<\/h5>\n
Pest\u00a0Rating: B<\/h5>\n
\n
PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Initiating Event:<\/h5>\n

On May 21, 2014 Dr. Andrew Cline identified a beetle collected in Escondido, San Diego County, as Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> (PDR SJ0P06003026). This beetle was also reported from San Diego County in 2010. The beetle presently has a temporary rating of Q, so Dr. Kevin Hoffman recommended a pest rating proposal to determine future direction.<\/p>\n

History & Status:<\/h5>\n

Background:<\/span><\/strong> Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> feeds and reproduces on the seeds of fallen avocado fruit and both fresh and dry corn. The species is considered a major pest of stored corn in the highlands of the Andes1,2<\/sup>. Beetles infest corn cobs in the field before harvest and continue feeding in storage, destroying the corn within several months1<\/sup>. The beetles have also been found on several other plants including coffee; however, a laboratory experiment found that these other plants were not suitable hosts for reproduction and development1<\/sup>. Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> is not known to have ever been intercepted, but could presumably spread long distances when infested fresh or dry corn or ripe, damaged avocados are moved.<\/p>\n

Worldwide Distribution:<\/strong><\/span> Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> is a Neotropical beetle whose range extends from South America, through Central America and Mexico, into the southeastern United States.<\/p>\n

Official Control:<\/strong><\/span> Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em>\u00a0is listed as a quarantine pest by Japan4<\/sup> and New Zealand5<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

California Distribution<\/strong><\/span>: In California Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> has only been found in San Diego County.<\/p>\n

California Interceptions<\/strong><\/span>: Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> has never been intercepted in any regulatory situations in California.<\/p>\n

The risk Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> would pose to California is evaluated below.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction:<\/h5>\n

1) Climate\/Host Interaction<\/span><\/strong>: Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em>\u00a0has a widespread distribution across a wide variety of climates from the Andes in South America to North Carolina. It can be expected to establish wherever it can find suitable host material in California. The beetle receives a High (3)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.
\n– High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Known Pest Host Range<\/span><\/strong>: Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em>\u00a0is only known to be able to complete its reproductive cycle on corn and the seeds of fallen avocados. It receives a Low (1)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> has a very limited host range.<\/span>
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.
\n– High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/p>\n

3) Pest Dispersal Potential<\/span><\/strong>: Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em>\u00a0has high reproductive potential; females lay many eggs and it can complete its entire life cycle in 3 to 4 weeks1<\/sup>. The beetles may theoretically disperse long distances through the movement of infested corn or inside the seeds of ripe, damaged avocados. The beetle receives a High (3)<\/span> <\/strong>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1) does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.
\n– High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) Economic Impact:<\/span><\/strong> The value of corn produced in California was approximately $812.1 million in 2012. This includes $234.7 for grain, $454.4 for silage, and $123 million for sweet. Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> might increase production costs in these crops, especially organic sweet corn. The beetle is considered a quarantine pest by some nations. The beetle therefore has the potential to disrupt markets by contaminating corn or as a hitchhiker on other commodities. Pagiocerus frontalis\u00a0<\/em>receives a Medium (2)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:<\/p>\n

A. The pest could lower crop yield.
\nB.<\/strong> The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).<\/span>
\n C.<\/strong> The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).<\/span>
\nD. The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.
\nE. The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.
\nF. The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.
\nG. The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.<\/span>
\n– High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/p>\n

5) Environmental Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em>\u00a0is not expected to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes. The beetle is not likely to directly affect threatened or endangered species or disrupt critical habitats. Large populations of the beetle might trigger new chemical treatments in corn when the crop is in the field or storage. Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em>\u00a0is not expected to significantly impact cultural practices, home\/urban gardening, or ornamental plantings. The beetle receives a Medium (2)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.<\/p>\n

A. The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.
\nB. The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.
\nC. The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.
\nD.<\/strong> The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/span>
\nE. The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home\/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.<\/p>\n

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes none of the above to occur.
\n– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.<\/span>
\n– High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction to California for Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em>: Medium(11)<\/h5>\n

Add up the total score and include it here.<\/p>\n

– Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points
\n– Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points<\/span>
\n– High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/p>\n

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information<\/span><\/strong>: In California, Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> is only known to be established in San Diego County. The beetle receives a Low (-1)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.<\/p>\n

– Not established (0)<\/strong> Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.
\n– Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).<\/span>
\n– Medium (-2)<\/strong> Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.
\n– High (-3)<\/strong> Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: Medium (10)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Uncertainty:<\/h5>\n

There are a wide variety of pests that feed on both fresh and dry corn. It is possible that existing treatments, cultural practices, and modified genes will preclude any economic damage from this pest in California. \u00a0Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> also feeds on the seed of fallen avocado. These avocados are not likely to be distributed commercially; nevertheless, the presence of this beetle might disrupt markets.<\/p>\n

Conclusion and Rating Justification:<\/h5>\n

Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em>\u00a0is only known from San Diego County and has the potential to have limited economic and environmental impacts. A \u201cB\u201d rating is justified.<\/p>\n

References:<\/h5>\n

1<\/sup> Eidt-Wendt, J. and F.A. Schulz. Studies on the biology and ecology of Pagiocerus frontalis<\/em> (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) infesting stored maize in Ecuador. Technical University Berlin, Department of Phytomedicine, Berlin, FRG. http:\/\/spiru.cgahr.ksu.edu\/proj\/iwcspp\/pdf2\/5\/61.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

2<\/sup> Gianoli, E., I. Ramos, A. Alfaro-Tapia, Y. Vald\u00e9z, E.R. Echegaray, and E. Y\u00e1bar. 2006. Benefits of a maize-bean-weeds mixed cropping system in Urubamba Valley, Peruvian Andes. International Journal of Pest Management. 52(4):283-289. http:\/\/www2.udec.cl\/~egianoli\/06gianintjpestman.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

4<\/sup>https:\/\/www.ippc.int\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/20130423\/1309849796_qp_list_2013042321%3A18En.pdf<\/p>\n

5<\/sup> http:\/\/piorin.gov.pl\/cms\/upload\/seed.pdf<\/p>\n

Responsible Party:<\/h5>\n

Jason Leathers, 1220 \u2018N\u2019 Street, Room 221, Sacramento CA 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov<\/p>\n

\n

\u00a0Pest Rating: B<\/h3>\n
\n

Posted by ls<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California Pest Rating for Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius): A Scolytid Weevil Coleoptera: Cucurlionidae Pest\u00a0Rating: B PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: On May 21, 2014 Dr. Andrew Cline identified a beetle collected in Escondido, San Diego County, as Pagiocerus frontalis (PDR SJ0P06003026). This beetle was also reported from San Diego County in 2010. The beetle presently has … Continue reading Pagiocerus frontalis (Fabricius): A Scolytid Weevil<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15,5],"tags":[184,59,52,58,57],"class_list":["post-553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-coleoptera","category-entomology","tag-coleoptera","tag-cucurlionidae","tag-insects-and-mites","tag-pagiocerus-frontalis","tag-scolytid-weevil"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-8V","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1954,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1954","url_meta":{"origin":553,"position":0},"title":"Insects, Mites & Earthworms","author":"Admin","date":"May 13, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Insects and mites are related in that their skeletons are on the outside (Phyllum: Arthropoda), but differ in that adult insects have six legs and adult mites have eight.\u00a0 Both groups can be beneficial, neutral or destructive to their environment.\u00a0 Like nematodes, they can cause yearly losses in the billions\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ratings"","block_context":{"text":"Ratings","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=333"},"img":{"alt_text":"Insects and Mites Banner","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/insects-and-mites-featured-image.jpg?fit=1038%2C588&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10574,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=10574","url_meta":{"origin":553,"position":1},"title":"Chrysolina bankii (Fabricius): a leaf beetle","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"May 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Chrysolina bankii (Fabricius): a leaf beetlePest Rating: C download pest rating profile *NOTE You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at permits[@]cdfa.ca.gov. Posted by tn","rel":"","context":"In "C-Rated"","block_context":{"text":"C-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=671"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6582,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=6582","url_meta":{"origin":553,"position":2},"title":"Ceratapion basicorne (Illiger): a weevil coleoptera: apionidae","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"November 12, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Ceratapion basicorne (Illiger): a weevil Pest Rating: D download pest rating profile *NOTE: You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at permits[@]cdfa.ca.gov. Posted by ka","rel":"","context":"In "Coleoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Coleoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=15"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1097,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=1097","url_meta":{"origin":553,"position":3},"title":"Plebeia frontalis (Friese): Stingless Bee","author":"Jason Leathers","date":"September 25, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Plebeia frontalis (Friese): Stingless Bee Hymenoptera:\u00a0 Apidae Pest\u00a0Rating: \u00a0B PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: On September 12, 2013, Dr. Martin Hauser reported the tentative identification of Plebeia frontalis from specimens submitted from a nest found in an Ash tree in Palo Alto.\u00a0 This is the first\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hymenoptera"","block_context":{"text":"Hymenoptera","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=136"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":8919,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=8919","url_meta":{"origin":553,"position":4},"title":"Anthonomus rubi (Herbst): strawberry blossom weevil","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"September 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Anthonomus rubi (Herbst): strawberry blossom weevilPest Rating: A download pest rating profile *NOTE You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at permits[@]cdfa.ca.gov. Posted by tn","rel":"","context":"In "A-Rated"","block_context":{"text":"A-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=669"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14069,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=14069","url_meta":{"origin":553,"position":5},"title":"Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell: Hibiscus bud weevil","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"August 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating Profile for Anthonomus testaceosquamosus Linell: Hibiscus bud weevil Pest Rating: A Comment Period:\u00a008\/22\/2025 \u2013 10\/06\/2025 Download Pest Rating Profile *NOTE You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you have registered and have not received the registration confirmation, please contact us at permits[@]cdfa.ca.gov.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "A-Rated"","block_context":{"text":"A-Rated","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?cat=669"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=553"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10321,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/553\/revisions\/10321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}