Leaf Rolling Weevils Attelabidae

There are three species of leaf rolling weevil that you may encounter in the Touraine Loire Valley.

Hazel Leaf Rolling Weevil Apoderus coryli (Fr. L'Apodère du noisetier) makes neat and tidy cylindrical rolls, tucked in at the ends and almost exclusively out of Hazel Corylus avellana leaves. The adult weevil is red with a black head.

'Cigar' made by Hazel Leaf Roller out of Hazel leaf, photographed in the Claise Valley.

Hazel Leaf Rolling Weevil Apoderus coryli, on Hazel, in my orchard, Claise Valley, Indre et Loire.

Birch Leaf Rolling Weevil Deporaus betulae (Fr. Rhynchite du bouleau) makes rather cone shaped and somewhat untidy 'cigars', narrow at the attached end and widening to the other end, on a variety of tree species -- frequently Hazel, and certainly not exclusively Birch. The adult weevil is black.

 'Cigar' made by Birch Leaf Roller out of a Hazel leaf, in my orchard in the Claise Valley.

Vine Leaf Rolling Weevil Bysticus betulae (Fr. Cigarier). Their rolled leaf is frequently, but not exclusively found on grape vines. They will also use fruit trees such as apples and pears. It uses the entire leaf and produces an untidy cigar shape that tapers at both ends. The adult beetle is metallic green, purple or blue.

 Vine Leaf Roller, 'cigar' left, adult beetle right, in grape vines at Saint Georges sur Cher.

Photo courtesy of Christophe Davault.