Biological Observations on the Salsola tragus L. Weed Feeder Conorhynchus kindermanni Faust, 1904 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Ağrı Mountain Lowland Area

ABSTRACT The weevil Conorhynchus kindermanni Faust, 1904 (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Cleonini) was detected in close association with Salsola tragus L. (Amaranthaceae) in Ağrı Mountain soutwestern lowland area where sandy desert. The aim of this study is to determine the life cycle of C. kindermanni feeding on S. tragus. The field research was conducted between Iğdır and Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı Province Turkey in the summer of 2020. According to the results, adults of C. kindermanni feed on S. tragus starting on the rosette stage of this weed. Mating occurs on the ground among young plants, and eggs were laid on roots attached with a glue-like secretion. The legless larvae are freely able to move in sandy soil to reach lateral branches of roots for feeding. The mature larva prepares a solitary soil-case for pupal development in the soil near the host plant root. New generation adults hibernate inside the chamber until emergence from soil in early spring. This species produces one generation in a year in the Ağrı Mountain lowland desert habitat. Key words: Conorhynchus kindermanni, Salsola tragus, weed, biological observation, Ağrı Mountain