Ixapion variegatum explained

Ixapion variegatum, the kiss me slow weevil, is a weevil^[1] in the family Brentidae, which occurs at low densities throughout its west European range.^[2]

Its larval stages feed on mistletoe, from which its English vernacular name is derived. Eggs are laid in the plants stems, just below terminal buds. In Europe, the larvae feed from April–July, and emerge the following June.

Feeding by adult weevils, which are between 2.1 and 2.8 mm long,^[3] results in brown speckling on the plant's leaves.

Notes and References

1. Lowe. Marilyn. 2012. Kiss Me Slow: Kiss and Go. Annual Report. Warwick Natural History Society. 58. 28–30.
2. Foster. AP . Morris MG . Whitehead PF. 2001. Ixapion variegatum (Wenker, 1864) (Col., Apionidae) new to the British Isles, with observations on its European and conservation status. Entomologist's Monthly Magazine. 137. 95–105.
3. Green. Harry. Meiklejohn, John. November 2004. Mistletoe Bugs and a Weevil: Ixapion variegatum in Worcestershire. Worcestershire Record. Worcestershire Biological Records Centre. 17. 24–25. 2012-02-28. 2012-12-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20121223122717/http://wbrc.org.uk/worcrecd/Issue%2017/mistletoe_bugs_and_a_weevil.htm. live.