Ecological morphology of the sugar beet weevil Croatian populations: Evaluating the role of environmental conditions on body shape

Different rearing environments produce dissimilar stress level in insects, which can be reflected on the ability of an individual to overcome these pressures and spread further. Sugar beet weevil, Bothynoderes punctivnetris Germar. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the most harmful pests of sugar beet, infesting agricultural fields in different parts of Croatia. It is highly invasive being able to inhabit diverse environments across the country. The aim of this study was to assess the association between different environmental and rearing conditions and the morphological variation observed in the sugar beet weevil body shape. The present results showed significantly different eco-morphs related to different environmental conditions, thus suggesting that the observed ecomorphological changes could be associated to the ability of this pest to spread further.