DANNI DA INSETTI AI CAPOLINI DEL CARDO GENTILE IN SARDEGNA CON NOTE SULLA BIOLOGIA DI LARINUS CYNARAE E L. SCOLYMI

Cardoon crop (Cynara cardunculus var. altilis) is gaining increasing interest in the Mediterranean rainfed environment for bioenergy, multipurpose use and industrial bio-based products. Little information is available regarding insect pests on cardoon crop, which represent a novel crop for several areas of cultivation. First investigations showed that insect damages on cardoon achenes (i.e. seeds) are not negligible. In particular, insect damages could seriously affect cardoon seed yields. Two weevils, Larinus (L.) cynarae and L. (Larinomesius) scolymi, previously known just for causing light damages on globe artichoke seed crop, proved to be the key pests in cardoon grown in Sardinia. In fact, the levels of their attack on seeds have resulted higher than those recorded in Sicily and in the Italian peninsula as well as in Spain. The causes of these differences are discussed here on the basis of the biology and life cycle of the two Larinus species.