Unacceptability of cultivars of highbush blueberry by adult black vine weevils (Col.: Curculionidae)

When isolated adults of the black vine weevil, <i>Otiorhynchus (Brachyrhinus) sulcatus</i> (F.), were fed highbush blueberry foliage at constant 20C and 16 hours photoperiod, the related cultivars Cabot and Weymouth were unacceptable, whereas Jersey, Rancocas, June, Pemberton, Bluecrop, Rubel, Dixi and Stanley were acceptable, judged mainly on weight gains, feeding rates, fecundity, and survival. The presence of a feeding deterrent is indicated in the two unacceptable cultivars but other possibilities are a lack of some necessary nutrient(s) or an imbalance or unavailability of nutrients which may invoke the response of inadequate feeding. Adults appear to die from starvation