increase in size they extend their mines and extrude filaments of 
dark fecal material from them. Pupation occurs in spherical 
silken cocoons in inflated portions of the mine. Newly-emerged 
adults feed on the foliage, sometimes chewing through the leaves, 
but more often leaving the upper surface intact (fig. 82). This 
results in chlorotic spots and produces a ‘“‘burned”’ appearance on 
severely attacked trees. Adults stop their feeding by mid-July, 
aestivate, then hibernate until the following spring. There is one 
generation per year (126). 
F-519311 
FIGURE 82.—Adult feeding damage to yellow-poplar leaf by 
Odontopus calceatus. 
This species has been particularly abundant on yellow-poplar 
in eastern Kentucky since 1960. Heavy infestations have also oc- 
curred in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Tennessee. Prior to 
1960, it seems to have occurred most commonly on sassafras and 
magnolia. Parasites have destroyed up to 50 percent of the pupae 
in certain areas of Kentucky. Late spring frosts have contributed 
importantly to the control of the species in the northern portions 
of its range. 
The willow flea weevil, Rhynchaenus rufipes (LeC.), occurs in 
eastern Canada and south and west through the Eastern States to 
New Mexico. Willow is its preferred host, but it also feeds on 
many other hardwoods such as elm, red maple, aspen, red oak, 
gray and white birch, cherry, shadbush, and apple. The adult is 
black, broadly elliptical, and about 2 mm. long. The eyes are large 
and almost meet in front; the antennae are reddish-yellow and 
elbowed; the scutellum is white; the legs are reddish-yellow; the 
hind femora are thick and fitted for jumping; and there is a 
small white spot at the base of the wing covers. 
In Maine, winter is spent in the adult stage beneath loose bark, 
under stone walls, in debris, or in the soil. Overwintering adults 
emerge in early spring, fly to their hosts, and feed by eating cir- 
cular holes in opening buds and new leaves. Eggs are laid in pits 
222 
