Mile-a-minute weevil

Rhinoncomimus latipes is highly co-evolved with its host plant (Persicaria perfoliata or Polygonum perfoliatum), commonly known as mile-a-minute or Asiatic tearthumb, and has only been found to successfully reproduce on mile-a-minute. Adults overwinter in leaf litter and emerge early in spring to feed on leaves and mate. Female R. latipes lay eggs preferentially on the compact flowering head of the plant, a tender location that allows larvae to easily bore into the stem. After 3-5 days, larvae emerge and bore into the stem to feed and develop. Stem boring and internal feeding by larvae significantly reduces the growth and reproductive ability of P. perfoliata. Fully grown larvae drop into the soil to pupate and emerge as adults by climbing up nearby stems, approximately one month after egg laying. Three to four overlapping generations can occur during a growing season.