Objective To study the relationship between Curculio chinensis damage and the physical characteristics of cones among Camellia oleifera varieties.

Method The damage rate of cones among Camellia oleifera varieties planted under same conditions caused by Curculio chinensis were investigated, and the resistance ability against Curculio chinensis was evaluated through cluster analysis. The physical characteristics of cones, including weight, skin thickness and fruit size, were measured. The correlation between damage rate of Curculio chinensis and physical characteristics of Camellia oleifera cones were analyzed.

Result The result showed that the damage rate caused by Curculio chinensis ranged between 12.04% and 49.7%, which was different significantly among 11 Camellia oleifera varieties. 13.23%-91.83% of the drop-fruits were caused by Curculio chinensis damage, which was the main factors causing fruit drop. The resistance against Curculio chinensis of the 11 Camellia oleifera varieties could be divided into three groups, i.e. high resistance, medium resistance and low resistance, and the damage rate were different significantly among the three groups. The resistance rate of the high resistance group was 82.23%±5% and that of the low resistance group was 52.47%±6%. The damage of Curculio chinensis was closely related to fruit weight, skin thickness and fruit size, and the heavier the fruit, the thinner the skin, and the larger the cone diameter, the more serious the damage.

Conclusion Oviposition choice of adult Curculio chinensis was closely related with the physical characteristics of Camellia oleifera cones, and the physical characteristics of cones should be concerned in variety selection of Camellia oleifera.