Nanophyes shoreae (Coleoptera, Apionidae) is a pre-dispersal fruit-predator of dipterocarp trees in South east Asian rain forest These trees frequently abort a large part of their fruitcrop soon after anthesis, coincident with N shoreae oviposition Fruit parameters, related to the incidence of weevil attack, were investigated by examination of fruit collected from host trees and through observations made in the canopy Fruit size and the incidence of prior oviposition determined whether beetles initiated attacks However, many fruits were attacked without oviposition occurring and this is discussed with respect to chemical stimuli

Nanophyes shoreae is a pre-dispersal fruit-predator of several species of Dipterocarpaceae. The timing of oviposition of this weevil was monitored in six trees in Pasoh Forest Reserve, West Malaysia from September 1986 to February 1987. A flowering event occurred during this period. Oviposition started within 12 days after peak anthesis, and continued within any one tree for 11–39 days. Host trees of N. shoreae flowered over a 75 day period. Intra-specific flowering synchrony was high but different species flowered sequentially. The behaviour of N. shoreae and the period of the oviposition ‘window’ strongly suggest that this pre-dispersal fruit-predator ‘tracks’ the sequence of flowering shown by its host species. The implications for predator satiation through mass-flowering of the Dipterocarpaceae are discussed.