Weevils are oval, brownish-gray or black, flightless, hard-shelled beetles about ⅓-inch lengthy with a pronounced snout.
Weevil larvae are plump, white grubs as much as ½-inch lengthy with yellowish brown heads.
Grownup weevils chunk on leaf edges leaving small scalloped chew marks. Larvae are soil-dwelling and feed on plant roots. Weevil chewed leaves do little hurt to crops, however larvae chewed roots could cause crops to develop into stunted or fail.
There are dozens of species of weevils. A number of together with the carrot weevil, bean weevil, and strawberry root weevil feed on vegetable and berry vegetation and in addition some fruit bushes. (See extra on weevil species underneath.)
Weevils overwinter as adults or grubs and emerge in spring. They feed for a number of weeks to building up their frame reserves then lay eggs at the leaves of host crops. There are best feminine weevils–no men–so each and every weevil lays eggs. Eggs hatch in about 10 days and the larvae grubs instantly burrow into the roots of host crops to feed the remainder of the 12 months. They continue to be within the soil over the iciness and resume feeding on roots within the spring. Overwintering grubs pupate in early spring
Grownup weevils feed at night time and conceal within the soil all over the day.
There are frequently a number of generations of weevils each and every 12 months.
Goal Crops: Weevils assault maximum lawn greens in addition to rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, apples, cherries, peaches, pears, and plums.
Feeding Behavior and Injury: Weevil larvae and adults feed on leaves and fruit of host crops. Larvae make zigzag paths into roots, culmination, or stems. The bean weevil does maximum of it harm to dried seeds.
Natural Controls: Use juvenile parasitic nematodes to stop larvae infestations. Use row quilt limitations to stay adults out. Regulate severe infestations with pyrethrum, rotenone, or sabadilla.
Natural Regulate Calendar: Here’s what you’ll do seasonally to keep an eye on weevils:
- Sooner than planting: Don’t develop the similar host crop in the similar position two years in a row, particularly if there was a significant weevil infestation the 12 months earlier than.
- At planting time: Mud diatomaceous earth across the base of crops to create a barrier; mud from the bottom upwards overlaying all stems and leaves, particularly the undersides of leaves. Position spun poly row covers over vegetation to exclude weevils; lay the duvet immediately at the crops and safe the duvet with soil to exclude weevils. Follow an answer of insect parasitic nematodes.
- Whilst vegetation broaden: Check out crops steadily. Knock weevils off of crops at night time onto a work of cardboard then break them. Lay forums within the lawn and take a look at for weevils hiding underneath them all over the day. Position burlap across the base of crops; take a look at within the morning for weevils hiding within the burlap after feeding at night time; shake them into soapy water. Position traps with sticky glue close to crops to seize weevils mountaineering crops. Deal with severe infestations with pyrethrum or sabadilla sprayed weekly; you’ll want to quilt all leaf surfaces. Introduce predatory nematodes to prevent the replica of weevils.
- After harvest: Blank up and break lifeless crops of infested vegetation. Stay the lawn freed from weeds which will host weevils. Take away and break tree fruit that falls in advance. Domesticate the lawn completely 6 to eight inches deep to show grownup weevils and larvae to chilly and birds.
Herbal Predators: Insect predators come with spiders, flooring beetles, and predatory nematodes. Animal predators come with chickens, bluebirds, warblers, wrens, and different birds
Clinical Title: Carrot weevil (Listronotus oregonensis) assaults carrot, celery, dill, parsley, and parsnip crops by means of uninteresting into the tops of the carrot roots or immediately into the carrot middle; bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus) feeds leaves and pods of beans, peas and lentils; larvae bore into freshly harvested and saved beans; strawberry root weevil (Otiorhynchus ovatus) larvae bore into the crowns of strawberries and into the roots of raspberries, grapes, apples, peaches; adults feed on leaves and culmination.
