Number 6 in our countdown of America’s Most Unwanted garden
pests is the Black Vine Weevil.
The Black Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus )
is a root feeder. Although adults will damage foliage, the most serious
damage is done by larvae feeding on roots. The insects’ diet includes hundreds
of shrubs and ornamentals, including yew, hemlock, some rhododendrons and other
broad-leaf evergreens like azalea, mountain laurel and euonymus. Adults can
also feed on deciduous and herbaceous plants.
When shrubs fail to put out new foliage in the spring or new
foliage quickly yellows or dies, one of the first suspects is this evil weevil.
Another indication is the characteristic crescent notches on the leaf margins
made by adults feeding. The adults are active at night throughout the summer.
The non-flying insects are about ½”
long, slate grey to blackish-brown with pitted wings and a short snout.
Prevention and Control
One important step to prevention is carefully examining new
plants before bringing them home. Since adult insects are unlikely to be seen,
the leaves should be checked for signs of damage.
If you begin to see leaf damage on your shrubs – or stunted growth – call your Almstead arborist for an inspection. Often, by the time the damage is noticed, the plant’s health has been seriously compromised.
If you begin to see leaf damage on your shrubs – or stunted growth – call your Almstead arborist for an inspection. Often, by the time the damage is noticed, the plant’s health has been seriously compromised.
Biological controls for Black Vine Weevil are beginning to be available. Nematodes (little organisms that make weevils look big) are ingested by the weevils; they then execute an Alien-worthy switch and kill their hosts. Although this biological control is promising, chemical controls are presently the usual choice for dealing with these pervasive pests. Treatments are most effective on adult populations before they begin to lay eggs. That puts the timing of treatments around late May, with repeat applications through the summer if necessary. (These weevils can have several generations per summer.)
If you didn't treat for Black Vine Weevil this year and are wishing that you had, consider a fall treatment to reach overwintering larvae, which are found in the soil.
