Black vine weevil—Otiorhynchus
sulcatus
Adult weevils are roughened, hard-shelled flightless beetles, approximately 0.5 inch long, black in color with
small patches of white scales on the forewings. The front of the head projects into a long, broad
snout.
Life cycle
Damage
Foliar feeding by adults is apparent in the distinctive notching along leaf margins. Where budbreak
coincides with adult emergence, a high percentage of primary buds and new shoots may be destroyed.
Otherwise damage is not serious. Larvae, or grubs, feed in the soil on roots with no apparent damage to vines or trees.
Solutions
Handpick and destroy adults when seen. Hinder movement by trimming back vines and placing sticky barriers around trunks. Foliar sprays are not necessary and should be avoided as they are likely to disrupt
the biological control of other pests. Commercially available parasitic
nematodes may also be effective
in controlling larvae. |
Black
vine weevil adult on grape shoot |
