How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Adults are dark brown, compact weevils up to about 0.5 inch long with longitudinal striations. They are flightless and nocturnal, hiding at the base of fruit or under dirt clods during the day and crawling up the tree at night to feed. Larvae are white, legless grubs that feed on tree roots. There is one generation per year.

DAMAGE

Adults feed on foliage, notching out the edge of the leaves, giving them a ragged appearance. Under high population pressure, only the mid-vein of the leaf will remain. Adult feeding on the bark of young twigs may cause dieback. Mature trees can withstand attack without significant damage; however, feeding before harvest may damage fruit stems. Replanted trees may be severely defoliated and die. No damage has been associated with larval feeding.

MANAGEMENT

To prevent infestation apply a 3- to 4-inch band of sticky material on the trunk of young trees to trap crawling adults in May when the first adult feeding is observed. Apply Stickem or Tanglefoot over a special tape or painted areas of the trunk of young trees to prevent bark damage. Reapply the sticky material when it becomes dirty or loses its effectiveness. No insecticidal treatments for this insect have proven effective.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County

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