A to Z of Pests

Garden Weevil

Phlyctinus callosus

Appearance

• Adult – 7mm long. It is a grey–brown colour. They have a rounded abdomen with a prominent pale V–shaped stripe on it.

Lifecycle

• The eggs are laid in autumn and hatch in 10 to 14 days.
• The larvae burrow into the soil to feed on plant roots and develop through winter and spring. They pupate during September, with the adults emerging in October.
• The adults will only survive until April.

Habits

• Adult weevils attack flowers, buds, foliage and fruit.
• They feed at night, and are inactive during the day, preferring to stay sheltered under leaves, bark etc.