A to Z of Pests

Vine Weevil (Black Vine Weevil)

Otiorhynchus sulcatus

Appearance

• Adult − 8−10mm long. Black and shiny body. Grooved wing covers with yellow hairs on them.
• Larvae − 8−10mm long, creamy brown c-shaped body, with a reddish brown head.

Lifecycle

• Female lays eggs, up to 1000 in her lifetime, in loose batches around host plant roots. After several days the larvae emerge and feed for several months.
• They pupate for up to 20 days. Emerging adults feed on leaves and shoots and live for up to 100 days.

Habits

• The adults cause damage by notching leaf margins (deeper than similar caterpillar damage).
• Larvae feed on plant roots and can cause the plant to wilt and die.