|
Identifying characteristics-
The adult weevils have black backgrounds with color patterned wings. The
wings can range in color from white to orange.
Biology- Adults
can be found feeding on a wide variety of host plants year round but their
peak times are June and September. They will feed from late afternoon
until morning, hiding during the heat of the day. Once mated, the female
weevil will select 2 newly flushed leaves and lay her eggs between them,
“gluing” the leaves together. This makes the eggs hard to control with
conventional insecticides. The egg masses can contain from 30-264 eggs.
The eggs are very small (0.5 mm) and white when laid then brown before
hatching. The females can lay up to 5000 eggs during their lifetime. Once
the larvae hatches it falls to the soil surface and works its way into the
soil. Once in soil it starts to feed on the plant’s root system. Larvae
development time will vary with soil conditions. Once the larvae is full
sized it will pupate in the soil for 2 to 4 weeks. The adult then emerges
or can stay in soil for 3 to 4 weeks.
Plant injury symptoms-
Adult weevils notch leaf margins, making
the plant unappealing. The larva feed in the soil on outer bark of root.
This causes the root to be girdled, thus killing the root.
Diaprepes eggs on foliage of sliver buttonwood
|
