Description
Weevils, also known as snout beetles, are beetles that have long snouts with chewing mouthparts at the end. Some weevils are called curculios. Curculios usually have snouts that are longer and more curved than those of other weevils. Weevil adults are hard-bodied, usually dark-colored insects that play dead when disturbed. They feed on many different types of plants, often chewing holes in leaves, buds, and flowers. The larvae are white, fleshy, legless grubs that usually live inside plant tissue. Grubs may feed inside seeds, fruit, buds, leaves, or stems. Some weevil grubs live in the soil and feed on plant roots. These root weevils are very damaging to their host plants. For more information about root weevils, see Root Weevils.
Control
Control is most often aimed at the adults, since the larvae are usually protected inside plant tissue. To control weevils on fruit and nut trees, spray with an insecticide containing malathion. Several different insecticides, including malathion, lindane, and carbaryl, are used to control weevils on vegetables and ornamentals. Look under the entry for your specific plant.
