Black Vine Weevil
(Otiorhynchus sulcatus)
Black vine weevil can be a serious pest of ornamental plants, primarily azaleas, rhododendrons and yews. Infestations of this beetle can occasionally be found on herbaceous perennials such as hostas and astilbes in both landscape and production environments.
Adults are not easily found because they are nocturnal. They can be detected by marginal notching on leaves of infested plants. Adult feeding rarely causes significant plant damage. However, the larval stage of this insect feeds on roots and can cause severe root injury, girdled crowns and plant death. Larvae are white, C-shaped, without legs, and remain in the soil.
Large population levels can be a serious issue. Effective control options for container nursery production can be expensive.
Control of this pest in home landscapes is not likely to be successful. Consumers should avoid purchasing plants that have marginal notching in the leaves.
Black vine weevil is a regulated pest in Indiana under 312 IAC 18-3-10. If the weevil or feeding injury associated with weevil are discovered during nursery inspections, plants will be subject to regulation to ensure that this pest is not distributed to uninfested areas. Black vine weevil is occasionally encountered in the nursery industry but it is a not a widespread problem.
