WEEVIL

WEEVIL
Weevils are part of the family of beetles. They are usually noticed as different in that many have an elongated snout, and are then known as snout beetles. The mouth is at the end of this snout, and they can chew through tough seeds, nuts, buds, and fruit. There are over 35,000 types of weevils in the world. They normally range in size from 1/4th inch up to an inch. Most are colored black, some with stripes and/or spotting. Weevils are most active at night.

Root Weevils are small and reddish-brown. They spend most of their lives underground, and as the name suggests, the larvae attack roots but adults will also feed on foliage. Fuller’s Rose Weevil has become a major pest for the citrus industry, attacking new growth on trees. The larvae will also attack roots. They are most active from July through November. Vegetable Weevil larvae and adults attack the foliage of crops and garden plants. The larvae will also damage the roots, and will go after dichondra lawns. Adults are active in the summer, but the grubs are most noticed in the spring. Rice Weevils are a problem in warm areas, and are a major pest worldwide. They infest grains, nuts and seeds, beans, and even grapes. Grain Weevils prefer cooler areas, and get into just about any grain product. The Black Vine Weevil is almost identical to the Root Weevil, except that it is larger in size.

Life Cycle
Eggs are laid in a hole in the grain, which is then plugged up. Females can lay 30-250 eggs at a time. They hatch into larvae in about 3 days, and then go through four instars over the next 19-34 days. A pupal cell is formed in the grain, and after 5-16 days it emerges as an adult. Adults live for 7-8 months, and the life cycle is completed in 30-150 days, so there are several generations each year.