Weevils > Identify, Control & Disease Prevention Tips

Weevils

Curculionoidea is a superfamily of beetles, probably the largest among all insect superfamilies, with more than 60,000 species. Living almost all over the land, they are herbivores and consume absolutely all organs and tissues of both dead and living plants. Carl Linnaeus, the creator of the first scientific classification of organisms, was the first to single out a group of these insects among other animals. In the wild, phytophagous beetles mainly affect the tissues of plants that have begun to rot or dry out. Interestingly, some species are important plant pollinators. Entering into the interaction, insects contribute to developing protective adaptations in plants.

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Signs of damage

holes of unnatural shape remain on the foliage throughout the summer;
cuts and holes in the stems, roots, flowers, buds, and fruits;
wilting of the plant parts above visible above the surface;
evident growth slowdown, including the root system;
defoliation;
visible scarring and damage to the fruit.

How to prevent

Always try to improve the plants' soil and provide sufficient watering and feeding. It may be a good idea for the gardeners to consider cultivating some plants that are generally known to be natural repellents to weevils. Monitor plants in the spring and summer to be able to identify pests as quickly as possible at the first sign of infestation, as small populations are much easier to control.

Heal

Preventative measures you can take if you discover that your plants suffer from the weevils include soil loosening, soil mulching, timely destruction of weeds, autumn digging of the soil, and removal of plant remains.

In mass production, the most effective method of combating the weevils is heat treatment, namely heating (temperature above 50°C), which kills parasites within an hour. In cases of home cultivation, mainly chemical methods are considered effective, that is, the use of preparations containing phosphine and contact insecticides. The growers carry out wet disinfection against parasites on the premises, treating the surfaces with pesticides.

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