Root Weevil on Strawberry
Return to Insects and Other Arthropod Pests
Root weevil (Family Curculionidae) grubs are legless and feed on young roots and crowns, creating tunneling damage to underground plant parts. Damaged plants are stunted; leaves darken and become closely bunched. Injured plants may be weakened and may die. Damage is often restricted to circular areas in fields. Adult beetles have small, dark snouts and rows of pits along their backs. Slight variations in size and color occur depending upon root weevil species. Although adults eat notches in leaves, foliar damage is not economically important.
Planting damaged by root weevils.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Plant with root weevil leaf feeding.
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Adult root weevil.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Plow old beds as soon as possible to reduce habitat and prevent spread to new beds.
- Scout for leaf notching as an indication of adult emergence.
- Apply recommended post-harvest foliar insecticide sprays at bed renovation to control adults prior to egg laying.
