Garden Pest Identification - Vegetable Weevils

Vegetable weevils are a type of garden pest that attacks leafy garden plants. An elusive pest that is hard to catch in action, the adult vegetable weevil resembles an everyday beetle, but has a few individualizing characteristics.

Identification

The vegetable weevil is a gray-brown beetle that attacks vegetable plants. Though similar in appearance to other beetles, distinguishing characteristics of the vegetable weevil include a long snout and a V-shaped marking at the tip of the wing.

Feeding

The vegetable weevil feeds on tobacco, potato, mustard greens, collard greens, tomatoes and carrots.

Geography

Though the vegetable weevil originated in South America, the species made its way to the United States in 1922 and now occupies much of the southern part of the U.S., plus Arizona, California and Oklahoma.

Fun Fact

A vegetable weevil problem may be difficult to diagnose because weevil larvae are born night owls. Farmers with a vegetable weevil problem may never see the leaf-chewing pests because they perform most of their gnawing under cover of dark.

Prevention/Solution

Some biological pest control options are available to help fight a vegetable weevil infestation. Natural enemies of the vegetable weevil include ground beetles and rove beetles. According to the ACES guide to garden pests, planting garlic in a garden can help drive away vegetable weevils.

References

• Pestweb: Vegetable weevil
• North Carolina State University: Vegetable Weevil
• University of California Integrated Pest Management: Vegetable Weevil Identification

Resources

• Chatham County Center: Growing Small Farms
• ACES: Garden Pests