Integrated Pest Management Guide

CLAY-COLOURED WEEVIL, Otiorynchus singularis (L.)

Pest Status: This weevil is not as common as black vine or strawberry root weevils. It has only been found on beds not flooded at harvest or during dormancy. If numerous, clay-coloured weevils could cause damage.

Life cycle and feeding habits: Clay-coloured weevils are intermediate in size between strawberry and black vine weevils, and have a mottled, clay-coloured exterior that may look black when wet. Adults emerge very early in spring, when the other two species are still larvae or pupae; egg-laying by clay coloured weevils also precedes the other two species. Larvae feed on cranberry roots. Adults feed on the foliage of cranberries and other plants. There is one generation per year.

Monitoring and control: Clay-coloured weevil adults can be detected very early in the spring because they overwinter as non-feeding, soft-bodied adults while the other two species are still larvae and pupae. Sweep from the middle of April through June to detect clay-coloured weevil adults. To control clay-coloured weevil larvae, nematodes would need to be applied approximately 4 - 6 weeks after mature eggs are found in adults.
 

Clay coloured weevil

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