Vine Weevil?
Some of my plants are being eaten at the moment. In particular a Rhododendron Rose and a Fern (not sure of the variety).
The leaves have irregular shaped notices taken out of them, some of the leaves are quite badly bitten, see pictures attached. The plants are planted in a bed.
I have done some research and am wondering if the culprit might be vine weevil? - and if this is the case, the best course of action to take. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Sara
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Hi Sara. That definitely looks like adult vine weevil damage. It may mean that there are vine weevil larvae in your soil and there are treatments for that such as one made by Provado or one made by Bug Clear.
I would go out at night with a torch and see if I could catch them at work. No help with the already laid eggs, but it does stop them laying any more.
Hi LadyBird 4 and Berghill,
Thanks for this advice.
Not sure if I am brave enough to go out with a torch! This might be a job for my other half, lol ?
Well, it becomes needful for someone to do it. I found an adult in my Alpine house last night walking all over the collection of Saxifrages (along with half a dozen slugs).
There is a possibility that a compost will be on sale soon which contains a fungus which attacks and kills the larva. It is already available in the Netherlands. The fungus itself is available to Nursery persons here, but how many use it I do not know.
The Old compost contained an organo-phosphate poison called Suscon Green (rather nasty stuff for humans.) The new thing is a fungus which works in much the same way as the nematodes.
That's very interesting news Berghill and definitely something to keep an eye out for. Thanks for letting us know.
Hi all,
I just wanted you to know that as Berghill suggested I went out into the garden with a torch last night and caught a couple of Weevils in action! Thank you for all your advice, going to try and get rid of these critters asap.
Sara
Sara 10/10 for bravery. Glad you spotted the beasts.