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Vine weevils have been increasing in significance to gardeners over the past few decades, due to the increased use of ornamental containers and container grown plants from nurseries. Vine weevil is a garden plant pest problem that can be difficult to control. Vine weevil is one plant insect pest that most gardeners live in fear of. And it is a pest to worry about. Suddenly, otherwise healthy-looking plants collapse and die thanks to the root-eating, soil-borne grubs. You should suspect a vine weevil attack if watering does not revive the plant. In severe cases, plants may be completely severed from their roots at ground level. In the fall when the weather gets colder the adults look for a warmer place to overwinter and if your house is in their path you will see them invade your home in big numbers. Inside your vacuum cleaner is probably your best bet to deal with them. Outside a chemical barrier could be applied to keep them from invading your home. INTRODUCTION
This weevil is one of a number of weevil species that regularly invade people's homes in the fall. These weevils hibernate as adults and are simply looking for a protected place to spend the winter. IDENTIFICATION
Weevils tend to be robust beetles with a thick exoskeleton. The head is prolonged into a snout of varying lengths depending on the species, and the antennae are long and elbowed, the first segment fitting into a groove on the snout. The Black Vine Weevil averages about 9 mm long and has a rather short snout. It is black, often with numerous orange or yellow spots on the back, although some individuals have reduced or no spotting. DISTRIBUTION
This is a European species that was introduced into North America about 150 years ago. It is now widely distributed in North America, being found across southern Canada and northern United States at least as far south as northern California. TIME OF YEAR
Adults can be found all summer long, becoming active with the first warm weather and often staying active well into the fall. HABITAT AND HABITS
Larvae are found underground and feed on the roots of a wide variety of plants. Over 100 species of plants have been identified as food sources for the larvae, including many species of berries, rhododendrons and conifers. As a result, the weevil is at times a serious greenhouse and nursery pest. The adults can live up to 3 years and lay hundreds of eggs every spring. This is a parthenogenic beetle; that is, there are no males in the populations and the females lay viable eggs without ever mating. Because the adults live for so long, in the fall they look for a place to spend the winter, and at that time they often make their way into homes. SIMILAR SPECIES
There are over 2600 species of weevils in the family Curculionidae in North America alone, many of which look rather similar to the Black Vine Weevil. One species that is worth mentioning is the Strawberry Root Weevil, Otiorhynchus ovatus. It is smaller, about 6 mm long, and all shiny black. Like the Black Vine Weevil, it is also a serious pest. COMMENTS
This article is not designed to provide information on how to control this species, or any other weevil when it is a pest. For information on how to control weevils as pests, we suggest searching for websites that focus on pest control. There are many species of weevils that can find their way into people's houses in the fall, and none of these is likely to become an indoor pest. The best advice we can give is to pick the weevil up and take it back outside. If you are finding large numbers inside, then you need to look for cracks that they are using to get in and consider having the cracks filled in. Note: Call Absolute Pest Control for corrective and preventive control.