Insect
Vine Weevil
Dull black beetles 9 mm long whose cream larvae with brown heads devastate roots and crowns in pots and beds, causing sudden plant collapse in late summer.
Symptoms to Look For
- Adult notching: irregular U-shaped bites from leaf margins at night
- Plants wilting and collapsing suddenly, sliding out of pots with all roots gone
- Cream fat-bodied larvae with a brown head curled in the soil or compost
Affected Plants
StrawberryHeucheraCyclamenBegoniaHostaPrimulaGrapeRaspberry
Organic Solutions
Beneficial nematodes
Water Steinernema kraussei nematodes into moist compost or soil in August and September when larvae are young and vulnerable - highly effective in pots.
Physical barriers
Fit copper tape around pot rims or place pots on copper mesh to deter adult weevils from climbing in to lay eggs.
Night checks
Check plants after dark with a torch and hand-pick adult beetles from leaf edges - adults cannot fly so populations are localised.
Prevention
- Inspect bought-in plants and bare-root stock carefully for larvae in the root ball before planting
- Apply nematodes preventatively each August even if adults have not yet been seen
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.