Otiorhynchus

Otiorhynchus, also known as hydrangea weevils, strawberry weevils or rhododendron weevils, are garden pests that can cause significant damage to plants, especially leaves and roots. Here is some information on their description and biology:

Description: Adults are between 1.5 and 2 cm long and have a “nose” shape. They are dark brown or black in color, with hard, wrinkled elytra. The larvae, on the other hand, are white with a brown head, are about 1.5 cm long and have a C-shape.

Biology: Adults emerge from the soil in summer and feed on the leaves and flowers of plants, leaving characteristic crescent-shaped notches on the edges of the leaves. They then lay their eggs in the soil, near the roots of plants. The larvae hatch and feed on the roots, which can weaken plants and make them more susceptible to disease and adverse weather conditions. The larvae develop for about a year before turning into adults.

Otiorhynchuses are considered garden pests because they can cause significant damage to plants, especially the roots. Symptoms include wilting plants, yellowing leaves, stunted growth and dead spots in lawns.

There are several methods to control vine weevil, including the use of entomopathogenic nematodes