Description

Alfalfa weevil adults are small (1/4 inch) brown snout beetles that have a distinctive dark, narrow stripe which extends down their back. Adult weevils insert yellow oval eggs into alfalfa stems. Following egg hatch, small legless yellowish-green larvae, each with a white stripe along the middle of the back, emerge. A fainter white stripe is also present on each side of the more prominent central stripe. Eachlarva has a very conspicuous black head and is approximately 3/8 inch when mature. Transformation to the adult stage is passed in a looselywoven white cocoon, about the size of a pea, to which leaves may be attached.

Alfalfa weevil larva

Clover leaf weevil larva (M. Montgomery, UI Extension)

The alfalfa weevil can be confused with the clover leaf weevil which is another pest of alfalfa. However, clover leaf weevils rarely cause economic injury in alfalfa in Illinois. Larvae of both these species are similar, but have distinct differences in appearance. The clover leaf weevil is green with a white stripe down the center of its back,but the white stripe is bordered with smudges of pink or red; the head of the clover leaf weevil is tan. Adult clover leaf weevils are about two times larger than the alfalfa weevil (5/16 inch long), light brown, with a wide dark brown stripe on the back.

Life Cycle

Some initial egg laying during November may take place before the onset of cold weather. During the winter, when temperatures permit, adults may deposit some eggs. Generally weevils become active in late March or early April in Illinois. Female weevils insert eggs in clusters of 2 to 25 inside alfalfa stems. Larvae become noticeable in April and readily observable in early June. The green larvae feed for roughly 3 to 4 weeks depending on the quality of the alfalfa and the temperature. Larvae molt or shed their skins three times. Following the last larval instar, cocoons are spun on plants or in curled up leaves that have fallen to the ground. The pupal stage requires 1 to 2 weeks for completion. Upon their emergence from cocoons, adults feed for a week or two, and then move to sheltered areas to spend an inactive summer. It is quite likely that at any given point in time during the summer, most, if not all, alfalfa weevil life stages can be found. Older adult weevils may continue their egg-laying activities, while at the same time, larvae, cocoons, and newly emerged adults may also be observed. Upon the arrival of colder weather, adult weevils seek out the crowns of alfalfa plants, or the protection of wooded areas or vegetation provided in ditch banks or fence rows to overwinter.

Alfalfa weevil eggs
(Purdue University)

Alfalfa weevil cocoon

Alfalfa weevil adult

Injury

Both adults and larvae feed on alfalfa foliage, but the larvae cause the majority of the damage. Larvae feed initially on the inside of terminal leaves and later move to foliage on the lower portion of the plant. Early season larval damage (first and second instars) shows up as pinholes in leaf terminals. Leaves are skeletonized as larvae increase in size. Third and fourth instars defoliate plants by feeding between the veins, and also on the buds and growing tips. Adults generally feed on the leaf margins which creates a feathery appearance of the foliage. Injured leaves dry very quickly giving the field a grayish to whitish cast.

Alfalfa weevil injury - leaf skeletonization

Severe alfalfa weevil injury - "frosting"

Alfalfa weevils have the ability to severely damage the first cutting of hay in much of Illinois. In southern areas, significant egg laying may take place during the fall, predisposing some alfalfa fields to early larval damage the following spring. In contrast, alfalfa weevil damage to hay in northern Illinois is likely only if the first harvest has been delayed. Injury to alfalfa in the northern portion of the state will most probably occur on the stubble and tender growth of the second crop.

Clover leaf weevils and alfalfa weevils also feed and behave differently. Alfalfa weevils feed during the day, actively feeding on the foliage, starting near the leaf tips. Clover leaf weevils feed at night, usually on the lower leaves. They can be found on the ground, near the crowns during the day.

Scouting Procedure

Alfalfa producers in southern and central Illinois should monitor stands very carefully in March, April, May, and June. Alfalfa stands in northern Illinois should be scouted for larval damage in May and June. Growers should always examine stubble following the first harvest, because of the potential for larval and adult feeding on new tender growth.

Alfalfa weevil head capsule gauge

Management

Alfalfa weevil activity can be predicted with the use of degree-days. Beginning January 1, the accumulations of degree-days (base 48°F), can be used to estimate alfalfa weevil activity. Illinois generally experiences two larval peaks, one from fall-laid eggs and a second from spring-deposited eggs. Larvae begin to hatch around 300 degree days. We recommend beginning scouting after the accumulation of 250 to 300 degree-days. The first larval peak is estimated to occur after the accumulation of 325 degree-days and the second larval peak after 575 degree-days.

Zoophthora infected larvae

Alfalfa weevil populations may be regulated by naturally occurring pathogens. As you scout your alfalfa fields, keep alert for brown or discolored larvae on leaves at the top of plants. These larvae may have been infected by a fungus, Zoophthora phytonomi. The fungus reduces larval populations during the summer, subsequently resulting in a smaller overwintering population of adult weevils. Zoophthora phytonomi is favored by a warm and humid environment. With above average rainfall or humidity levels above 90%, an environment may be present in which the fungus can develop and cause a dramatic decline in alfalfa weevil populations.

Parasitic wasps also help keep alfalfa weevil populations in check. Bathylplectes anurus and B. curculionis are two parasitic wasps that have been introduced into the United States. Both wasps are very small, about 1/8 inch, and deposit eggs in weevil larvae. Adult female wasps lay their eggs in weevil larvae. The parasitoid larva, following hatch, kills the weevil as it completes its cocoon. A brown cocoon with a white band is formed by the parasitoid. The parasitoid cocoon may be found in the cocoons of the alfalfa weevil, and these parasitoid cocoons appear to "jump" several centimeters when disturbed.

Bathylplectes cucurlionis