Agave Weevils in the Low Desert

DESCRIPTION:

Adults are dusty black weevils about one inch long, with a long snout. They do not have wings. Larvae are similar to white grubs with out legs.

DAMAGE:

Adults chew into the leaves of agave and introduce a bacterial rot that appears to be necessary for larval development. They lay eggs into the holes and the larvae burrow into the plant. Agaves collapse into a putrid, rotting mess during late summer as a result of bacterial rot and internal infestation of Agave Weevil larvae.

MANAGEMENT:

Remove and destroy infected plants as soon as damage is evident. Remove larvae and adults from soil around the area where the plant was removed. In March and then again in June, treat the soil with a pesticide labeled for use on grubs.