The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension - Taking the University to the People

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 without 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.

To Gardening and Landscaping in Maricopa County, AZ

The University of Arizona, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension, in Maricopa County.
Comments to Maricopa-hort@cals.arizona.edu
4341 E. Broadway Road
Phoenix, AZ 85040
(602) 827-8200

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.

If you have difficulty accessing any portions of this page with adaptive technology, please contact K. R. Wagner at krwagner@cals.arizona.edu or 602-827-8200 x311.

http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/bugs/agave-wv.htm

Last Updated May 18, 2011
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