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Desiantha weevil |
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Desiantha diversipes
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Adult desiantha weevil (Desiantha diversipes.)
? Agriculture Western Australia
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Description
The larvae are white, legless creatures 6 mm long and with orange-brown heads. They remain under the soil and are difficult to locate although some painstaking digging may reveal the larvae close to plants. The adults are grey-black weevils approximately 5 mm long with the typical weevil snout.
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Desiantha weevil larvae
? Agriculture Western Australia
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Life cycle
Eggs are laid in autumn and hatch after opening rain and the larvae commence feeding on young pasture seedlings. When cereal crops are planted into heavily infested paddocks, they are attacked by the larvae which may be well grown. In spring the larvae pupate and become adults, which are grey-black weevils approximately 5 mm long with the typical weevil snout. The adults are common in spring and summer hiding under wood or stones or they may be found on cereal heads and can be harvested with the grain. |
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Damage to wheat seedlings
? Agriculture Western Australia
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Damage
Desiantha weevil is a sporadic pest of cereal seedlings in south coast areas. It is the larval stage which can completely destroy hundreds of hectares or may affect smaller areas by feeding on underground parts of the seedlings. Plant growth may be slowed or plants may wilt and die in which case they may be easily pulled from the soil. |
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Control
Control with chemicals is not possible after planting. The problem is most likely to occur where shallow sand occurs over gravel or clay. As larvae will be larger following summer rain, crops should be planted early and shallow to minimize attack. Where the pest is confirmed, planting with treated seed at 90 kg/ha is recommended. |
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