Cabbage seed weevil

The cabbage seed weevil (Ceutorhynchus cochleariae) is a beetle of the order Coleoptera and the family Curculionidae. It is recognized as a significant pest of brassica crops, widely distributed in regions where oilseed rape and related cruciferous plants are cultivated.

This pest mainly infests cultivated species such as oilseed rape (canola), mustard, horseradish, and various cabbage varieties. It causes substantial damage to seed production crops, as the beetles and their larvae target the essential reproductive tissues of the host plants.

The life cycle involves complete metamorphosis. Adults typically overwinter in the soil or within leaf litter. With the arrival of warmer spring temperatures, they emerge to feed on young leaves and developing buds. Females deposit eggs inside the plant tissue, where larvae subsequently hatch and develop by burrowing into the stems or floral shoots.

The damage is characterized by internal tunneling within stems and peduncles, which leads to plant deformation, stunted growth, and premature bud abortion. In severe infestations, the yield loss can be critical, particularly because the larvae consume the developing seeds, thereby reducing the commercial value of the crop.

Effective management strategies require a combination of cultural practices and chemical control. Key measures include:

• Implementing crop rotation to break the pest's cycle.
• Removing cruciferous weeds that serve as alternative hosts.
• Monitoring pest populations using yellow sticky traps.
• Applying appropriate insecticides during the pre-flowering stage if thresholds are exceeded.