Armoured weevil

The armoured weevil (Otiorhynchus armatus) is a member of the Curculionidae family within the order Coleoptera. This species is widely recognized as a significant agricultural pest that affects a variety of perennial plants, trees, and ornamental shrubs in many regions.

This pest is highly polyphagous, meaning it feeds on a wide range of host plants. Preferred targets include strawberries, vineyards, and various deciduous trees. Both the adult stage and the larval stage contribute to the damage, though they affect different parts of the plant, often leading to severe health decline.

The biology of Otiorhynchus armatus is characterized by a hidden lifestyle. Adults are nocturnal, typically sheltering in the soil or under debris during the daylight hours. The life cycle comprises egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages, with larvae developing underground where they feed on roots throughout the growing season.

Damage caused by adults is easily identified by the scalloped or notched patterns along the leaf margins. The impact of the larvae, however, is much more devastating as they feed on the root system. This often goes unnoticed until the plant shows signs of wilting, stunted growth, or sudden death due to root destruction.

Effective management strategies require an integrated approach to break the pest's life cycle. Growers should focus on:

• Regular soil cultivation to disrupt larval habitats.
• Application of biological control agents like entomopathogenic nematodes.
• Targeted insecticide applications during evening hours when adult beetles are active on the foliage.