Diaprepes Root W eevil ( abbreviatus) Introduced: 1964 (Orange County); Seasonality: There are overlapping Native to the Caribbean. generations so all stages of this can be found throughout the year. There are Current Infestation: Twenty-two two peak adult emergence periods which counties in south and central Florida are usually coincide with the rainy season infested with Diaprepes root . (May-June and August-September).

Description/Biology: This weevil is Hosts: More than 270 different host also sometimes called Apopka weevil and plants including , sugarcane, sugarcane rootstalk borer. The life cycle vegetables, woody ornamentals, of Diaprepes root weevil is approximately subtropical and tropical fruits, and one year. Eggs are non-cultivated wild plants. In south laid on foliage in Florida, buttonwood (Conocarpus clusters between two erectus) seems to be a particular favorite leaves which are adult food source. cemented together. Im portance: Diaprepes root weevil is a Larvae hatch from the eggs and fall to the serious pest of citrus and of numerous ground where they burrow into the soil to ornamentals grown in south Florida feed on plant roots. The larvae are white, nurseries. It is a quarantine pest and legless, and nurseries in infested counties are ultimately required to follow particular insecticide become about treatments prior to shipping outside of the ½ inch (1.9 cm) quarantine area. This pest is less of a long. The larvae problem in the landscape. pupate and then become adults in Dam age: The the soil. adults feed along the margins of Adults vary from ² to ½ inch (1-2 cm) young leaves long and are mostly black except for causing leaf red-orange and/or yellow wing coverings notching typical (elytra) with black of weevil longitudinal feeding. On stripes. Adults are ornamental easily seen and plants, this frequently found damage can be as mating pairs. moderate to severe and cause losses in sales.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, IFAS, FLORIDA A. & M. UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM, AND BOARDS OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COOPERATING.

Diaprepes Root W eevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus) incorporated in the media) and/or entomopathogenic (Grubstake HI which contains Heterorhabditis indica or BioVector 355 which contains Steinernema riobrave). Older, larger larvae are very difficult to kill. Some research suggests that the The larvae feed on combination of bifenthrin and the roots and can entomopathogenic nematodes kills more cause severe damage larvae than either product alone in or root girdling. Root damage can lead to container production. reduced plant vigor or plant death. Since the roots are weakened, infested plants W ebsites: are more likely to be toppled in storms http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ and are more prone to root diseases. TOPIC_Diaprepes_Root_W eevil

Managem ent: Despite many years of http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/citrus/ research, this pest continues to be a very sugarcane_ rootstock_ borer_ difficult problem for citrus and ornamental weevil.htm growers. Monitoring for adults can be done by visual inspection or by shaking

plant branches over a tarp or open, inverted umbrella.

Homeowner and Professional – Not typically a problem.

Grower - Growers in infested areas should monitor and manage this pest in their nurseries. Insecticides for adult

control include acephate (i.e. Orthene, Address), bifenthrin (Talstar), chlorpyrifos (i.e. DuraGuard) and others (see

Commercial Foliage and W oody Ornamental Pest Management http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_IG012).

Nurseries shipping plants outside infested Authors: areas are required to be under a Catharine Mannion, UF/IFAS, TREC Homestead compliance agreement which may require Adrian Hunsberger, UF/IFAS, Miami-Dade Extension Kim Gabel, UF/IFAS, Monroe Extension bare-rooting the plants and the Eileen Buss, UF/IFAS, Entomology Dept., Gainesville application of foliar and soil insecticides. Lyle Buss, UF/IFAS, Entomology Dept., Gainesville

Photo Credits: UF/IFAS, Holly Glenn and Alex Diaz Young larvae can be controlled with a soil application of bifenthrin (drench or August 2006

Disclaimer: The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.