Black Vine Weevil

Black Vine Weevil - in adult form is a dark-gray or black beetle about one-third of an inch long with a distinctive snout. The adult and the larvae typically feed on lilacs and euonymus shrubs.

Leaf Damage from Adult Black Vine Weevil. Powdery mildew also present.
Photo: Cheyenne Urban Forestry



Black Vine Weevil Adult 
Photo: Ohio State University Extension

The damage caused by the adults to the leaves is distinctive.  The margins of the leaves are notched sometimes entirely around the whole leaf.  Leafcutter bees will also notch the margins of leaves, but their notch is round in shape.  The larvae of the black vine weevil do the most damage to the host shrubs.  The larvae feed on the root system.  The adults feed on the leaves beginning in late May to early June.  They feed mostly at night, so they are seldom seen.  When the notching of leaves begins, Orthene or Carbaryl can be sprayed on the plants to help control the adult beetles. Other insecticides can be commercially applied to control both the adults feeding on the leaves and the larvae feeding on the roots.

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

University of Wyoming - Cooperative Extension Service, publication B-1035 is particularly helpful for tree care. This online publication contains information on: Aphids, Borers, Cottonwood blotch leaf miners, Cytospora canker, Fireblight, Gall makers, Aspen leaf spots, Oystershell scale, Pear slugs, Powdery mildew, and Spider mites.