How do I manage alfalfa weevil?

How do I manage alfalfa weevil?

Alfalfa weevil is a major alfalfa pest in Ontario. Larvae feeding on alfalfa leaves can reduce both yield and forage quality.  The simple answer As alfalfa gets taller it can tolerate more weevils before action is necessary to protect forage yield and quality. Action thresholds for managing alfalfa weevil are as follows:  Stem Height Number of larvae per stem Up to 30 cm (12 in.) More than 1 Up to 40 cm (16 in.) 2 or more Any height More than 3 A little more information Alfalfa weevil larvae begin feeding in mid- to late-May, beginning with the leaf buds. The larvae then move to leaves near the stem tips, where damage starts off as pinholes (Figure 1) and progresses…

Alfalfa Weevil

Alfalfa Weevil

This article was originally written by Joel Bagg in 2013. It was edited May 1st, 2023 by Christine O’Reilly to reflect current insecticide options to control alfalfa weevil. Alfalfa weevil can be an issue in Ontario, particularly in south-western parts of the province. While outbreaks tend to be isolated, they can be severe and dramatically reduce forage yield and quality. Typically, alfalfa weevil do not reach significant levels until we are ready to take first-cut. However, sometimes alfalfa weevil larvae development is advanced relative to the alfalfa crop, and can do significant damage before the crop is ready to cut. Control options are to cut early or spray. Insecticides are recommended only when cutting is impractical, such as when the…