Vine weevil is a common pest of container-grown plants. The adult beetles feed on leaf edges, creating characteristic notches around the leaf margins, while the larvae cause the most serious damage by feeding on plant roots. Larval feeding can weaken plants, leading to poor growth, wilting and in severe cases plant death.

• Look for distinctive notching along leaf edges, caused by adult feeding
• Inspect growing media for cream-coloured larvae with brown heads feeding on roots
• Monitor plants regularly, particularly during spring and summer when adults are active
• Check pots and containers where larvae can develop unnoticed in the growing media
• Regular monitoring helps detect infestations early before significant root damage occurs.

Early monitoring helps detect thrips before populations build to damaging levels.

Vine weevil larvae can be controlled using nematodes, which are applied as a drench to the growing media where larvae are present. Maintaining good monitoring and applying biological controls at the appropriate time helps reduce populations and protect plant root systems.