By Erin Hodgson, Department of Entomology and Adam Sisson, Corn and Soybean Initiative
Alfalfa weevil is an important defoliating pest in alfalfa. Heavy infestations can reduce tonnage and forage quality. Adults can feed on plants, but the larvae typically cause the majority of damage.
Newly hatched larvae can be found feeding on terminal leaves, leaving newly expanded leaves skeletonized. Gradually maturing larvae (Fig. 1) move down the plant and begin feeding between leaf veins. Alfalfa weevil larvae have a dark head and pale green body with a white stripe down the back. Alfalfa larvae are about 5/16 inches long. Adults (Fig. 2) eat along the leaf margin, leaving irregular notches. Alfalfa weevil adults have an elongated snout and elbowed antennae. Their wings and body are mottled or brown in color. A heavily infested field will look frosted or silver (Fig. 3).
Figure 1. Alfalfa larvae. Figure 2. Alfalfa weevil adult.
Fig. 1 Photo by Clemson Cooperative Extension Slide Series, ipmimages.org. Fig. 2 Photo by Joseph Berger, ipmimages.org.
Figure 3. Heavily defoliated alfalfa fields appear frosted from a distance. Photo by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, ipmimages.org.
Alfalfa weevils develop based on temperature or accumulating degree days. Scouting in fields should begin at approximately 200 degree days for areas south of Interstate 80, and 250 degree days north of Interstate 80. Based on accumulated temperatures since January, weevils are likely active now, or will become active in the next several days, in the southern half of the state (Fig. 4). We would expect weevils to become active in northern Iowa by April 20 - 25. To follow accumulating degree days throughout the year, visit the ISU Mesonet website. The base 48 F degree day map is updated daily at: http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/data/summary/gdd48_jan1.png
Figure 4. Accumulated growing degree days (base 48°F) in Iowa from January 1 — April 7, 2011. Map courtesy of Iowa Environmental Mesonet, ISU Department of Agronomy.
To initially detect alfalfa weevil larvae in the spring, use a sweep net to sample. After finding larvae, collect six alfalfa stems from five locations throughout the field. Take each stem and shake into a bucket to dislodge larvae from the plant. Average the number of larvae per stem and plant height to determine if a foliar insecticide is warranted (Table 1). Remember cutting alfalfa is an effective management tool for alfalfa weevil larvae, and an insecticide application may be avoided if harvesting within a few days.
Table 1. Economic threshold of alfalfa weevil, based on the average number of a 30-stem sample
Erin Hodgson is an assistant professor of entomology with extension and research responsibilities. Hodgson can be contacted at ewh@iastate.edu or phone 515-294-2847. Adam Sisson is a program assistant with responsibilities with the Corn and Soybean Initiative. Sisson can be contacted by email at ajsisson@iastate.edu or by calling 515-294-5899.
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