Evaluation of Biological and Chemical Control Methods for Black Vine Weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in Container Grown Perennials

Abstract

Abstract Three trials involving the nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Poiner) provided convincing evidence that this entomopathogenic nematode can provide highly effective control of black vine weevil larvae under conventional methods of container plant production. In all trials, the application of nematodes significantly reduced populations of weevil larvae relative to levels found in the untreated containers. The first and second trials, using Bergenia and Heuchera, confirmed that H. bacteriophora applied at two rates caused substantial mortality to black vine weevil larvae. The third trial revealed that H. bacteriophora applied to Epimedium provided levels of control comparable to those of imidacloprid and acephate. In all trials, populations of weevil larvae were reduced by 90–100% following the application of H. bacteriophora.