Black Vine Weevil

What it looks like

You'll rarely see the adult weevil itself since it only comes out at night and hides in mulch during the day. The giveaway sign is leaf edges with small crescent or half-moon shaped notches chewed out. Underground, look for C-shaped white larvae feeding on roots and the base of the stem.

Often mistaken for: Other leaf-notching insects or general leaf edge damage from various chewing pests

When it shows up in the Triangle

Adults are active and feeding at night from late spring through summer, laying eggs in the soil. The larvae then feed on roots through fall and over winter, which is when the real plant damage happens.

Where you’ll see it

Shows up on azaleas, rhododendron, euonymus, yew, hemlock, and holly, especially plants in their first couple years in the landscape.

What you can do

• Check plants at night with a flashlight to confirm adult weevils are present
• Look for the crescent-shaped notches in leaves as an early warning sign
• Pull back mulch or keep it thinner and drier so adults have fewer places to hide during the day
• Consider applying beneficial nematodes to the soil, which target the root-feeding larvae naturally
• Keep new plantings well cared for in their first couple years since they're most vulnerable