Over the years, we have had various outbreaks of weevil (black vine weevil, Brachyrhinus sulcatus  and fullers rose weevil, Pantomorus godmani - very similar weevils).

Damage is especially severe on young trees but only occasionally on older trees. The weevils crawl up the tree on the trunk or on low hanging branches at night and feed on the leaves (we do not find them during the day). Chemical control has not worked very well here and has to be applied at night (we have applied it to the ground with out much luck). The better approach is to prune up low hanging branches so they don't come in contact with the soil. A barrier should also be placed up off the ground around the trunk or limbs to prevent access to the top. The most effective I have seen is "batting" (the material used to stuff comforters with - an Italian idea) or insulation wool. This (about a 20cm strip) is wrapped and secured around the trunk or limbs and as the weevils try and cross it their feet get tangled in the wool. I have also seen tin foil used, the idea that its too slippery to cross, but I don't think it is as effective.

Steve Sibbett
U.C. Farm Advisor Emeritus
Phones:
Office: 559.734.4607
FAX: 559.734.2708
Mobile: 559.280.0666
e-mail: sibbett@lightspeed.net