Pest Becoming a Significant Problem for Blueberries in Central Florida
Citrus root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus) is a destructive pest on citrus trees. More recently, it is becoming a significant pest on southern highbush blueberry in Central Florida, at times causing major damage to blueberry bushes that are more than two years old. The blue-green root weevil (Pachnaeus litus) can also feed on the roots of blueberry plants. 
The Diaprepes root weevil has a life cycle consisting of egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are deposited by adults between two leaves, or within a folded leaf, held together by an excreted adhesive. The eggs are oblong-oval in shape, smooth, and yellowish-white in color. Adult females live for 3-4 months, during which time they can lay up to 5,000 eggs. The eggs hatch in 7-8 days and the larvae fall to the ground, burrow in the soil and begin to feed on the roots. Larvae are white, legless, and have chewing mouthparts, reaching a length of around one inch (Figure 1). Adults emerge from the soil after pupating. They vary in colors including black with white, red orange, and/or yellow scales on their wing covers. These scales can rub off of ridge tops, leaving the appearance of black stripes on a lighter background (Figure 2). Adult weevils vary in size from 3/8 to 3/4 inch and feed on the margins of young leaves, resulting in a notching pattern which can sometimes be confused with grasshopper or caterpillar damage. The life cycle also varies depending on environmental and nutritional factors. Larvae can feed for several months before pupating in the soil and then emerging as adults. Due to this extended feeding time and the 3-4 months during which the adults are laying eggs, the timing for one complete life cycle is difficult to predict. 
Diaprepes root weevil larvae damage blueberry plants by feeding on the roots. Damage can include channeling on the roots and bark, holes in the roots, and girdling near the crown (Figure 3). These injuries can kill or cause serious decline in blueberry plants, and may also create an entry point for Phytophthora, causing a root rot infection.
Adult Diaprepes are most active from May through October or November in central Florida, typically peaking in late May to early July. A second peak in late August to mid-October has been observed in citrus. Growers can scout for adult weevils by inspecting young foliage for a notching pattern. However, since this type of damage can also be caused by other insect pests, an additional monitoring method is placing plastic sheeting or a light-colored drop cloth under the blueberry plant and shaking the branches to dislodge the adults. This will be most effective in early morning or late afternoon. There is no existing method for monitoring larvae in the soil.
Management and control of Diaprepes root weevil should target both the adult and larval stages. Foliar insecticide sprays to control adults include Provado®, Brigade®, Danitol®, and Actara®. Foliar sprays should be applied every 10-14 days and application should begin when 3 or more adults are found within 1-acre blocks. Larvae can be managed with insecticides either by directly drenching the soil area beneath the plant canopy or applying them through drip or micro-jet irrigation systems. Insecticides that target larval populations are Admire Pro®, Brigade®, Danitol®, and Platinum®. Brigade® (bifenthrin) has been used in citrus as a spray application beneath the plant canopy to create an insecticide barrier to larvae dropping from plant foliage and entering the soil. Provado®, Admire Pro®, Actara® and Platinum® are all neonicotinoids and should not follow each other in a rotation program. Pre-harvest intervals and other labeling instructions should be closely followed. Bifenthrin is not recommended to be used as a soil drench during harvest. Also, horticultural oil has been used in citrus to separate leaves protecting Diaprepes eggs, subjecting them to desiccation and predation.
In addition, entomopathogenic nematodes may have potential for controlling Diaprepeslarvae in blueberry. The Steinernema riobrave species (sold under the product name Nemasys R) has been shown to be an effective control in citrus, targeting root weevil larvae in the soil. Recent studies have shown that the drip irrigation systems frequently used in blueberry production are an effective distribution method for these nematodes. Since southern highbush blueberries are primarily grown in pine bark substrate (as opposed to the non-amended sandy soil in which citrus typically grows), studies are underway to screen additional nematode species for use in pine bark to determine efficacy against Diaprepes larvae.
Blueberry growers in central and south-central Florida should scout for signs of Diaprepesthroughout late spring, summer, and early fall, especially in areas where citrus was previously planted, and if detected immediately begin to implement recommended controls.
Doug Phillips
UF/IFAS Blueberry Extension Coordinator
