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Alfalfa Weevil
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University)

Common Name: Alfalfa Weevil

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Curculionidae

Pest Status: The alfalfa weevil is a major pest of alfalfa and often requires chemical treatments to manage.

Appearance: An alfalfa weevil is a small, dark-grey or brown beetle (1/4 -inch long) with a prominent brown snout and a distinct dark band that extends down the back.

Life Cycle: The adults emerge in early spring and each female deposits up to 40 small, yellow, oval eggs into the stem of the alfalfa plant. The larvae hatch, then feed on alfalfa leaves, leaving a skeletonized appearance.

Where to Collect: In colder weather, adults can generally be found in the crowns of the alfalfa plants. As temperatures increase, they move upward and begin feeding on the young alfalfa leaves.