Monitoring (Rhynchites weevil)

Adults

  • Adults can be seen feeding on fruitlets during and after blossom and are readily collected by beating.
  • Growers should also tap-sample nearby hawthorn and blackthorn hedgerows, to assess the risk of weevil damage.

Damage to fruits during the growing season, at harvest or during grading

  • Damage occurs gradually as weevils feed over a period of weeks during and following flowering.
  • Fruitlets can be readily inspected for damage.
  • If significant fruit puncturing damage to fruits is seen one season, treatment the next season to avoid damage intensifying is likely to be justified.