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Cabbage Seed Weevil
Ceutorhychus assimilis Payk.
General Description
Cabbage seed weevils migrate into oilseed rape crops at the start of flowering.
The weevils are grey in colour, with a distinctive downward curved proboscis (mouth). The adults are 2-3mm in length.
The weevils themselves don’t cause any damage; the problem is down to their grubs. Grubs are 4-5 mm in length, white in colour with a yellow-brown head.
Biology
The weevils lay eggs within the developing seed pods, and grubs can chew their way through several seeds during their development. Once the eggs are laid within pods, the subsequent grub is protected from any insecticide treatment.
Consequently, effective management of seed weevil needs to target the adult weevils before they have a chance to mate and lay their eggs.
The weevils need to feed for a couple of weeks before they begin to lay eggs so flowering is the ideal time to check crops for weevil numbers