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Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Weevils

I think I have a bug meme going. Anyway, today was a day of great celebration because it was the first day in over two weeks that I didn't find a weevil lounging in my shower. I'm very tired of washing them down the drain and throwing them out the back door. I know other people share my problem as Sean had a weevil at his house when we were playing games and a general discussion about them ensued which came to the conclusion that they were weevils.

Here's the culprit, the Strawberry Root Weevil:
Strawberry root weevil, Otiorhynchus ovatus, is the most common
home-invading weevil in Minnesota. These weevils are about 1/4 inch long, black
or dark brown with rows of pits along their back. Strawberry root weevils do not
fly. Sometimes people confuse strawberry root weevils for ticks; however they
are easily distinguished, as weevils have six legs and ticks have eight.
Strawberry root weevil larvae feed on the roots of strawberries,
evergreens--such as arborvitae, spruce, and Japanese yew--raspberries and other
brambles, grapes and many other plants. Adults start to emerge in early summer.
They feed on the edges of foliage, leaving a characteristic notched appearance.
Residents experience problems with these weevils from the end of June
through August. They are attracted to moisture and are often found in sinks,
bathtubs, water basins and similar places.

1 comment:

  1. At least we know they'll be gone in a bit. Damn weevils. Harmless, sure, but annoying.

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