Black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus) monitoring in field-grown ornamentals

The black vine weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus F. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a univoltine, polyphagous insect that is a severe pest of field and container-grown ornamentals as well as small fruit crops worldwide. Studies were performed in field-grown ornamentals during the 2008 growing season to determine the attractiveness of select plant volatiles to black vine weevil adults. Numerous odors were tested in the field to determine their ability to increase weevil numbers in plants in close proximity to an odor source. Identifying compounds attractive to adults enhances grower’s ability to monitor for this pest in the field and more effectively time insecticide applications as well as opens the door to alternative management strategies.