Clover leaf weevil and the lesser clover leaf are similar to the alfalfa weevil and often mistaken for the alfalfa weevil, especially when they appear in early spring.
The Clover weevil is larger than the alfalfa weevil (i.e., larvae are ca. 1/2 inch long), and the adult of the lesser clover leaf weevil is a blue-green color.
Both weevils may cause damage to clover and alfalfa, but treatment is seldom required.
However, occasionally a new planting will be heavily infested in the spring and may warrant treatment.
Larvae tend to feed at night and hide in plant debris during the day. Thus sampling procedures used for alfalfa weevil cannot be used to assess clover leaf weevils.
Thus, refer to control options for alfalfa weevil for recommended chemical controls.
Clover leaf weevil is very susceptible to a fungal disease. If larvae are found on foliage during the day, it is very likely that they are diseased.
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