Advice please...S. Magnolia infested with Yellow Poplar Weevils...

Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh

5 years ago

I have a very small S. Magnolia infested with "Yellow Poplar Weevils"

Because my S. Magnolia is so small (like 3 feet tall) this damage is really affecting any new

growth.

I was wondering if anyone knows for sure if "Beneficial Nematodes" work on getting rid of this kind of weevil?

I'd rather not use a pesticide, unless necessary, but will if necessary.

I do understand articles say they don't really do serious damage but on my small tree they have litterally killed all the most recent leaves.

Advice please!!!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

"I was wondering if anyone knows for sure if "Beneficial Nematodes" work on getting rid of this kind of weevil?"

No. Nematodes are soil dwelling creatures and typically target weevil larvae only (not the adults). But these types of weevils lay their eggs and the larvae hatch on the foliage, not in the soil or on the ground. Nematodes are therefore useless. I would also suggest picking off by hand - should be relatively simple on a 3' tall tree - but insecticides containing carbaryl or bifenthrin will also work, although it may be too late in the season now for them to be effective.

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Comments (7)

HU-525254581
5 years ago
Can they be picked off by hand or too many?
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Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
OH thanks a billion "gardengal48" I really appreciate your answer and explaination!!!!

One thing I'm confused about is the first insects to attack it looks like a small flying version of this larger weevil.

I just touch the leaves and they fly off.

Then later there are the bigger crawling weevils.

Is this all part of the same insects life cycle?

Or do you think I have two different pests??????

Also any advice or details you can share about "insecticides containing carbaryl or bifenthrin" would be appreciated too....I am not used to using insecticides....do you know a brand name for these?
PRO
User
5 years ago
Your touch-and-fly insects sound like leafhoppers or one of the other hopping insects. Some weevils can fly but usually drop to the ground when disturbed.
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh thanked User
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
Original Author
5 years ago

HI "The Logician LLC" That does sound like a leafhopper but I've done some looking around on the internet and the Yellow Tulip Poplar Weevil (which eats S. Magnolia also) has a flying stage. it's on this link that I'd like to share with you, and other gardeners that have my problem:

"On warm spring days they fly up and feed on buds and leaves"

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/yellow-poplar-weevil

If anyone knows of an "organic gardening way" to get them off my baby S. Magnolia...I'd appreciate it!

I hate using poisin, but will if I have to.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The tree is only 3' tall!! Picking them off manually is the most "organic" approach you could follow!! And couldn't take more than 5 or 10 minutes to accomplish efficiently.
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
Sue Hughes Zone 6b in Pittsburgh
Original Author
5 years ago
Yeah, I could pick them off, and tried with the big ones but it was harder than I it looked- they were into folds and nooks and I broke part of the plant trying to get to them....and the earlier batch that's little and flies- very elusive- they just scatterr.

I even thought of cleaning up the leave litter below the tree but it's pachysandra and so that's kind of imposible.

I read they are attracted to light and reflective and shiny things even like swimming pools, so I thought I'd try some water dishes...eh, I'll probably have to resort to chemical warefare.