Identifying vine weevil on Blueberry
Adults notch the edges of leaves at night, while below ground, white C-shaped grubs feed on roots, sometimes causing sudden collapse of the whole bush.
Life cycle
Adults emerge spring/summer. Larvae overwinter in soil eating roots. One generation per year.
Damage to Blueberry
Adult notching is mostly cosmetic, but the root-feeding larvae can cause serious damage to blueberry's shallow root system, sometimes killing the plant before any warning signs appear above ground.
How to treat vine weevil on Blueberry
Apply nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil around the root zone in spring or autumn when soil temperatures favour them, and use sticky traps to catch and monitor adult weevils.
Preventing vine weevil on Blueberry
Check the root ball for grubs when repotting or transplanting, and apply preventive nematode treatments in high-risk areas since damage often isn't visible until it's severe.