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Identifying vine weevil on Clematis
Adults notch the edges of leaves at night, while below ground, white C-shaped grubs feed on roots, potentially weakening the whole plant.
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Life cycle
Adults emerge spring/summer. Larvae overwinter in soil eating roots. One generation per year.
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Damage to Clematis
Adult notching is mostly cosmetic, but root-feeding larvae can seriously damage Clematis's root system, sometimes causing sudden collapse of the vine, especially in containers.
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How to treat vine weevil on Clematis
Apply nematodes (Steinernema kraussei) to moist soil around the root zone in spring or autumn, and use sticky traps to monitor adult weevils.
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Preventing vine weevil on Clematis
Check the root ball for grubs when planting or repotting container-grown Clematis, and apply preventive nematode treatments in high-risk areas.