Host Plants -Ligustrum weevils favor Japanese privet but also feed on common privet, glossy privet, and lilac. Damage -With their chewing mouthparts the ligustrum weevil adults form jagged holes in the leaves while they feed. They often destroy the buds, causing bunchy growth and a tattered appearance. Life History -Adults emerge from ligustrum seeds beginning in late May and feed on the leaves and pollen. The adult ligustrum weevils are most common in May, June, and early July.
Adults feed at night and prefer wilted foliage.
About the first of July, eggs are laid in the seed capsules of fruit of privets. A small, slightly curved incision can be seen on the seed where the egg has been deposited. In a few weeks the eggs hatch, and the larvae feed in the fruit or seed capsules throughout the fall and winter. By late April, the larvae are fully developed and they pupate. There is only one generation each year.