Univ. of GA, Col. Ag. Ctr., Jan. 20, 1999. The cowpea curculio is the most destructive insect pest of southern peas. Small, brown, wartlike or blisterlike spots are found on pods damaged by curculios. These are produced when the adult punctures the pod to feed or lay eggs.
Damaged peas have small, dark indented spots and often contain grubs.
They overwinter as adults in crop refuse or grass in the field or on the field borders. Tufts of broomsedge, particularly at edges of woods, are favorite hiding places for overwintering adults. Adults begin to leave their winter quarters from March through July in Georgia. The overwintering adults are long-lived and may survive through the summer. Eggs are laid as soon as peas are formed in the pods.