The Alfalfa Weevil. The Alfalfa Weevil Damage from the alfalfa weevil can be severe. The life cycle of this pest and methods of managing it are discussed in this publication. The alfalfa weevil is the primary insect pest of alfalfa in Nebraska.
Management is essential during years when weevil infestations are high.
Because there also are years when weevil damage is economically unimportant, it is necessary for growers to become familiar with management guidelines and recommendations so insecticides are not applied unnecessarily. Both the eastern and western strains of the alfalfa weevil are present in Nebraska, and much of the state now is infested by weevils that are a mixture of the two strains. May. This damage becomes more apparent as weevil larvae increase in size. Severely damaged fields have a white or gray appearance, due to the drying of skeletonized upper leaves and buds. The severity of damage is influenced by alfalfa variety, weather, growing conditions, and perhaps the degree of parasitism of the weevil.