New adults feed for a short time, then become inactive. A second generation of larvae has been observed but is not considered to be important. Heavily infested stands have a grayish or frostlike appearance due to the dried, defoliated leaves. At high weevil densities, foliage can be stripped, leaving only skeletonized and ragged leaf fragments and stems. Yield losses of 30 to 40 percent are possible.
Hay quality is lowered due to loss of leaf tissue, leaving only stems.
Damage to regrowth buds also may occur when plants first come out of dormancy and after first cutting. This may retard plant growth, allow weed establishment and reduce yield. Early harvesting and chemical control are common and effective management strategies. If an economic infestation of larger larvae is found when the plants are at 10 percent bud stage or later, early cutting is an alternative to insecticides. If pest density is high and larval survival under the windrow is high, stubble treatment still may be necessary.