Damage to foliage of these trees reduces their ornamental value and may affect survival. Trees were inspected daily or every other day beginning in February prior to budbreak and continuing until leaves appeared. Habits of egg-laying females were noted, and the oviposition site and number of eggs laid per site were recorded. Leaves containing eggs of known age were examined daily to determine time of hatch and start of larval feeding. All life stages of the weevil were collected and identified, symptoms of attack and types of leaf damage were recorded, and life habits and seasonal cycle were determined.
Most specimens are black with dark brown antennal segments, tarsi, and mouthparts.
Specimens from southern areas frequently have tarsi and antennal segments yellow. Weevils collected in east-central Alabama generally fit this description. Adults collected in Lee County were 3-4 mm long. They are flattened, legless, and whitish with light tan head capsules. Mean length of full-grown larvae collected locally was 6 mm.