Plants and soil surrounding roots can be used to determine the infestation level of rice water weevils. The size of the soil sample needs to be 4 inches in diameter and 3 to 4 inches deep if soil is from a silt loam and 2 to 3 inches deep if soil is from a heavy clay. Place the core sample in a bucket with a 40-mesh screened bottom. Wash the soil from the plants by thoroughly stirring the plants in the water. Push the bucket up and down vigorously in the water several times.
Some force is needed to dislodge larvae from the roots.
Most larvae will float on the water surface. The number and size of larvae can be used to predict how much damage will occur. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The mention of any commercial product in this web site does not imply its endorsement by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service over other products not named nor does the omission imply that they are not satisfactory.