cabbage pod weavil

[warnerfarmer]

Can anyone give me any info on this new canola pest?

[mhartman]

The cabbage seed pod weevil was discovered in southern Alberta only a few years ago. The weevil is well established in northern USA so it probably spread north to Canada. Potential yield losses are up to 35%. The weevil lays eggs inside forming pods. The larva hatches inside the pod, then eats 4 to 6 seeds before tunnelling out of the pod. The larva then drops to the soil and pupates. It emerges as an adult then overwinters in the soil. The weevil is attracted to yellow flowers. The adults are grey with the typical weevil pronounced snout. At the podding stage, weevils can cause a distinctive kink or angled pod. Later in the season you may see a small hole in the kinked pod where the larvae emerged. Decis has recently received an emergency registration for control of cabbage seed pod weevil in canola. Decis can be sprayed from bud to 50% flower. So if you live in southern Alberta, sweep your canola fields! You probably will find lygus bugs and the cabbage seed pod weevil.