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Nervous gardener

TheRicksterTheRickster Posts: 85
in Problem solving
Each night for the last 6 weeks I’ve been out with the torch religiously inspecting for vineweavels, primarily on hydrangeas (the collection consists of 20 varieties now, and need my protection!).

Over the last couple of weeks numbers of vineweavel have dwindled from 20-30 being crunched each evening down to a handful. They’re also most prevalent on rhubarb leaves and red currents, which came as a surprise.

My question is, this drop in numbers, is it because I’ve been such a good hunter, or are they in fact now burrowing to lay those little eggs so their babies can decimate my plant roots in the coming weeks.

cheers!
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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Keep it up. The more you squash, the less left to breed. I crushed another lily beetle today.
  • Big Bang InflationBig Bang Inflation Posts: 50
    edited August 2018
    I'v read that All the adult Vine Weevils are female and reproduce parthenogenically.

    I think Vine Weevil may have an ovipositor and don't need to burrow to lay eggs.

    I found one in my kitchen the other night. No idea how she got in but it was the last journey she made.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    They do get around and they only walk, they can’t fly, they are all females and will be busy laying eggs now, you can apply nematodes at the end of September if you’re over wintering any plants. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    Thanks for that @Lyn . I've been everywhere looking for the Autumnal date for nems.  :) 
  • Lily PillyLily Pilly Posts: 3,845
    I am applying our nematodes this weekend
    its definitely autumn up here and I am not taking any risks having nearly lost two specialist plants last year and several roses!!
    i didn’t know about the hydrangea is will dose them too, thanks
    Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
    A A Milne
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    Cheers @Lily Pilly.
  • TheRicksterTheRickster Posts: 85
    That’s this weekend planned too, very autumnal feel here today (South Manchester). Thanks all.
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,851
    Yes autumn has arrived here too........Two jumpers on!
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Still too hot here (E.lincs) today ; got to around 25C today ; uncomfortable for working outside and still humid :/
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've had a real infestation of them, lots of damage to all sorts of plants, so I'm considering a dose of them soon.  
    Paul - you can have some of our rain and cool temps if you like. It's chucking it down here and 12 degrees right now  :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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