MSU Extension

The most important insect pest of chestnut trees in the central-eastern U.S. is the lesser chestnut weevil (Curculio sayi). Large chestnut weevil (C. caryatrypes) is also an important pest but is less prevalent. These pests are an occasional pest in localized locations. Large and lesser chestnut weevil are native weevils and are host-specific, only infesting tree species in the genus Castanea (American chestnut, Chinese chestnut, European chestnut and chinquapin).

Lesser and large chestnut weevil lay eggs on developing nuts. The larvae feed within the nut, compromising the kernel. If left unchecked, these weevils can infest and destroy the majority of nuts produced in an orchard.

The natural range of these pests mirrors the natural range of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in the Central and Eastern United States. When the American chestnut stands collapsed due to chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica), the populations shrunk to small pockets of the U.S. where chestnuts are present. The prevalence of these pests in Michigan is unknown at this time, but weevil larvae have been found in chestnuts at harvest occasionally over the past 20 years, sometimes at very high levels rendering a crop unsalable.

Life cycle

No formal research has been done on the lifecycle of this pest in Michigan. However, based on research out of Kentucky and Missouri as well as the experience of Michigan growers, we can make some educated estimations about the chestnut weevils lifecycles under Michigan conditions.

Lesser chestnut weevil adults likely emerge from the soil during two separate periods in Michigan, once in spring around bloom (May-June) and again in late summer-early fall just before burrs open (September-October). Weevils that emerge in the spring can be observed feeding on catkins. When the catkins decline, the population disappears. It is unknown if these spring weevils return to the soil or move off to feed on other plants. In September-October, a second wave of lesser chestnut weevils emerge. As burrs begin to open, the majority of egglaying occurs for both the spring and fall emerging adult weevils.

Eggs are typically deposited in the downy lining surrounding the nut and hatch in approximately 10 days at which time the larvae feeds on the kernel and develops within the shell. After two to three weeks, larvae chew an exit hole in the nutshell and drop to the soil. The majority of the weevils will overwinter as larvae the first year, pupate in the soil the following fall and overwinter as adults. The total lifecycle is completed in two to three years.

Left/top: Chestnut weevil eggs in chestnut flesh. Photo by Todd Luety, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Right/bottom: Chestnut weevil larvae emerging from shell. Photo by Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org.

Large chestnut weevil adults likely emerge in August or September under Michigan conditions and begin laying eggs in immature burrs almost immediately after emergence (well before lesser chestnut weevils begin laying eggs). Eggs hatch in five to seven days and the larvae feed and develop within the nut for two to three weeks before chewing a small exit hole and leaving the nut. The large chestnut weevil larvae usually exit the chestnut before the nuts drop to the ground and overwinter in the soil. Pupation and adult emergence takes place the following summer, a small population of larvae may overwinter a second winter before pupation. The total lifecycle is completed in one to two years.

Identification and detection

Lesser and large chestnut weevils have robust bodies and are dark brown or tan with brown mottling or stripes. Lesser chestnut weevils are 0.25 inches in length, with a snout of equal or greater length. The body of large chestnut weevils is 0.375 inches long and the snout is 0.375-0.625 inches long.

Lesser chestnut weevils. Photos by Jennifer C. Giron Douque, University of Puerto Rico, Bugwood.org.

Large chestnut weevils. Photos by Jennifer C. Giron Douque, University of Puerto Rico, Bugwood.org.

Scouting for chestnut weevils should begin just before bloom. Passive traps, or circle traps on the trunk or pyramid traps at one per acre, can be used to capture ascending weevils. These traps should be set well before bloom occurs and checked twice a week. Scouting for weevils using a limb-tapping technique can also be done. Place a light-colored sheet under the limb you are sampling and tap the branch with a padded pole or stick. Jarring the branch causes the weevils to drop from the tree onto the sheet. Weevils “play dead” when disturbed, so don’t be fooled if they all appear dead, they will reanimate within a few seconds.

Chestnut weevils are substantial in size and should be easily visible if present. Sample at least 10 branches per acre. Scouting locations should include both the edges and interior of orchards as well as any hotspots that are identified.

Management

There are chemical, cultural and post-harvest treatments available to control chestnut weevils. Ideally, a combination of cultural and chemical management would control the pest and eliminate the need for post-harvest treatment, which can diminish quality and the marketable yield.

Sanitation is an important part of the management of these pests. Collecting and destroying fallen nuts will remove developing larvae from the orchard. Insecticide applications for control should target the two later windows of potential adult activity; August-September for large chestnut weevil adult emergence, and September-October for lesser chestnut weevil fall adult emergence. Michigan State University Extension cautions against applying pesticides during adult activity in May-June during lesser chestnut weevil spring adult emergence as bees are often foraging in the orchard at that time.

Carbaryl (Carbaryl 4L, Sevin 4F, Sevin 80S, Sevin XLR Plus, Sevin SL) is the only insecticide labeled against chestnut weevil. The manufacturer recommends making four weekly applications beginning in late July to control adults when the burrs are present and vulnerable. However, based on the development of chestnuts under Michigan conditions, you may want to wait until August to begin applications. Carefully budget the three to four applications of carbaryl available as the period of burr exposure is long. Applications should only be made in response to positive identification of the weevil with regular scouting.

Thorough and frequent scouting is essential for optimal management, particularly with the lack of information regarding chestnut weevil behavior and prevalence in Michigan. Well-timed applications, good sanitation practices and scouting will be the key to successful chestnut weevil management in Michigan.

More information

• Nut weevils, University of Kentucky
• The chestnut curculios, USDA Technical Bulletin No. 130, by F.E. Brooks and R.T. Cotton
• Seasonal occurrence and soil distribution of the lesser chestnut weevil, Curculio sayi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in mid-Missouri, Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society
• Behavioral and electroantennographic responses of lesser chestnut weevil (Curculio sayi (Coleoptera: Curculinadae), to odors emanating from different chestnut plant tissues, Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society

This material in based upon work supported by the USDA NIFA under Award No. 2017-700006-27175. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the view of the US Department of Agriculture.