Otiorhynchus meridionalis, the lilac root weevil, is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae.[1][2][3][4] It is found in North America.[1] Lilac root weevils are shiny, brownish-black beetles, about 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) with long snout (rostrum) and geniculate (elbowed) antennae. They are common landscape pests, feeding on lilac, euonymous and peonies.[5]
Lilac leaves eaten by the weevil
Larvae feed on plant roots, while adult insects feed on leaves, eating only the edges in form of numerous U-shaped notches. They are commonly present on North American lilac, but seldom create lasting damage to the plant.[6][5]
Adult insects are nocturnal. Like other root weevils (O. ovatus, O. rugostriatus and O. sulcatus), they often wander into households during hot summer months in search for shade and moisture. Although harmless to humans, pets and furnishings, they pose a nuisance. Treatment with pyrethroid-based insecticides is recommended only in cases of severe infestations, and occasional bug is best tolerated or removed mechanically.[5]
Alonso-Zarazaga, Miguel A.; Lyal, Christopher H.C. (1999). A World Catalogue of Families and Genera of Curculionoidea (Insecta: Coleoptera) (Excepting Scotylidae and Platypodidae). Entomopraxis. ISBN84-605-9994-9.
Arnett, R.H. Jr.; Thomas, M. C.; Skelley, P. E.; Frank, J. H., eds. (2002). American Beetles, Volume II: Polyphaga: Scarabaeoidea through Curculionoidea. CRC Press. ISBN978-0849309540.
Bright, Donald E.; Bouchard, Patrice (2008). "Insects and Arachnids of Canada Series, Part 25. Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae". NRC Research Press, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
O'Brien, Charles W.; Wibmer, Guillermo J. (1982). "Annotated checklist of the weevils (Curculionidae sensu lato) of North America, Central America, and the West Indies (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea)". Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute (34).
