Pea leaf weevils don’t like drought either, last year’s survey of the pest suggests.
“The highest damage ratings were in a few fields around Edmonton,” Alberta Agriculture reports. “There were a couple of hot spots in southern Alberta, but nothing like we have seen in previous years.”
But spring conditions are key and a stretch of plus 20 C days in late April or early May hastens the arrival of the weevils and results in the most damage.
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In addition to recommending scouting, the report states “research has shown that seed treatment is much more effective in reducing losses from pea leaf weevil than foliar treatments.”
It also says that despite its name, the pest “causes as much or more damage on fababeans.”
