THE AGAVE SNOUT WEEVIL: HOW TO RECOGNIZE THIS
COMMON AGAVE PEST
IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PLANTS YOU’LL SEE IS
THE AGAVE. FOR THE MOST PART, AGAVE PLANTS DON’T REALLY HAVE PEST PROBLEMS.
HOWEVER, IT’S PRETTY COMMON FOR AGAVE PLANTS TO GET INFESTED WITH AGAVE
WEEVIL. THE AGAVE WEEVILS BITE INJECTS BACTERIA INTO THE PLANT, WHICH
CAUSES ITS TISSUE TO SOFTEN AND LIQUIFY. THE INSECT’S LARVAE THEN FEED ON
THIS ROTTED TISSUE CAUSING DAMAGE TO VITAL ROOT SYSTEMS.
What are agave snout weevils?
These pests are a black beetle, about an inch long, that are sometimes found on agave. Adult
beetles lay their eggs between the leaves of the agave. The larvae infect the plant and cause
them to rot or collapse. In most cases you won’t know if your agave is infected until you start to
see the damage. The leaves will start to wrinkle and shrivel over time and it can be extremely
hard to reverse the damage at later stages.
Agave Snout Weevil Damage
● Leaves turning red/brown/black, soggy, slimy
● Yellow Decay at the base
● Bad odor: Rot smell
● Drooping
Prevention is key
Prevention is key! The best thing you can do to prevent the ravages of the agave snout weevil is
to give the plant good care. Keep the pest from ever doing damage in the first place with the help
of plant care specialist at Rudy’s Plant Health Care. With a GreenCheck plant health inspection
by Rudy’s, you’ll learn all about the pest, disease, feeding and irrigation issues in your yard and get
a complete report with steps you can take yourself, share with the gardener, or let us help with
professional service.
Get in touch with Rudy’s Plant Health Care
Call Rudy’s Plant Health Care at 760-775-7216, or check out RudysPlants.com for more
information. With Gold, Platinum and Emerald inspections available, you’ll find a solution
that’s right for you and will keep all the plant life in your yard healthy, happy and thriving.
