Alfalfa Weevil

Leafy spurge
An effective strategy for controlling leafy spurge is to pair spring applications that prevent seed production with a fall treatment to control new growth.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Controlling Alfalfa Weevil and Leafy Spurge, First Cutting Alfalfa

June 1, 2023
With first cutting alfalfa to begin soon, extension educators discuss the importance of scouting for alfalfa weevils to mitigate yield losses and strategies for timing harvest, plus control options for leafy spurge.

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Alfalfa field
Spring drought can result in stressed alfalfa from aggressive weed growth, resulting in thinner stands and lower yields. View the options for herbicide control in post-emergent and established alfalfa below.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Alfalfa Weevil, Weed Control and Summer Pasture Turn-out

May 4, 2023
This week — Controlling alfalfa weeds with post-emergent herbicides, scouting for alfalfa weevil, and planning the date and pastures for spring turn-out.

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Alfalfa weevil larvae

Pasture and Forage Minute: Flash Grazing, Alfalfa Herbicides and Weevil Management

May 2, 2022
It's time to begin pest and weed control measures in alfalfa. Plus, tips to capitalize on fast spring growth with flash grazing.

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Weevil damaged alfalfa

Pasture and Forage Minute: Strategies for Alfalfa Weevil, Water Demands and Grass Surpluses

June 8, 2021
With alfalfa weevils remaining in the fields, extension educators share their recommendations for late spring infestation management strategies — plus, the benefits of using excess summer growth for winter grazing. 

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Alfalfa harvest
Photo by Brad Schick

Pasture and Forage Minute: Alfalfa Cutting Prep and Weevil Control

May 19, 2021
With alfalfa fields maturing, it's time to consider first cutting strategies and concerns, including irrigation before harvest and scouting for alfalfa weevil.

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Alfalfa weevil larvae
Figure 1. Adult and small- to medium-sized larvae of the alfalfa weevil. (Photo by Julie Peterson)

Scouting Advised for Alfalfa Weevil

April 27, 2023
Alfalfa weevil larvae have emerged in southern Nebraska; scouting for this pest is crucial for alfalfa producers over the next few weeks.

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alfalfa weevil lifestages

Scouting Advised for Alfalfa Weevil

May 6, 2020
Alfalfa weevils have been reported damaging alfalfa in north central Kansas. As temperatures warm up, expect to see alfalfa weevil larvae in southern Nebraska and slightly later, in northern Nebraska.

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Alfalfa weevil larvae and adults
Figure 1. Alfalfa weevil larvae and adults collected in a single 12-sweep sample in Goshen County, Wyoming by Dan Keener on May 11, 2018. Note that both large larvae and adults are present.

Scout Diligently for Alfalfa Weevils in May And June

May 16, 2018
High populations of alfalfa weevils have been found in alfalfa throughout the Nebraska Panhandle; lower populations were reported this week in central and eastern Nebraska. The economics would warrant continued scouting through June to provide for timely treatment, if necessary, and yield protection.

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