The pea leaf weevil is a small brownish-gray beetle about 1/5" long. Adults are marked with lighter longitudinal lines on the back. They feed on the leaves, cutting out semicircular pieces from leaf margins. Damaged leaves appear ragged. Severe infestations may result in complete defoliation, particularly of young plants. The curved white larvae have dark heads and are found in the soil. Pea leaf weevils also feed on vetch, clover, and alfalfa.

Management Options

Non-Chemical Management

Do not plant peas near clover, vetch, or alfalfa patches.
Hand-pick any adults found on young plants. Older plants are seldom seriously damaged.
Provide proper culture to maintain vigorously growing plants. Healthy plants can usually outgrow damage.

Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management

IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

Apply in April or early May when adult beetles notch leaves and begin to lay eggs. Although pea leaf weevils may notch first leaves, this pest is not usually a problem west of the Cascades as plants quickly grow beyond damage. NOTE: Carbaryl and esfenvalerate are toxic to bees. Do not apply products containing carbaryl or esfenvalerate on or near blooming plants. To minimize risk to bees, apply in the evening after bees have stopped foraging for the day.

Images

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Caption: Pea leaf weevil damage Photo by: K. Grey

WSU Extension

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