The adult vine weevil is relatively harmless. It is the fat, creamy white, maggot-like larvae from which it develops which attacks the root system of the plant and can quickly kill a tree. The larvae will strip the roots right up to the soil surface so the damage will not be evident until the tree shows signs of stress, begins to wilt and dies.
This insect is difficult to eradicate but treatment with a soil insecticide should eradicate the larvae. If the larvae is found during re-potting then the roots should be washed clean before re-potting. Image by kind permission of RHS/Joyce Maynard
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