Weevils Cause Increasing Problems for Local Agriculture

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published December 11, 2006 at 7:05 AM PST

This story was published more than 18 years ago.

Diaprepes root weevils - otherwise known as the 'evil weevils' - are native to the Caribbean, but they are now popping up all over San Diego County. Host Tom Fudge talks to the director of the count

Tom Fudge : Call it the evil weevil. A lot of folks in San Diego County have characterized it in that way. It is officially called the Diaprepes Weevil. Its common name is “Citrus Weevil,” a testament to the way it’s infested orange groves in Florida.

But if you think this little monster only dines on citrus trees you’d be wrong. The Diaprepes Weevil is known to eat 270 varieties of plants, including avocado trees and ornamentals. And earlier this year the weevil made its appearance in San Diego County.

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This has created huge concerns among gardeners and among those who rely on income from the county’s one billion dollar agriculture industry.

Guests

Dr. David Kellum , senior economic entomologist for San Diego County’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures.
Eric Larson , executive director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau.