Sitona hispidulus
Pest description and crop damage Adults are small grayish weevils 0.2 inch long. Larvae feed on fibrous roots and chew cavities in main roots. This insect usually is at low levels on many of the cloversclovers, but control usually is not necessary. Root damage by clover root curculio also predisposes the plant to secondary pathogens, particularly root rot fungi which further affect stand persistence.
Management-chemical control
No products are registered or recommended.
Management-cultural control
High organic matter content in the soil has been reported to improve clover root health and reduces damage by curculio larvae. Crop rotation with nonhosts for at least one season to limit damage and disrupt populations before returning to clover or alfalfa.