Notched rhody leaves indicate root weevils at work

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AURORA - Do you have notches in your rhododendron and azalea leaves? Root weevils, a type of beetle, are the likely culprits. These beetles especially love to feast on new growth of shrubs, including rhodies and azaleas.

Root weevils are the most serious insect pests of woody ornamentals in the Pacific Northwest. All are beetles with root-feeding larvae and leaf-eating adults. The most common type, black vine weevils, emerge as adults from the end of May until June. Other root weevils commonly found in Oregon landscapes include the obscure root weevil, rough strawberry root weevil and strawberry root weevil.

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