Background.

Clover root weevil (CRW) feeds exclusively on clovers. It has spread rapidly since its arrival in NZ:

•          1996 discovered in the Waikato

•          2000 Whangarei to Taupo

•          2004 Hawke’s Bay & Manawatu

•          2006 Canterbury and Nelson

CRW can completely remove clover from pasture – taking away the valuable contribution clover makes to quality feed.

Adult feeding damage is identified by U-shaped leaf notching. Larval feeding reduces the ability of clover nodules to fix nitrogen.

Is CRW still a problem?

Yes! The cost to the pastoral sector if nothing is done to manage this pest is in the region of $NZ 400 million per year. For individuals this equates to a decrease in farm gross margins of 10-15%.