Root & Shoot Feeders

Among the most sinister of plant pests are the root feeders. Root feeders are typically the larval forms of weevils or other beetles. While they most often feed on the fine feeder roots of plants, they may also feed on large roots or on the bark of large roots or root collar, near the surface of the soil. Because the damage is done underground and out of sight of the practitioner, diagnosing related decline, wilt, or death of plants can be problematic. It should be routine practice when diagnosing plants with these symptoms that roots of the affected plants be examined for evidence of feeding injury and/or the presence of larvae. In some cases, e.g. Black Vine Weevil, feeding on foliage by adults may be offer a sign of the more-damaging activity of root feeding larvae.

Another group of root feeders is less damaging to roots but can cause considerable injury due to egg laying activity. Cicadas cause most of their damage when depositing eggs in the twigs of trees. The larvae of cicadas suck sap from tree roots but this injury is often of little consequence to the health of the plant.

Root-shoot feeders index:
Black Vine Weevil
Periodical Cicada

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