The fully developed beetles are usually active at night on the above-ground parts of the plant. They feed on leaves, pseudobulbs and all other parts of the plant. The larvae can develop a voracious appetite in the substrate and eat everything from roots to green parts of the plant. Total losses are not uncommon.

Weevils are 3-15 mm in size, brown, dark grey to almost black, but yellowish species are also known. The clearly developed snouts are particularly striking in all species. The animals are crepuscular or nocturnal and polyphagous. They eat almost all plants, but also dead plant parts. The beetles are unable to fly and reproduce sexually. Their life expectancy is 7 months to 2 years. They are rarely found in indoor cultivation, but are usually introduced with old, decomposed substrates.

Common weevil:
furrowed weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus Fabr.):

Reproduction is sexual, with a female laying approximately 250 eggs once a year. This is followed by a complete development cycle: egg -> larva -> pupa -> beetle. The pupae develop very quickly in heated rooms, while outdoors the pupa serves as a place to overwinter.

The products available to end consumers are not sufficient for successful chemical control.

Weevils are actually weak parasites; healthy, vigorous plants in well-aerated substrates offer them little chance of survival. As a preventive measure, all old plant parts should therefore always be removed and only fresh, aerobic substrates should be used.

• Beetle traps: Special traps (e.g. with nematode gel) exploit the beetles' habit of hiding in order to specifically parasitise them.
• Encourage beneficial insects: Hedgehogs and shrews are natural predators that can be helped by providing them with natural shelters. (Unfortunately, not everyone likes hedgehogs on their windowsills and shrews among their plants).
• Nematodes (threadworms): This is the most effective method. Special nematodes (e.g. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) penetrate the larvae, infect them with bacteria and kill them. They are mixed with water and poured into the moist soil. It is important that the soil temperature is above 12°C (except for Steinernema kraussei, which works from 5°C) and that the soil remains moist.
• Neem-based pesticides: Products derived from neem oil can harm the beetles and larvae. Neem cake can be worked directly into the soil (caution with orchids).
• Wormwood manure is also said to help: Wormwood manure is a biological pesticide against ant populations in the garden. It is made by fermenting 300 grams of fresh or 30 grams of dried wormwood herb in 10 litres of water.

Weevils did not play a role in greenhouse cultivation in the past. The tips, which were usually only mentioned briefly, refer to collecting them or using traps filled with wood wool and decomposed substrates.