Clover Root weevil tolerance of clover cultivars

Clover root weevil arrived in New Zealand about 20 years ago causing major loss of productivity as it progressively colonised the country. It is now largely controlled by an introduced biocontrol agent, the parasitic wasp Microctonus aethiopoides (Irish ecotype). However, management of insect pests should not rely on a single mechanism and clovers resistant or tolerant to this weevil would be a useful tool for famers to have. This investigation reports on the suitability of 22 clover cultivars for the weevil. Contrary to popular belief red clovers are not universally less favourable than white clovers and within both species cultivar differences were detected that offer promise in combating this pest.