Illinois Field Crop Applicators Practice Test

When are alfalfa weevils mainly controlled through early cutting?

1. Before flowering

2. During the first frost

3. Post-harvest

4. Immediately after seeding

The correct answer is: Before flowering

Alfalfa weevils are primarily managed through early cutting before the plants flower because this timing significantly reduces their ability to reproduce and damage the crop. Cutting the alfalfa at this stage prevents weevils from laying eggs and also maximizes the quality of the forage while minimizing the potential for economic loss due to pest damage. The life cycle of alfalfa weevils indicates that they are most damaging during the early growth stages of the alfalfa plant, particularly during flowering when they can affect yield and nutritional quality. By cutting early, producers can disrupt this cycle and protect their crops effectively. Other timing options, such as cutting during the first frost, post-harvest, or immediately after seeding, do not address the immediate threat posed by the weevils during their active feeding period and would not be as effective in minimizing their population and damage.