Identification

• Pecan weevil larvae eat out the insides of pecan nuts, making them hollow. Web worms (Hypahantria cunea) spin large, flat, tent-like cocoons where dozens can safely eat pecan tree leaves.
  
  

Time Frame

• Web worm moths are pale yellow or green and are about an inch long. Females lay eggs in March or April, and they can be killed in this stage with a pyrethrum insecticide. Carbaryl dust placed around tree trunks for one week in late August should kill pecan weevils.
  
  

Alternatives

• Unfortunately, insecticides like Sevin dust kill beneficial insects like earthworms. Ripping open the tents of tent caterpillars makes them vulnerable to birds. Weevil grubs can be removed from the tree trunk by hand to reduce pecan nut losses.