Pest profile

Cowpea Curculio

Chalcodermus aeneus · Coleoptera: Curculionidae[2]

Cowpea curculios damage southern peas from the inside, as adults and larvae feed on seeds within the pods.[1]

Cowpea curculio, a small humped black weevil, on a white surface
Cowpea curculio, a small humped black weevil, on a white surface. (c) Rosario Douglas, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults feign death and drop to the soil when disturbed, and they rarely fly.[1]
  • Feeding leaves small cavities and shallow furrows in pods.[1]

Where it lives

It occurs mainly from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas and Oklahoma.[1]

US map: public records from 14 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Adults overwinter in soil and debris, emerge in April or May, and lay eggs once cowpea pods appear, often June or July.[1]

There are two generations in Alabama and one in Virginia.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Adults and larvae feed on seeds inside pods of cowpea, snap bean, lima bean and pea.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Watch plants in the morning and early evening, when adults are most active.[1]

Common questions

What's making small holes in my southern pea pods?
Cowpea curculio adults feed and lay eggs in pods.[1]
Where do they spend winter?
As adults in soil and under leaves and debris.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Cowpea Curculio, Chalcodermus aeneus (EENY-223).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN380 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Chalcodermus aeneus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/304953 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.