Acorn Weevil and Deer

[Elmo]

The last couple of years I've found this patch of acorn trees that the deer has been hitting up and would get good sightings when I'm posted there.  This year the deer have largely left it alone and the ground is littered with acorns.  The acorns have been left on the ground for so long that they're started to sprout.  Out of curiosity, I took a couple home and put it in a flower pot just to see what would happen.  After a few days I noticed the sprouts starting to die so I decided to cut into one of them to see what the nut looked like.  When I split it in half, there was a single larva inside wiggling around and fell out.  I picked it up and flushed it down the toilet.  I checked the flower pot again and there was another one crawling around in the dirt.  Picked that one up too and flushed it.  Forgot to take a picture of it.

 

So I do some research and I believe these are acorn weevil larvae.  I also read that once hatched, the burrow into the ground and lay dormant for 3 whole years before emerging as an adult weevil.  I guess what I'm seeing is the 3rd year of this cycle and the last two years, they've been dormant.

 

My question is, is it possible that the acorn weevil is why the deer hasn't been hitting the acorns like they have the last two years I've been hunting this spot?  Is it possible the deer can smell the weevil larva and avoid it?

[Caveman]

I was reading a report this morning that this year's acorn crop is the heaviest in 50 years. If that's true, it could mean that the deer no longer have to come to your oak grove to find acorns.

[Chris B]

I was reading a report this morning that this year's acorn crop is the heaviest in 50 years. If that's true, it could mean that the deer no longer have to come to your oak grove to find acorns.

 

In my experience, I thought the acorn crop last year was better than this year. In my area it's a little spotty. One place is completely loaded and another empty. In my case and yours, I agree that the deer are probably hitting a different stand of oaks closer to their bedding and don't need to travel as far. There is also a major abundance of apples this year, could also be a factor.

[Elmo]

Its weird because in my area they're hitting them in spots.  Tons of acorns in one location.  You walk a further, all the acorns are gone.  Walk a little more, tons of acorns again.