H. argtifolius (H. corsicus) bugs

The only hellebore I have any problems with is argutifolius. I have never seen any insects on my hellebores before, but last summer (in late June) argutifolius was attacked by large black insects over 1" (about 3 cm.) long. They appeared to be a very large weevil like the Black Vine weevil. Each morning i would pick from 5-20 off the plant and kill them, and the next morning there were more on it. I tried sprays but it did not help and eventually they totally defoliated it and even ate the softer parts of the stems. They were never on any of the other hellebores which were planted in the same bed or other beds. This year the plant is growing new healthy stems but of course did not bloom as there were no mature ones.

Any better ideas about what these insects are and what I can do to prevent their return this summer?

George

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