The evil weevil in the ground

I was rummaging about in the soil this morning, as you do, when I noticed a vine weevil larva. I've heard people tell of soil infestation by them but never experienced it before myself, though they've certainly been in my potted plants.

I'm hopeful that it may have come out of the rootball of a potted foxglove which I belately shoved into the ground nearby yesterday, but if not, how serious is it likely to be? I've been told that natural organisms and predators in the ground tend to see them off which is why they prefer pots - is that true?

 

Trouble is, Andy, this one was in the ground, not in a pot, so washing the soil off might prove a tad tricky.

 

I have very, very rarely used insecticide or weedkiller so don't want to start now.

I'd really like to hear if other gardeners have had big problems with vine weevil in the ground.