Applied Entomology and Zoology (2019) 54, 473-479

Pengxiang Wu, Muhammad Haseeb, Runzhi Zhang, Lambert H.B. Kanga and Jesusa C. Legaspi (2019)
In vitro consumption patterns of pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on two commercial pepper cultivars in Florida
Applied Entomology and Zoology 54 (4), 473-479
Abstract: The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a major pest of pepper. To analyze the consumption characteristics of pepper weevil as a reference for pest management strategies, the functional response, the intraspecific competition and the preference of A. eugenii were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The results showed that compared to Jalapeño, the pepper cultivar Habanero has a lower susceptibility due to the less consumption, lower searching rate and longer handling time of A. eugenii. Pepper weevils suffered from intraspecific competition when consuming Habanero or Jalapeño. Fruit wall thicknesses, weights and sizes were negatively correlated with the numbers of puncture marks per fruit; so, large-sized, thick-walled and large-mass fruits were less susceptible to A. eugenii. The present study suggests that choosing pepper cultivars and characteristics with low susceptibility to A. eugenii, and utilizing the intraspecific competition between pepper weevils have a potential to control the pest.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Muhammad Haseeb, Runzhi Zhang, Lambert H.B. Kanga, Jesusa Crisostomo Legaspi

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anthonomus eugenii	Green pepper/chilli (Capsicum)	U.S.A. (SE)