Environmental Entomology (2007) 36, 99-104

Allan T. Showler and Veronica Abrigo (2007)
Common subtropical and tropical nonpollen food sources of the boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Environmental Entomology 36 (1), 99-104
Abstract: It is known that substantial boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, individuals can survive mild subtropical winters in some habitats, such as citrus orchards. Our study shows that endocarp of the fruit from prickly pear cactus, Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex. Engel.; orange, Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck.; and grapefruit, Citrus paradisi Macfad., can sustain newly emerged adult boll weevils for >5 mo, which is the duration of the cotton-free season in the subtropical Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and other cotton-growing areas in the Western Hemisphere. Cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., and the boll weevil occur in the same areas with one or all three plant species (or other citrus and Opuntia species that might also nourish boll weevils) from south Texas to Argentina. Although adult boll weevils did not produce eggs when fed exclusively on the endocarps of prickly pear, orange, or grapefruit, these plants make it possible for boll weevils to survive from one cotton growing season to the next, which could pose challenges to eradication efforts.
(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): Allan T. Showler

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anthonomus grandis	Cotton (Gossypium)	U.S.A. (mid S)