How to translate text using browser tools
1 February 2007 Common Subtropical and Tropical Nonpollen Food Sources of the Boll Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Allan T. Showler, Veronica Abrigo
Author Affiliations +
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.

Allan T. Showler and Veronica Abrigo "Common Subtropical and Tropical Nonpollen Food Sources of the Boll Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)," Environmental Entomology 36(1), 99-104, (1 February 2007). https://doi.org/10.1603/0046-225X(2007)36[99:CSATNF]2.0.CO;2
Received: 26 July 2006; Accepted: 31 October 2006; Published: 1 February 2007
JOURNAL ARTICLE
6 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Anthonomus grandis grandis
citrus
nutrition
Opuntia
overwinter
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top