description Boll Weevil Overview
Boll weevil is the common name for Anthonomus grandis, a snout beetle in the family Curculionidae that feeds on cotton. Adults enter cotton squares and bolls to feed and lay eggs, and the larvae develop inside these reproductive structures, damaging the flowers and developing fiber. Native to Mexico, the species entered the United States near the end of the nineteenth century and spread across the Cotton Belt, prompting a USDA-led eradication program that began in 1978.
help Boll Weevil FAQ
What crop is attacked by the boll weevil?
The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis, is a major pest of cotton. Adults feed and lay eggs in cotton squares and bolls, while larvae develop inside those reproductive structures.
How does boll-weevil damage reduce cotton yield?
Larval feeding damages flower buds and developing bolls, which can cause them to drop or produce poor lint and seed. Adults also puncture squares and bolls while feeding and laying eggs.
What does an adult boll weevil look like?
It is a small snout beetle, usually grayish or brownish, with an elongated snout and a compact body. Because other weevils can look similar, identification should be confirmed by an agricultural specialist.
How was the boll weevil controlled in the United States?
The United States used coordinated eradication programs based on trapping, field treatment, crop destruction, and strict monitoring. The pest was eliminated from most U.S. cotton-growing areas, although continued surveillance remains important.
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