Emergence, Movement, and Host Plants of Boll Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the Delta of Mississippi

Forensic pollen geolocation techniques used to identify the origin of boll weevil re-infestation

“…The mean number of pollen grains found in weevils captured in Mississippi ranged from 80 during the fall to 18 during the winter (Hardee et al, 1999). In Uvalde, the number of pollen grains per individual varied according to the month from 10 to 354 during April and from three to 73 during July (Jones & Coppedge, 1999).…”

“…The percentage of pollen grains was calculated by totalling all pollen grains in a taxon and dividing by the total number of pollen grains. Frequency of occurrence was calculated by dividing the number of samples in which a taxon occurred by the total number of samples then multiplying by 100 (Hardee et al, 1999;Jones & Coppedge, 1999). Multiplying by 100 puts the results in percentages, which make them easier to read and to see any differences.…”

“…Initially, only taxa in the Malvaceae such as Abutilon, Callirhoë, Cienfuegosia, Hibiscus, Malvaviscus, Sphaeralcea, Sida and Wissadula were known as foraging resources for adult boll weevils (Coad, 1914;Gaines, 1934;Szumkowski, 1953Szumkowski, , 1954Stoner, 1968;Cross et al, 1975). Today, the list of adult foraging resources has expanded to include numerous non-malvaceous taxa (Benedict et al, 1991;Jones et al 1993;Jones, 1997;Hardee et al, 1999;Jones & Coppedge, 1999.…”

The Conundrum of Chemical Boll Weevil Control in Subtropical Regions

“…Those populations move into surrounding habitats where, under temperate winter conditions, the boll weevils that survived the first-year series of late-season eradication program sprays must survive frequently severe and extended cold conditions for which the tropical insect had not evolved, as well as starvation due to lack of viable winter plant hosts (Showler, 2009b,c). Boll weevils have long been assumed to feed solely on pollen of certain malvaceous plants (Burke & Earle, 1965;Cate & Skinner, 1978), and later, pollens of other plants were recognized (Jones et al, 1992(Jones et al, , 1993Hardee et al, 1999), but recent research has revealed that adult boll weevils can consume cotton leaves and bracts, citrus and cactus fruit, and likely nectar (Showler & Abrigo, 2007;Showler, 2009b). In the subtropics, adult boll weevils can survive and reproduce during the winter on small patches of volunteer cotton that, despite surveillance, are overlooked, and adults can be trapped in substantial numbers around grapefruit, Citrus paradisi Macfad., and orange, C. sinensis (L.) Osbeck., orchards (Showler, 2006b).…”

The uses of pollen and its implication for Entomology

“…Pollen from a large diversity of plant species has been found in association with the insect pests such as boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) and Mexican corn rootworms (Diabrotica virgifera zeae Krysan & Smith) (Hardee et al 1999;Jones & Coppedge 1999, 2000Jones et al 1993). How much actual pollination occurs from these insects is unknown.…”