EPPO Global Database

EPPO Reporting Service no. 05 - 1992 Num. article: 1992/08

Survival of Anthonomus grandis in winter


In Texas, US, experiments were carried out to study the survival of Anthonomus grandis grandis (EPPO Al pest) in winter. Compared was the survival rate of prereproductive and postreproductive boll weevil females.
Females were paired with mates and then provided with an artificial diet for 36 d before they were enclosed in overwintering cages without food. It was found out that females which laid eggs during the 36 d feeding period died within 7 weeks of absence of food while females that never laid eggs during the feeding period had a high survival until the following spring.


Sources

Palmer, J.O.; Cate, J.R. (1992) Overwintering survival of prereproductive and postreproductive boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Central Texas.
Environmental Entomology 21, 117-120.