Preferred name: Anthonomus eugenii
Authority: Cano
Taxonomic position: Animalia: Arthropoda: Hexapoda: Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Curculioninae
Other scientific names: Anthonomochaeta eugenii (Cano), Anthonomus aeneotinctus Champion
Common names in English: pepper weevil
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Notes on taxonomy and nomenclature EPPO Categorization: A1 list
EU Categorization: A1 Quarantine pest (Annex II A)
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EPPO Code: ANTHEU

The main hosts of Anthonomus eugenii are cultivated Capsicum spp., including C. annuum and C. frutescens (Acosta et al., 1987) and some wild Capsicum spp. Capinera (2017) reports that tomatillo, Physalis philadelphica, is a moderately susceptible host. Other Solanaceae are also attacked, including aubergines (Solanum melongena) and many wild Solanum spp. (Patrock & Schuster, 1992).  Oviposition and larval development appear to be restricted to Capsicum and Solanum spp. Adults may also feed on other Solanaceae such as Datura stramonium, Nicotiana alata (Patrock & Schuster, 1992), Calibrachoa parviflora (syn. Petunia parviflora), Physalis pubescens, tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and a variety of other plants (Elmore et al., 1934; Patrock & Schuster, 1992, Seal & Martin, 2016). Adults have been reported to feed on potato (Solanum tuberosum), but no oviposition has been observed on potato.

Host list: Capsicum annuum, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum, Datura stramonium, Nicotiana alata, Physalis ixocarpa, Solanum americanum, Solanum aviculare, Solanum carolinense, Solanum dulcamara, Solanum elaeagnifolium, Solanum glaucophyllum, Solanum melongena, Solanum nigrum, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Solanum rostratum, Solanum umbelliferum, Solanum villosum, Solanum

A. eugenii originates from Mexico from where it has spread through Central America, the Caribbean, French Polynesia and Hawaii (Defra, 2020) and southern states of the USA in the first part of the 20th century.  

North America: Canada (Ontario), Mexico, United States of America (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia)
Central America and Caribbean: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico
Oceania: French Polynesia

Egg to adult development time at 26-28°C was approximately 14 days in Capsicum annuum and Solanum americanum (Patrock & Schuster, 1992). In the laboratory, the egg stage took 3.6 days, the larval stage 9.5 days, the pupal stage 3.3 days and the adult stage 3.1 days (egg to adult 16.4 days) (Gordon & Armstrong, 1990). In Florida (USA), the egg takes 2.5-3 days, larva 6-12 days and pupa 3-6 days to develop. Adults are found throughout the year except for December and January. The adults usually spend the winter on weeds (wild Solanum species) or old pepper plants. No diapause has been observed (Elmore et al., 1934). Overwintering adults can live for 10 months, but adults only live for 2-3 months in the summer. Females lay approximately 5-7 eggs a day with a total of approximately 340-600 eggs in their lifetime. Eggs are deposited singly in the bud or fruit after the female has created an egg cavity with her mouthparts. She covers this cavity with a light brown anal secretion that hardens. The oviposition period is around 51 days (Toapanta, 2005). A. eugenii has several generations per year with the number of generations depending on the temperature (e.g. a two-week lifecycle at 27 °C, a three-week life cycle 21°C and a six-week lifecycle at 15°C). The optimum temperature for development is 30°C but declined at 33°C (Toapanta, 2005).

Symptoms

Adults feed on leaves, blossoms, stem material and fruit. Adult feeding on the fruit causes dark specks (EFSA, 2020) and internal fruit damage (Riley and Sparks, 1995), females bore into fruits and flower buds for oviposition.  Females show a preference towards the upper portion of the fruit (Seal & Martin, 2016) The created wounds facilitate the entry of the fungus Alternaria alternata which can develop internally and cause fruit rot (Bruton et al, 1989). Early signs of the presence of the weevil are small holes in immature fruits and small circular or oval holes (2-5 mm) in leaves. These can be mistaken for slug or caterpillar damage. Larvae feed on seeds and other tissue in the developing fruits (Costello & Gillespie, 1993) and this causes fruit deformation, discoloration, including browning of the core, and premature ripening and abscission of the developing fruit (Capinera, 2017).

Morphology

The adult is dark brown (light brown when newly emerged) to greyish black (Rily & Sparks ,1995), 2.0 -3.5 mm long and 1.5-1.8 mm wide (Elmore et al., 1934). It has an arched oval body that is covered with small white/yellow scales and has a long snout. The last larval stage is approximately 5 mm. The larva is greyish white/yellow with a pale brown head with dark mouthparts, body is c-shaped and legless. The pupa is white and becomes yellower with brown eyes when it develops. The eggs are white (later becoming yellow) and about 0.5 mm long (Defra, 2020). 

Detection and inspection methods

Morphological species identification can be performed on adult beetles (not on eggs, larvae or pupae). A key to the Mexican and Central American genera of Anthonomini (Curculionidae, Curculioninae) has been published by Hernandez et al. (2013). A key to the Anthonomus species (that are associated with Solanaceae) has been published by Clark & Burke (1996). There are other weevils on the same hosts which are the same size and have the same geographical distribution. For confirmation of an identification of Anthonomus eugenii DNA barcoding can be used (EPPO, 2016).  

A. eugenii can only spread naturally over limited distances, however, it is liable to be transported internationally in fruits of capsicums and possibly aubergines. This is presumably the pathway for spread that has occurred e.g. in Central America. Adults can survive prolonged cool conditions (2-5°C) for over 3 weeks and be transported as immature stages in fresh fruits (Costello & Gillespie, 1993). Fruits of wild hosts could accidentally contaminate poorly packed consignments.    

Economic impact

The most important damage to Capsicum spp. is the destruction of blossom buds and immature fruits, which turn yellow and fall (Elmore et al., 1934). In Puerto Rico, the theoretical economic injury level was calculated at 0.01 adults per plant, and fruit abortion was the main cause of yield loss (Segarra-Carmona & Pantoja, 1988). There appears to be a direct relationship between pepper weevil damage and internal mould due to Alternaria alternata (Bruton et al., 1989). In 1926, losses of 500 000 USD to the Californian pepper crop were reported (Elmore et al., 1934). In the USA, the pepper weevil has caused average crop losses of 10% (Riley & King, 1994). 50 % losses are reported and the loss of whole pepper fields has occurred (Elmore, 1934). Fruit loss can reach 30% to 90% of the yield if treatment is not implemented (Riley & Sparks, 1995). Costello & Gillespie (1993) reported serious damage by A. eugenii to glasshouse peppers in British Columbia (Canada) in summer 1992, but the outbreak was subsequently eradicated. EPPO (2012) reports the first outbreak in the EPPO region which occurred in 2012 in the Netherlands where the pest was found in several glasshouses producing Capsicum annuum. This outbreak was eradicated in 2013 (EPPO, 2014).

Control

In the state of Texas (US), 8-15 different insecticide sprays are available to control infestations (Cartwright et al., 1990). Oxamyl was the most effective insecticide in Puerto Rico (Armstrong, 1994). Bud cluster damage of 1-5% was found to be the best threshold for insecticide treatment. Different thresholds have been defined for low and high-input production systems (Riley et al., 1992). Management is difficult and requires precise knowledge of developmental times and thresholds for maximum efficiency (insecticides only target adults). Yellow sticky traps can be used to monitor populations (Riley & Schuster, 1994). There are cultivar differences in susceptibility, mainly arising from the timing of fruit maturation (Berdegue et al., 1994).  In Canada, successful eradication was achieved by clearing glasshouses of all crop residues, spraying with hydrated lime, removing all standing water, maintaining 20°C or over for at least 10 days and fumigating with a variety of products. The Netherlands used pesticide applications in combination with the destruction of affected crops and growing medium to eradicate Anthonomus eugenii glasshouse infestations. Several Hymenoptera parasitoids have been found in A. eugenii infested pepper fruits in Mexico and Canada. The most abundant of these larval or egg parasitoids (e.g. the larval parasitoid Catolaccus hunteri) are seen as potential candidates for biological control (DEFRA, 2020).

Phytosanitary risk

Because A. eugenii is a regulated priority European Union quarantine pest, there are specific import requirements aiming to prevent the entry of the pest via Capsicum fruit. It is predominantly a pest of Capsicum spp. in tropical or subtropical climates. It has spread from its origin in Mexico to other countries, both some time ago (southern USA) and more recently (Puerto Rico) (Abreu & Cruz, 1985). It could probably be a pest of outdoor crops, and survive outdoors, in southern Europe. A. eugenii was observed for the first time in the EPPO region in the field in Italy in 2013 (Speranza, 2014), eradication was completed in 2020 (EPPO, 2020). Experience in Canada and the Netherlands shows that it also has the potential to be a serious pest of glasshouse crops in colder countries, although it would not survive outdoors. It has, however, proved possible to eradicate such glasshouse infestations. 

Fruits of capsicum should come from an area where A. eugenii does not occur or from places of production found free from the pest during the growing season. Within infested countries, Capsicum planting material should not come from areas where the pest is present and causing damage and should be free of blossoms and fruit (which may carry the pest). Where overwintering is possible capsicum fields should be destroyed, early and thoroughly, in order to prevent survival (Sorensen & Baker, 1994).

Abreu E, Cruz C (1985) The occurrence of the pepper weevil Anthonomus eugenii in Puerto Rico. Journal of the Agricultural University of Puerto Rico 69, 223-224.

Acosta N, Vicente N, Abreu E, Medina-Gaud S (1987) Chemical control of Meloidogyne incognita, Rotylenchus reniformis and Anthonomus eugenii in Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens. Nematropica 17, 163-170.

Andrews KL, Rueda A, Gandini G, Evans S, Arango A, Avedillo M (1986) A supervised control program for the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii in Honduras, Central America. Tropical Pest Management 32, 1-4.

Armstrong AM (1994) Insecticides to combat damage by Anthonomus eugenii in pepper var. Cubanella in Puerto Rico. Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico 78, 23-31.

Berdegue M, Harris MK, Riley DW, Villalon B (1994) Host plant resistance on pepper to the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii. Southwestern Entomologist 19, 265-271.

Bruton BD, Chandler LD, Miller ME (1989) Relationships between pepper weevil and internal mold of sweet pepper. Plant Disease 73, 170-173.

Calvo Domingo G, Pacheco AB, French JB, Alvarado E (1989) [Economic analysis of the weevil Anthonomus eugenii in Zacapa, Guatemala]. Manejo Integrado de Plagas 11, 31-50.

Capinera JL (2017) Pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano and Cuban pepper weevil Faustinus cubae (Boheman) ( Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Available at: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in555

Cartwright B, Teague TG, Chandler LD, Edelson JV, Bentsen G (1990) An action threshold for management of the pepper weevil on bell peppers. Journal of Economic Entomology 83, 2003-2007.

Clark WE, Burke HR (1996) The species of Anthonomus Germar (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) associated with plants in the family Solanaceae. Southwestern Entomologist Supplement, 19, 1-114.

Costello RA, Gillespie DR (1993) The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii as a greenhouse pest in Canada. Bulletin SROP 16, 31-34.

DEFRA (Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs) (2020)  Pest specific plant health response plan: Outbreaks of Anthonomus eugenii. Available at: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/pests-and-diseases/contingency-planning/

EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2020) Pest Survey Card on Anthonomus eugenii. EFSA supporting publication 2020:EN-1887. Available at:   https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/sp.efsa.2020.EN-1887

Elmore JC, Davis AC, Campbell RE (1934) The pepper weevil. USDA Techical Bulletin No. 447.

EPPO (2020) Eradication of Anthonomus eugenii in Italy. EPPO Reporting Service, article 2020/095: https://gd.eppo.int/reporting/article-6773

EPPO (2016) PM 7/129 (1) DNA barcoding as an identification tool for a number of regulated pests. EPPO Bulletin, 46 (3), 501-537. (Under revision new version to be published in 2020)

EPPO (2014) Anthonomus eugenii eradicated from the Netherlands. EPPO Reporting Service, article 2014/024: https://gd.eppo.int/reporting/article-2744

EPPO (2012) First report of Anthonomus eugenii in the Netherlands. EPPO Reporting Service, article 2012/203: https://gd.eppo.int/reporting/article-2409

Gordon R, Armstrong AM (1990) Biology of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii in Puerto Rico. Journal of the Agricultural University of Puerto Rico 74, 69-73.

Hernández MS, Jones RW, Castillo PR (2013) A key to the Mexican and Central America Genera of Anthonomini (Curculionidae, Curculioninae). Zookeys, 260, 31-47.

O'Brien CW, Wibmer GJ (1982) Annotated checklist of the weevils (Curculionidae sensu lato) of North America, Central America and the West Indies (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea). Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 34, 107.

Patrock RJ, Schuster DJ (1992) Feeding, oviposition and development of the pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) on selected species of Solanaceae. Tropical Pest Management 38, 65-69.

Riley DG, King E (1994) Biology and management of the pepper weevil: a review. Trends in Agricultural Science 2, 109-121

Riley DG, Schuster DJ (1994) Pepper weevil adult response to colored sticky traps in pepper fields. Southwestern Entomologist 19, 93-107.

Riley DG, Sparks AN (1995) The Pepper Weevil and its Management. Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A & M University. College Station, TX. 

Riley DG, Schuster DJ, Barfield CS (1992) Refined action threshold for pepper weevil adults in bell peppers. Journal of Economic Entomology 85, 1919-1925.

Seal DR, Martin CG (2016) Pepper weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) preferences for specific pepper cultivars, plant parts, fruit colors, fruit sizes, and timing. Insects 7, 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects7010009

Segarra-Carmona AE, Pantoja A (1988) Sequential sampling plan, yield loss components and economic thresholds for the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii. Journal of the Agricultural University of Puerto Rico 72, 375-385.

Sorensen KA, Baker JR (1994) Insects and related pests of vegetables - some important common and potential pests in the southeastern United States. North Carolina Cooperative 102-103.

Speranza S, Colonnelli E, Garonna AP, Laudonia S (2014) First record of Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) in Italy. Florida Entomologist 97 (2) 844- 845.

Toapanta MA, Schuster D.J, Sansly PA (2005) Development and life history of Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) at constant temperatures. Environmental Entomology 34, 999-1008.

This datasheet was extensively revised in 2020 by Brigitta F Wessels. Her valuable contribution is gratefully acknowledged.

EPPO (2024) Anthonomus eugenii. EPPO datasheets on pests recommended for regulation. https://gd.eppo.int (accessed 2024-04-27)

This datasheet was first published in 1997 in the second edition of 'Quarantine Pests for Europe' and revised in 2020. It is now maintained in an electronic format in the EPPO Global Database. The sections on 'Identity', ‘Hosts’, and 'Geographical distribution' are automatically updated from the database. For other sections, the date of last revision is indicated on the right.

CABI/EPPO (1997) Quarantine Pests for Europe (2^nd edition). CABI, Wallingford (GB).