Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #246125

Title: A model for long-distance dispersal of boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Author
item Westbrook, John
item Eyster, Ritchie
item ALLEN, CHARLES - Texas Agrilife Extension

Submitted to: International Journal of Biometeorology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2010
Publication Date: 7/1/2011
Citation: Westbrook, J.K., Eyster, R.S., Allen, C.T. 2011. A model for long-distance dispersal of boll weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). International Journal of Biometeorology. 55(4):585-593.

Interpretive Summary: Boll weevil eradication programs are conducted within individual cotton production zones that share similar production schedules. Although these programs progress toward eradication within each zone, concerns remain about the possibility of weevil dispersal between eradication zones. In this study, an atmospheric dispersion model was used to simulate daily wind-aided dispersal of weevils from the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Simulated weevil dispersal was compared with weekly captures of weevils in traps around the perimeter of cotton fields along highway trap lines between the LRGV and the South Texas / Winter Garden zone of the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Program. A computer model was developed to estimate the probability of capturing at least one weevil in individual traps relative to estimated values of weevil dispersal. Results of the weevil dispersal model accurately estimated 60.4% and 71.8% of capture events in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Model simulations provide an areawide risk assessment of weevil re-infestation from dispersal by prevailing winds, information that program managers can use to appropriately schedule and target enhanced trapping, crop scouting, and insecticide applications.

Technical Abstract: The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis (Boheman), has been a major insect pest of cotton production in the U.S., accounting for yield losses and control costs on the order of several billion dollars since the introduction of the pest in 1892. Boll weevil eradication programs have eliminated reproducing populations in nearly 94%, and progressed toward eradication within the remaining 6%, of the cotton production areas. However, the ability of weevils to disperse and re-infest eradicated zones threatens to undermine the previous investment toward eradication of this pest. In this study, the HYSPLIT atmospheric dispersion model was used to simulate daily wind-aided dispersal of weevils from the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Simulated weevil dispersal was compared with weekly capture of weevils in pheromone traps along highway trap lines between the LRGV and the South Texas / Winter Garden zone of the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Program. A logistic regression model was fit to the probability of capturing at least one weevil in individual pheromone traps relative to specific values of simulated weevil dispersal, which resulted in 60.4% concordance, 21.3% discordance, and 18.3% ties in estimating captures and non-captures. During the first full year of active eradication with widespread insecticide applications in 2006, the dispersal model accurately estimated 71.8%, erroneously estimated 12.5%, and tied 15.7% of capture and non-capture events. Model simulations provide a temporal risk assessment over large areas of weevil re-infestation resulting from dispersal by prevailing winds. Eradication program managers can use the model risk assessment information to effectively schedule and target enhanced trapping, crop scouting, and insecticide applications.