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Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/2006 Publication Date: 1/31/2007 Citation: Esquivel, J.F. 2007. Evaluation of puncture types as indicators of boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) oviposition in cotton squares. Environmental Entomology. 36:183-187. Interpretive Summary: The boll weevil continues to be a serious pest of cotton in some regions of the Cotton Belt. Detection of reproducing weevil populations is determined by the presence of sealed punctures in cotton fruit, and it is commonly accepted that punctures sealed with excrement contain eggs. In a two-year laboratory study, the relationship between egg-laying and the different types of puncture seals was examined. Eggs were observed in 64.6 to 72.9% of punctures sealed with excrement-and-wax and excrement-alone, respectively, during 2001. During 2002, the overall observed range of egg-laying was 53.4 to 55.2% in wax-sealed and frass-and-wax-sealed punctures, respectively. However, lower percentages of egg-laying in relation to puncture type were observed in individual study replicates. Results indicate sealed punctures do not necessarily reflect egg-laying by the boll weevil. Findings indicate other puncture types can also be used, in addition to those sealed with excrement, to detect egg-laying sites. These findings impact boll weevil eradication coordinators, field consultants, and researchers that rely on accurate determination of boll weevil oviposition. Technical Abstract: The relationship between boll weevil puncture types and oviposition was examined in laboratory studies during 2001 and 2002. Newly eclosed females ( |
