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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #395545
Research Project: Managing Invasive Weeds and Insect Pests Using Biologically-Based Methods

Location: Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research

Title: Pepper Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) oviposition and feeding behaviors in wild, ornamental and consumable peppers in Florida

Author
item HASEEB, MUHAMMAD - Florida A & M University
item CHABAANE, YOSRA - University Of Neuchatel
item WU, PENGXIANG - Chinese Academy Of Sciences
item BENREY, BETTY - University Of Neuchatel
item ZHANG, RUNZI - Chinese Academy Of Sciences
item Legaspi, Jesusa
item KANGA, LAMBERT - Florida A & M University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/2022
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Due to current climate vulnerabilities of the production systems and habitat characterization, Florida’s pepper growers face challenges to understand why pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is becoming more problematic in recent years. It causes serious damage to varieties selected for consumption. However, the incidence of this pest on wild and ornamental peppers remains unknown. This study investigated the consequences of chili domestication on the feeding and oviposition of A. eugenii. We used plants of one wild accession, Bird Eye Pepper, five ornamental varieties (Pops Yellow, Black Pearl, Sedona Sun, Chilli Chilli and Salsa Deep) and two domesticated varieties selected for consumption (Scotch Bonnet and Jalapeno). First, we characterized the plants according to their fruit and flower sizes, pericarp thickness, capsaicin level, fruit position, and flower color. Then, the susceptibility of fruits and flowers to A. eugenii was evaluated. Overall, domestication increased fruit and flower sizes and pericarp thickness, altered capsaicin levels, and altered fruit position and flower color. Weevils laid more eggs and fed more on varieties selected for consumption than on wild and ornamental plants. The fruit wall thickness and fruit weight were negatively correlated with the infestation levels. This study determined that chili domestication has altered morphological and chemical (capsaicin) traits in pepper fruits with direct consequences for the feeding and oviposition. A better understanding of the natural resistant traits of wild plants that have been altered due to domestication could help in the development of new pepper varieties resistant to the pepper weevil.