Abstract
Several factors affecting pheromone production by male pepper weevils, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as well as collection efficiency were investigated. Factors studied included: porous polymer adsorbents (Tenax versus Super Q), male age, time of day, male density, and male diet. Super Q was found to be a superior adsorbent for the male-produced alcohols and geranic acid as well as the plant-produced E-β-ocimene. Pheromone production increased with male age up to about age 15 days old and then tapered off. Male pepper weevils produced the highest amount of pheromone between noon and 2 pm (i.e., 4 to 6 h after “lights on”) and were producing ca. 800 ng/h during this period. Thereafter, pheromone production decreased and was extremely low during the scotophase (i.e., ca. 12 ng/h). Male pepper weevil density had a significant effect on both release rate and pheromone composition. Pheromone production on a per male basis was highest for individual males and the percentage of geranic acid in the blend was lowest for individual males. Male pepper weevils produced only extremely low amounts of pheromone when feeding on artificial diet; however, they produced very high amounts when on fresh peppers. Together, this information will be useful in designing better attractant lures for pepper weevils.
Highlights
The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest of both sweet and hot peppers (Capsicum spp.) in the southern United States and throughout CentralAmerica [1,2]
The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated there was a significant effect of adsorbent on geranic acid collected as well (F3,8 = 29.8; p = 0.0001)
In addition to the amount of individual components retained, the observed percentages of the alcohols and geranic acid in the mixture are extremely different depending on which filter was first
Summary
The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest of both sweet and hot peppers (Capsicum spp.) in the southern United States and throughout CentralAmerica [1,2]. The most important damage is yield reduction resulting from premature abscission of infested fruit. Because the pepper weevil larvae and pupae are protected within the environment of the pepper pod, insecticide treatments must be directed against the emerged adults. Effective chemical control of adult pepper weevils requires detecting adults prior to economic injury [4]. A predictive model for pepper weevil adult emergence is unavailable; both a damage-based threshold [5] and a visual count method using adult pepper weevils on terminal buds have been described [6,7]. Action thresholds for the pepper weevil are low: 5% terminal bud damage [5] and between 1 adult/400 terminals [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
