Abstract
ABSTRACTEnviron. Entomol. II: 954-957(1982) Host range of the southern corn billbug, (SCB), Sphenophorus callosus (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was tested with 14 crop and weed species by artificially infesting plants with SCB adultsand eggs; field observations were also made. Of 14 species tested, only corn, Zea mays L., and yellownutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L., allowed completion of larval development, although adults fed on awider variety ofplants. Scirpus cyperinus (L.) Kunth (Cyperaceae) was found to be a new SCB larvalhost from field observations. Overwintered SCB adults were fed sections of greenhouse-grown cornand four weed species in the laboratory. Survival was highest on corn and yellow nutsedge and loweston common larnbsquarters, Chenopodium album L. SCB were able to produce mature eggs only iffedeither corn or yellow nutsedge. Many Sphenophorus spp. weevils are economic pestsofgrass crops (Satterthwait 1932). One species, S. callosus (Olivier), the southern corn billbug (SCB), is animportant pest ofcorn in eastern North Carolina. Webster (1912), Metcalf(1917) and Satterthwait (1931) listednine genera (24 species) ofGraminae, Cyperaceae, andJuncaceae as hosts of SCB.Because of the restricted host range of SCB and itssedentary habits, early workers (Webster 1912, Metcalf1917) suggested crop rotation as a control measure.However, since that time, the eastern North Carolinaagroecosystem has changed greatly with respect tocropand weed species. This study was conducted to providemore information on the host range ofadult and larvalSCB in the current corn-soybeanagroecosystem ofeastern North Carolina so that the basis for continued useofcrop rotation as a management tactic could be evaluated.Materials and MethodsAdult and Larval Host RangeDuring field studies of SCBbiology from 1978 to1980, observations were made on SCB adult feedinghabits in over 15 commercial corn fields (principally inWashington, Tyrrell and Hyde Counties, N.C.). Plantspecies on which adults were seen feeding were inspected later for SCB eggs and larvae.Various grasses, sedges, rushes and related plantsgrowing in drainage canals and uncultivated areas nearthe above infestations ofSCB were sampled in late Julyto August; the period of greatest abundance of SCBpupae and teneral adults (Wright 1981). Specimens collected were preserved in alcohol orreared to adult emergence. Samples ofweevil-infestedplants were identified.Studies were conducted at the Tidewater ResearchStation (TRS), Plymouth, N.C., in 1978 to 1980 to determine the acceptability ofvarious plants for SCB adult
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