Pepper Weevil Research Articles

Seasonal Occurrence and Distribution of Eggplant Flea Beetle, Epitrix fuscula Crocht (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Eggplant in Arkansas

The seasonal occurrence and distribution of the eggplant flea beetle (EFB), Epitrix fuscula Crotch, were monitored on eggplant in south central Arkansas during 1997, 1998, and 1999 and northwestern Arkansas during 1998 and 1999. In south central Arkansas, average numbers of EFB/plant were 11.9, 5.2 and 1.9 in 1997, 1998 and 1999, respectively. EFB numbers per plant decreased during the study in northwestern Arkansas from 13.3 in 1998 to 7.2 in 1999. This decline in numbers of EFB may be related to hot and dry weather during the spring and early summer months of the previous year and differences in transplant dates.Mapping the distribution of the foliar feeding by EFB indicated that the highest damage ratings (4 and 5) were recorded for eggplants on the north side of the south central field. Also, damage decreased rapidly on interior plants away from the north edge. First or edge plants in rows had damage ratings of 3.9; second and third plants averaged 2.6 and 2.1, respectively; and fourth to tenth plants had values less than 2.Additional insects encountered during eggplant sampling included the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say); the green tortoise beetle, Nuzonia pallidula (Boh.); the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano; Euphoria sepulcralis (Fabricius); the eggplant lace bug, Gargaphia solani Heidemann; and the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). With the exception of sporadic damage by the Colorado potato beetle at the southern Arkansas location, damage from these insects was low.

EFFICACY OF SELECTED INSECTICIDES AGAINST PEPPER WEEVIL ON JALAPEÑO PEPPER IN SOUTH TEXAS, 2003

The test was conducted at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Weslaco.The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Dimilin and Dimilin alternated with Vydate against pepper weevil on Jalapeno pepper. Jalapeno pepper was seeded on 3 Jan 2003, and the seedlings were transplanted to the field on 11 Mar. Each field plot was in 30 ft long and 40 inch wide, and consisted of two rows of plants at 1 ft spacing. The plots were separated with sorghum windbreaks and a 6ft alleyway. All treatments were arranged in a RCBdesign with four replications. The treatments were applied on 5, 13 and 20 May, and 3 Jun using a tractor-mounted sprayer with three ceramic hollow cone nozzles per row (TX-10, one over the plants, two on drops) at 100 psi at a delivery rate of 56 gpa. For sampling pepper weevils, all peppers dropped on the ground were collected on 5, 12, 20 and 27 May, and 3, 11 and 17 Jun. These peppers were dissected in the laboratory, and number of pepper weevils was counted. At harvest on 27 Jun, peppers on each of 10 randomly selected plants per plot were collected. Damage of peppers and number of pepper weevils (larvae, pupae and adults) were counted.

EVALUATION OF VARIOUS INSECTICIDES IN CONTROLLING PEPPER WEEVIL ON ‘JALAPENO’ PEPPER, 2001

'Jalapeno' pepper transplants were set 28 Mar, 12 inches apart on 8-inch high and 32-inch wide beds of Rockdale soil in a commercial field, Homestead, FL. The beds were fumigated 2 wk prior to setting transplants with a mixture containing 67% methyl bromide and 33% chloropicrin at 220 lb/acre. The beds were supplied with drip irrigation lines and covered with 1.5-mil thick black polyethylene mulch. Pepper plants were irrigated twice daily using a drip system. Fertilizer (N-P-K mix) was applied at 200-50-240 lb/acre. To control weeds, trifluralin (Treflan EC, 24 lb (product)/acre) was used once 6 days before planting, supplemented during the middle of the season with mechanical cultivation. Treatments evaluated were: (1) Untreated check, (2) Actara 2 SC 70 and 96 g (AI)/ha, and (3) Vydate 1,128 g (AI)/ha. Treatment plots consisted of 3 beds each 30 ft long and were arranged in an RCB design with four replications. A 5-ft long untreated planted area separated each replication. Soil application of insecticides was made in a greenhouse 2 d prior to setting the transplants in the field. Foliar applications of insecticides were made at weekly intervals for 4 wk on 30 Apr and 8, 15, and 22 May, using a backpack sprayer with two nozzles per row at 30 psi, delivering 70 gpa. Effectiveness of each treatment was evaluated 24 h after each foliar application by thoroughly checking 5 plants per treatment plot for pepper weevil adults and infested fruits. Evaluation was also made by collecting all marketable fruits from the treatment plots.

Influence of Temperature and Host on Life History Parameters ofCatolaccus Hunteri(Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Catolaccus hunteri Crawford is an external parasitoid of cryptic Coleoptera, particularly of Bruchidae and Curculionidae in sowerbuds, small fruits, and seeds. It is the most common parasitoid of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano, in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere, and was introduced from Guatemala to Hawaii for control of this pest. Studies were conducted to assess effects of temperature and host on life history parameters of C. hunteri as a step toward eventual mass rearing and inoculative release for pepper weevil control. Oviposition, postovipostion period and adult longevity were shorter at 30C than at 20 or 25C. Mean number of eggs oviposited per female was greater at the lower temperatures than at the highest temperature. Duration of all development stages was shorter at 30C than at 20 and 25C. Developmental period of C. hunteri was longer and adult longevity was shorter on boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, than any other host. Female wasps laid most eggs on the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), larvae. Transferring of C. hunteri reared on C. maculatus to pepper weevil or boll weevil caused a reduction in the mean number of eggs/female. Age-speciÞc life tables and age-speciÞc fecundity for C. hunteri were analyzed using three constant temperature regimes and Þve sources of host. These tables were used to calculate the innate capacity of natural increase (rm), the Þnite rate of increase (), the mean generation time (T), the net reproduction rate (Ro), and the gross rate of reproduction. The results indicate that C. hunteri populations are capable of increasing in all of the environmental conditions tested in the current study. The optimum temperature for population increase for C. hunteri is 25C. With respect to host suitability, greater numbers of C. hunteri female progeny were produced when this parasitoid was reared constantly and invariably on C. maculatus larvae than on any other host.

Biology of <I>Catolaccus hunteri</I> (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), A Parasitoid of Pepper Weevil and Boll Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

A general description of the life stages and population parameters of Catolaccus hunteri Crawford, a primary ectoparasitoid of pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano, and boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, is presented. The parasitoids were reared on the unnatural host Callosobruchus maculatus F. The developmental time of C. hunteri at 27 ± 1°C was shorter in males than females. Males completed development in 11.46 ± 0.46 d from egg to adult emergence. Developmental time in females required 13.18 ± 0.81 d from egg to adult at the same temperature. A C. hunteri female (n = 20) laid 466.35 ± 280.39 eggs, of which just 18.35% reached the adult stage; this could be the result of cannibalistic larval behavior combined with high superparasitism observed under laboratory conditions. Female mean longevity was 47.20 ± 12.76 d. The net reproductive rate (Ro), the generation time (G), and the daily intrinsic rate of increase (rm) were 42.713, 33.842, and 0.111, respectively. The fecundity of pepper weevil and boll weevil is discussed.

Use of a Factitious Host and Supplemented Adult Diet To Rear and Induce Oogenesis in Catolaccus grandis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Augmentation and release of the ectoparasitoid Catolaccus grandis (Burks) against the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, has relied on the production of boll weevils for the past 15 yr. Eliminating this dependence on a host that is expensive to rear could make this technology commercially viable. Seven species of insects that are more easily reared than the boll weevil were tested as factitious hosts of C. grandis . Four species were lepidopterans— Galleria mellonella (L.), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), Heliothis virescens (F.), and Chilo plejadellus Zincken. Only H. zea and H. virescens stimulated oviposition by C. grandis ; nevertheless this parasitoid did not complete development in any of these lepidopterans. The other 3 species were coleopterans— Chalcodermus aeneus Boheman, Anthonomus eugenii Cano, and Callosobruchus maculatus (F.). Females of C. grandis oviposited and parasitoids completed development in all coleopteran species. C. grandis females reared on C. maculatus oviposited significantly more eggs per day than those reared on A. eugenii or C. aeneus . Chemical analyses showed that the concentrations of proline, histidine, glutamine, and tyrosine in C. maculatus and A. eugenii hemolymph most closely resembled those of A. g. grandis hemolymph. The effectiveness of the factitious hosts to stimulate oogenesis was indirectly tested by comparing oviposition rates of females exposed to the factitious hosts to those of naive females. Even though A. eugenii and C. maculatus stimulated oogenesis (conditioning) in C. grandis females after 3 d of exposure, the degree of stimulation was significantly lower than that induced by exposure to A. g. grandis prepupae. The results indicate that C. maculatus is a promising factitious host to rear and condition C. grandis females.

Impact of Insecticides and an Entomophagous Fungus on Pepper Weevil, Melon Thrips, Broad Mite, and Minute Pirate Bug in Hot Pepper, 1997

Abstract Greenhouse-raised ‘Serrano’ pepper plants were transplanted on 2 Apr at 10-inch spacing in single rows on 4 pairs of subirrigated beds, 32 inches wide and 240 ft long on 6-ft centers. Beds had been fertilized with a bottom mix of 80 lb/acre of 5-16-8 and a banded top mix of 500 lb/acre of 19-0-19 supplemented with an injection of 40 lb N/acre on 22 Apr, fumigated with methyl bromide/chloropicrin (66/33) at a rate of 2201b/acre and covered with black polyethylene film mulch. Plants were sprayed with a combination of Maneb 80 WP at 1 lb/acre plus Kocide 101 at 3 lb/acre as necessary for disease control. Each pair of beds was separated by an additional bed of Jalapefio pepper planted on 4 Mar and removed on 28 May which was inoculated with pepper weevils from an adjacent field on 27 Mar. Bed pairs were divided into 12 plots 40 ft long and assigned to 12 treatments in a RCB design with 4 replications. Treatments were applied weekly for 9 weeks beginning 7 May using a high-clearance sprayer with two vertical and one horizontal boom fitted with ceramic “yellow” Albuztm hollow-cone nozzles delivering spray at 200 psi. Initial configuration was three noz-zles, one overhead and one on each side spraying at a rate of 33 gpa. One more nozzle was added to each vertical drop 29 May for a total of five per row and an output of 55 gpa. A pre-treatment count made 6 May on 3 leaves per plant from 10 plants per replication showed a total of 1 pepper weevil, 7 green peach aphids, 8 broad mites and 17 melon thrips. An examination of the inoculum row showed similar levels of these insects except for pepper weevil which numbered more than 2 per plant. Weekly evaluations beginning 14 May were made on 8 plants per plot, searching flowers and terminals for adult pepper weevils. The youngest 3 expanding leaves on all the terminals were rated for aphids, thrips, and broad mite damage on a scale of 0-3: 0 = none, 1 up to 20% terminals damaged, 2 > 20 < 50% damage and 3 > 50% damaged. Orius insidiosus adults and nymphs were included in the count beginning 20 May. All fruit an inch or more in length was harvested, counted, and weighed on 18 Jun and 14 Jul. Incidence of weevil damage was evaluated by cut-ting open each fruit.

Control of Armyworms and Pepper Weevil on Bell Pepper, Spring 1997

Abstract Transplant were set 10 Mar, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 14 plants with rows on 5-ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5-gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 2, 7, 14, 21, 29 Apr, 5, 19, 27 May, 2, 11, 18, 25 Jun, 2 and 9 Jul. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. Fruit were harvested on 21 May and 9 Jun. The number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by armyworm larvae were determined. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outsides of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage caused by the pepper weevil inside the fruit. On 14 Jul, all fruit were harvested and examined for the presence of oviposition scars and internal pepper weevil damage.

Control of Armyworm and Pepper Weevil on Bell Pepper, Fall 1996

Abstract Transplants were set 6 Sep, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 12 plants with rows on 5-ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5-gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 25 Sep, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Oct, 6, 13, 20 Nov, 4, 11, 18, and 23 Dec. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. Fruit were harvested on 12, 25 Nov, 10, and 30 Dec and the number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by beet army-worm larvae were determined. Fruit with damage only on the fruit petiole or calyx were considered marketable and fruit with pod damage were considered unmarketable. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outsides of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage on the insides of the fruit caused by the pepper weevil.

Pepper Weevil and Broad Mite Control on Bell Pepper, Fall 1996

Abstract Transplants were set 6 Sep, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 10 plants with rows on 5-ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5-gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 27 Sep, 4, 12, 18, 25 Oct, 1, 8 Nov 6, 13 and 24 Dec. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. All plots were sprayed weekly with Bacillus thuringiensis for control of armyworm larvae. Fruit were harvested on 14, 26 Nov, 13, and 30 Dec and the number and weight of undamaged fruit were determined. On 18 Nov, 1 leaf from a terminal of each plant in each plot was examined for the presence of eggs and motile forms of the broad mite. On 22 Nov, each plant in each plot was rated 1-4 for increasing severity of foliar damaged by the broad mite. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outside of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage caused by the pepper weevil inside the fruit.

Números cromosómicos de algunos escarabajos de las familias Brentidae y Curculionidae de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos

Se preparó una lista de ios cromosomas de 24 especies de Curculionoidea de la Gran Región de Puerto Rico y de las Islas Vírgenes de U.S.A. Siete especies son endémicas y ocho son plagas notables en la agricultura. La meiofórmula del macho de los picudos de nariz ancha (Brachyderinae, Otiorhynchinae) así como del bréntid Cylas formicarius elengantulus es la esperada 10 + Xyp, excepto en Lachnopus kofresi de la Isla de Mona (16 + Xyp). Representantes de otras subfamilias de Curculionidae tienen números auiosomales más altos y combinados con el bivalente sexual primitivo Xyp. Anthonomus eugenii, con su trivalente sexual (X1X2Y) en el macho, es una excepción. Por razones morfológicas y citológicas los taxones L. coffeae montanus Marshall, L. seini Wolcott y L. yaucona Wolcott fueron sinonimizados con Lachnopus coffeae Marshall (SINONIMIAS NUEVAS). Una especie de Ischionoplus (Brachyderinae) es nueva para la ciencia y es endémica para la Isla de Mona.

Armyworm And Pepper Weevil Control on Bell Pepper, Spring 1996

Abstract Transplants were set 26 Feb, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 14 plants with rows on 5 ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5 gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 11, 18, 26 Apr, 1, 8, 15, 22, 31 May, 5, 12, 19, 28 Jun, 3 and 10 Jul. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. Because of a very heavy population of southern armyworm larvae, weekly applications of Bacillus thuringiensis (Javelin and Xentari alternating weekly) were initiated on 13 Jun. On 20 May and 7 Jun, each plot was rated by two persons for increasing percentage of defoliation by armyworm larvae using the Horsfall-Barratt system. With this system, ratings of 1-12 corresponded to 1-100% defoliation. The ratings were averaged prior to analysis. On 24 Jun, each plot was sampled by dislodging the aphids from the tops of five plants with a 12 inch garden stake into the bottom of a rectangular cake pan painted black and coated with a thin film of vegetable oil. Fruit were harvested on 20 May, 4, 18, 26 Jun, 8 and 17 Jul. The number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by armyworm larvae were determined. Fruit were also examined for the presence of surface oviposition scars and larval feeding damage inside, caused by the pepper weevil.

Control of Armyworm And Pepper Weevil on Bell Pepper, Fall 1995

Abstract Transplants were set 5 Sep, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 10 plants with rows on 5 ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5 gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 9 Sep, 6, 13, 20, 27 Oct, 10, 17, 25 Nov, 2, 8, 15, 22 and 29 Dec. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. On 13 Nov, each plot was rated 1 to 12 for increasing defoliation due to armyworm feeding using the Horsfall-Barratt scale. Fruit were harvested on 13, 27 Nov, 18 Dec and 5 Jan. The number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by beet armyworm larvae were determined. Fruit also were examined for the presence of surface oviposition scars and larval feeding damage inside, caused by the pepper weevil.

Pepper (Capsicum spp.) Wound Volatiles Suppress the Growth of Alternaria alternata, the Causal Agent of Internal Mold of Pepper

Internal mold of sweet and hot peppers (Capsicum spp.) is caused by the pathogen Alternaria alternata. The pepper weevil, Anthomonus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an important pest of peppers in the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America, and has been implicated in the transmission of the disease. We identified several volatiles released by pepper fruit during wounding by pepper weevils, including (E)-3-hexenyl acetate, linalool, beta-ocimene, and 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,6 octatriene (homoterpene). To study the roles of these volatiles in the interaction of the plant and fungus, we determined their effect on the growth of isolated cultures of A. alternata. Fungi were unaffected by any of the compounds when exposed to individual volatiles at 1 ppm; however, a 1 ppm mixture of the four compounds significantly reduced growth. All four compounds were inhibitory individually at 10 ppm, with linalool completely inhibiting fungal growth. These results indicate a role for these volatiles in the plant's response to infection by A. alternata.

Insect Management on Bell Pepper in West-Central Florida, Fall 1994

Abstract Transplants were set 8 Aug, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of fumigated EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 12 plants with rows on 5 ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and sprays were applied with a 2.5 gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 16, 21, 29 Sept, 7, 13, 20, 27 Oct, 3, 10, 16, 23, 29 Nov, 6 and 13 Dec. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. Granular applications were made just prior to soil fumigation (about 2 weeks prior to planting) in two narrow bands 10 inches on either side of bed centers. On 5-6 Oct, each plant in each plot was inspected for small (≤0.5 inch long) and large (0.5 inch long) beet armyworm larvae. On 3 Nov, each plot was rated by two persons for increasing percentage of defoliation by beet armyworm larvae using the Horsfall-Barratt system. With this system, ratings of 1-12 corresponded to 1-100% defoliation. The ratings were averaged prior to analysis. Fruit were harvested on 2, 21 Nov, 14 and 19 Dec and the number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by beet armyworm larvae were determined. Fruit with slight feeding damage only on the stem or calyx were considered marketable. Fruit with either slight or severe damage on the fruit wall were considered unmarketable. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outside of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage on the inside of the fruit caused by the pepper weevil. On 16 Dec, each plot was sampled by dislodging the insects from the tops of five plants with a 12 inch garden stake into the bottom of a rectangular cake pan painted black and coated with a thin film of vegetable oil. The numbers of pepper weevil adults, armyworm larvae, predator adults and immatures, and aphids were counted. The numbers of predators were totaled over all species since few of any one species were present.

Armyworm and Pepper Weevil Control on Bell Pepper in West-Central Florida, Spring 1995

Abstract Transplants were set 14 Mar, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 10 plants with rows on 5 ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a RCB design and were applied with a 2.5 gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 7, 13, 20 Apr, 4, 11, 18, 25 May, 1, 9, 14, 21, 29 Jun and 6 July. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. The Neemix 4.5% formulation was inadvertently substituted for the 0.25% formulation for the first three applications. On 16 May, each plot was rated 1 to 12 for increasing defoliation due to armyworm feeding using the Horsfall-Barratt scale. Fruit were harvested on 24 May, 12, 26 Jun and 10 July and the number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by beet armyworm larvae were determined. Fruit with slight feeding damage only on the stem or calyx were considered marketable. Fruit with either slight or severe damage on the fruit wall were considered unmarketable. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outsides of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage on the insides of the fruit caused by the pepper weevil.

Control of Pepper Weevil in Field Condition, Spring 1995

Abstract The experiment was conducted in a research field of rockdale soil located in Homestead, FL. ‘Jalapeno’ pepper transplants were set in the field onto raised black polyethylene mulch covered beds following recommended cultural practices on 14 Feb. 1995. Beds were 3 ft. wide and spaced 6 ft. apart from center to center. Plots were 3 rows each 100 ft. long. Three treatments were arranged in RCB with 4 replications. Treatments evaluated were: oxamyl (0.50 lb. (AI)/acre), fipronil (0.10 lb. [AI]/acre) and a nontreated check treated with water. Chemical were applied on 16, 20, 25 and 30 April, and 4 May 1995 with a backpack sprayer using 2 nozzles/row delivering 50 gpa at 40 psi. Treatments were evaluated by collecting all fallen fruits from randomly selected three plants in each treatment plot 24 h after each application. Total numbers of larvae inside these fallen fruits were recorded. Adults were counted on randomly selected three plants per treatment plot after each application.

A Previously Unknown Sexual Character for the Pepper weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

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, Mexico and Central America (Elmore et al., 1934). Eller et al., (1994) describe the isolation, identification, and field activity of a male-produced pepper weevil aggregation pheromone. During investigations of the aggregation pheromone of the pepper weevil, it was necessary to sex individuals to identify male-specific chemicals. In addition, weevils captured during field trials of synthetic pheromones were sexed to determine whether the pheromone attracted both sexes. Pepper weevils can be sexed by examination of the eighth tergum using characters described for sexing the boll weevil (Coudriet & Kishaba, 1988) (males have a notch in the eighth tergum, see Figure 1). However, the tergum is often not exposed, especially in weevils captured in pheromone traps. Dietz (1891) reported that female pepper weevils have a more slender and less densely punctured rostrum than males and their antennae are inserted further from the mouthparts. Although these sexual dimorphisms generally hold, these characters are somewhat subjective and are not completely reliable (Patrock, 1986). Some anthonomines can be sexed by examination of the tarsal claws (Kovarik & Burke, 1983), however, Patrock (1986) reported there is no sexual dimorphism of the tarsal claws of pepper weevils. The objective of this study was to find an obvious and reliable sexual dimorphism for sexing pepper weevils. A laboratory culture of pepper weevils was established from insects collected in Florida and reared according to methods described by Patrock (1986). Pepper weevils were examined using a Nikon SMX-2B stereomicroscope and it was found that males (sexed by examination of genitalia) possess metatibial mucrones (Figures 1 and 2A). These metatibial mucrones are visible at magnifications of about 80x. In males, the mucrones of the protibia and mesotibia are not curved and are much shorter and thinner than the metatibial mucrones. Scanning electron micrographs were taken using a JEOL JSM-6400V scanning microscope. The electron micrographs revealed the inner surface of the mucrones of males to be coarse and scale-like. Although females also possess metatibial mucrones, they are not curved and they are much shorter and more slender than those of males (Figure 2B). The metatibial mucrones of females are about the same size as the mucrones of the protibia and mesotibia. The surface of female mucrones were not obviously scale-like. The metatibia of males tends to be more strongly curved than those of females, however, this character is not as reliable as the metatibial mucrones. I found this method of sexing pepper weevils to be very useful for determining the sex of pepper weevils used in laboratory experiments and those captured in field trials. Although the function of the metatibial mucrones is unknown, I hypothesize that they are used by the male to grasp the female during mating. Sexual dimorphism of tarsal claws in other anthonomines is thought to be another adaptation for grasping the female during copulation (Kovarik & Burke, 1983). Several other species of Anthonomus were examined to determine if this character could be used to sex them as well. The species examined included: the boll weevil, A.

Insect Control on Bell Pepper in West-Central Florida, Spring 1994

Abstract Transplants were set 10 Mar, 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high and 32-inch-wide beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 10 plants with rows on 5 ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design and were applied with a 2.5 gal, hand-held CO2- powered sprayer on 29 Mar, 4, 11, 18, 25 Apr, 2, 9, 16, 23 May, and 1 Jun. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. On 15 Apr and 4 May, each plant in each plot was inspected for small (≤0.5 inch long) and large (>0.5 inch long) beet armyworm larvae and the data were combined over both dates. Fruit were harvested on 13 May, 1, and 14 Jun and the number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by beet armyworm larvae were determined. Fruit with slight feeding damage only on the stem or calyx were considered marketable. Fruit with either slight or severe damage on the fruit wall were considered unmarketable. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outside of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage on the inside of the fruit caused by the pepper weevil. On 16 Jun, each plot was sampled by dislodging the insects from the tops of five plants with a garden stake into the bottom of a rectangular cake pan painted black and coated with a thin film of vegetable oil. The numbers of pepper weevil adults, whitefly adults, predator adults and immatures, and aphids were counted. The numbers of predators were totaled over all species since few of any one species were present.

Control of Armyworms on Bell Pepper in West-Central Florida, Fall 1993

Abstract Transplants were set 10 Sep 12 inches apart on 8-inch-high beds of EauGallie fine sand covered with white polyethylene mulch. Each plot consisted of a single row of 12 plants with rows on 5 ft centers. Treatments were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design and applied with a 2.5 gal, hand-held CO2-powered sprayer on 28 Sep, 4, 11, 18, 25 Oct, 3, 10, 15, 22, 29 Nov, 6, 13, 20, 27 Dec, 5, 11, 19, and 26 Jan. The sprayer was outfitted with a single nozzle with a D-5 disk and #45 core and delivered 100 gpa at 60 psi. On 22 Oct and 15 Nov, each plot was rated for increasing percentage of defoliation by beet armyworm larvae using the Horsfall-Barratt scale. With this scale, ratings of 1-12 corresponded to 1-100% defoliation. Fruit were harvested on 18, 30, Nov, 9, 23 Dec, 6 Jan, and 2 Feb and the number and weight of undamaged fruit and the number of fruit damaged by beet armyworm larvae were determined, fruit with slight feeding damage only on the stem or calyx were considered marketable. Fruit with any damage on the fruit wall were considered unmarketable. Fruit also were examined for the presence of oviposition scars on the outside of the fruit and for the presence of larval feeding damage on the inside of the fruit caused by the pepper weevil.