Scientific Name

Anthonomus grandis

 

Host

Cotton.

 

Habitat

Adult weevils feed on and lay eggs in developing cotton bolls. Feeding punctures appear as small uncapped holes, while egg-laying punctures are covered with a small wart-like growth. Both types of punctures will cause squares and small bolls to drop. The white, legless larva feeds and pupates within the square or boll.

 

Life Cycle

Adult weevils spend the winter in ground trash near old cotton fields. Each female can lay up to 200 eggs (laying each egg in a separate cotton square or boll). The entire life cycle of egg to adult can be completed in 3 weeks or less. There are multiple (5 or more) generations per year.

 

Description

The adult weevils have a snout and are about one-fourth inch long. They vary from reddish-brown to gray to almost black in color. A distinguishing feature is the presence of two spurs on the front femur of each leg.

 

Control

Please contact your local county extension office for current information.