Anthonomus eugenii

Adults are approximately 3 mm in length with an oval-shaped body. Body color is dark brown with cream-colored scales covering the dorsal surface. The rostrum is distinctly curved, a characteristic of the genus Anthonomus. Females can be distinguished from males by a greater distance between the antennae and mandibles on the rostrum, an adaptation thought to facilitate burrowing into host fruits for oviposition.

Associated with cultivated and wild hosts in the genera Capsicum and Solanum. In agricultural settings, found in pepper fields and areas with host plant availability. Development occurs entirely within the fruits of host plants.

Native to Mexico. Established populations occur throughout Central America, the Caribbean, and the southern United States (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia). Northern range limited by cold temperatures and lack of winter host material. Transient infestations reported in more northern regions including Canada, the Netherlands, and northern U.S. states via imported infested fruit.

In Florida, lowest infestation rates occur in late April, late June, and early August, suggesting seasonal population fluctuations. Activity patterns correlate with host plant availability and temperature.

Adults and larvae feed on plants in the genus Capsicum and select Solanum species (Solanaceae). Adults feed on flower buds and fruits. Larvae develop internally within fruits, feeding on internal tissues.

• Capsicum spp. - reproductive hostprimary host; includes multiple cultivated pepper species
• Solanum spp. - reproductive hostincludes eggplant and some wild species; supports reproduction but not considered primary pest target

Females create an egg cavity in host fruits using mouthparts and deposit a single egg, sealing the opening with a secretion that hardens into an oviposition plug. Mean fecundity is approximately 341 eggs per female lifetime, with 5–7 eggs laid per day. Egg stage lasts approximately 4.3 days. Three larval instars develop within the fruit over approximately 12.3 days; larvae are legless, C-shaped, with visible setae. Pupation occurs within the host fruit and lasts approximately 4.7 days; pupae resemble adults. Adults emerge through round exit holes. Total development from egg to adult emergence averages 21.3 days at optimal temperatures.

Females exhibit host-marking behavior: after oviposition, they deposit pheromones via frass and the hardened oviposition plug that deter other females from laying eggs in the same fruit. This reduces intraspecific competition among larvae. Females move within and among plants to locate unmarked fruits for oviposition.

Herbivore specializing on Solanaceae. Serves as host for multiple hymenopteran parasitoids including Catolaccus hunteri, Triaspis eugenii, Urosigalphus spp., and others.

Major economic pest of cultivated pepper (Capsicum) production. Can cause 70–90% infestation rates in cultivated fields and up to 100% crop loss in severe cases. Adults damage flower buds and fruits through feeding and oviposition; larval feeding within fruits causes direct damage and increases susceptibility to decay and disease. Management relies on monitoring with action thresholds (1 adult per 100 bud clusters or 5% damaged bud clusters), insecticide applications, and emerging biological control approaches. Difficult to control chemically because immature stages are protected within fruits.

• Other Anthonomus speciesShared genus characteristics including curved rostrum; distinguished by host association, body size, and scale coloration patterns
• Other pepper-infesting weevilsDistinguished by the combination of small size (3 mm), dark brown coloration with cream scales, and specific host preferences for Capsicum and Solanum

• pest
• agriculture
• Solanaceae
• Capsicum
• host-marking
• biological control
• invasive potential

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Cano)
• Anthonomus eugenii . [Distribution map].
• Host‐marking by female pepper weevils, Anthonomus eugenii
• Natural enemies ofAnthonomus eugenii(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Canada
• Laboratory rearing of the pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
• Efecto de extractos botánicos sobre el picudo del chile (Anthonomus eugenii Cano). Resultados preliminares.
• Potencial de parasitoides para el control biológico de Anthonomus eugenii en diferentes variedades de chile
• Correlation of Temperatures With Host Plant Development and Degree of Infestation of The Pepper Weevil, Anthonomus Eugenii Cano, In California
• Development and Life History ofAnthonomus eugenii(Coleoptera: Curculionidae) at Constant Temperatures
• Global potential geographic distribution of Anthonomus eugenii under climate change: A comprehensive analysis based on an ensemble modeling approach
• Influence of Parental Age on Reproductive Potential and Embryogenesis in the Pepper Weevil, Anthonomus eugenii (Cano) (Col.: Curculionidae)
• A Modelling Approach to Describe the Anthonomus eugenii (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Life Cycle in Plant Protection: A Priori and a Posteriori Analysis
• Development and Life History of <I>Anthonomus eugenii</I> (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) at Constant Temperatures
• NEW RECORDS OF NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE PEPPER WEEVIL, ANTHONOMUS EUGENII CANO (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE), IN PUERTO RICO
• Management of Pepper Weevil (Anthonomus eugenii Cano) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Using Biorational and Conventional Insecticides in South Florida.
• Modeling the Historical and Future Potential Global Distribution of the Pepper Weevil Anthonomus eugenii Using the Ensemble Approach.
• Projecting Current and Future Habitat Suitability of the Pepper Weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano, 1894 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in China: Implications for the Pepper Industry.