Anthonomus grandis

Boheman, 1843

Cotton Boll Weevil, Boll Weevil

Species Guides

1

, the cotton , is a in the Curculionidae and a historically destructive pest of cotton (Gossypium spp.). Native to Central America, it spread into the United States in the late 19th century and infested all U.S. cotton-growing regions by the 1920s, causing severe economic damage to the cotton industry. Extensive programs have eliminated from most of the United States, though persistent populations remain in extreme South Texas and northern Mexico that threaten reinfestation of adjoining areas. The also remains a critical pest in South America.

Boll weevil eradication by USDA. Used under a Public domain license.Anthonomus grandis 1233021 by Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series,. Used under a CC BY 3.0 us license.ZooKeys - Anthonomus grandis by Macotulio Soto Hernández, Robert W. Jones, Pedro Reyes Castillo. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anthonomus grandis: /ænˈθɒnəməs ˈɡrændɪs/

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Identification

can be distinguished from other weevils by their elongated snout and association with cotton plants. The is attracted to traps, which are used for detection in programs. Morphological indicators of recent feeding and reproductive status ( condition, male accessory gland development, female presence and oosorption of vitellogenic ) can be assessed in captured individuals to infer whether they originated from local breeding .

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Distribution

United States (Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia); Central America and Caribbean (Belize, Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua); South America (Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela). programs have eliminated the from most of the United States except extreme South Texas; intractable persist in northern Mexico.

Host Associations

  • Gossypium spp. - primary cotton
  • Abutilon spp. -
  • Hibiscus spp. -
  • Thurberia thespesioides -

Behavior

are attracted to traps used for detection and monitoring. Captured individuals isolated from food show rapid morphological changes within 1–2 days, including degradation of condition and reproductive responses (oosorption of vitellogenic in females).

Ecological Role

Pest of commercial cotton production; historically caused severe economic damage to cotton industries in the United States and South America.

Human Relevance

Subject of extensive programs in the United States since 1978, which have eliminated from most cotton-growing regions and reduced foliar use by two-thirds since 2000. Remains a target of ongoing monitoring and potential remedial actions in border regions. trapping is essential for detection, with morphological assessment of captured weevils used to improve interpretation of trap data and guide eradication efforts.

Similar Taxa

  • Anthonomus grandis thurberiaeFormerly recognized as a ; included in some taxonomic treatments of A. grandis
  • Other Anthonomus speciesShared characteristics including elongated snout and weevil ; distinguished by association with cotton and specific attraction

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