Vol. 132 (2019)
Vegetable

Management of the Pepper Weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano using Biorational Insecticides and Aggregation Pheromone

Published 2023-03-28

Abstract

Pepper, (Capsicum annum L.) is an important crop in Florida and several other states in the southern United States. Pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most harmful insect pest of pepper in Florida and other tropical and subtropical regions of North, Central and South America. We conducted studies using various biorational insecticides in the presence and absence of pheromones in 2018 and 2019. Pepper weevil adults were observed on all treated plants and did not differ from the untreated control. We recorded infested fruit in all treatments with higher numbers at the end of the season. Mean numbers of infested fruit were numerically fewer in Xpectro-treated plants than the untreated control. This information will provide insight in developing sustainable approach for management of pepper weevil.