A supervised control programme for the pepper weevil,<i>Anthonomus eugenii</i>Cano, in Honduras, Central America

Abstract

Abstract Adult pepper weevils, Anthonomus eugenii Cano, were more exposed and hence easier to count between 08.00 and 11.00 hours than at any other hour of the day. Twice weekly counts of exposed adult weevils and the use of action thresholds of either one or two adults per 100 terminals resulted in more cost effective control than did weekly scheduled applications. The former threshold is recommended for capital intensive farmers, while the latter may be most appropriate for capital‐limited producers. Manual collection and destruction of fallen fruits was not a cost effective supportive tactic where insecticides were used, but may be of limited value in the absence of chemical control. The low’ cost, simplicity and efficacy of the procedures described should make them acceptable to small scale, capital limited farmers.