In-Field Traps: A New Concept in Survey and Suppression of Low Populations of Boll Weevils

Abstract

Grandlure-baited traps placed in the field captured boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, when manual surveys failed to detect signs of infestations. An aggregating response was obtained from both sexes in early and late season as in previous trap studies, but significant numbers of boll weevils, primarily females, were captured in mid-season, thus indicating a true sex pheromone at this time of year. Previous trap studies failed to obtain this mid-season response. In-field traps provide a new and promising approach to survey and monitoring efforts, to evaluate an elmination program, and to the actual management and suppression of the boll weevil.