Boll Weevil History - Learn About The Boll Weevil And Cotton Plants

Boll Weevil History The little gray beetle with the funny snout entered the United States from Mexico in 1892. From state to state, the early twentieth century saw the advancement of the boll weevil. Damage to cotton crops was widespread and devastating. ... A better method for controlling boll weevil damage was needed.

What did the boll weevil do to cotton?

How Does The Boll Weevil Destroy Cotton Plants? Simply put, boll weevils eat almost every part of the cotton plant. Early in the growing season, they eat the cotton plant leaves. When the flower bud (square) forms, they puncture it and lay their eggs inside – up to 2,000,000 per growing season.

How did the boll weevil affect cotton production in the South?

The boll weevil's decimation of the cotton industry in the South had implications for the entire region. The pest was a driving force behind the "great migration" of poor tenant farmers into northern cities, and the state's dependence on cash-crop production left its soil depleted and prone to erosion.

Where did the boll weevil come from?

Boll weevils entered the U.S. from Mexico in the late 1800s, when they were first spotted in Texas. By the 1920s they had spread through all of the major cotton-producing areas in the country.

Why is the boll weevil important?

The cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis, was the most important pest of cotton in much of America's Cotton Belt. ... The weevil's importance was due not only to the considerable damage it does but also to its disruption of management programs that target other pests.

Why are boll weevils bad?

Boll weevils can completely destroy a cotton crop. Boll weevils eat all the buds off the plants; they destroy any cotton that the plants manage to produce by eating and laying eggs in the cotton.

How did they get rid of the boll weevil?

For Boll Weevil invasions in homes, a simple vacuuming clean up and laying traps should eliminate the invaders. Malathion 57% is an organophosphate insecticide that can be applied to crops and non-crop plants to kill a wide variety of insects, including Boll Weevils.

How do you prevent boll weevils?

Prevent Grain Weevils

Inspect all grains upon purchase.
Freeze grains for at least 1 week (or store permanently in the freezer) to kill any eggs.
Buy grains in small quantities and eat within a reasonable period of time. ...
Store grains in tightly sealed glass, metal, or sturdy plastic containers (not bags).

Are boll weevils harmful to humans?

Weevils, whether in larval or adult stage, are not harmful to humans or animals. Although it may seem unsavory to you, they can be eaten along with any food they have infested without causing any ill effects. ... If weevils eat the grains and die, observers know pesticides are present.

In what month does the boll weevil normally arrive?

Adult weevils overwinter in well-drained areas in or near cotton fields, and farms after diapause. They emerge and enter cotton fields from early spring through midsummer, with peak emergence in late spring, and feed on immature cotton bolls.

Do boll weevils fly?

The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) attacks cotton crops; it lays its eggs inside cotton bolls and the larvae eat their way out. ... Some weevils have the ability to fly, such as the rice weevil.

Do boll weevils bite?

Stored product weevils do not bite and they do not cause damage to dry, decay-free wood inside homes. A few weevils attack stored grains and seeds. They can be very destructive, and their damage is often very expensive.

How do you get rid of weevils?

Cloves and bay leaves act as natural repellents to weevils. Place a few bay leaves in your dried food containers to ward off these pests, and position several cloves of garlic around your pantry and kitchen to deter these bugs from making a home in your pantry. White vinegar is also known to kill pesky pantry weevils.

What destroyed much of Alabama's cotton in 1915?

When boll weevils destroyed the cotton harvest in 1915, it was devastating. Until then, cotton had been the region's largest crop.

What does a Bo Weevil look like?

What Do They Look Like? Color: Boll weevils are black, reddish-brown, or gray in color. Size: These weevils measure an average of 6 mm in length.

What happens if you eat weevils?

Weevils, whether in larval or adult stage, are not harmful to humans or animals, in fact, weevils in your food determine whether there is any residue from pesticides in the grains. ... If they still persist, you can place the grain in the freezer. This should kill them.

Do weevils like sugar?

Flour, rice, other grains, sugar and seeds are all susceptible to weevil infestations if improperly stored. ... Grains and other food susceptible to weevils should be placed in the freezer for at least 72 hours to kill any larvae or adult weevil.

Can weevils infest your house?

Weevils that come indoors for shelter can infest every room in the home. ... Rice weevils, bean weevils and other stored food weevils feed inside food packages. They can remain hidden in the pantry for a long time. Homeowners might spot adult weevils wandering on the shelves or floor of the pantry.

How do I get rid of boll weevils in my garden?

Vine Weevil Control

Remove mulch and other hiding places from around plants and water only when necessary (larvae and adults prefer moist soil).
As non-flying insects, weevils travel from plant to plant by walking. ...
Apply 100% organic Diatomaceous Earth for long-lasting pest protection.

How long do boll weevils live?

Boll weevils live approximately 3 weeks, so many generations can breed in one season. Most of the damage comes from the boll weevil larvae.

What kind of natural predators are now used to combat the boll weevil?

Fire ants that had danger sting, spiders and birds are the natural predators of Boll Weevil that sometimes come out from a period of suspended development in an insect before cotton buds are available.