Boll Weevil
The boll weevil is best known for causing severe damage to cotton production. Measuring approximately six millimeters in length, boll weevils are believed to be an immigrant species from Mexico. They are present in the United States, as well as in other regions with high cotton crop concentrations, such as South America. Boll weevils are black, reddish-brown or gray in color. A feature common among all subspecies is the presence of spurs at the first joint of the front legs.
The complete life cycle of the boll weevil lasts approximately three weeks. During the larval stage, the boll weevil feeds on the cotton that surrounds it, thus rendering the bud and flower unusable in cotton harvests. Damage can be massive, as one female is capable of laying up to 200 eggs in a two-week period. The name of this insect was derived from its habit of laying eggs in the cotton plant's boll.
Controlling boll weevil populations in American cotton producing states has been a major concern for many years. Since its arrival in the latter 19th century, the boll weevil has caused approximately 14 billion dollars in damage to the cotton industry. Following World War II, American cotton farmers experimented with chemical treatments. However, the environmental and health concerns presented by chemical control agents such as DDT far outweighed their benefits. Furthermore, most chemical treatments are not capable of reaching the larvae and pupae found within the cotton boll. Government-funded assistance programs have been implemented to eradicate this pest.