Globemallow, Sphaeralcea spp., as reproductive hosts for the boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Arizona
Palumbo, J.C. | Watson, T.F. | Bergman, D.K.
Use of Sphaeralcea spp. as reproductive hosts of overwintering boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, in Arizona was investigated. Female weevils that had attained reproductive status on cotton squares, Gossypium hirsutum L., consistently failed to oviposit into flower buds of two species of Sphaeralcea. Flower buds of Sphaeralcea treated with an aqueous cotton extract contained significantly more boll weevil feeding punctures than untreated buds. A small proportion of females deposited eggs into the extract-treated Sphaeralcea buds. Significantly less feeding and oviposition occurred in cotton squares treated with an aqueous Sphaeralcea extract, suggesting that Sphaeralcea buds may contain chemical deterrents. Female boll weevils attained reproductive maturity after feeding exclusively on buds of S. emoryi. Mean preoviposition periods for weevils on cotton squares were significantly shorter when females fed on S. emoryi before being placed on cotton; however, the total preoviposition period on Sphaeralcea and cotton combined was considerably longer than when females fed exclusively on cotton. Boll weevils provided S. emoryi buds in simulated Arizona winter and spring environments were capable of attaining sexual maturity during a 60-d test. The role of Sphaeralcea as a potential reproductive host of boll weevils during cotton-free periods is discussed.
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