Preferred Feeding and Egg Laying Sites of the Boll Weevil and the Effect of Weevil Damage on the Cotton Plant

During 1958 studies of the preferred feeding and egg-laying sites of the boll weevil ( Anthonomus grandis Boheman) were conducted at Stoneville, Miss. Females damaged the fruit of the cotton plant more than males. The preferred feeding and egg-laying sites were the squares on the upper half of the plants when the population was low. As the population increased, small bolls were damaged as well as squares; the damage was intensified on the upper portions of the plants and reached into the lower fruiting branches. Bolls from 1 to 19 days old were subject to weevil damage. Exposure of the cotton plant to feeding and egg laying by the boll weevil for 4 or 5 days resulted initially in increased square abscission and slightly reduced boll abscission. No difference occurred in total boll set for the entire season between the test and check plants.