Improved detection and monitoring of pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) in Ontario peppers

The pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii Cano) is a serious invasive pest of peppers in Ontario. The goal of this research was to improve detection and monitoring tools for A. eugenii to minimize losses in cultivated peppers. In lab trials, fewer A. eugenii escaped from sticky cards compared to other trap types, and sticky cards coated with new adhesives formulated for A. eugenii retained the most adults. Trécé pheromone lures attracted the highest number of A. eugenii in field trials compared to other lures. The addition of kairomones did not synergize A. eugenii response to pheromone lures in lab or greenhouse trials, possibly due to experimental conditions that may have affected adult response and behaviour. Therefore, the use of kairomones in A. eugenii monitoring requires further investigation. Until then, the currently available pheromone lures and sticky cards should continue to be used for monitoring for A. eugenii in Ontario pepper crops. Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, OMAFRA-UofG HQP Program and Production Systems (Plants) Program.