There are now 6 non-farm locations where adult pepper weevils are being trapped. Traps at 3 farm sites have also caught weevils in the past week, including 2 pepper fields. Large numbers of weevils are being trapped at one of these non-farm sites, 54 in a 4 day period. It is not clear if this represents typical numbers or if this year the number of weevils is exceptional.
Farmers are advised to prevent an infestation of pepper weevil because there are currently no registered insecticides that will exterminate the population once the weevils have become established. To become established there must be at least flowers present on the plants. The female weevil lays eggs into flowers and developing fruit which the plants will abort. As the smaller fruit drop off, the weevils will lay eggs in larger fruit. Without treatment, crop loss could reach 80%. Insurance insecticidal applications are recommended before plants produce flowers or fruit.
Insecticidal control is difficult and expensive. Once a field is infested, University of Florida researchers and extension personnel recommend weekly applications of Actara alternating with Vydate. A University of Florida 2011 insecticidal trial indicated that alternating Vydate with Belay or Leverage may also suppress weevil populations almost as well as Actara.
The cool, windy weather of the past few days probably hindered the movement and development of the weevils. Unfortunately, upcoming weekend temperatures reaching into the 80’s will favor the weevil.
