Control of Pepper Weevil Adults, 1987

The efficacy of various insecticides and insecticide combinations for pepper weevil control was assessed by observing adult mortality in two experiments in mature bell peppers grown on a Hidalgo clay loam soil. Plots consisted of 0.004 acre (25 ft × two 40-inch beds) with one double-row bed as a buffer row. Four cardboard trays (18 × 24 inches) were anchored underneath plants to catch dying weevil adults. In the second experiment, the number of trays was increased to 6/plot. Treatments were randomized among plots and arranged in a randomized block design with 3 replicates. Dead weevils were removed with a hand vacuum from each tray and counted at 1, 2, and 5 days after treatments were applied. The first experiment was sprayed on 24 Jun with a CO2-powered backpack sprayer mounted with 3 TX-18 nozzles/bed, calibrated to deliver 77 gal/acre at 50 psi. A water-only spray was used as the untreated check. The second experiment was conducted at a nearby location in a similar manner except that 45.5 gal/acre at 70 psi was delivered by 3 TX-10 nozzles/bed. Also, 4 replicates of each treatment were used in the second experiment.