ABSTRACT
The North American distribution of Cienfuegosia drummondii, a member of the Malvaceae, is apparently restricted to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Coastal Bend of Texas. It is a known reproductive host of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman. As a potential source of boll weevil, particularly in present or future eradication zones, more knowledge is needed of C. drummondi's importance to population dynamics of the pest. Our study showed the presence of C. drummondi populations in previously unreported soil types, indicating widespread and common occurrence of the plant in non-cultivated habitats of the Coastal Bend. We found that C. drummondii can provide early season oviposition sites for boll weevil about 45 days prior to hostable cotton square availability, and that flower buds and fruit capsules of C. drummondii can be available for about four months after cotton stalk destruction deadlines. Boll weevil infestation of C. drummondii varied considerably between field sites and years, with the highest percent recorded after the regulated cotton production season. Several native and exotic ectoparasitoids parasitized boll weevils infesting reproductive structures of C. drummondii, indicating the potential of biological control for management of boll weevil in non-cotton habitat.
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