Reported results of boll weevil diapause studies have been highly variable, often even within studies. Improved understanding of the sources of this variation would aid efforts to study diapause in the boll weevil. Impacts of selected food characters and feeding regimes on the diapause response were examined in preliminary studies as possible sources of variation. Influence of square source (field versus greenhouse) was examined for weevils fed singly (1 square/weevil daily) and in groups (1 square/5 weevils daily). Field-collected squares tended to be smaller, paler in color, and to have more reddish coloration on the bracts than greenhouse grown squares. Influence of square size was examined by feeding squares with diameters either <7 mm or >7 mm to groups of weevils. Finally, diets of 1 square/5 weevils, 1 boll/10 weevils, or 2 squares plus 1 boll/20 weevils, each replenished 3 times weekly, were examined to identify practical feeding regimes that consistently elicit a high level of diapause. Occurrence of diapause in weevils fed field-collected squares was similar to that in weevils fed greenhouse grown squares. However, differences in square size may have masked the effects of square source because a diet of squares >7 mm resulted in a higher proportion of diapause than did a diet of squares <7 mm. There was no statistical difference in diapause response among diets of squares, bolls, or both. However, diets incorporating bolls tended to provide a numerically greater and more consistent diapause response than did diets of squares alone. These preliminary results suggest the need for stricter control over diets used in boll weevil diapause studies.