ABSTRACT

The effect of module tarps on survival of boll weevils trapped on the upper surface of the module by the tarp was investigated. Weevil mortality was very high during hot weather whether weevils were under the module tarp or not. Significant differences in mortality between the tarped and untarped areas were noted during the moderate weather period, but not during the hot or cold weather periods indicating that extremes of temperature override any influence of the tarp. Variation in temperature indicated that weather factors such as solar radiation and rainfall may have different effects on the tarped and untarped areas. Work is in progress to develop a multiple variable model to predict weevil mortality from weather data factors, then to develop simple criteria to predict whether a cotton module has live weevils under the tarp.