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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Pierce, Florida » U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory » Subtropical Insects and Horticulture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #156563
Title: ANTECEDENTES Y ESTRATEGIAS PARA EL COMBATE DE DIAPREPES ABBREVIATUS, PLAGA INVASORA DEL CARIBE

Author
item Lapointe, Stephen

Submitted to: Manejo Integrado De Plagas Y Agroecologia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2004
Publication Date: 4/1/2004
Citation: Lapointe, S.L. 2004. Antecedentes y estrategias para el combate de Diaprepes abbreviatus, plaga invasora del Caribe (in spanish). Manejo Integrado De Plagas Y Agroecologia (Costa Rica). 71:106-111.

Interpretive Summary: This manuscript is the result of an invitation by the Colombian entomological society to present a plenary lecture on the importance and biology of the Diaprepes root weevil. The weevil most likely evolved in the Caribbean, but was accidentally introduced into Florida in the 1960's where it has become a major pest of citrus and ornamental plants. Throughout the Caribbean, this weevil has been a pest of many crops and has been battled by farmers and studied by entomologists. The early efforts to control the pest and the biological knowledge generated by entomologists in the Caribbean are recounted. Also, a summary is given of recent efforts by the USDA, ARS and others to develop environmentally appropriate control methods for use in Florida.

Technical Abstract: This manuscript is the result of an invitation by the Colombian entomological society to present a plenary lecture on the importance and biology of the Diaprepes root weevil. The weevil most likely evolved in the Caribbean, where the greatest phenotypic diversity can be found. The Diaprepes root weevil was accidentally introduced into Florida in the 1960's where it has become a major pest of citrus and ornamental plants. Throughout the Caribbean, this weevil has been a pest of many crops and has been battled by farmers and studied by entomologists. Early efforts to control the pest included mass collection and introduction of amphibian predators. Early entomologists generated basic biological knowledge but research declined after the emergence of broad-spectrum inorganic pesticides in the 1940's. A summary is given of recent efforts by the USDA, ARS and others to develop environmentally appropriate control methods for use in Florida.