ARS | Publication request: DIFFERENTIATION OF BOLL WEEVIL (ANTHONOMUS GRANDIS GRANDIS) AND THURBERIA WEEVIL (ANTHONOMUS GRANDIS THURBERIAE) USING PCR-RFLP

Submitted to: National Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 13, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: In the early 1990's a concerted effort was implemented that eliminated the boll weevil as a pest in the cotton growing regions of Arizona. Constant monitoring is maintained to guard against reinfestation. Two potential sources of weevils reappearing in Arizona cotton have been identified. One is accidental transport of boll weevils from other cotton growing regions. The other is migration of thurberia weevils from their natural montane habitat in Arizona. The two types of weevils are behaviorally different but morphologically very similar. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of PCR-amplified mitochondrial DNA revealed several patterns with distinct differences between thurberia weevils from the Arizona mountains and boll weevils from cotton growing regions to the east. These diagnostics should help categorize any weevils that might appear in Arizona cotton and assist decision making for the appropriate response.