Integrated use of Anthonomus eugenii, pepper weevil, oviposition deterrent pheromone and nanoparticle clay for sustainable pest mangement

Authors: GRIESHEIMER, JESSICA - University Of Florida; MARTINI, XAVIER - University Of Florida; SEAL, KAKSHINA - University Of Florida; Gaffke, Alexander

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/14/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Pepper weevil is the most destructive insect pest of pepper crops in the United States. Infestations can reduce yields to zero and significantly raise production costs for farmers. Standard control measures are costly and commonly ineffective. New pest management strategies are needed for pepper weevil. Research was conducted by a scientist from the USDA-ARS Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research Unit in Tallahassee, FL in collaboration with researchers from the University of Florida to investigate new management strategies for pepper weevil. The research identified that peppers treated with a nanoparticle clay, and treated with an oviposition deterring pheromone, reduced egg laying and feeding by pepper weevil adults. Additionally, the research discovered enhanced deterrence when the nanoparticle was dyed red. This research identifies new pest management strategies that could be deployed in the field to control pepper weevil infestations.

Technical Abstract: Anthonomus eugenii, the pepper weevil, is a devastating pest of pepper production with a spread throughout the Caribbean, southern United States, southern California, and as far north as Canada. The life cycle of A. eugenii primarily occurs inside a pepper fruit, protecting these stages from contact-based insecticidal sprays. Only the adult stage is susceptible to chemical management strategies however, these strategies are expensive to growers with negative impacts on agroecosystems leading to a critical need for new management strategies such as initial oviposition deterrence. Female A. eugenii deposit an oviposition deterrent pheromone (ODP) after oviposition, indicating to other females the pepper has been occupied. This study investigated the effect of dye and a previously characterized A. eugenii ODP in combination with a nanoparticle clay matrix to evaluate initial oviposition deterrence. Results of this study indicated peppers treated with a concentration of 10% ODP + kaolin clay reduced oviposition events. When peppers were treated with red-dyed kaolin clay, the rate of oviposition was also decreased. Further investigations of dyed and ODP infused kaolin clay should be conducted in greenhouse and field conditions to evaluate their effectiveness against initial oviposition in traditional agricultural settings.