Pepper weevil

The pepper weevil (Anthonomus eugenii) belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Curculionidae. It is considered a major destructive pest affecting various crops within the Solanaceae family, requiring strict management practices to prevent significant economic losses.

This insect primarily attacks crops such as bell peppers, chili peppers, eggplants, and occasionally tomatoes. While peppers are the preferred host, wild Solanum species can also serve as alternative food sources, allowing the weevil to survive in the absence of cultivated crops.

The life cycle of the pepper weevil is characterized by complete metamorphosis. Adult females puncture flower buds or small fruits to deposit eggs. After hatching, the larvae feed internally on the floral parts or the fruit tissue, eventually pupating inside the fruit, which often results in the premature abscission of buds and fruits.

Damage caused by this pest is quite distinct: yellowing and dropping of flower buds, as well as the malformation or rotting of fruits. Since larvae develop inside the fruit, internal quality is completely compromised, rendering the produce unsuitable for fresh market or processing.

• Regular monitoring using pheromone traps.
• Rigorous removal and destruction of infested buds and dropped fruits.
• Implementation of a 2-3 year crop rotation without Solanaceous hosts.
• Application of systemic insecticides at the early stage of adult activity.
• Sanitation of greenhouses and fields to eliminate overwintering sites.

Effective control of the pepper weevil relies heavily on Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Because the larval stages are sheltered within the fruit, chemical control must target the adult stage to break the reproductive cycle, highlighting the importance of timing and consistent scouting in the field.