Chalcodermus aeneus
From BugwoodWiki
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Author: Dr. H C Ellis, Dr. D. L. Horton, The University of Georgia, Department of Entomology.
Contents |
- The cowpea curculio is the most destructive insect pest of southern peas.
Description
The adult is an oval hump-backed, bronze-tinged, black "snout" beetle that has small dents on the wing covers and on the upper side of the body. It is about 1/4 inch long. Small, brown, wartlike or blisterlike spots are found on pods damaged by curculios. These are produced when the adult punctures the pod to feed or lay eggs. Damaged peas have small, dark indented spots and often contain grubs.
Hosts
cowpeas, peas, various beans and legumes
Life Cycle
They overwinter as adults in crop refuse or grass in the field or on the field borders. Tufts of broomsedge, particularly at edges of woods, are favorite hiding places for overwintering adults. Adults begin to leave their winter quarters from March through July in Georgia. The overwintering adults are long-lived and may survive through the summer. Eggs are laid as soon as peas are formed in the pods. The weevil punctures the pod, chews a small hole in the surface of the pea and lays a single egg. A legless, pale
Control
The only feasible approach to control of cowpea curculio is a preventive spray program. Curculios will be a serious pest of peas from first bloom until harvest. The current recommended spray schedule begins with a spray at first bloom and repeat treatments made on a five-day schedule until five applications have been made.
