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What bug destroyed cotton crops?
boll weevils
What adult boll weevils lack in size they make up for with their larvae’s ability to feed on and destroy cotton. Boll weevils entered the U.S. from Mexico in the late 1800s, when they were first spotted in Texas. By the 1920s they had spread through all of the major cotton-producing areas in the country.
How did the boll weevil affect Mississippi?
Though the boll weevil caused significant damage elsewhere, no state depended on cotton the way Mississippi did. During its first year in Mississippi the weevil destroyed less than 1 percent of the state’s cotton, but by 1913 it was present throughout the state and destroyed more than a third of the crop.
Is the boll weevil still alive?
Today, the boll weevil has been eradicated in the United States. The last states to eradicate the weevil were the mid-South cotton-production region, which is Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee, and in Texas, New Mexico and parts of Alabama.
What does weevil look like?
Weevils are small beetles that have noticeable snouts. They are often lightbulb- or pear-shaped. The immature, legless, grub-like larvae feed on plants. Adult weevils look for shelter in unfavorable weather conditions, especially when it is hot and dry.
How does boll weevil destroy cotton plant?
Boll weevils can completely destroy a cotton crop. Boll weevils eat all the buds off the plants; they destroy any cotton that the plants manage to produce by eating and laying eggs in the cotton.
How does boll weevil destroy the cotton plant?
What threat does the boll weevil make to the farmer?
The destruction of cotton fields by the boll weevil spread from Texas across the South and Southwest so that by the Great Depression, cotton farmers had already suffered from many years of devastatingly poor harvests. Eventually it found its way to California cotton fields as well. and put him in the hot sand.
What does boll weevil look like?
Appearance. Color: Boll weevils are black, reddish-brown, or gray in color. Size: These weevils measure an average of 6 mm in length.
How do you identify a weevil?
Look for these 2 main signs if you suspect you have weevils:
- Leaves will appear scalloped or marginally notched. A large infestation may even consume the leaves entirely, leaving only the main vein.
- Stunted growth and yellowing, wilted leaves.
How do I get rid of weevils?
Eliminate Grain Weevils
- Discard any infested foods.
- Vacuum pantry shelves, cracks, and crevices.
- Wipe shelves with white vinegar.
- Dispose of garbage and vacuum bags outside, away from the home.
- Check regularly for reappearance — it may take awhile to get rid of them completely.
How do you get rid of weevils?