Feeding, oviposition and development of the pepper weevil, (Anthonomus eugeniiCano), on selected species of Solanaceae†

Abstract The pepper weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano was found to feed, oviposit, and complete its larval development in the fruit and/or flowers of a number of Capsicum and Solanum species. Several of these plants, including S. americanum (American black nightshade), S. pseudogracile, S. eleagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade) and S. carolinense (horse‐nettle) are found in Florida and other pepper‐growing regions of the US and possibly can serve as alternative hosts for the pepper weevil. The pepper weevil was found to complete its development in pepper flowers in addition to the fruits, although more eggs were deposited in pepper fruit than in flowers. Oviposition in American black nightshade flowers was not observed. The development time of the pepper weevil from egg to adult in bell pepper and American black nightshade fruit kept at 25.7–27.7°C was about 14 days. Keywords: Pepper weevilpeppernightshadeSolanumCapsicumAnthonomus eugenii Notes Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series Number R‐01047. Present address, Department of Zoology, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA.