From flower buds to bolls: how cotton reproductive structures shape boll weevil development, reproduction and survival
Feeding on cotton flower buds sustains continuous reproduction in A. grandis grandis, whereas boll-based diets reduce vitellogenesis and favor survival through lipid accumulation. This nutritional shift explains how tropical populations persist during host-free periods but resume reproduction once they return to flower bud feeding. The findings highlight the need for strict crop-free intervals and provide a physiological basis for refining integrated management strategies. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Authors
- Guilherme Gomes Rolim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4254-6226)
- Roberta Ramos Coelho (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5733-1981)
- Franklin Magliano da Cunha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5461-6968)
- Jorge Braz Torres
- José Dijair Antonino
- Valéria Wanderley‐Teixeira
Institutions
- Faculdade Frassinetti do Recife (BR)
- Instituto Cuiabano de Educação (BR)
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pest Management Science
- Published
- 2026-01-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.70574
- Primary Topic
- Research in Cotton Cultivation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00