Management of Pepper Weevil (<em>Anthonomus eugenii</em> Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Using Bio-Rational and Conventional Insecticides

In five studies, we determined the potential of bio-rational and conventional agrichemical insecticides applied alone or in a program. The first study evaluated the efficacy of conventional insecticides applied alone or in rotation. All conventional insecticides significantly reduced pepper weevil-infested fruit, with a few exceptions. Conventional insecticides did not differ from the check in the mean marketable yield. In the second and third studies, proper placement of isocycloseram in a rotation program with oxamyl and thiamethoxam provided significant reduction of pepper weevil adults and infested pepper fruit, and an increase in marketable yield with some exceptions. In the fourth and fifth studies, Beauveria bassiana strains boteGHA significantly reduced adults and infested fruits and was comparable with thiamethoxam and isocycloseram. Isocycloseram significantly increased marketable yield.