(Anthonomous grandis) A small brownish to grayish weevil that survives the winter as an adult and invades cotton in the spring to infest one-third grown cotton squares, causing fruit abortion via feeding or egg punctures; completes life cycle within fallen squares in 2 ½ to 3 weeks. Can undergo multiple generations in one year. Boll weevil has historically been the most damaging pest of cotton and at one time infested every acre grown in the United States.

The Boll Weevil Eradication Program was initiated in 1978 in the Carolinas and proved its ability to eliminate this pest from a broad geography. Since then, eradication has been initiated in every cotton growing region. Many areas have completed eradication and are now considered weevil-free. A maintenance program must be conducted each year to eliminate re-introduction of this pest. The importance and value of boll weevil eradication to the US cotton producer cannot be overstated.