Overwintering Habitat Impact on Boll Weevil Control and
Eradication in New Mexico J. Breen Pierce, Assistant Professor
Patricia Yates, Research Assistant Chris Hair, Research
Technician/ College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental
Sciences New Mexico State University This publication is
scheduled to be updated and reissued 4/06. Overwintering habitat
has a dramatic impact on boll weevil populations in New Mexico.
As in the High Plains of Texas, the location and amount of good
overwintering habitat has been critical in the establishment of
boll weevil at economically damaging levels. When populations
are low, yield losses are largely restricted to fields near good
overwintering habitat. Identifying favorable boll weevil
overwintering habitats is particularly important in eradication
and suppression programs. When such habitats can be identified,
scarce resources can be allocated more efficiently, with
monitoring and control efforts concentrated in the areas at
highest risk. This knowledge also allows f