Boll Weevil Eradication
Plant Protection & Quarantine
December 2002
Q. What is the Boll Weevil Eradication Program?
A. This program is a cooperative effort in which the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and State officials work
with cotton growers to eradicate the boll weevil, in incremental
stages, from the United States. Since 1892, when it first entered
this country, the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) has
plagued U.S. cotton farmers. Boll weevil eradication began with
a successful trial program in North Carolina and Virginia in 1978-1980.
Since then, this program has expanded to include cotton acreage
in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee,
Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona,
California, and adjacent areas of northwest Mexico. Approximately
95 percent of all U.S. cotton is currently covered by the program,
and the remaining areas are likely to be included in the near
future.
Q. How does the program work?
A. Authorization to operate the program locally is usually
established through State legislation and grower-approved referenda.
Most States have a boll weevil eradication foundation with cotton-producer
members either elected or appointed along with State agricultural
officials. USDA cooperates by providing technical support and
limited funding. Initially, in each new State, program managers
implement an eradication phase to eliminate the boll weevils and
then a post-eradication phase to prevent reinfestation.
Q. Where is the program active?
A. The program is currently working to eradicate the
boll weevil in Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana,
Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Arizona, and California have
all successfully eradicated the boll weevil, along with portions
of Tennessee and Texas. Most recently, Kansas was added to that
list after extensive trapping data in 2000 and 2001 confirmed
the State is weevil free.
Q. How is the boll weevil eradicated?
A. Three main techniques—pheromone traps for detection,
cultural practices, and chemical treatments for control—are
employed over a 3- to 4-year period. In most areas, in addition
to the cultural controls, the program begins with a series of
treatments in the fall. In subsequent years, traps are placed
around all cotton fields in the spring as cotton is planted. Control
operations begin about 5 or 6 weeks later. Continuous, season–
trapping pinpoints areas of infestation and triggers necessary
treatments until all weevils are gone. This usually takes about
3 to 4 years.
Q. What chemicals are used?
A. Malathion is the primary pesticide used to eradicate
the bollweevil. It is applied to cotton fields at ultra–low-volume
rates of 10-12 ounces per acre (43,560 square feet) from contract
aircraft. That’s like taking a can of soda and evenly distributing
it over a football field. Tractors and truck-mounted sprayers
are also used to treat fields that cannot be treated with aircraft.
The application rate is slightly higher for ground equipment,
approximately 16 ounces, because it is difficult to calibrate
the equipment to release smaller amounts.
Q. How many chemical treatments does the program apply
in each area?
A. The program applies insecticide only in cotton fields
where infestations are detected. In most new program areas, treatments
begin in the late summer or early fall. Infested fields will generally
receive an average of seven applications during these initial
treatments. Applications are monitored, especially around environmentally
sensitive areas such as schools, hospitals, churches, and housing
developments, to guard against exposure. After the initial fall
applications, treatments in subsequent seasons are applied only
where weevils are detected, from pre bloom until harvest. Based
on continuous trapping surveys, the number of fields requiring
treatment in subsequent years usually goes down dramatically until
eradication is accomplished.
Q. How are aerial applicators hired?
A. The program’s grower organizations, including
State regulatory officials, solicit bids for the aerial application
of insecticide. Bids are reviewed by program managers, and contracts
are awarded by the organizations on a competitive basis. All applicators
must comply with State and Federal regulations and the requirements
for certification.
Q. Who actually runs the program?
A. The following organizations are responsible for daily
program operations in the areas indicated: Southeastern Boll Weevil
Eradication Foundation, Inc. (VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN,
and MO); Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (AR); Louisiana
Boll Weevil Eradication Commission (LA); Oklahoma Boll Weevil
Eradication Organization (OK); Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation
(TX); South Central New Mexico and Pecos Valley (NM) Cotton Boll
Weevil Control Committees (NM).
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) provides technical support
and limited Federal funds. The State departments of agriculture
provide regulatory support, and USDA’s extension service
helps in disseminating program information and providing other
valuable information regarding crop production.
Q. How does the program expand into new areas?
A. Expansion of the program usually requires cotton producers
within the area of proposed expansion to pass a referendum with
at least a two-thirds majority. State regulatory agencies are
authorized under State laws to hold such referendums. Once a referendum
passes, participation becomes mandatory according to State law.
Without mandatory participation, eradication could not be accomplished.
Q. How do growers benefit from participating in the program?
A. Growers benefit by eliminating all crop damage and
losses caused by the boll weevil and all costs related to controlling
this pest. Once the boll weevil is eradicated from an area, growers
typically experience an increase in cotton yield of at least 10
percent, significantly more in some areas. Moreover, resurgence
of beneficial insects preying on other cotton pests further reduces
the need for pesticides, resulting in additional cost savings.
After eradication, the grower’s cost of production is significantly
lower, yield is often greater, land value increases, and integrated
control programs for other cotton pests become much more feasible.
Q. How does the general public benefit from boll weevil
eradication?
A. As the weevil and its damage are eliminated from an
area, the local cotton industry becomes more stable and cotton
acreage tends to increase. The reduced cost of production results
in cotton becoming more profitable, allowing growers to spend
greater amounts in the local community for equipment, goods, and
services. In Georgia, for instance, the economic benefits have
been dramatic, with average gross crop revenues increasing from
$70 million per year prior to eradication to $400 million per
year afterwards. As a result of this increased profitability,
rural and ultimately Statewide economies are strengthened.
Q. Are there long-term environmental benefits from eradicating
the boll weevil?
A. The long-term environmental benefits that come from
eradicating the boll weevil are significant. After the boll weevil
is eradicated from an area, the need for insecticides is significantly
reduced, and in many areas nearly eliminated. Cotton growers experience
a 40 to 90 percent reduction in their overall use of insecticides.
In addition, a weevil-free environment allows growers to rely
less on insecticides and to make full use of beneficial insects
in developing their long-term pest management strategies.
Q. How long will it take to complete the program?
A. Although areawide boll weevil eradication began in
1983, the nationwide effort involves over 50 different program
areas or zones. The program has expanded into these zones in a
somewhat orderly sequence, with only a few zones not yet covered
by the program. Many zones have just started the program within
the last year or two. Once a zone begins eradication activities,
it usually takes about 3 to 4 years for weevil populations to
be eliminated. At that point, the zone moves into the post eradication
phase to guard against reinfestation. Nationwide eradication is
expected by 2006.
Q. How is the program’s cost financed?
A. Boll weevil eradication is a cooperative effort in
funding as well as in field operations. Growers typically pay
at least 70 percent of the program’s cost, while a combination
of APHIS and State appropriations pays for the remaining 30 percent.
In some areas, the State contribution has been as high as 50 percent.
The growers’ share is collected as an assessment, based
either on the number of acres grown or bales produced. In addition
to APHIS’ cost-share cash contributions to the program,
USDA’s Farm Service Agency has provided critical loans to
grower organizations involved in eradication. These loans have
allowed growers to spread the program cost over a few more years,
thereby reducing the amount of their annual assessments to more
affordable levels.
Q. What is done to prevent reinfestation? What will keep
the boll weevil from returning?
A. Domestically, seed cotton, trash from cotton gins,
and used cotton-harvesting equipment are inspected, treated if
necessary, and certified “pest free” before they can
be moved into weevil free areas. These measures are designed to
keep boll weevils from being transported into an area from which
the pest has been eliminated. In addition, the planting of noncommercial
(ornamental or experimental) cotton is restricted during the active
eradication phase. During the post-eradication phase, trapping
continues around cotton fields to detect any reinfestation. Localized
treatments are applied quickly if reinfestation occurs. Internationally,
APHIS continues to cooperate with the government of Mexico to
implement the eradication program in adjacent cotton-growing areas
of northern Mexico.
Q. What are the post-eradication costs?
A. Typical post-eradication costs, in the eight States
where eradication is completed, range from $5 to $10 per acre
initially and then level out to about $3.50 per acre per year.
Eventually, as nationwide eradication is accomplished, these costs
will decline significantly because the risk of reintroduction
will decrease, reducing the need for trapping and other preventive
work.
Q. How long will Federal funds be needed to support the
program?
A. Federal funding decisions are made each year by the
Congress. Active eradication is likely to continue until 2006,
when nationwide eradication is expected. In the interim, Federal
funds are expected to offset a portion of the program’s
cost, making it possible for growers to participate. The amount
of Federal funding needed is expected to decline steadily over
the next few years.
Q. How will the eradication program affect other cotton
insects?
A. The boll weevil is considered the key pest in cotton
production because the insecticides that cotton growers use early
in the season to control weevils also eliminate many beneficial
insects. As the need for early-season boll weevil sprays is eliminated,
these beneficial insects can increase in number and become effective
in controlling other cotton pests, like worms and aphids. Growers
in eradicated areas can now delay their initial spray operations,
reduce pesticide rates, use alternative pesticides or genetically
engineered cotton varieties, or lengthen the intervals between
sprays to reduce their operating costs while controlling any remaining
cotton pests.
Q. Who can answer additional questions about the program?
A. You may contact the following offices for more information
about the program: Southeastern Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation,
Inc. (VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, TN, MO) at (800) 269-9925; Arkansas
Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (AR) at (877) 678-2292; Louisiana
Boll Weevil Eradication Commission (LA) at (225) 952-8105; Oklahoma
Boll Weevil Eradication Organization (OK) at (800) 246-4810; Texas
Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation (TX) at (800) 687-1212; South
Central New Mexico Cotton Boll Weevil Control Committee at (505)
541-0584; and the Pecos Valley (NM) Cotton Boll Weevil Control
Committee at (505) 746-8700. In addition APHIS’ national
program office can be reached at (301) 734-8676.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation,
or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication
of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should
contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue,
SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202)720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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