Diflubenzuron plus cottonseed oil: effects on boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) cuticle hardness, mating, and flight

Laboratory studies were done to measure physiological effects of diflubenzuron when formulated in cottonseed oil and applied at very low rates to boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman. Tests were designed to measure cuticle softness, mating propensity, and effect on flight. We found significant differences within treatments in all three studies as the dose increased. Cottonseed oil formulations containing 25% diflubenzuron reduced cuticle hardness by 46.2-61.0%. Cottonseed oil formulations containing 12.5-25% diflubenzuron reduced mating by 22.2-35.4% and flight by 11.6-21.2%