Pempherulus affinis (Faust)
(=Pempheres affinis (Faust))

Taxonomic position

Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Curculionidae

Common name

Cotton stem weevil

Habitat / Crop(s) damaged

Mainly cotton. Other host plants known to be attacked include okra, Hibiscus cannabinus, Thespesia populnea, and Triumfetta sp.

The larva burrows into the stem between the bark and stem, causing typical nodular swellings on the stem just above the ground level. Young plants are killed in cases of serious infestation, but older plants survive with reduced vigour. Lodging and breaking of badly infested plants near the swollen regions of the stem occurs during strong winds.

The adult weevils are very small, brownish with a conspicuous down curved snout.

Pest status

Occasionally serious in some parts of South India, particularly Tamil Nadu.

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