Boll Weevil
the most serious pest of cotton in the United States, a species of weevil which deposits its eggs in the "squares" or young buds of the cotton plant. It first appeared in Texas from Mexico in 1892, and since then has steadily extended its domain until this now covers practically the entire cotton belt of the southern states. The annual damage to the cotton crop is estimated at from eight to ten million dollars, but a much larger figure would be necessary to cover the losses due to reduction in plantings. All efforts thus far to exterminate the weevil have been unsuccessful, although certain measures have been partially effective in reducing its