Heat-Induced Paralysis in the Adult Boll Weevil : Effect on Reproduction and Longevity

Boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, remained paralyzed for 1–60 h following 5-min exposures to temperatures between 46° and 51°C. Males were slightly more tolerant than females. The 28-day survival of males that had remained comatose for ca. one day after exposure to 50°C was no different than that of the controls. Females treated at this temperature remained paralyzed for 1–2 days, but then resumed normal feeding activity and laid almost as many viable eggs as the controls by the 7th day posttreatment.