The hatching eggs cause squares to flare and drop to the ground in 5 to 7 days. The average time to complete the life cycle from egg to emergence of adult is 21 days. In midsummer the life cycle may be as short as 16 days. The damage done by adult feeding or the young developing larvae causes squares to flare and drop. Normally, squares only fed upon will bloom unless feeding is extensive and damages the internal structures - in which case, shedding will occur.
Damaged bolls drop or develop abnormally after egg lay or feeding damage.
Feeding signs may be recognized by a small hole in the square that turns dark with time. The cotton scout can recognize boll weevil feeding by the yellow to orange fecal material present on the square. Scouting Check for damaged squares during whole plant inspection at each sample site. Scouts should pay particular attention to areas next to overwintered sites where boll weevil damage occurs first. Damage continues throughout the season.