Overwintered boll weevils,Anthonomus grandisBoheman, were caged on various food sources to determine their longevity after emergence from winter habitat. Weevils caged on a combination of nonfruiting-fruiting cotton survived longer than those confined on nonfruiting cotton, a wild feeding host (Hymenopappus flavescensGray), and those held without food. Only weevils feeding on fruiting cotton exhibited a high percentage of survival beyond 20 days. The relatively short life span of overwintered weevils not having access to fruiting cotton supports the concept of delayed uniform cotton planting as a cultural management technique.