Since its migration from Mexico in the late 19th century, the boll weevil had been the single most destructive cotton pest in the United States, and possibly the most destructive agricultural pest in the United  States. The cost of its crop depredations has been estimated at $300 million per year.
The boll weevil's introduction from Mexico in the late 19th century marked a turning point in U.S. agriculture, as it became the primary cotton pest causing significant damage to crops. The economic impact of this pest is substantial, with annual losses estimated at $300 million.