The boll weevil was a type of beetle that devastated cotton crops in the Southern United States in the early 20th century. It first appeared in the South in the 1890s and quickly spread, causing major damage to cotton fields. Farmers tried various methods to control the pest, but ultimately had to switch to more resilient crops such as soybeans and peanuts. The boll weevil's impact on the cotton industry led to significant economic hardship for many farmers in the region.
