Bionomics and management of the pseudostem weevil Odoiporus longicollis Oliver (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in banana – A review
Abstract
The banana pseudostem weevil (BPW) Odoiporus longicollis Oliver (Coleoptera: Curculiondae) is a serious pest limiting the production and productivity of bananas and plantains in several parts of India and other countries. It is a monophagous pest and both larvae and adult cause severe damage to banana and plantains and the important symptoms of infestation are exudation of sap from the leaf sheaths, yellowing and withering of leaves, and decaying of peduncles resulting in the immature ripening of fruits. Field sanitation, use of healthy suckers, periodical pruning of suckers and removal and destruction of infested pseudostems reduce the incidence of the pest. The disc-on stump and longitudinal split pseudostem traps can be efficiently used to monitor and reduce the BPW population. Pseudostem injection of monocrotophos or dimethoate: water (1:5 ratio) can be recommended for the effective management of this pest.
