Banana stem weevil

Odoiporus longicollis

Banana stem weevil

Odoiporus longicollis

Banana stem weevil

Odoiporus longicollis

Banana Pseudostem Borer (Odoiporus longicollis)

The banana pseudostem borer, Odoiporus longicollis, is a major pest of banana and plantain plants. It attacks the leaves and stems of the plant, causing heavy losses to farmers.

Symptoms

• Small pinhead-sized holes on the stem
• Fibrous extrusions from the bases of leaf petioles
• Rotting and foul odor
• Dehydrated condition with premature ripening of the bunch
• Yellowing of leaves
• Grubs bore into the pseudostem, making tunnels
• Cutting holes on the outer surface
• Exudation of plant sap, followed by a blackened mass from the borehole
• Tunneled parts decompose, causing the pseudostem to wilt
• Leaves turn yellow, and the plant becomes susceptible to wind damage
• If the larval tunnel passes through the central growing point, the plant is killed

Life Cycle

• Eggs: Yellowish-white, cylindrical, and have rounded ends; laid at random on cut ends of the pseudostem
• Larvae (Grub): Stout, soft, whitish to cream-colored, legless; apodous with a dark brown head
• Pupa: Pale yellow color, fibrous cocoon formed inside the tunneling on the periphery
• Adult: Robust, reddish-brown and black weevil; strong fliers and can live for a year

Pest Management

Chemical Control

• Chemical insecticides can be used to manage the pest effectively.

Biological Control

• Naturally infecting biological control agents, such as entomopathogenic fungi, can be used instead of harmful chemicals.

Other Information

• The adult weevils are black-colored and measure 23-39 mm.
• Red-colored morphs of the banana pseudostem borer are also encountered in certain banana-growing areas of India.
• The weevils are predominantly nocturnal in habit.
• The infestation starts with 5-month-old plants.
• The larva's characteristic habit of cutting a rectangular hole just before completing the cocoon helps locate the cocoon inside the pseudostem.
• In Manipur, India, research found that O. longicollis larval damage to the pseudostems caused plants to fall before the fruit matured.

Conclusion

The banana pseudostem borer is a serious pest that can severely impact banana cultivation. Early detection, proper management strategies, and integrated pest control methods can help mitigate the damage and reduce crop losses