Banana weevils is a key banana production constraint these damage and shortens the period over which the plant remains productive.
The larvae stage is the most destructive stage of the banana weevil life cycle. Female adults weevils lay eggs in the pseudo stem these hatch into larvae that tunnels into the corm weakening the plant thus reducing yields. Banana weevil infestation is easily identified by stunted plant growth, falling of plants, tunnelling of larvae in corm and adult weevils at or near plant base.
Weevil prevention
Use clean planting materials such as tissue cultured plants, paired and chemical treated suckers.
At planting apply pesticide like FURAN 5 GR directly to holes to reduce weevil attack by natural re infestation.
Weevil control
Use weevil traps by splitting the pseudo stem into 25cm and lay them at plant base after collect and destroy weevils.
Manage crop residues by removing dry leaf sheath around plant base, chopping pseudo stem after harvest to remove weevil breeding sites.
Treat suckers with boiling water for 30 seconds to kill weevil eggs and larvae.
Use both contact and systematic chemicals like DISBAN and FURAN respectively 2 – 4 times a year. Chemical application is effective during rainy season.
