Summary

Worldwide distribution. On banana and Musa species. Grubs burrow into the corms causing rots, small bunches, and weak plants that are easily blown over. Symptoms are like “toppling” which is caused by nematodes.
Estimate population with 10 cm thick stem discs, 20 per ha; treat if >4 weevils per disc at 5 days.
Cultural control: plant only weevil-free suckers (slice corms to check for grubs/tunnels); leave land fallow for >3 months before replanting; hot water against nematode (53°C for 20 mins.) will kill grubs; if plants fall, cut the stem so it dries rapidly.
Chemical control: chlorpyrifos, fipronil, bifenthin, imidacloprid. Pheromone available for mass capture.

Common Name

Banana weevil, Banana weevil borer, Banana root borer

Scientific Name

Cosmopolites sordidus

AUTHOR Grahame Jackson
Information from Waterhouse DF, Norris KR (1987) Biological Control Pacific Prospects. Inkata Press. Photo 1 Gerald McCormack, Cook Islands Biodiversity & Natural Heritage. (http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/).

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

This mini fact sheet is a part of the app Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds

The mobile application is available from the Google Play Store and Apple iTunes.