Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

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Passionfruit collar rot (155)

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Photo 1. Collar region of passion fruit stem showing swelling and rot caused by the ginger weevil, Elytroteinus subtruncatus, followed by wound-invading fungi.

Photo 2. Collar region of the stem cut open to show the grubs inside of the ginger weevil, Elytroteinus subtruncatus.

Summary

• Narrow distribution. Oceania. The ginger weevil has a wide host range,  including coconut, chillies, eggplant, kava, roselle, sweetpotato, and some orchids. An important condition caused by insects and fungi.
• A problem just above soil level (the collar) caused by the ginger weevil and two fungi.
• Weevils lay eggs in the stem, larvae make tunnels and fungi cause rots. Later, the swollen stems crack, leaves fall, vines die back and death results.
• A serious problem, worse during the dry season.
• Cultural control: none recommended.
• Chemical control: use a fungicide, thriam, mixed with latex, painted on the collar region.

Common Name

Collar rot

Scientific Name

This is a problem caused by an insect and two fungi. It includes the ginger weevil, Elytroteinus geophilus (previously, subtruncatus), and the fungi Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Nectria haematococca. The latter is also known by its asexual name, Fusarium solani.

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