- 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, bifenthrin, imidacloprid. Pheromone available for mass capture.
