Control of the mango seed weevil by trapping and irradiation.
Kok I. B.
Author Affiliation: Navorsingsinstituut vir Sitrus en Subtropiese Vrugte, Nelspruit, South Africa.
Citrus and Subtropical Fruit Journal : 14-16
Abstract : Pests of mango are reviewed and it is reported that one of the most important insect pests is Sternochetus mangiferae (F.). The weevil is of greater importance in late maturing cultivars than in early maturing ones. At harvest of the former, most of the insects are in the adult stage and are then inclined to leave the seed and tunnel through the fruit leaving a scar on the outside; this also serves as a site for secondary fungal development. The beetle population may be reduced by spraying trees in winter or early spring; orchard sanitation by the destruction of scattered pips also contributes. Investigations in South Africa in 1969-77 showed that irradiation of ripe marketable fruit protects it from damage and prevents adult emergence. The most effective dosages ranged from 0.5 to 0.85 kGy; higher ones tended to be phytotoxic to fruit.