Mango stem borer and its management

Management of mango stem borer is a very important step because it can kill any mango tree. There are two species of mango stem borer, first is Bactocera rufomaculata DeGeer, and second is Bactocera rubus Linnaeus.

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Contents
(1). Distribution
(2). Hosts
(3). Damage
(4). Identification
(5). Life cycle
(6). Symptoms of damage
(7). Management practices

(1). Distribution

Both, Bactocera rufomaculata DeGeer and Bactocera rubus Linnaeus have a wide range of occurance across the country.

(2). Hosts

• Mango.
• Fig.
• And other fruit crops.

(3). Damage

Damage is caused by the grub stage. Grubs bore into branches or main stem. They may start to bore the branches or stem from any point.

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(4). Identification

4.1: Identification of full grown larva

(I). Grub is fleshy and stout.
(II). Colour of body is yellowish-white.
(III). Length of the larva is 6 cm.
(IV). The dark head of larva has strong mandibles.

4.2: Identification of adult

(I). Adult is a large longicorn beetle.
(II). It is pale greyish.
(III). Adult is 5 cm long and 2 cm wide beetle.
(IV). Bactocera rufomaculata DeGeer is larger than B. rubus Linnaeus.
(V). Beetles have long legs and antennae.
(VI). It has dirty white bands on back which extends from the head to tip of the body on each side.
(VII). Head has big eyes.
(VIII). Many dirty yellowish spots are present on the elytra.
(IX). Pronotum has two crescent orange-yellow spots.

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(5). Life cycle

(I). It has a long life cycle.
(II). Adults generally appear during monsoon.
(III). The adult females spots loose barks on branches and stems to deposit eggs.
(IV). First feeding: Grubs start to bore into the branches, stems, or roots by feeding on woody tissues.
(V). Grub pass winter season in those burrows.
(VI). Second feeding: After the end of the winter season, the pest starts feeding on woody portion by making galleries.
(VII). Now, the larva will make a place for pupation.
(VIII). Larval stage lasts for a year.
(IX). Pupa stage lasts for a month.
(X). Entire life cycle is of 1-2 years.

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(6). Symptoms of damage

(I). It targets an specific area, which is stem, branches, or roots.
(II). External symptom is not visible.
(III). The affected site can be spotted from the sap or grass that comes out of the hole.
(IV). The pest is also present in fallen trees.

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(7). Management practices

(I). Cut the infested branches with grubs pupae.
(II). Destroy these branches.
(III). Mix 4 ml of methyl parathion with 1 litre of water.
(IV). Remove frass from the holes on main stem.
(V). Inject the insecticide and close the holes.