The Mango Stem Borers, Batocera rufomaculata, belonging to the Family Cerambycidae of the Order Coleoptera, is native to India, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East. It is a wood-boring beetle that bores into the stem and branches, weakening the tree and eventually causing it to die.
The larvae also feed on the mango tree’s leaves, flowers, and fruits, causing premature fruit drop and reducing yields. To effectively manage this pest, it is important to understand its life cycle, its preferred habitats, and the best methods for controlling it. This article will provide an overview and discussion of the Mango Stem Borer Pest in Mango crops, including its symptoms, identification techniques, and control.
Mango Stem Borer Pest Management
Life Cycle of Mango Stem Borer Pest in Mango Crop
The life cycle of the mango stem borer pest has four stages. They are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The life cycle of the mango stem borer pest in mango crops typically begins when adults lay their eggs at the base of the mango stalk. The eggs hatch into larvae. They feed on the tree’s inner bark and burrow deeper inside the stalk as they mature.
After approximately six weeks, the larvae will pupate, forming a protective cocoon within the stalk. The adult stems borer emerges from the cocoon and feeds on the mango leaves and flowers. The adults will feed on these parts of the tree for up to two weeks before they mate, and the female lays eggs at the base of the mango stalk. The cycle then starts all over again.
Occurrence of Mango Stem Borer Pest in Mango Crop
Location of Mango Stem Borer pest: This pest infests mango crops in India, Africa, Colombia, Mexico, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Italy, the Philippines, and the United States. In India, the pest infests the crops in the states, especially Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu.
Host range: The pest primarily infests mango crops, but it can also feed on other crops such as Apple, Fig, Jackfruit, Papaya, Eucalyptus, Mulberry, Rubber, Silk Cotton, and Moringa.
Factors Favoring the Population Increase of Mango Stem Borer Pest in Mango Crop
- Availability of host plants – The mango stem borer is an obligate feeder on mango trees and other members of the Anacardiaceae family.
- Climate – The mango stem borer thrives in tropical climates with high temperatures and humidity. These conditions are ideal for the growth and development of the pest, allowing it to reproduce quickly and in large numbers.
- Lack of natural predators – The mango stem borer is not highly susceptible to natural predators, including birds and insects.
- Cultivation practices – Poor cultivation practices, such as overcrowding of mango trees, can also provide ideal conditions for the mango stem borer to thrive.
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