Biology and incidence of banana pseudostem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis in Mysuru region

Abstract

Laboratory studies on the biology of the banana pseudostem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis, unveiled key insights into its life cycle. The incubation period ranged from 3.00 to 4.00 days. Larval development comprised five instars, with durations of 2.75, 4.05, 5.85, 6.65, and 13.15 days for instars I to V, respectively, resulting in a total larval duration ranging from 25.00 to 36.00 days. The pre-pupal period lasted for 2.00 to 5.00 days, while the pupal period varied from 15.00 to 21.00 days. The entire developmental period from egg hatching to adult emergence spanned from 48.00 to 65.00 days. Adult longevity ranged between 50.00 and 62.00 days. Females laid a total of 17.00 to 21.00 eggs in their lifetime. Field observations indicated varying levels of infestation across different taluks, with H.D. Kote taluk exhibiting the highest infestation rates across all crop stages, followed by Mysuru, T. Narasipura, and Hunsuru. Conversely, Nanjanagudu taluk registered the lowest infestation levels. Notably, the ratoon crop of the Nendran variety showed the highest infestation rate at 35%, followed by Nanjanagudu rasabale and Elakki varieties. In contrast, the G-naine variety displayed resistance to pest incidence. Additionally, the study highlighted a preference of the pest for ratoon crops over fresh crop stages of bananas, resulting in comparatively lower incidence in fresh crops.