The mango seed weevil, Sternochetus mangiferae (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).
Woodruff R. E.
1 fig.
: 2 pp.
Abstract : Sternochetus mangiferae (F.) is included in this series of circulars on arthropod pests in Florida [cf. preceding abstract, etc.], although it has not yet been found in that State, because it is present in mango-producing areas of Australia, Burma, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, southern Africa, some of the Indian Ocean and Pacific islands, Vietnam and Hawaii and is potentially a pest of mango in southern Florida. Information is given on its distribution, bionomics and control. The weevil appears to be restricted to mango, of which the seeds are attacked by the larvae hatching from eggs laid singly in the green fruits. The most effective method of control, which is practised in Hawaii, is killing or sterilising stages within the fruit by gamma -radiation; cold storage or fumigation with methyl bromide kills the insects but injures the fruit and various insecticide sprays applied to the fruit during ripening did not prove effective in reducing infestation.