Mango weevil poses a threat to integrated pest management in mangoes.
Joubert P. H.
Inligtingsbulletin - Instituut vir Tropiese en Subtropiese Gewasse : 1-3
Abstract : The mango weevil [Sternochetus mangiferae] is present in all mango production areas in South Africa and has to be controlled in orchards where fruit is grown for the export market. The existing control strategy is incompatible with the concept of integrated pest management and alternative measures are investigated. This was necessitated by the fact that imported parasitoids for the biocontrol of the mango scale [Aulacaspis tubercularis] are currently being released in commercial orchards. The indiscriminate use of existing registered chemicals could greatly impair the life cycle of these parasitoids, as well as other non-target organisms. Preliminary results indicated that endosulfan at 475 g/kg SC adequately controlled the mango weevil and this insecticide could probably be registered during 1997. A non-destructive method of screening mangoes with X-rays for weevil infestation shows promise and is currently being investigated.