Field Evaluation of Different Trapping Methods for Sustainable Management of Banana Pseudostem Weevil (Odoiporus longicollis Olivier) in Sugandhi Banana

Abstract

The banana pseudostem weevil (BPW), Odoiporus longicollis Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a major internal borer pest of banana causing severe yield losses due to its concealed feeding habit within the pseudostem. Conventional chemical control is often ineffective against this pest. This study evaluated the efficacy of pheromone-assisted trapping methods and live pseudostem traps for BPW management under field conditions in Hosapete taluk, Vijayanagar district, Karnataka, during 2021–2022. Seventeen treatments involving different trap designs, synthetic aggregation pheromone lures and pseudostem-based traps were tested. Among all treatments, horizontally placed cut pseudostem traps at the plant base captured significantly higher numbers of weevils per trap per day (2.42) and per week (16.91), which was followed by vertical stump trap (0.74 and 5.17) and unsplit pseudostem traps (0.19 and 1.32) respectively. These effective treatments also corresponded with reduced BPW infestation in surrounding plants. In contrast, traps lacking host plant material or suboptimal designs showed negligible catches. The results underscore the importance of combining synthetic pheromones with live host cues for effective trapping. Horizontal pseudostem traps demonstrated the highest efficiency and can serve as an integral component of IPM programes.