Evaluation of different trapping systems for the banana weevils Cosmopolites sordidus and Odoiporus longicollis

Abstract

Banana weevils Cosmopolites sordidus Germar and Odoiporus longicollis Olivier are worldwide pests of banana plants. The present study evaluated different trapping systems for C. sordidus and O. longicollis. Various types of pseudostem traps and pheromone (sordidin) traps were designed. Several factors that can influence the trapping efficacy, such as plant species, placement, height, colour, shading, watering and covering, were evaluated. Pseudostem traps constructed of Musa acuminata Colla stems appeared to be more effective in trapping both C. sordidus and O. longicollis than traps constructed of Musa formasana Warburg ex Schumann. The results also revealed that horizontal- and vertical-pseudostem traps were suitable for catching C. sordidus and O. longicollis, respectively. Vertical-pseudostem traps with cut sections above the ground from 60 to 100 cm high caught more O. longicollis individuals than those of other heights. Moreover, pseudostem traps with rip-cutting were superior to the other tested cut types, and watering or covering the pseudostem traps enhanced the capture efficacy for both C. sordidus and O. longicollis. For pheromone traps, the brown, black and grey ramp traps attracted higher numbers of C. sordidus than other colours. An increase in capture efficacy was observed when pheromone traps were covered with banana leaves or placed in the shade. Finally, either pheromone-baited pseudostem traps or the addition of pseudostem to pheromone ramp traps enhanced the catch of C. sordidus. These findings expand the understanding of the use of trapping systems as a useful strategy for the integrated pest management (IPM) of C. sordidus and O. longicollis.