Reduction of banana weevil populations with pseudostem traps

Abstract

Abstract One‐week‐old traps made from split banana pseudostems were 1.5–1.7‐fold more attractive to adult banana weevils than 2–3‐week‐old traps. In one experiment, all available pseudostem material was used for trapping, and weekly collecting of weevils over an 11‐month trapping period led to a 50% reduction in weevil catches in one field. In another field with a lower initial weevil density the trapping did not reduce weevil populations. In another experiment, the effect of intensive use of pseudostem traps and daily collecting of trapped weevils was estimated by a mark and recapture method over a period of 6 weeks. Reductions in weevil densities were calculated using a modified version of the Lincoln‐Index. Weevil populations were reduced by 48.5% after 3 weeks and by 62.5% after 6 weeks. Trapping efficiency declined during the experiment and appeared to be related to weevil population densities. This cultural control system may be effective in weevil control in small‐farm situations where labour avail...