THE MANGO SEED WEEVIL, STERNOCHETUS MANGIFERAE (FABRICIUS) (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE); UNDERSTANDING THE PEST IN ORDER TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE CONTROL MEASURES

Abstract

The mango seed weevil (MSW), Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), generally causes few problems for early-season mango cultivars in South Africa, since the fruit is marketed and consumed before adult emergence. Adult emergence from late-hanging cultivars, however, results in unattractive lesions that influence the marketability of the fruit. There is little evidence that MSW influences yield, although some authors argue that MSW development in the seed may lead to premature fruit drop. The economic impact of the MSW is primarily based on the fact that it is a phytosanitary pest, restricting access to new foreign markets and contributing to rejections of fruit destined for existing export countries. Control measures are currently mainly based on a combination of sanitation practices and chemical control. However, effective control can only be ensured if the biology of the insect is better understood. Sustainable control will require insecticide resistance management, necessitating research on pesticides of different chemical groups. Data are presented on these matters, especially the activity patterns, feeding preferences and reproductive behaviour of the mango seed weevil.