Batocera rufomaculata
(De Geer) (Cerambycidae: Coleoptera)
Stem
borer
Symptoms:
The stem borer is increasingly becoming a menace in the
older (>10 years) mango orchards across the country.
The
grubs bore and feed below the bark on vascular tissues
thereby interrupting nutrient and water transport.As it grows, the tunneling is extensive below the
bark, mostly invisible from outside.Frass comes out from infested holes and sometimes
sap oozes out.The damage results in yellowing of branches
followed by drying and die back of terminal shoots/
branches ultimately leading to the death of whole tree.
Control
An early diagnosis and
management can help in saving the tree from dying.
A formulation ‘Sealer cum
healer’ developed by IIHR to tackle the menace.This formulation when applied following bark
cleaning, swabbing (of dichlorvos @ 5 mL/L + COC @
40 g/ L per kg of sealer cum healer) not only
controls from borer damage but also protects the
tree from the secondary infection and helps in
rejuvenation of tree.
