Mango stem borers: new threat to mango in India

Abstract

Mango stem borer has been observed to cause an alarming situation in old and young orchards posing a great threat to mango cultivation in India during the last decade. Five species of Batocera namely B.rufomacuata de Geer, B.rubus Linnaus, B.roylie Hope, B.numitor Newmen and B.titana Thompson have been reported infesting mango trees. Among them, B. rufomaculata, is increasingly becoming a menace in mango orchards across the country. The infestation is reported to be in the range of one to eight per cent depending upon maintenance of the orchards. Affected trees gradually loose their vigour, manifest drying of branches to in severe cases and even death ensues. The grubs are the damaging stage, they bore and eat below the bark, making tunnels, subsequently entering into main stem following feeding on wood causing damage. The fross coming out of the entry point indicates the presence of trunk borer in the mango tree. The severe damage results in yellowing of branches followed by drying of terminal shoots and branches ultimately leading to the death of whole tree, if not managed properly. This paper presents a detailed review of informations on their symptoms of damage, distribution, varietal reactions, alternate hosts, life history and the control measures.