Chemical control of banana borer Cosmopolites sordidus

Abstract

Effectiveness of three granulated insecticides aldicarb 10% G, carbofuran 5% G, fensulfothion 5% G and one dust insecticide, heptachlor 40% W.P. were tested in order to control banana borer  (Cosmopolites sordidus Germar, 1824) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae). The trapping method, pieces of already harvested pseudostems of Nanicão cultivar (Musa cavendishii Lambert, triploid AAA), were used. The experiment was carried out in flat, lowland area in the Cachoeiras de Macacu County, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, where eleven treatments laid on a completely randomized block were studied. Results showed that all three granulated insecticides were effective to control banana borer. The heptachlor dust showed no effectiveness at all, probably due to insect resistance to the insecticide, largely used in those areas. No repellent effect was detected with the chemicals studied.