ECONEX COSMOPOLITES SORDIDUS 90 DAYS

Kairo-feromonal attractant diffuser for the attraction of both sexes of the species Cosmopolites sordidus, with a duration of 90 days in normal field conditions. The diffuser consists of a polyolefin bag permeable to the active ingredients. Once taken out of the sachet, the diffuser does not need any activation operation. Simply place it directly in the trap.

Cosmopolites sordidus is considered to be the most serious pest affecting banana crops.

MORPHOLOGY AND BIOLOGY

This weevil is 9-16 mm long. Its body is elliptical, dark brown to black in colour and its face extends into a curved beak, hence its name. The adult has nocturnal habits, taking refuge during the day on the ground among the leftovers of the banana tree or at the base of the pseudostem. It feeds on both fresh and decomposing plants, although it has been known to go almost 6 months without eating. The life span of the adult is estimated to be 2 years.

The female lays its eggs in isolation at the base by digging a small cavity with its beak. The larva that emerges from the egg has a white, rough body, which contrasts with the bright brown of its head.  The head causes the most damage because it feeds by opening galleries with its mouth.  It completes its life cycle inside this gallery and only exits it when it is ready to turn into a pupa.

The nymph or pupa is white and remains immobile until the adult emerges.  When the adult emerges it is yellow but rapidly turns from coffee brown to dark brown to black.  It has 4 to 7 generations per year.

Due to the adults' nocturnal activity and the location of the larvae inside the plant, the presence of weevils in the crop can go unnoticed.

The external symptoms are not characteristic as they can be confused with other phytosanitary problems. Such symptoms include yellowing of the leaves, necrosis, tree death, stunted plant development, reduced fruit produce, et

Source: Canary Islands Banana Cooperative (COPLACA).

DETECTION AND MONITORING

OOne EOSTRAP® COSMOPOLITES DRY CAPTURE TRAP should be placed per hectare. The trap should be checked once a week to count the captured weevils.

The tolerance threshold of Cosmopolites sordidus is very low.  Generally it is between 5 and 10 captures per trap per week (medium level). This is the moment to set traps all over the crop to carry out mass trapping.

MASS TRAPPING

For mass trapping, the number of traps must be increased depending on the location, surface area and homogeneity of the plots.

The aim of mass trapping in certain areas is achieved by using different options:

Mass trapping with EOSTRAP® COSMOPOLITES DRY CAPTURE TRAP in movable positions:

4 traps per hectare should be used. Owing to the fact that Cosmopolites sordidus is not a flying insect, these traps should be placed all along the infected area with the purpose of covering as much surface area as possible, thereby reducing the pest population.

At first, the traps should be placed 20 metres apart from each other and 10 metres apart from the plot borders. The line of traps should be moved 20 metres in the same direction each month. This practice requires a density of 4 traps per hectare to attract insects throughout the capture area for 4 or 5 months.

Mass trapping with EOSTRAP® COSMOPOLITES DRY CAPTURE TRAP in fixed positions:

8 to 16 traps per hectare should be placed in fixed positions. The number of traps depends on the population level of Cosmopolites sordidus.

In cases like this, it is required less maintenance work. This option is used in plots where labour costs are high.

NECESSARY MATERIAL

The trap EOSTRAP® COSMOPOLITES DRY CAPTURE TRAP and the pheromone diffusers ECONEX COSMOPOLITES SORDIDUS 90 DAYS, product authorised for use in organic farming.

The EOSTRAP® COSMOPOLITES DRY CAPTURE TRAP is used together with pheromones for the detection and mass trapping of the banana weevil: Cosmopolites sordidus.

It is made of plastic polymer which is odourless when it is heat by the sun. Also, this trap is resistant to ultraviolet rays. On average, it lasts 6 or 7 years in normal field conditions. The trap consists of three parts that can be assembled easily: a base, a lid and a special hanger for the pheromone diffuser ECONEX COSMOPOLITES SORDIDUS 90 DAYS.

The trap should be placed half-buried up to the entry holes. In this way, Cosmopolites sordidus enters the trap and it remains retain. 

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE NUMBER OF TRAPS REQUIRED

The pest population of Cosmopolites sordidus, bordering crops, level of control required, etc. An important factor is crop size. In small and irregular crops, a greater number of traps are required than in larger and regular ones.

Another important factor is the distance between plots that have the same pest. In cases like this, the borders of the plots must be reinforced, so it could be necessary to place up to 16 traps per hectare or even more for mass trapping. 

STORING THE DIFFUSERS 

The diffusers should not be stored for long periods of time. They must be stored in their original packaging without opening it and in the refrigerator 4 oC; or in the freezer at -18 oC, in which case they will last for 2 and 4 years respectively.