Insect Pests of Fruit, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops (2+1)

5. Leaf twisting weevil

5. Leaf twisting weevil - Apoderus tranquebaricus Fab. (Curculionidae: Coleoptera)

Damage

• The adult weevil has the habit of cutting and twisting the mango leaves into shapely thimble like rolls which remain attached to the parent leaves.
  
• The grub feeds on the leaf tissue within the leaf roll.
Bionomics

• The adult weevil is medium sized, reddish brown with a long snout.
  
• Eggs are laid in each leaf roll.
  
• The grub pupates within the leaf roll.
Management

• Spray insecticides like monocrotophos at 1.25 ml or Dimethoate 0.03 % / litre of water to check the spread of infestation.