note on synth. pesticide use
Chemical control has been used with some success and a wide range of insecticides have been recommended (see, for example, Shukla & Tandon, 1985; Villiers, 1987). The main strategy is to attack diapausing adults by trunk applications during the dormant stage of the weevil. To ensure complete coverage of the trunk, the spray mixture can be mixed with chalk.
Foliar sprays starting when egg-laying marks are detected helps to reduce adult populations to low levels; at this time the adults are active within the canopy as they move onto the fruit and can be targeted together with the newly laid eggs.
However, in areas known to have high weevil populations, starting treatments at the time of egg-laying (as soon as the flower buds open until the fruit reaches 15 mm) give the best results. Trees that are located near orchards should also be treated since they maybe infested and serve as a source of weevils. Good spray coverage to run-off is very important. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides, which may kill natural enemies and pollinators leading to poor fruit set and affecting yield.
Neem
Ana July08: Although we had some indications that neem is useful for control of the mango seed weevil during a farmer training in Kenya, there are no enough data to prove it. Icipe is starting a project to study the ecology and management of this weevil, and they might look into this issue. Thus, this could be updated whenever there is available information. This information is included in the neem datasheet.
Notes for REVIEW
mh 14.9.09 pls check current literature, maybe there are new recipes, what farmers can do instead of insecticides. Include biopesticide info if available
Sternochetus mangiferae