SPECIES DIVERSITY, INFESTATION INTENSITY AND MANAGEMENT OF MANGO FRUIT WEEVIL IN THE HILLY AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The present study was conducted at the farmer’s orchard in Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari districts, during the period from January to July, 2017 to study the species diversity, infestation intensity and management of mango fruit weevil. The treatments of the experiment were T1 = Improved pest management practices (5 times spraying of Ripcord 10EC @ 1.0 ml/Liter water on 30 January, 28 February, 30 March, 28 April, 30 May along with cultural practices), T2 = Farmer’s practice (2 times spraying of Ripcord 10EC @ 1.0 ml/L water from January to May) and T3 = Untreated control. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with ten replications. Among weevil species only Sternochetus frigidus was found at three hill districts. The lowest number of fruit infestation (19.62% at Bandarban, 19.73% at Rangamati and 19.22% at Khagrachari districts) was recorded from improved management practice of the plant. On the other hand the highest number of fruit infestation (81.46% at Bandarban, 80.40% at Rangamati and 80.19% at Khagrachari districts) was recorded from untreated control. Improved management practice decreased more than 70.00% infested fruits over control (75.91% at Bandarban, 75.44% at Rangamati and 76.02% at Khagrachari districts). Among three treatments improve management practice was the most effective against mango fruit weevil.