Symptoms of damage

• Swellings on the stem just above the ground level
• Young plants are invariably killed
• Older plants that survive lack vigor and strength, breaks at the nodes due to strong wind

Identification Characters and Biology

• Destructive stage: Larva
• Egg: Elongate and white laid beneath the bark . Egg period: 7-10 days.
• Adult - Very small weevil, dark in colour with two small white patches on the elytra
• Larva: Grub, white in colour without legs. Larva feed within the stem and swelling occurs consequently. Larval period: 22-30 days.
• Pupa: Exarate, white and pupation within the stem. Pupal period : 10-15 days.

Management

• ETL: 10% infestation

• Basal application of FYM 100 t/acre and 100 kg/acre of neem cake.