Mango Seed Weevil

Symptoms by part

Causes

• The presence of adult weevils in the orchard during the fruit development phase.
• Warm, humid conditions that favor the rapid life cycle of the beetle.
• Fallen, infested fruit left on the ground, which allows the larvae to complete their development and emerge as new adults.

Could be confused with

• Fruit fly damage · Fruit fly larvae cause the fruit to rot and collapse quickly, whereas seed weevil damage often leaves the pulp relatively intact until the seed is reached.
• Anthracnose · Anthracnose appears as distinct black, sunken lesions on the skin, while weevil entry points are much smaller and lack the spreading fungal decay.

Treatment

1. Collect and destroy all fallen fruit from beneath the tree every few days to prevent larvae from escaping into the soil.
2. Prune the tree canopy to improve airflow and light penetration, which makes the environment less hospitable for adult weevils.
3. Remove and dispose of any fruit showing signs of entry points immediately to stop the life cycle.

Without chemicals

• Sanitation is the most effective method, so clear away all debris and fallen fruit under the tree.
• Bag individual fruits with paper or mesh bags once they reach the size of a golf ball to physically block the weevils from laying eggs.

Chemical options

• Deltamethrin, apply as a targeted spray to the tree canopy during the early fruit development stage, follow the label.
• Lambda-cyhalothrin, apply to the tree foliage when fruit is small to deter adult weevils, follow the label.

Preventing it

• Maintain a clean orchard floor by removing all dropped fruit throughout the season.
• Encourage natural predators like ants and birds that may feed on adult weevils.
• Select mango varieties that are known to be less susceptible if you are planting new trees.

When to act

Act as soon as you notice the first signs of pinprick marks on developing fruit. If the infestation is severe and affects the entire crop, remove the fruit to prevent the next generation of weevils from emerging.

Questions people ask

Can I eat a mango if it has a seed weevil?

If the pulp is not damaged or rotting, the fruit is technically safe to eat, though the presence of larvae inside the seed is often unappealing.

Does the weevil kill the mango tree?

No, the weevil only affects the fruit and the seed, so it will not kill the tree itself.

How do the weevils get inside the fruit?

The adult female lays her eggs on the surface of the young fruit, and the newly hatched larvae bore directly through the skin and pulp into the developing seed.