Stem-borer (Batocera rufomaculata)

Symptoms

• The damage is caused by grubs either to roots or stems.
• The grubs after hatching from eggs first feed on bark and make irregular cavities.
• It makes tunnels which may either be in boring upward, resulting in drying of branches.
• Grub tunnels in the sapwood on the trunk or branches.
• Interruption of nutrient and water transport on the tissue.
• Drying of terminal shoot in early stage.
• Frass comes out from several points and sometimes sap oozes out of the holes.

Management

• Keep orchard clean and healthy.
• Cut and destroy affected branches with grubs and pupae
• Clean hole and insert cotton wool soaked in emulsion of dichlorvos (0.05%) or kerosene or petrol in each hole and plug them with mud.