9 



observed within a seed last year. As many as four larvae have 

 been found within a single seed this season and two and three 

 specimens within a seed are common. Where as many as three 

 or four larvae occur within one seed, the resulting decav from 

 the excrement and seed extends through the husk, in some in- 

 stances, to the flesh. Some growers are of the opinion that the 

 work of the weevil hastens the maturity of the infected fruit and 

 increases the percent, of fallen mangoes. 



ITS NATURAL ENEMIES 



Xo parasitic or predaceous enemies of the mango weevil have 

 been observed. The writer believes, however, that many of the 

 hibernated weevils are destroyed by lizards and centipedes. 



ITS CONTROL 



Natural Control: Since the mango weevil is a special feeder 

 on the seed of the mango, its numbers in any particular season 

 are in direct proportion to the size of the mango crop for that 

 season. That is. when the mangoes are abundant, the brood of 

 weevils arising from the fruit will also be large in numbers. Any 

 natural condition of climate or disease that affects the mango 

 crop will likewise reduce the numbers of the mango weevil. 



Direct Measures: The fact that the weevil during its entire 

 development is within the seed renders the use of any insecticide 

 impossible in combating the pest. Since also there is practically 

 no exterior evidence that the fruit is infested, little can be done 

 in the destruction of infested fruit during the growth of the 

 crop. 



The destruction of all fallen mangoes and refuse seeds will be 

 quite effective for the reason that the adult beetle does not leave 

 the seed until some time after the maturity of the fruit. 



The burning of all refuse about the mango trees during the 



