Banana cultivation ranges from small backyard plantings to large plantation production. The banana is the world’s largest perennial herb and the oldest cultivated plant on earth. Botanically, the banana is actually a berry, a part of the Musaceae family. Native to tropical Asia, the banana plant is now cultivated throughout subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Depending on location, there are literally dozens of different bugs that like to eat banana leaves, damaging the plant and reducing crop production. A combination of clean planting materials, sanitation and biological pest controls are required to control infestations.
Aphids, commonly known as plant lice, are tiny insects that are extremely damaging to fruit crops in temperate climates. Many different kinds of aphids can damage a banana crop. Aphids vary in size and color -- they may be green, white, brown, purple, pink, black or colorless. Of the more than 4,400 different kinds of aphids, the banana aphid is the most common one to infest banana plants. Smaller than the head of a pin, the banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) thrives is hot, humid climates. A soft-bodied pest, the banana aphid punctures stems and leaves. The banana tree will show curling leaves and leaf drop. An intense infestation can kill a banana tree. Wash off aphids from the undersides of leaves with a strong spray of water from a garden hose. Clip and remove heavily infested leaves, place the leaves in a plastic bag, seal and dispose of properly. Ladybugs are natural predators of aphids. You can buy ladybugs online or from organic greenhouse supply stores.
Moths and Caterpillars
The banana skipper (Pelopidas thrax) is a tiny moth that loves to feast on banana leaves. As a larva, the banana skipper is a light green caterpillar, about 2 inches long. When the caterpillars munch on the leaves, the leaves appear ragged and torn. When you see this pest on your banana leaves, pick the caterpillar off and dispose of the insect. Avoid chemical insecticides as an insecticide application will also kill mites, which are natural predators of banana skippers. The sugarcane bunch moth (Opogona glycyphaga) is another tiny moth that feeds on banana leaves and cause scarring of the fruit. The little yellow moths are so small, it is hard to see them with the naked eye. Other fruit piercing moths include Eudocima salaminia, Eudocima fullonia, Eudocima jordani and Eudocima materna. These brightly colored moths are less than 1 inch in size at maturity. They love to feed on bananas, guavas and figs. Banana scab moths (Nacoleia octasema) feed primarily on banana leaves, causing extensive crop damage if left untreated.
Banana flower thrips (Thrips hawaiiensis), banana rust thrips (Chaetanaphothrips signipennis) and banana-silvering thrips (Hercinothrips bicinctusare) are insect pests that damage and scar developing fruit. They feed on the leaves and the stem of the banana bunch. A soft-bodied tiny insect, they are a persistant problem in banana plantations worldwide. Ladybugs and lacewings are natural predators of thrips.
More than 40,000 kinds of weevils can infest food crops. However, when it comes to banana trees, none are as destructive as the banana weevil. The banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) is an invasive insect that infests banana trees, feasting on the trunk and leaves. The weevil hides inside the leaf sheath during daylight hours and does its damage in darkness. The banana weevil is native to southeast Asia but is now found in banana crops around the world. Ants are natural predators of banana weevils.
- Bio-Diversity International: Banana Weevil
- Queensland Government: Pests and Diseases of Bananas
- Michigan State University: Peanut-Head Bug
- University of Florida: Pests of Bananas in Florida
- Integrated Pest Management Reviews: Biology and Integrated Pest Management for the Banana Weevil (Cosmopolites Sordidus)
- Infonet-Biovision: Banana Weevil
- Cirad Agricultural Research for Development: Tracking Banana Weevils
- Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images