AsaaseYaaBanana weevil
A black weevil whose grubs tunnel in the base of plantain, so plants weaken and fall.
When it comes
What to look for
Once a month, check the base of each plant. Small holes with sawdust-looking dust around them = banana weevils tunnelling inside — they're the worst pest for plantain in Ghana. Always plant clean suckers from a healthy farm; don't take suckers from old or sick plants.
Every 2 weeks, look at the leaves. Yellow streaks that grow into big brown patches = a serious leaf disease called black sigatoka. Cut off infected leaves and burn them — never use them as mulch, you'll spread the disease.
Also watch for
General advice from crop guides for Ghana. Before you spray, ask your agro-input dealer for a product registered for this pest, read the label, and wear gloves. For a serious attack, call your district agriculture office or an agronomist.
Catch it early
AsaaseYaa reminds you when to check your crop for pests, and shows you what to look for. Free.