What's eating my durian?

Durian (Durio zibethinus) is most seriously damaged by the durian fruit borer, which makes fruit unsaleable. Bark beetles undermine trunk health, and stem canker pathogens enter through insect wounds. Squirrels, fruit bats, and civets target ripe fruit. Integrated pest management combining bagging, pheromone traps, and orchard sanitation is the standard commercial approach.

Larvae bore into young fruit; entry hole visible with frass; infested fruit drops early Bag fruit with paper after fruit set; remove infested fruit; targeted insecticide at early fruit stage

Tiny bore holes in bark; galleries under bark weaken limbs; fungal entry points Maintain tree vigor; prune and burn affected wood; avoid wounding bark

White cottony colonies on young shoots and fruit stalks; sooty mold reduces photosynthesis Neem oil or insecticidal soap; biological control with parasitic wasps; manage ants

Ripe fruit gnawed or carried off; partially eaten fruit on ground Netting over individual trees is impractical at scale; harvest promptly at first ripeness cues