Pest identification
What's eating my pulasan?
Fruit borers (Conopomorpha spp.)
Signs: Pinhole entry wounds in fruit skin; larvae destroy pulp and seeds internally
Control: Bag developing fruit clusters; remove and burn infested fruit; apply registered insecticide at fruit set
Fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.)
Signs: Larvae in ripening fruit cause rot and premature drop
Control: Bait traps; strict orchard sanitation; early harvest of maturing fruit
Mealybugs
Signs: Cottony white deposits on young shoots and flower panicles; honeydew, sooty mold
Control: Neem oil or insecticidal soap; manage ant colonies that farm mealybugs
Keep pulasan pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Pulasan pests — FAQ
What is eating my pulasan?
Pulasan (Nephelium mutabile) shares pest pressures with its close relative rambutan. Fruit borers and fruit flies damage developing fruit; mealybugs cluster on shoots. Because it is less widely cultivated, wildlife pressure from fruit bats and birds taking ripe clusters is also significant. Fruit bagging and prompt harvest are essential defenses.
How do I get rid of fruit borers (conopomorpha spp.) on pulasan?
Pinhole entry wounds in fruit skin; larvae destroy pulp and seeds internally Bag developing fruit clusters; remove and burn infested fruit; apply registered insecticide at fruit set
How do I get rid of fruit flies (bactrocera spp.) on pulasan?
Larvae in ripening fruit cause rot and premature drop Bait traps; strict orchard sanitation; early harvest of maturing fruit
How do I get rid of mealybugs on pulasan?
Cottony white deposits on young shoots and flower panicles; honeydew, sooty mold Neem oil or insecticidal soap; manage ant colonies that farm mealybugs