Pest identification
What's eating my red banana?
Banana weevil / corm borer (Cosmopolites sordidus)
Signs: Larval galleries through the corm cause wilting, reduced sucker production, and plant collapse before harvest.
Control: Plant certified clean corms; use pheromone traps; remove and destroy infested plant material; avoid leaving corm debris on the soil surface.
Banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa)
Signs: Soft colonies in leaf axils; sticky honeydew; primary vector of Banana Bunchy Top Virus — infected plants produce stiff, stunted leaves and no harvestable fruit.
Control: Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; destroy confirmed BBTV-infected plants immediately to prevent spread.
Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine yellow stippling across the decorative burgundy leaves; webbing on undersides; leaves brown and dry at the margins in hot weather.
Control: Increase humidity and irrigation; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or introduce predatory mites.
Keep red banana pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Red Banana pests — FAQ
What is eating my red banana?
Red Banana (Red Dacca) is vulnerable to the same pests as other dessert bananas — banana weevil in the corm and banana aphids transmitting viruses are the biggest concerns. Its ornamental burgundy leaves also attract spider mites in warm, dry conditions. Cultural controls and clean planting stock are essential.
How do I get rid of banana weevil / corm borer (cosmopolites sordidus) on red banana?
Larval galleries through the corm cause wilting, reduced sucker production, and plant collapse before harvest. Plant certified clean corms; use pheromone traps; remove and destroy infested plant material; avoid leaving corm debris on the soil surface.
How do I get rid of banana aphid (pentalonia nigronervosa) on red banana?
Soft colonies in leaf axils; sticky honeydew; primary vector of Banana Bunchy Top Virus — infected plants produce stiff, stunted leaves and no harvestable fruit. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; destroy confirmed BBTV-infected plants immediately to prevent spread.
How do I get rid of two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae) on red banana?
Fine yellow stippling across the decorative burgundy leaves; webbing on undersides; leaves brown and dry at the margins in hot weather. Increase humidity and irrigation; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or introduce predatory mites.