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Pests of plants: Mango pulp weevil
(Sternochaetus frigidus)
Profile Mango pulp weevils look similar to the mango seed weevil already found in some parts of Australia, but the pulp weevil attacks the flesh rather than the seed. There are no signs of the weevil on the outside of the fruit. The weevils burrow into the pulp of the fruit to feed. The flesh rots and becomes inedible.
Photos below: A closeup of weevil, size approximately 5mm. The Mango pulp weevil larvae form distinctive brown chambers in the fruit.
Identification It is hard to know if a mango is infested until you cut it open. Larvae can often be seen in the fruit’s flesh, where they form distinctive brown chambers – you can see the small whitish grubs inside. They pupate within the fruit in a smaller chamber up to 1cm in diameter. The adult weevil then exits the fruit, making a small hole in the skin.
Distribution The weevil is present in Malaysia, the Philippines and parts of Indonesia.
Threat If the pest became established in Australia, expensive control measures would have to be adopted. Domestic and export markets would be affected and there would be losses to jobs and income.
Keep a Top Watch Everyone must keep watch for the pest to protect our valuable mango industry. If you find weevils in your mangoes, don’t throw the fruit away – call Quarantine immediately so it can be inspected.