Beauveria bassiana for Banana – Control Red Rust Thrips, Pseudostem Weevil & Aphids

Banana is an important cash crop in Kannur, but two pests cause major economic losses: red rust thrips and pseudostem weevil. Aphids also pose a serious threat as vectors of bunchy top virus.

Red rust thrips (Chaetanaphothrips signipennis) are tiny, slender insects that infest developing banana fruits. They rasp the surface of the fruit, causing brown, corky scars. Scarred bananas cannot be sold as first‑grade fruit and fetch a much lower price – often as much as 50‑70% less. Thrips hide inside the flower bracts and between the fingers of the bunch, making them difficult to reach with chemical sprays.

Pseudostem weevil (Odoiporus longicollis) larvae bore into the pseudostem, creating tunnels that weaken the plant. Affected plants show yellowing, wilting, and can collapse, especially during windy conditions.

Aphids infest the leaves and pseudostems, sucking sap and weakening the plant. More importantly, aphids are the primary vectors of bunchy top virus – one of the most destructive diseases of banana. Once a plant is infected with bunchy top virus, there is no cure; the plant must be removed and destroyed.

Beauveria bassiana is the natural solution. Research studies have demonstrated that two sprays of Beauveria bassiana (2×10⁸ CFU/g) at the flag leaf stage and after seven days were most effective in minimizing banana fruit infestation with red rust thrips. Beauveria is also effective against pseudostem weevil larvae and aphids.

How Beauveria bassiana works against banana pests:

• Against thrips: The fungal spores attach to the thrips' body, germinate, and penetrate the cuticle. The fungus grows inside, consuming the thrips from within. Thrips stop feeding within 24‑48 hours and die within 3‑7 days.

• Against pseudostem weevil larvae: The fungus is injected into boreholes or applied as a spray to the pseudostem. The spores infect the larvae inside the tunnels, killing them.

• Against aphids: The same infection process kills aphids. Importantly, by controlling aphid populations, Beauveria also reduces the spread of bunchy top virus.

How to apply Beauveria bassiana on banana (Bactostore method):

Foliar spray for thrips and aphids:

• For liquid formulation: Mix 2‑5 ml of Bactostore's Beauveria bassiana liquid in 1 litre of water. For 1 acre, use 1‑2 litres of liquid diluted in 200‑400 litres of water.

• For powder formulation: Mix 5‑10g of Bactostore's Beauveria powder in 1 litre of water. For 1 acre, use 1‑2 kg of powder diluted in 200‑400 litres of water.

• For better results, add 2 kg jaggery (gur) – the sugar feeds the fungus, boosting spore germination.

• Spray thoroughly on both sides of leaves, on the pseudostem, and on the developing bunch. Pay special attention to the flower bracts where thrips hide.

• Spray in early morning or late evening when humidity is high. Cloudy days are ideal.

• Critical timing for thrips: Apply the first spray at the flag leaf stage (when the bunch is emerging). Apply the second spray 7‑10 days later.

• Repeat every 15‑20 days if infestation persists.

For pseudostem weevil (injection method):

• Mix 5‑10g of Bactostore's Beauveria powder in 1 litre of water (or use 10‑20 ml liquid per litre)

• Using a syringe (without needle), inject 20‑30 ml of this solution into each visible borehole on the pseudostem

• Also spray the entire pseudostem with the same solution

• Repeat after 15 days if weevil activity persists

Sucker treatment (before planting):

• Mix 10 ml of Beauveria liquid (or 10g powder) in 1 litre of water

• Dip banana suckers or tissue culture plantlets for 10‑15 minutes before planting

• Shade dry for 30 minutes before planting

Important tips for Kannur banana farmers:

• Beauveria works best in high humidity (>70%) and at 25‑30°C – perfect for Kannur's climate

• Do not mix with chemical fungicides – they will kill the beneficial fungus

• For thrips control, timing is critical – apply as soon as the bunch emerges

• If you see bunchy top symptoms (dark green streaks, narrow, upright leaves), remove and destroy the plant immediately – Beauveria can only control the aphid vector, not the virus itself

• For pseudostem weevil, remove and destroy heavily infested plants to prevent spread

Buy from Bactostore. We deliver fresh Beauveria bassiana – liquid or powder – to all Kannur banana farms.

📞 Call 9146150117 | 🌐 www.peaklab.co.in