Casper Jansen

Hello Banana lovers,

I own about 2000 banana trees and about 250 plaintain. I cultivate bananas here in Mali (Africa) partly to sell and partly to give away to the poor people to help augment their usually very simple diet. I am the only one growing bananas in the region so there is no knowledge or experience. Usually I have no problems but now I do and am in need of help from you experienced folks.

Their is a tiny insect, beetle like, that bores a hole in the middle of the pseudo stem, disposes their eggs there. When the larvae come out they eat the middle of the tree, eventually making it topple over before the fruit is ready.

Its not the dreaded Cosmopolites Sordidus since this has a snout.

My logic tells me the only solution would be to inject the trees with some pesticide but I have no idea what and how much. Inject top or bottom?

Please is there anyone with experience who can point memin the right direction?

I will try to include some pictures of a sick tree and its healthy corn

Thanks

Casper