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Shoot Borer: signs and treatment in Jamaica
A pest of ginger and turmeric where larvae bore into the pseudostem, causing the central shoot to die. PlantArmor's crop guides list shoot borer as a common problem on ginger.
Signs to look for
- Yellowing and drying of the central shoot ('dead heart')
- Frass extruding from boreholes on the stem
What to do
Crops it affects
Questions growers ask
How do I recognise shoot borer?
A pest of ginger and turmeric where larvae bore into the pseudostem, causing the central shoot to die. The signs to look for: Yellowing and drying of the central shoot ('dead heart'). Frass extruding from boreholes on the stem.
What should I do about shoot borer?
Remove and burn infested shoots. Apply systemic insecticides (Dimethoate, Imidacloprid) preventatively. Always read the product label and observe the registered rate, re-entry period and pre-harvest interval before you apply any pesticide.
Which crops are affected by shoot borer in Jamaica?
PlantArmor's crop guides list shoot borer as a common problem on ginger.
Check it in the field
PlantArmor's reference library works offline, so you can compare what you are seeing against it standing in the plot, then log the spray you use along with its re-entry and pre-harvest intervals. Free to use.
This description and treatment come from the same reference library the PlantArmor app uses in the field. Pesticide registrations and permitted uses change — always read the current product label and observe the stated rate, re-entry period and pre-harvest interval.