Biological Control of Insect Pests: Southeast Asian Prospects - EcoPort

4.5 Cosmopolites sordidus 101
MYANMAR
There do not appear to be any records in Myanmar of natural enemies of
C. sordidus which is very uncommon and apparently confined to aromatic
and sweet-flavoured banana varieties. Control is achieved by cutting the
pseudostems every three years, a practice readily accepted because the stems
are used in Mohinga, a popular fish soup (H. Morris pers. comm. 1994).
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Bananas are grown widely and are the staple food in some areas but
C. sordidus is not a serious pest. The ant Tetramorium bicarinatum occurs
there but there is no information on any possible interaction with C. sordidus
(J.W. Ismay pers. comm. 1985).
TRINIDAD
P. javanus was established in Trinidad in 1942 and, from there, together with
a native histerid Hololepta quadridentata, it was sent to other islands in the
West Indies. Evidence of establishment was not available to Simmonds
(1958) but, in 1972, H. quadridentata was recovered in St Vincent (Bennett
et al. 1976).
OTHER COUNTRIES
Although details are not available, P. javanus has been widely distributed
and is reported to be established in French Polynesia, Marianas, New
Caledonia (where chemical control is still required) (Delobel 1977; Clausen
1978; M. Kauma pers. comm. 1985) and Tonga (O. Fakalata pers. comm.
1985). It is also widespread on Upolu Is, Samoa (T.V. Bourke pers. comm.
1986).
In addition to the records in table 4.5.2, Sirjusingh et al. (1992) list a
number of predators for Central or South America (Table 4.5.3). However, it
is seldom clear which of these may be introductions (intentional or
otherwise) from elsewhere and which are native to the region, as some
almost certainly are. Their biological control potential has not been assessed.