?ESTIMATION OF LEAF DAMAGE OF BANANA AFFECTED BY BANANA LEAF AND FRUIT BEETLE, NODOSTOMA VIRIDIPENNIS MOST. (COLEOPTERA: EUMOLPIDAE) IN BANGLADESH
Keywords:
Banana leaf, Nodostoma viridipennis, Leaf damage.Abstract
The study was made to evaluate the nature, extent of damage and susceptibility of banana leaf (furled leaf, freshly open
leaf and mature leaf) affected by leaf and fruit beetle, Nodostoma viridipennis Most. in an orchard in Bangladesh
Agricultural University, Mymensingh from October, 1997 to October, 1998. The beetle produced damage symptom
with the sign of scars and dried feeding areas on banana leaf. The greatest damage was done to furled leaf bearing 69.8
scars which was 1.3 and 2.0 times higher than freshly open and mature leaf, respectively. The furled leaf being suitable
feeding was more susceptible than other categories of leaf and seemed to be the target of colonization of leaf and fruit
beetle in the orchard. The growth and development of banana leaf was affected by the damage of N. viridipennis. There
was significant reduction in size of infested furled leaf. The difference of leaf size in case of freshly open and mature leaf
was not so marked.
