Jewel beetle Belionota prasina

Systematic position: the insect belongs to the order Coleoptera and the family Buprestidae (jewel beetles). This genus is known for including species that act as significant wood-boring pests, primarily impacting fruit-bearing trees in tropical and subtropical regions.

Host plants: the primary hosts for Belionota prasina include a range of fruit crops. It is most notorious for damaging mango orchards (Mangifera indica), though it can also infest various Myrtaceae species and citrus trees, causing economic losses in agricultural plantations.

Biology and life cycle: the beetle undergoes complete metamorphosis. Adults are generally active during warmer seasons and consume foliage, while the larvae are the primary destructive stage, dwelling within the inner bark and sapwood of the host tree to complete their development.

Damage and pest status: larvae create meandering galleries beneath the bark, disrupting the translocation of water and nutrients. This structural damage causes canopy thinning, dieback of branches, and in severe infestation cases, the eventual death of the entire tree.

Control measures: integrated pest management (IPM) is essential for mitigating the impact of this beetle. Key strategies include:

• rigorous orchard sanitation, including the removal of infested branches;
• maintaining high tree vigor through proper fertilization and irrigation;
• application of systemic or contact insecticides during the peak adult flight period;
• utilizing pheromone traps for early detection and population monitoring.