Clove trunk borer
Grubs that tunnel into the trunk and branches of clove trees.
- Pest
- Wood-boring grubs
- Attacks
- Trunk and branches
- Sign
- Bore hole with fresh frass
- Control
- Treat the hole and bark, not the leaves
Overview
Stem or trunk borers are listed by TNAU among the main pests of clove. The grubs tunnel inside the wood of the trunk and branches, so the harm is hidden until a hole, sawdust-like frass or a weakening branch shows it.
This is a different pest from the stem borers of maize and sugarcane. TNAU does not name the species in its clove guidance, and different clove countries report different wood-boring beetles, so this page describes the problem and its treatment rather than a single species.
How to identify it
- Small bore holes in the trunk or branches, often with fresh frass (wood dust) pushed out.
- A branch weakens, yellows or dies back above the bored point.
- Walk your trees regularly and look at the trunk base and branch joints.
What causes it and when
- Grubs of wood-boring insects that live and feed inside the wood.
- Stressed, damaged or poorly-shaded trees are the easiest targets.
Prevention
- Keep trees healthy — steady water, shade in the young years, balanced feeding.
- Avoid wounding the trunk when weeding or harvesting.
- Cut out and burn badly bored branches.
Chemical control
- TNAU advises smearing the trunk and branches with carbaryl 50 WP at 2 g per litre of water.
- Or pour quinalphos 25 EC at 1 ml per litre into the bore hole and plug the hole.
- Confirm the current registered product and dose with your state horticulture department or KVK; some older soil-applied insecticides have since been restricted.
Crops most at risk
Where this problem is called out in our crop guides — open a crop for the full package of practices.
Varieties to consider
Named seed varieties whose resistance or susceptibility to this problem is documented on their own variety page.
Frequently asked questions
I see holes and wood dust on my clove trunk. What should I do?
That points to a trunk borer. Clean the frass, pour a solution of quinalphos 25 EC at 1 ml per litre into the hole and plug it, and smear the trunk and branches with carbaryl 50 WP at 2 g per litre, as TNAU advises. Confirm the current product with your KVK, and cut out badly bored branches.
Symptoms and control measures follow ICAR, KVK and state agricultural-university package-of-practices; any named chemical is a registered use. Always read the product label and confirm the dose for your crop and zone. editorial policy.