The Banana Root Borer (Cosmopolites Sordidus (Germar)) In Florida

At various times in the past, bananas have been grown on a commercial scale in Florida, although the plant is presently used primarily as an ornamental (Stambaugh, 1951). One of the most serious insect pests of bananas, the banana root borer, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germ.), has been transported throughout the banana growing regions of the world. Pierce (1915) had no sooner warned that it was a likely pest to be introduced until it was found in Florida (Newell, 1919). This circular is prepared to acquaint the nursery inspector with the pest so it can be more readily detected. Little information is available about its current status and distribution in Florida, although it was erroneously recorded as eradicated in the state by Lyle {1947) and the Commonwealth Institute of Entomology (1968). Current collections are needed to substantiate its present status.