Elytroteinus geophilus (Fijian ginger weevil)

The larval stage of E. geophilus burrows into the root, corm, stems, or tuber of the growing host plant. The subsequent feeding results in stem dieback, leaf wilting, loss of vigour and rotting of the host (Rosa, 1959; Fakalata, 1981; Mau and Kessing, 1992). In kava, the larvae fill the tunnels with frass, causing stem dieback, leaf wilt and rotting by fungi and bacteria (Fakalata, 1981; Davis and Brown, 1999).

It caused damage to begonias in Fiji by boring down the centres of the main stems (Simmonds, 1928). In lemons, pupation takes place in the fruit, causing rotten fruits, which may decay before the adult has developed (Miller, 1923). The larvae caused rotten tubers in yams (Asiedu et al., 2014). In passion fruit in Samoa, they caused collar rot and basal stem cankers provide points for secondary infection by fungal pathogens (Lasiodiplodia sp. and Fusarium sp). Collar rot in passion fruit in Samoa killed vines (Gerlach et al., 1985), but only about 20% of vines have been recorded as having been attacked by E. geophilus (Liebregts et al., 1989).