Symptoms of damage

• It is found to infest oil palm fruits throughout the year.

Management of Avian pests Bunch covering

• Covering the fruit bunch with suitable low cost material is the simplest and effective method

• Twenty two gauge galvanized iron wire mesh (60 x 90 cm) (the size depending upon the fruit bunches) used to

cover the Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) atleast of 3-4 times.

• At least 10 cm gap between the net and the fruit bunch.

• Old palm leaves - used for covering fruit bunches to protect them from avian pest.
• Leaf tips of about one meter length are cut and packed at close intervals into the leaf axils.
• Near the fruit bunches and tied with rope to keep them firm and impenetrable by the bird.
• Other materials like plaited coconut leaf basket, reed basket, used polythene (cement) bags etc.