Question

Given below are two statements
Statement I: Mango stone or nut weevil is a polyphagous insect of fruits
Statement II: Mango stone weevil causes shedding of fruits with feeding punctures
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• D. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Hint:

The mango stone weevil is strictly monophagous (attacks only mango). Because the larvae feed entirely inside the seed cotyledon without damaging the pulp, the infestation does not cause fruit shedding.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The mango stone weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae) is a key pest of mango crops.
Its host range, egg-laying behavior, and larval feeding habits are highly specialized.
To evaluate these statements, we must analyze the life cycle and damage symptoms of this specific pest.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement individually:
1. Statement I describes the host range of the mango stone weevil.
Sternochetus mangiferae is a monophagous pest, meaning it feeds and reproduces exclusively on a single host plant species, the mango (Mangifera indica).
It does not attack other fruits or plants.
Therefore, classifying it as "polyphagous" (feeding on many different plant families) is incorrect.
Thus, Statement I is incorrect.
2. Statement II describes the damage symptoms.
The female weevil lays eggs on the skin of young, developing green mangoes.
The newly hatched larva bores directly through the pulp to reach the developing seed (stone) without leaving a visible scar on the skin.
The larva feeds entirely inside the seed cotyledon.
Because the pulp remains undamaged during fruit growth and the weevil does not make large feeding punctures, this pest does not cause fruit shedding.
Infested fruits typically remain on the tree until they are ripe, and the damage is only discovered when the ripe fruit is cut open.
Thus, Statement II is incorrect.
Therefore, both statements are incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer
Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.