INDEX

Practical Title Page Date Remarks

No. No.
1. Pests of Solanaceous vegetables
2. Pests of Malvaceous vegetables
3. Pests of Cruciferous vegetables
4. Pests of Cucurbitaceous vegetables
5. Pests of Leafy vegetables and Chilli
6. Pests of Potato and Sweet Potato
7. Pests of Mango
8. Pests of Citrus
9. Pests of Grapevine
10. Pests of Cashewnut and Banana
11. Pests of Pomegranate and Guava
12. Pests of Sapota and Ber
13. Pests of Fig and Aonla
14. Pests of Apple, Coconut and Arecanut
15. Pests of Tobacco, Coffee and Tea
16. Pests of turmeric, Ginger, Beetle vine,
Onion, Garlic and Coriander
17. Pests of Curry leaf and Pepper, Rose,
Gerbera, Carnation and ornamental
plants

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 PRACTICAL NO. 8
PESTS OF SOLANACEOUS
VEGETABLES

TOMATO
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Fruit borer Helicoverpa amigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
2. Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Aleurodidae Hemiptera
3. Aphid Aphis gossypii, Myzus Aphididae Hemiptera
persicae
4. Thrips Thrips tabaci, Caliothrips Thripidae Thysanoptera
indicus
5. Leaf miner Liriomyza trifoli Agromyzidae Diptera
6. Red spider mite Tetranychus spp Acarina
Eiophied mite Aceria spp

1. Fruit borer (Helicoverpa amigera)

Economic importance : It is a major pest of tomato, widely distributed in the tropics,
sub tropics and warmer temperate region of the world. It is a serious pest of gram and tur.
Marks of identification : Moth is medium sized stout, light yellowish brown. Forewings
are pale brown with a dark brown circular spot in the center. Hind wings are pale smoky-
white with a blackish outer border. Caterpillar is 3 to 5 cm long, greenish with dark broken
grey lines along the sides of the body.
Life history : Described under chickpea pod borer.
Nature of damage : On hatching, young larvae feed on tender foliage. Full grown larvae
attack the fruits. They bore circular holes and thrust only part of their body inside the fruits
and eat the inner contents. If the fruit is bigger in size, it is only partly damaged by the
caterpillar but later it is invariably invaded by fungi and bacteria and spoiled completely.
The larvae move from one fruit to another and a single caterpillar may damage and destroy
2 to 8 fruits.
Management practices :
 In early stage of attack, handpicking of caterpillars and their destruction help in
reducing the intensity of infestation
 Ploughing the field after harvest of the crop would expose the pupae which would
be destroyed by birds.
 Spraying of HaNPV @ 250 LE or Bacillus thuringiensis @ 1 Kg/ha.
 Spraying the crop with Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1000 ml or Phosalone 35 EC @ 1285
ml or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml or Flubendamide 20 WG @ 100 g or
Flubendamide 39.35 SC @ 100 ml or Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 500 ml or Lamda

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 cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 300 ml or Methomyl 40 SP @ 750 g or Novaluron 10 EC
@ 750 ml or Novaluron 5.25 % + Indoxacarb 45 % SC @ 825 ml/ha.

2. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Economic importance : Commonly known as cotton whitefly, found in most of the
countries in tropics and subtropics. The infestation is sporadically severe.

Marks of identification : Nymph are oval scale like and greenish white in colour.
Adult are minute insects, 1 mm long, covered completely with a white waxy bloom,
wings are opaque and milky white in colour.
Life history : Reproduction is mostly oviparous, though parthenogenesis also occurs. Only
males emerge from unfertilized eggs whereas both sexes develop from fertilized eggs.
About 150-200 eggs are laid on under surface of tender leaves. Incubation period is 3-
5 days in summer and may extend 5-33 days in winter. Nymphal period 9-14 days in
summer and 17-81 days in winter. Pupation takes place on leaves, pupal period 2-8
days. Adult longevity 2-5 days is summer and 24 days in winter. Life cycle is completed
in 2-15 weeks. Overall 12 generations are completed in a year. The pest is more active
during the dry season and its activity decreases with the onset of rains.

Life cycle of whitefly

Site of oviposition : On the underside of leaves
Fecundity : 150-200 eggs
Incubation period : 3-5 days (summer) and 5-33 days (winter)
Nymphal period : 9-14 days (summer) and 17-81 days (winter)
Pupal period : 2-8 days
Site of pupation : On leaves
Total life cycle : 2-15 weeks
No. of generations/year : 12 generations

Host plants : Main hosts are cotton, tobacco and some winter vegetables, including
tomato.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from ventral surface. As a result
of their feeding the affected parts become yellowish, leaves wrinkle and curl
downward and are ultimately shed. Besides the feeding damage, these insects also exude
honey dew on which develops sooty mould. In case of severe infestation, this black coating
is so heavy that it interferes with the photosynthetic activity of plant resulting in stunted
growth. This whitefly also acts as a vector, transmitting 'leaf curl' virus disease, causing
severe loss. Such plants are necessarily to be uprooted and destroyed.
Management practices :
 Spray the crop with Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 150 ml or Thiamethoxam 25 WG
@ 200 g or Spiromesifen 22.9 SC @ 625 ml or dimethoate 30 EC @ 1000 ml
or Oxydemeton methyl 25 EC @ 1000 ml/ha as soon as incidence is noticed.
Note : Pesticides should reach to the lower sides of leaves.

3. Aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae)

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 As described under brinjal.

4. Thrips (Thrips tabaci, Caliothrips indicus)

As described under cotton.

5. Leaf miner (Liriomyza trifoli)

American serpentine leaf miner has entered in India with severe incidence in
Maharashtra, Karnataka, A.P., Gujarat etc.
Marks of identification : Adult fly is 1.5-2.0 mm long, greyish black with yellow spot on
top of thorax and has plum red eyes. Larva is legless, orange yellow, about 2 mm long.
Nature of damage : Maggots feed in between two layers of leaf on mesophyll making
narrow serpentine mine that appears whitish when seen from upper surface, ultimately
causing blotches and holes.
Life history : Eggs are laid singly in small incisions in the leaf with ovipositor. Pupation
takes place in soil.
Management practices :
 Monitoring the presence of flies by yellow sticky traps and spray crop with
insecticide.

5. Mites (Tetranychus spp)

Nature of damage : The affected parts become reddish brown and bronzy, wither and
dry away. A severe infestation affects the flower and fruit formation.
Management practices :
 Clip off the affected leaves and burn or bury them in soil.
 In case of severe infestation dusting with 300 mesh sulphur or spraying with
wettable sulphur or Spiromesifen 22.9 SC @ 625 ml/ha.

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 BRINJA

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Shoot and Fruit Leucinodes orbanalis Pyralidae Lepidoptera
borer
2. Jassid Amrasca biguttula biguttula Jassidae Hemiptera
3. Aphid Aphis gossypii, Myzus Aphididae Hemiptera
persicae
4. Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Aleurodidae Hemiptera
5. Epilachna or Epilachna viginctopunctata Coccinellidae Coleoptera
Hadda beetle
6. Mite Tetranychus telarius Tetranychidae Acarina

1. Brinjal shoot and Fruit borer (Leucinodes orbanalis)

Economic importance : It is one of the most serious pests of brinjal fruits and plants.
Long and narrow fruits are less susceptible to attack.
Marks of Identification : Moths are medium sized, the forewings are whitish with large
black and brown patches and dots all over. Caterpillar is small, light pink in colour.
Life history : A female moth lays about 250 eggs singly on ventral side of leaves, shoots,
flower buds or sometimes on fruits. Incubation period is 3-5 days in summer and 7 days in
winter. Larval period is 12-15 days in summer and 22 days in winter. Pupation in boat
shaped cocoons on plant. Pupal period is 7-10 days. Adult lives for 2-3 days. The life cycle
completes in 20-43 days. There are 5 overlapping generations in a year. The pest is active
throughout the year.

Life cycle of brinjal shoot and fruit borer

Site of oviposition : On ventral side of leaves, shoots, flower buds
or sometimes on fruits
Fecundity : 250 eggs
Incubation period : 3-5 days (summer) and 7 days (winter)
Larval period : 12-15 days (summer) and 22 days (winter)
Pupal period : 7-10 days
Site of pupation : On plant
Total life cycle : 20-43 days
No. of generations/year : 5 generations

Host plants : Polyphagous feeding on brinjal, potato, bitter gourd, pea pods, cucurbits.
Nature of damage : Infestation starts few weeks after transplanting The caterpillars bore
into the growing shoots, midribs and petioles of large leaves and feed on internal
tissues. As a result of damage, affected shoots wither and dry up and plants exhibit the
symptoms of drooping. After fruit formation, larvae make their entry under the calyx,
when they are young. The holes are later plugged with excreta leaving no visible sign of
infestation. Large circular holes seen on the fruits are the exit holes. Such fruits lose
market value and are unfit for human consumption.

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Management practices :
 Continuous cropping of brinjal and potato should be avoided.
 Removal and destruction of affected shoots and fruits along with larvae.
 Spray Azadirachtin 1 % EC (10000 ppm) @ 1000 ml or Azadirachtin 0.03 % WSV
(300 ppm) @ 2500 ml/ha.
 3-4 weeks after transplanting spray with Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 1000 ml or
Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1500 ml or Triazophos 40 EC @ 1250 ml or Dimethoate
30 EC @ 660 ml or Phosalone 35 EC @ 1400 ml or Thiometon 25 EC @ 1000
ml or Cypermethrin 10 EC @ 750 ml or Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 150 ml or
Fenvelarate 20 EC @ 375 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 300 ml or
Fenpropathrin 30 EC @ 250 ml or Thiodicarb 75 WP @ 625 g or Emamectin
benzoate 5 SG @ 200 g or Thiacloprid 21.7 SC @ 750 ml or Chlorantraniliprole
18.5 SC @ 200 ml or Cypermethrin 3 % + Quinalphos 20 % EC @ 350 ml or
Deltamethrin 1 % + Triazophos 35 % Ec @ 1000 ml or Pyriproxifen 5 % +
Fenpropathrin 15 % EC @ 500 ml/ha.
 Second application 15 days thereafter controls the pest effectively.

2. Jassids (Amrasca biguttula biguttula)

Economic importance : It is predominant pest. Heavy infestation results in considerable
reduction of tuber formation.
Marks of identification : Adults are greenish yellow with front wings having a black spot
on each at the apical margin and two black spots on the vertex of the head. Nymphs
are also green. They walk diagonally.
Life history : Whitish eggs are laid singly in leaf tissues along the veins. Incubation period
is 1 week. Nymphal period is 1-2 week (Moult 5 times). Life cycle is completed in a
period of 1 month.
Life cycle of jassid
Site of oviposition : In leaf tissues along the veins
Incubation period : 1 week
Nymphal period : 1-2 week
Total life cycle : 1 month

Host plants : Potato, brinjal, bhendi, cotton and other malvacious plants.
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the lower surface of
leaves. The damaged leaves curl upwards along the margins, turn yellowish, then brown
and show burnt patches which adversely affect the growth and yield.
Management practices : Spray Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1000 ml or Thiometon 25 EC
@ 1000 ml or Deltamethrin 1 % + Triazophos 35 % EC @ 1000 ml to control the pest
effectively.

3. Aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae)

Marks of identification : Adult is oblong, tiny, yellowish, soft bodied insect with two
projections called cornicles on dorsal side of the abdomen.

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Host plants : Polyphagous feeding on Potato, brinjal, cabbage, raddish, chilli, tomato,
tobacco, sunhemp, sweet potato etc.
Life history : Alate and apterous forms reproduce parthenogenetically. Single female
produces 8-22 nymphs / day. The nymphs undergo 4 moults. A generation is completed
in 7-9 days and several generations are completed in a season.

Life cycle of aphid

Reproduction : Viviparous and parthenogenetic
Fecundity : 8-22 young ones
Total life cycle : 7-9 days

Nature of damage : They are found in large numbers on underside of leaves and
tender shoots. The nymphs and adults suck the cell sap, as a result affected leaves turn
yellow, get wrinkled and distorted. The aphids also exude honeydew on which a fungus
develops and rapidly covers the plant with sooty mould that interferes with photosynthetic
activity of plant. The growth of the plant is stunted and the yield is adversely affected.
Besides, they transmit various virus diseases such as ‘leaf curl’, mosaic and veinal
necrosis and cause severe loss.
Management practices : Spray with Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2000 ml or Fenvelarate 20 EC
@ 375 ml or Thiometon 25 EC @ 1000 ml/ha control the pest effectively.

4. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Economic importance : It is serious pest of brinjal now a days.
Marks of identification : Adult is small, delicate insect with yellow body and hyaline
wings dusted with waxy powder. Nymphs are small, sluggish and pale yellow.
Life history : A female lays about 120 eggs singly on the underside of leaves. Incubation
period is 3-5 days in summer and 5-33 days in winter. Nymphal period is 9-14 days in
summer and 17-81 days in winter. Pupal period is 2-8 days and pupation takes place
on leaves. Adult fly longevity is 2-5 days in summer and 24 days in winter. Life cycle
is completed in 14-122 days. There are 10-12 generations in a year.

Life cycle of whitefly

Site of oviposition : On the underside of leaves
Incubation period : 3-5 days (summer) and 5-33 days (winter)
Nymphal period : 9-14 days (summer) and 17-81 days (winter)
Pupal period : 2-8 days
Site of pupation : On leaves
Total life cycle : 14-122 days
No. of generations/year : 10-12 generations

Host plants : Polyphagous feeds on brinjal, cotton, okra, potato cabbage, cauliflower,
tomato, melon and some weeds.
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the underside of
the leaves. In case of severe infestation the vitality of the plant is lowered and
vegetative growth is checked. This results in shedding of flower buds and fruits. The
insects also excrete honey dew on the leaves which encourages the development of black
sooty mould,

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adversely affecting the photosynthesis. The attacked crop gives sickly appearance. Besides,
the pest is known to transmit virus diseases in many crops.
Management practices : Spray the crop with Difenthiuron 50 WP @ 600 g or
Fenpropathrin 30 EC @ 250 ml or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 200 g or Pyriproxifen 5
%
+ Fenpropathrin 15 % EC @ 500 ml/ha as soon as incidence is noticed.

5. Epilachna or Hadda beetle (Epilachna viginctopunctata)

Marks of identification : Adult beetles are red in colour with black spots on each fore
wing. Grubs are yellowish and have six rows of long brached spines.
Life history : A single female lays about 400 eggs on underside of leaves. The eggs hatch
in 3-5 days. The grub becomes full grown in 7-18 days. Pupation takes place on the leaves,
stems or at the base of plants. The pupal period lasts for 5-13 days. The total life cycle
is completed in 17-50 days. There are several generations in a year.

Life cycle of hadda beetle

Site of oviposition : On ventral side of leaves
Fecundity : 400 eggs
Incubation period : 3-5 days
Grub period : 7-18 days
Pupal period : 5-13 days
Site of pupation : On the leaves, stems or at the base of plants
Total life cycle : 17-50 days

Host plants : Brinjal, potato, tomato

Nature of damage : Both grub and beetle eat the chlorophyll of the leaf in between
the veins and cause characteristic skeletonised patches on leaves.
Management practices :
 Hand picking of grubs and collection of beetles by hand nets during early stage of
attack helps in reducing the intensity of infestation.
 Spray Azadirachtin 0.03 % WSV (300 ppm) @ 2500 ml or Triazophos 40 EC
@ 1250 ml or Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 150 ml/ha.

6. Mites (Tetranychus telarius)

Nature of damage : They are found in large colonies on underside of leaves covered with
fine silky webs. As a result of their feeding, white specks appear on leaves. These later
enlarge and leaf becomes discoloured and dries away.
Management practices : Spray Dicofol 18.5 EC @ 1350 ml or Fenazaquin 10 EC @
1250 ml or Fenpropathrin 30 EC @ 250 ml or Flumite 20 SC @ 400 ml or Propargite
57 EC @ 1000 ml or Spiromesifen 22.9 SC @ 400 ml/ha to control the mites
effectively.

⤊⤊⤊

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 PRACTICAL NO. 9
PESTS OF MALVACEOUS VEGETABLES
(Okra or Bhendi)

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Shoot and Fruit Earias vitella, E. insulana Noctuidae Lepidoptera
borer
2. Jassid Amrasca biguttula biguttula Jassidae Hemiptera
3. Aphid Aphis gossypii, Myzus Aphididae Hemiptera
persicae
4. Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Aleurodidae Hemiptera

1. Shoot and fruit borer (Earias vitella, E. insulana)

Economic importance : Serious pest of bhendi and cotton.
Marks of identification : Moth :E. vitella - moths have small pale white fore wings with
broad greenish band in the middle. E. insulana the forewings are completely greenish.
Caterpillars of both species are brownish white with number of black and brown spots on
the body and hence also called spotted boll worm. Larval length is 18 mm.
Life history : About 60-400 eggs are laid on tender shoots, flower buds and young fruits.
Eggs hatch within 3-7 days. Larval period is 9-11 days in summer and 20 days in
winter. Pupation takes place in the tough silken cocoons either on plant or in soil or
among the fallen leaves and rubbish. Pupal period lasts for 5-7 days in summer and 8-9
days in winter. Life cycle is completed in 3 weeks in summer and 4 weeks in winter
and there are 12 generations in a year.

Life cycle of okra shoot and fruit borer

Site of oviposition : On tender shoots, flower buds and young fruits
Fecundity : 60-400 eggs
Incubation period : 3-7 days
Larval period : 9-11 days (summer) and 20 days (winter)
Pupal period : 7-10 days
Site of pupation : On plant or in soil or among the fallen leaves
Total life cycle : 3 weeks (summer) and 4 weeks (winter)
No. of generations/year : 12 generations

Host plants : Cotton, okra, ambadi, holly hock and several other malvaceous plants.
Nature of damage : Caterpillars bore into the tender shoots, flower buds and fruits. As a
result, the shoots dry, flower buds and fruits drop prematurely. Fruits remaining on the
plants get deformed and often show exit holes of the larvae.
Management practices
 Removal and destruction of infested shoots, fruits and shed material helps in
reducing the intensity of infestation.
 Spraying of Azadirachtin 1 % EC (10000 ppm) @ 1000 ml or Azadirachtin 0.03 %
WSV @ 2500 ml or Bacillus thuringiensis @ 1 Kg/ha.

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  Spraying with Quinalphos 25 EC @ 800 ml or Phosalone 35 EC @ 1500 ml or
Cypermethrin 10 EC @ 750 ml or Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 150 ml or
Fenvelarate 20 EC @ 300 ml or Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 500 ml or Lamda
cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 300 ml or Permethrin 25 EC @ 400 ml or Fenpropathrin 30
EC @ 250 ml or Pyridalyl 10 EC @ 500 ml or Spinosad45 SC @ 200 ml or
Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 135 g or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 125 ml or
Pyriproxifen 5 % + Fenpropathrin 15 % EC @ 500 ml/ha in 500 lit. water.

2. Jassid (Amrasca biguttula biguttula)

Described under Brinjal.

Management practices
 Seed treatment with Imidacloprid 48 FS @ 5-9 g or Thiamethoxam 70 WS @ 3
g per Kg seed.
 Spraying of Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2000 ml or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1600 ml
or Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1000 ml or Imidacloprid 70 WG @ 35 g or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL
@ 100 ml or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g or Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 150 ml or
Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 500 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 SC @ 300 ml/ha in 500 lit. water.

3. Aphids (Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae)

Describe under Brinjal.

Management practices
 Seed treatment with Imidacloprid 48 FS @ 5-9 g or Thiamethoxam 70 WS @ 3
g per Kg seed.
 Spraying of Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2000 ml or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1600 ml
or Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1000 ml or Imidacloprid 70 WG @ 35 g or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL
@ 100 ml or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g or Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 75 g/ha in 500
lit. water.

4. Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

Adult of whitefly are also responsible for transmission of the Yellow vein
mosaic virus disease of okra. Also described under brinjal.
Management practices
 Spraying of Azadirachtin 0.03 % WSV @ 2500 ml or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1000
ml or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g or Fenpropathrin 30 EC @ 250 ml or Pyriproxifen
5 % + Fenpropathrin 30 % EC @ 500 ml/ha in 500 lit. water.

⤊⤊⤊

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 PRACTICAL NO. 10
PESTS OF CRUICIFEROUS VEGETABLES
(Cabbage, Cauliflowers, Broccoli and Knolkhol)

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Diamond back Plutella xylostella Plutellidae Lepidoptera
moth
2. Aphid Brevicoryne brassicae Aphididae Hemiptera
3. Painted bug Bagrada cruciferarum Pentatomidae Hemiptera
4. Head borer Helula undalis Lepidopyera

1. Diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella)

Economic importance : It is one of the serious pests of cruciferous crops throughout the
world. It is cosmopolitan in distribution.
Marks of identification : Moth is small, brownish grey in colour, have three pale whitish
triangular spots on their hind margins of forewings which from a diamond pattern
when the insect is at rest with wings folded along the body. Caterpillar is small, greenish,
smooth with some scattered hairs and tapering at both the ends.
Life history : A female moth lays 60 eggs singly along the veins on lower surface of
leaves at night. The eggs hatch in 7 days. Larva grows in 2 weeks. Pupation takes
place on the leaves in thin silken cocoons. The adult emerge within 1 week from pupa.
There are 5-7 generations in a year. Pest is active throughout the winter season.

Life cycle of diamond back moth

Site of oviposition : On lower surface of leaves
Fecundity : 60 eggs
Incubation period : 7 days
Larval period : 2 weeks
Pupal period : 7 days
Site of pupation : On leaves
Total life cycle : 24-35 days
No. of generations/year : 5-7 generations

Host plant : Cabbage, cauliflower, knolkhol, mustard, radish etc.

Nature of damage : Young larvae feed on epidermis of leaves while full grown
larvae bore inside the heads. Round transparent patches appear on leaves due to feeding.
In case of sever infestation the plants may be completely skelotonized.
Management practices
 Trap cropping with mustard the crop attracts 80-90% moths for colonization.
 Tomato, when intercropped with cabbage reduces egg laying by diamond back
moth.
 Spraying with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) @ 500 to 1000 g/ha.

11 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
  Spraying with Azadirachtin 0.03 % WSV @ 2500 ml or Azadirachtin 5 %.
 Spraying with Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2000 ml or Cypermethrin 10 EC @ 750 ml
or Fenvelarate 20 EC @ 300 ml or Permethrin 25 EC @ 200 ml or Emamectin
benzoate 5 SG @ 150 g or Spinosad 2.5 SC @ 600 ml or Novaluron 10 EC @ 750
ml or Lufenuron 5.4 EC @ 600 ml or Difenthuron 50 WP @ 600 g or Fipronil
5 SC @ 1000 ml or Flubendamide 20 WG @ 50 g or Flubendamide 39.35 SC @ 50
ml or Flufenoxuron 10% DC @ 400 g or Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 250 ml or
Indoxacarb 15.8 EC @ 250 ml or Metaflumizone 22 SC @ 750 ml or Pyridalyl 10
EC @ 600 ml/ha in 500 lit. water controls the pest effectively.

2. Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae)

Economic importance : It causes considerable damage in case of severe infestation.
Marks of identification : Adult aphids are very small, soft bodied insects, yellowish green
in color. They have cornicles on abdomen.
Life history : Only females are noticed in Maharashtra state. They reproduce
parthenogenetically and single female produces 12-24 young ones (nymphs). The nymphs
become mature within 7-9 days and start reproducing.
Host plants : Cruciferous crops, brinjal, potato, chillies, tomato, shepu, sunhemp,
sweet potato, chakwat, geranium, fennel etc.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from lower surface of
leaves. Their continuous feeding leads to general yellowing of leaves and subsequent
drying. Besides, the pest excretes sugary substance which spreads on leaf surface and
attracts the black fungus that affects the photosynthetic activities of plant.
Management practices :
 Spray with Azadirachtin 0.03 % WSV @ 2500 ml or Azadirachtin 5 % or
Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 75 g or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 660 ml or Quinalphos 25
EC @ 1000 ml or Phosalone 35 EC @ 1400 ml or Malathion 35 EC @ 1500 ml
or Fenvelarate 20 EC @ 300 ml in 500 lit. water as soon as infestation is noticed.
 Soil application of Phorate 10 G @ 20 Kg/ha.

3. Painted bug (Bagrada cruciferarum)

Marks of identification : Bugs are small, black in colour with red and yellow lines.
Life history : A single female bug lays 90-218 eggs. Eggs are laid in the leaves, stem
portions. Eggs hatch in 7 days. Nymphs grow in about 21 days. There are 6-7 overlapping
generations in a year.

Life cycle of painted bug

Site of oviposition : On leaves, stem portions
Fecundity : 90-218 eggs
Incubation period : 7 days
Nymphal period : 21 days
No. of generations/year : 6-7 generations
Host plants : Cabbage, cauliflower, raddish, weed Gynadropsis pentaphylla.

12 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the leaves.
Infested plants become weak, stunted and finally dry up.
Management practices : Spraying with Dimethoate 30 EC @ 660 ml/ha.

4. Head borer (Helula undalis)

Marks of identification : Adult moth is small yellowish-brown having wavy lines and
a central elliptical marking on fore wings. Hind wings are pale dusky. Caterpillar is
creamy yellow with a pinkish tinge and has seven purpulish brown longitudinal stripes
with brown head.
Life history : Eggs are laid singly or in clusters on underside of leaves. Eggs hatch in 2-3
days. Caterpillar becomes full grown in 7-12 days and pupates in the larval burrows or
in the soil. The pupal period is about 6 days and a generation is completed in 15-25 days.

Life cycle of head borer

Site of oviposition : On underside of leaves
Incubation period : 2-3 days
Larval period : 7-12 days
Pupal period : 6 days
Site of pupation : In the larval burrows or in the soil
Total life cycle : 15-25 days

Host plants : Cabbage, cauliflower, knolkhol, beetroot and weed Gynadropsis pentaphylla.
Nature of damage : The larvae first mine into the leave, enter inside and feed on the inner
tissues. Later they bore the midrib of leaves or the stem portion or the cabbage head
and feed on the tissues. Even after harvest, the caterpillars remain inside the cabbage
head, continue to feed and cause severe damage. When the attack is heavy, the plants are
riddled with worms and the heads look deformed.
Management practices : Spraying with Quinalphos 25 EC @ 2000 ml or Malathion
50 EC @ 1500 ml/ha.

⤊⤊⤊

13 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 11
PESTS OF CUCURBITACEOUS VEGETABLES
(Bitter gourd, Bottle gourd, Ridge gourd, Smooth gourd, Cucumber,
Water melon and Muskmelon)

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Fruit fly Trypetidae Diptera
Melon fruit fly Bactrocera cucurbitae
Ethiopian fruit fly Dacus ciliatus
Oriental fruit fly B. dorsalis
2. Red pumpkin beetle Raphidopalpa foveiciollis Chrysomelidae Coleoptera

1. Fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae, Dacus ciliates, B. dorsalis)

Economic importance : These are cosmopolitan species causing huge annual losses
to several vegetable and fruit crops. More than 50% fruits are damaged by fruit flies.
The Ethiopian fruit fly, D.ciliatus L. and melon fruit fly, D. cucurbitae C are the
predominant species damaging cucurbits and melons. The D. zontus S. has been
reported to damage long melon. Among the various species D. cucurbitae is most
common and destructive on vegetables.
Marks of identification : Adult fly resembles common house fly but has conical,
yellowish brown abdomen and transparent wings with grey spots and bands. Maggot is
small, dirty white, legless, tapering at one end.
Life history : A female fly lays about 200 eggs just under the skin (epidermis) of the
fruits. These eggs hatch in 3-5 days. Maggot feedS on pulp of fruits and grown up in 2-3
weeks. Pupation takes place in soil. Pupal period is 8-10 days. The life cycle is completed
in 24-35 days. These species breed almost throughout the year except winter during
which they hibernate as pupae or adults. During rainy season the activity of melon
fruit fly is at its peak while heavy rains stop breeding of Ethiopian fruit fly. There are
several generations in a year.

Life cycle of fruit fly

Site of oviposition : On lower surface of leaves
Fecundity : 200 eggs
Incubation period : 3-5 days
Maggot period : 2-3 weeks
Pupal period : 8-10 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 24-35 days

Host plants : Gourds, melon, tondali, guava, mango, ber and other fruits.
Nature of damage : Maggots feed on pulp of the fruits. Infested fruits start rotting
and render them unfit for human consumption.
Management practices
 Clean cultivation – Removal and destruction of fallen fruits and infested fruits daily
to minimize the intensity.

14 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
  Deep ploughing to expose hibernating stages.
 Use of methyl eugenol.
 Application of spray bait containing 20 ml malathion + 200 g jaggry + 20 lit. of
water.
 Spraying with Malathion 50 EC @ 500 ml or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @
100 ml/ha in 500 lit. water at flowering reduce the intensity of infestation.

2. Pumpkin beetle (Red Pumpkin Beetle) (Raphidopalpa foveiciollis)

Economic importance : The red pumpkin beetle is the most destructive species, damage
the young seedlings and kill them.
Marks of identification : Adults are small, the elytra of red pumpkin beetle is pale orange
yellow to deep pale brown while in case of black pumpkin beetle, it is black and it is
yellowish in yellow pumpkin beetle. Grubs are small, slender, elongate, creamy yellow
with brown head and legs.
Life history : About 150-300 eggs are laid in moist soil to a depth of 2.5 cm, near the
plant. These hatch within 5-27 days depending on temperature and moisture content of
soil. Grubs develop in 12-34 days and pupate in soil. Pupal period is 15-35 days. Adult
lives for 20-197 days. Life cycle is completed in 52-270 days. The maximum activity of
the pest is observed during hot weather (March-May) reaching its peak in middle of April.

Life cycle of red pumpkin beetle

Site of oviposition : In moist soil
Fecundity : 150-300 eggs
Incubation period : 5-27 days
Grub period : 15-35 days
Pupal period : 8-10 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 52-270 days

Host plants : All cucurbits. Bottle gourd, red pumpkin and cucumber are heavily damaged
by red pumpkin beetle.
Nature of damage : Beetles are mainly responsible for the damage to the plants above
ground. They damage the leaves, flowers and fruits making irregular holes and
causing death or retardation of growth. In case of heavy infestation resowing is also
required to be done. The grub lives in the soil and feeds on roots and stem of the plant.
Fruits and leaves also get damaged when comes in contact with the soil. Damaged roots,
stems start rotting.
Management practices
 Preventive measures – burning of old creepers, ploughing and harrowing of
field after harvest of the crops to destroy the stages of the pest.
 Collection and destruction of beetles in early stage of infestation.
 Spraying with Dichlorvos76 EC @ 625 ml or Malathion 50 EC @ 500 ml/ha in
500 lit. water gives satisfactory control of the pest.

⤊⤊⤊

15 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 12
PESTS OF LEAFY VEGETABLES
AND CHILLI

LEAFY VEGETABLES
1. Amaranthus 2. Coriander 3. Methi 4. Spinach 5. Radish 6. Salad crops (Celery, lettuce
and parsley)

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Aphid Acyrthosiphon malvae Aphididae Hemiptera
2. Leaf eating caterpillar Hymeria (Spolodea) Crambidae Lepidoptera
recurvlis
3. Leaf miner Liriomyza trifoli Agromyzidae Diptera
4. Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Aleurodidae Hemiptera
5. Thrips Thrips tabaci Thripidae Thysanoptera

1. Aphid (Acyrthosiphon malvae)

The aphids are highly polypagous pest having a very wide range of host plants.
Marks of identifications : Aphids are tiny yellowish soft bodied insects, the adult is
oblong 1 mm long and has 2 projections called cornicles on the dorsal side of the
abdomen. Life history : Reproduce parthenogenetically, a single female produces 25-35
nymps /day. The nymphs undergo four moults before reaching the adult stage. A
generation is completed in 10-12 days. Several generations/year are observed.
Host plants : Safflower, radish, spinach and salad crops.
Nature of damage : Colonies of the aphids consisting of adults and various stages of
nymphs can be seen on tender stems and underside of leaves sucking the cell sap. The
affected plant parts fade, curl and dry up. Besides the direct damage by feeding these
insects also secrete the honeydew which favor the growth of sooty mould, as a result,
growth of the plants is retarded and quality as well as quantity of the edible portion is
adversely affected.
Management practices
 Removal and destruction of affected plant parts along with the aphids as soon
as infestation is noticed.
 Spraying crop with Acephate 75 SP @ 350 g or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 850 ml
or Monocrotophos 36 EC @ 850 ml/ha in 500 lit. water. Appropriate waiting
period should be observed before harvesting of the crop.

16 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
2. Amaranthus : Leaf eating caterpillars (Hymeria (Spolodea) recurvlis)
It is a sporadic pest of amaranthus and is widely distributed in the Indian
subcontinent.lt is also distributed in tropical and sub tropical regions, including
Africa, Asia, Australia and Hawaii Islands.
Marks of identification : Eggs are very small in size, snow white in colour. Caterpillars
are greenish in colour with white lines on thorax. Adults are small sized, black
coloured, slender bodied moths.
Life history : Oviposition is on leaves preferably on top shoots. A female lays about 156
eggs. Eggs hatch in 3 to 4 days. Larval period is 12 to 16 days. Pupation takes place in the
soil. Pupal period lasts for 8-11 days. Adult period is 6 to 10 days. A life cycle completed
in 3 to 4 weeks.

Life cycle of leaf eating caterpillar

Site of oviposition : On leaves
Fecundity : 156 eggs
Incubation period : 3-4 days
Larval period : 12-16 days
Pupal period : 8-11 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 3-4 weeks

Host plants : Amaranthus, spinach, grassland and pastures.

Nature of damage : On hatching the caterpillars feed on epidermis and on tissues of
leaves. Later on they web together the leaves with silken threads secreted by them and feed
within. Gradually these webbed leaves become completely devoid of chlorophyll and dry
up.
Management practices :
 To control these caterpillars, spray with Malathion 50 EC @ 500 ml or Carbaryl 85
WP @ 600 g/ha in 500 lit. water.

17 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 CHILLI

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis, Thripidae Thysanoptera
Thrips tabaci
2. Fruit borer Helicoverpa armigera Noctudiae Lepidoptera

1. Thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis)

Economic importance : In case of severe infestation 30-50% crop may be lost. It is also
responsible for transmitting 'leaf curl' disease.
Marks of identification : Adults are minute, delicate insect less than 1 mm. long and
yellow in colour. Wings are fringed with hairs. Nymphs are more minute and wingless.
Life history : Both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction occur. Female lays 50-60
fertilized or unfertilized eggs inside the leaf tissues generally on lower side of the leaf.
Eggs hatch in 8-9 days. Nymphs develop in 4-6 days. Pre pupal and pupal periods are
generally found in soil at a depth of 2.5 -5 cm. There are several overlapping
generations in a year. The pest is more active during later part of monsoon season
especially during dry days.

Life cycle of chilli thrips

Site of oviposition : In leaf tissues
Fecundity : 50-60 eggs
Incubation period : 8-9 days
Nymphal period : 4-6 days
Pupal period : 1 day
Site of pupation : In soil

Host plants : Polyphagous and feed on onion, brinjal, bhendi, cotton, mango, tondali,
bottle gourd, guava.
Nature of damage : The thrips scrape the epidermis of leaves and suck the oozing
sap. The damaged plant tissues initially become whitish, later brown and ultimately dry.
As a result, leaves curl and become small. Such symptoms are locally known as
"'Murda" or "Bokadya".
Management practices :
 Seed treatment with Imidacloprid 70 WS @ 10 g or Thiamethoxam 70 WS @ 5
g/Kg seed.
 Soil application of Carbofuran 3 G @ 33 Kg or Phorate 10 G @ 10 Kg/ha.
 Spraying with Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 50 g or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 100 ml or
Thiacloprid 21.7 SC @ 225 ml or Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 200 g or Spinosad
45 SC @ 160 ml or Fipronil 5 SC @ 1000 ml or Fenpropathrin 30 EC @ 170
ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 4.9 CS @ 500 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 300
ml or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 660 ml or Ethion 50 EC @ 1500 ml or Oxydemeton-
methyl 25 EC @ 1000 ml or Phosalone 35 EC @ 2000 ml or Methomyl 40 SP @
750 g or Indoxacarb 14.5 % + Acetamiprid 7.7 % SC @ 400 ml/ha in 500 lit. water
as soon as infestation is noticed.
2. Fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

18 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Nature of damage : The caterpillars bore into fruits and cause severe damage.
Management practices :
 Spraying with HaNPV @ 250 LE or Bacillus thuringiensis @ 1.5 Kg/ha in 500 lit.
water.
 Spraying with Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml or Emamectin benzoate 5 SG
@ 200 g or Spinosad 45 SC @ 160 ml or Fipronil 5 SC @ 1000 ml or
Flubendamide
39.35 SC @ 100 ml or Lufenuron 5.4 EC @ 600 ml or Novaluron 10 EC @
375 ml or Methomyl 40 SP @ 750 g or Thiodicarb 75 WG @ 625 g or Indoxacarb
14.5 SC @ 350 ml or Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 450 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 4.9
CS @ 500 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 300 ml or Indoxacarb 14.5 % +
Acetamiprid
7.7 % SC @ 400 ml or Pyriproxifen 5 % + Fenpropathrin 15 % EC @ 500
ml/ha in 500 lit. water.

⤊⤊⤊

19 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 13
PESTS OF POTATO AND SWEET POTATO

The crop is damaged by several POTATO

pests in the feild and in storage. The tuber
moth assumes serious forms causing huge losses.

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella Gelechlidae Lepidoptera
2. Cutworm Agrotis ypsilon Noctudiae Lepidoptera

1. Tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella)

Economic importance : It is a cosmopolitan pest found in warmer countries throughrout
the world. It is not native of India but was first introduced in Bombay from Italy about
100 years ago. In India it is reported in U.P., Maharashtra, Bihar and Punjab. It is serious
both in field and storage but particularly more serious in storage. In the plains it is active
throughout the year and passes its life cycle on potato plants in the fields from Nov. to
March as a leaf miner or boring into petioles, terminal shoots and tubers underground, and
from April to November in storage. It said that 30-70 % tubers get infested under
indigenous methods of storage, if not properly attended. The temp 80-100°F is found most
congenial for the pest activity
Marks of identification : Moth is small, narrow winged and greyish brown. It is nocturnal
in habit. Caterpillars are small, pinkish - white or pale greenish.
Life history : A female lays about 150-250 eggs singly near the eye of exposed tubers or
sometimes on underside of leaves. Incubation Period is 3-6 days. Larva grows in 2-3
weeks. Pupation occurs in soil in earthen cocoons. Pupal period is 7-10 days. Life
cycle is completed in about 4 weeks and 8-9 generations per year.

Life cycle of tuber moth

Site of oviposition : Near the eye of exposed tubers or sometimes
on underside of leaves
Fecundity : 150-250 eggs
Incubation period : 3-6 days
Larval period : 2-3 weeks
Pupal period : 7-10 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 4 weeks
No. of generations / year : 8-9 generations

Host plants : The caterpillars are reported to feed on leaves of potato, brinjal, tobacco
and tomato in field but potato tubers under storage are most vulnerable to its attack.

20 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Nature of damage : In early stage of the crop growth the pest is injurious to plant as leaf
miner. It also bores into petiole and terminal shoots. The main danger is to tubers
both in the field and under storage. The caterpillars bore the tubers and feed on the
pulp. As a result potato tubers rot. The presence of black excreta near the eye buds help to
detect its presence in the tubers. On cutting open such tubers, one can find the larva in
the pulp.
Management practices
In field :
 Timely earthing up of the crop to cover the exposed tubers helps to reduce the
intensity of infestation.
 Spray with 0.05 % endosulfan or quinalphos or 0.1 % carbaryl at 60 days after
planting.
 Heaps of harvested potatoes, should not be kept exposed in the field but
covered with straw and the infested tubers should be rejected before storage..
 Release of egg larval parasitoid Copidosoma koehleri B @ 20,000 mummies at 7 days
inteeval starting 45 days after planting or release of egg larval parasitoid Chelonus
blackburni @ 60,000 adults/ha in 4 releases at weekly interval.
In storage :
 The potatoes should be stored in well ventilated cool and dry places, with
temperature not exceeding 21 °C.
 Covering of tubers with 1" layer of dry sand is cheap and highly effective
remedy against the pest.
 Fumigate the tubers with CS2 @ 1 kg/27 cu.m. for 48 hrs at 70 o F before storage.
CS2 is reported to induce sprouting in storage.
 Walls of godown should be sprayed with 1.5% carbaryl at an interval of three
months.
 Treatment of seed potato tubers with 5% malathion dust @ 125 g/100 kg is
reported to offer good protection against the pest. Such treated potatoes
however, should not be used for consumption.
 If cold storage facilities are available, the produce can be safely stored for a longer
period.
 Release of egg-larval parasitoid, C. koehleri @ 500 pairs/quintal or C. blackburni @
200 adults/quintal tubers in storage, helps in reducing the intensity of infestation.
 Application of Bt powder @ l00 g/quintal tubers in storage also found effective in
reducing the infestation of pest.

2. Cutworm (Agrotis ypsilon)

Economic importance : Cosmopolitan pest, reported to occur throughout the country.
It is serious in low lying areas which remain water logged for considerable time during the
year. It causes severe damage in seedling stage. The damage to the crop varies from
12- 35%.
Marks of identification : Moths are medium sized, stout with greyish brown wavy
lines and spots on fore wings. The moths are active at dusk and are attracted by light.
Caterpillar is 4-5 cm long, dirty black in colour and have habit of coiling at slightest
touch.
Life history : About 300-350 eggs are laid in clusters laid on ventral leaf surface or moist
soil. These eggs hatch in 4-5 days. Larva developes in 3-5 weeks. Pupation takes place in

21 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
soil in earthen cocoons. Pupal period is 11-18 days. Life cycle is completed in 5-9 weeks.
It is cool climate pest active from October.

Life cycle of cutworm

Site of oviposition : On ventral leaf surface or moist soil
Fecundity : 300-350 eggs
Incubation period : 4-5 days
Larval period : 3-5 weeks
Pupal period : 11-18 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 5-9 weeks

Host plants : Polyphagous feeding on potato, pulses, barley, oat, tobacco, peas, gram,
cotton, tomato, lucerne, chillies, brinjal and other vegetables.
Nature of damage : The caterpillars hide during the day in cracks and crevices in soil
or in debris around the plants and feed on tender leaves during night by cutting seedlings
near ground level. The destruction is much more than actual feeding.
Management practices
 Heaps of green grasses may be kept at suitable interval in infested fields during
evening and collected next day early in the morning along with caterpillars and
destroyed.
 Clean cultivation and mechanical destruction of caterpillars also help in
reducing pest infestation.
 5% carbaryl poison bait @ 25-60 kg/ha controls the pest effectively (1 kg carbaryl
50WP +10 kg wheat bran + 1 kg jaggery and sufficient water).

22 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 SWEET POTATO

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Sweet potato weevil Cylas formicarius Curculionidae Coleoptera
2. Leaf eating caterpillar Agrius convolvuli Sphingidae Lepidoptera
or Sphinx caterpillar

1. Sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius)

Economic importance : Serious pest of sweet potato causing loss of tubers to the
extent of 60-70%.
Marks of identification : Adult weevil is small, ant-like, steel black in colour with brown
elongated snout like head. Grub: small, legless and pale yellow in colour.
Life history : A female lays about 100-200 eggs on the tubers and stems of vines by
making small cavities. Eggs hatching occur in 5-10 days. Larva grows in 2-3 weeks.
Pupation takes place in the larval burrows in vines. Pupal period is 7 days. Adult male
longevity is 10-15 weeks and female longevity 13-16 weeks. Life cycle is completed in
4 -5 weeks. Pest is carried from one field to another through the infested vines and from
season to season by breeding in tubers left over after harvest.

Life cycle of sweet potato weevil

Site of oviposition : On tubers and stems of vines by making small
cavities
Fecundity : 100-200 eggs
Incubation period : 5-10 days
Larval period : 2-3 weeks
Pupal period : 7 days
Site of pupation : In the larval burrows in vines
Total life cycle : 4-5 weeks

Host plants : Sweet potato only.

Nature of damage : The grub infest vines (stems) and cause tunneling inside. The grubs
as well as adults bore into tubers, both in field and godowns, feed on inner content and
spoil them. Dark black patches are noticed on the tubers and stems.
Management practices
 Healthy cuttings should be selected for planting.
 After harvest of the crop vines should be collected and destroyed.
 Follow proper crop rotation.
 Spray with Carbaryl 85 WP @ 600 g/ha in 500 lit. water.
 Apply phorate 10G in the soil at planting @ 10 kg/ha.

2. Sweet potato leaf eating caterpillar or Sphinx caterpillar (Agrius convolvuli)

23 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Economic importance : It occasionally assumes serious form and causes economic loss.

Marks of identification : Moth is stout, pale grey coloured with black pointed head. The
abdomen has pink and white lateral bands. Caterpillar is dark brown with reddish patches
on sides and sharp curved horn-like process at tail end, about 7.5-10 cm long.
Life history : Seed like eggs are laid singly on leaves which hatch in 5-10 days.
Larval development occurs in 2-3 weeks and pupates in the soil. Pupal period is 7-11
days. The pest hibernates in pupal stage. Life cycle is completed in 4-15 weeks. Pest is
active in monsoon.

Life cycle of sphinx caterpillar

Site of oviposition : On leaves
Fecundity :
Incubation period : 5-10 days
Larval period : 2-3 weeks
Pupal period : 7-11 days
Site of pupation : In the larval burrows in vines
Total life cycle : 4-15 weeks

Host plants : Sweet potato, mug, udid and sesamum.

Nature of damage : Caterpillars feed on leaves voraciously. In case of severe infestation
defoliate the plant.
Management practices
 Hand picking and destruction of caterpillar in early stage of infestation.
 Ploughing the field after harvest will expose the pupae.
 Dusting the crop with 10% Carbaryl dust @ 20 kg/ha.

⤊⤊⤊

24 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 14
PESTS OF MANGO

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Mango hoppers Amritodus atkinsoni, Cicadellidae Hemiptera
Idioscopus clypealis
2. Mango stem borer Batocera rubus Cerambycidae Coleoptera
3. Fruit fly Bactrocera (=Dacus) dorslis Trypetidae Diptera
4. Mango stone Sternochetus mangiferae Curculionidae Coleoptera
weevil
5. Mealybugs Drosicha mangiferae Pseudococcidae Hemiptera
6. Thrips Caliothrips indicus, Thripidae Thysanoptera
Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus,
Scirtothrips dorsalis

1. Mango hoppers (Amritodus atkinsoni, Idioscopus clypealis)

Economic importance : Most destructive pests, occur regularly during flowering season,
and cause huge losses.
Marks of identification : Adults are wedge shaped, small insect with greyiesh body
and three dark brown spots on head.
Life history : Eggs are laid in tissues of flowers and midribs of young leaves. A
single female lays about 100-200 eggs. Eggs hatch in 4-6 days. Nymphal period is 8-13
days. Life cycle is completed in 12-29 days. Adult hibernates under the bark of trunk.
Pest is active during flowering season.

Life cycle of mango hopper

Site of oviposition : In tissues of flowers and midribs of young
leaves
Fecundity : 100-200 eggs
Incubation period : 4-6 days
Nymphal period : 8-13 days
Total life cycle : 12-29 days

Host plants : Polyphagous feed on mango, citrus, mulberry, chikoo etc.

Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the young leaves,
tender shoots and flower (inflorescence) due to which flowers, buds wither and die
off. The damage is more pronounced in flowering season. Premature dropping of flowers
and fruits occur. Also excrete honeydew, which encourages development of black sooty
mould. As a result upper surface of leaves, flowers and shoots become black which affect
the fruit settings.

25 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Management practices : First spray before flowering on bark of branches and two more
sprays when buds begin to sprout with Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.1 ml or
Clothianidin 50 WP @ 0.12 g or Buprofezin 25 SC @ 1 ml or Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 0.3
ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 1 ml or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.5 ml or
Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1 ml or Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 3 ml or Malathion 50
EC @ 1.5 ml per lit. water.

2. Mango stem borer (Batocera rubus)

Economic importance : Entire tree gets killed in case of severe infestation.
Marks of identification : Adult is well built, conspicusously long and brownish yellow.
Orange yellow spots and lateral spines on thorax, antennae longer. Larva is 8-9 cm
long and has strong jaws.
Life history : Eggs are laid under loose bark and hatch in 1-2 weeks. Grub period is about
6 months. Pupation takes place inside stem. Pupal period is 3-4 months. Total life cycle is
completed in 170-190 days. There is only one generation in a year.

Life cycle of mango stem borer

Site of oviposition : Under loose bark
Fecundity : 22-25 eggs
Incubation period : 1-2 weeks
Grub period : 6 months
Pupal period : 3-4 months
Site of pupation : Inside stem
Total life cycle : 170-190 days
No. of generations/year : 1 generation

Host plants : Mango, fig, rubber, mulberry etc.

Nature of damage : Grubs bore and tunnel into stem as a result branches dry up and
mass of refuge exudes from the bored hole. Tree may die in case of severe infestation.
Management practices
 Cut and destroy the affected branches.
 Inject borer solution (2 part CS2 +1 part chloroform + 1 part creosote oil or CS2 or
EDCT mixture or petrol in live holes with syringe and seal with mud.
 Application of Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 3 ml/lit. water.

3. Mango fruit fly (Bactrocera (=Dacus) dorslis)

Economic importance : Most destructive pest. Rotting of fruits occur.
Marks of identification : Adults are small fly resembling the common house fly.
Abdomen is conical, yellowish brown, wings transparent with grey spots or bands on them.
Maggot is white, small and tapers at one end.
Life history : About 50 eggs are laid under the rind of the fruit. Maggots come out
from eggs in 2-3 days. The development of maggot completes in 1 -4 weeks and pupates
in soil. The adult fly emerges in 8-10 days from pupa. Pest hibernates in pupal stage in soil
during

26 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
winter. Pest is active during June – August on mango. Several generations are completed
in a year.

Life cycle of mango fruit fly

Site of oviposition : Under the rind of the fruit
Fecundity : 50 eggs
Incubation period : 2-3 days
Larval period : 1-4 weeks
Pupal period : 8-10 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 40-60 days

Host plants : Polyphagous feeds on mango, guava, pomegranate, citrus, banana and
several vegetable crops.
Nature of damage : Maggots bore into the fruit and feed on pulp. Infested fruits start
rotting and drop down. Brown rotten patch appears on fruit.
Management practices
 Sanitation - daily removal and destruction of fallen and affected fruits.
 Application of spray baits (20 ml. malathion +200 g gur +20 lit. water).
 Spraying of adjoining hedges with Malathion 50 EC @ 1ml/lit. water.
 Monitor the fruit-fly population in orchards by using methyl eugenol traps.

4. Mango stone weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae)

Economic importance : Totapuri, neelam and Alfanso varieties are susceptible.
Marks of identification : Adult weevil is short, stout, oval and dark. Larva is small, thick
and white.
Life history : Eggs are inserted in the skin of ripening fruit. Pupation takes place
inside the stone. The generation is completed in 40-50 days. Only one generation in a year.
Adult weevil remains inactive from July-August onwards, hiding in soil or underneath
the bark of trees until next season.

Life cycle of mango stone weevil

Site of oviposition : In the skin of ripening fruit
Site of pupation : Inside the stone
Total life cycle : 40-50 days
No. of generations/year : 1 generation

Hosts plant : Mango only.

Nature of damage : Grubs bore through the pulp, enter into the stone and pass entire life
inside the stone. Adult feeds on the pulp and find its way out of ripe fruit. As a result,
discolouration of pulp adjacent to the stone and larval excreta is often seen when the
infested mangoes are cut. There is no external sign if infestation on fruit.
Management practices
 Spraying the trunks with kerosene oil emulsion after harvest to kill the adults.
 Spraying on young fruits with Malathion 50 EC @ 2 ml/lit. water.

27 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
5. Mealybug (Drosicha mangiferae)

Economic importance : Sometimes cause severe damage to mango.

Marks of identification : Bugs are flat, oval waxy-whitish insects. Females are wingless
while males have one pair of brownish black wings.
Management practices
 Ploughing below the tree to expose eggs.
 Soil application of 2% methyl parathion dust to kill newly emerged nymphs.
 Use of sticky bands to prevent the climbing on trees (Sticky substance or
greasy band) half meter above ground in second week of December.
 Spray with Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 3 ml or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.5 ml/lit. water.

6. Thrips (Caliothrips indicus, Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips dorsalis)

Economic importance : Thrips are widely distributed and polyphagous. Generally of
minor importance but occasionally serious.
Marks of identification : Adults are minute ( 1 mm), slender, soft bodied insects with
heavily fringed wings.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults lacerate the tissues and suck the oozing cell sap.
C. indus and R. cruentatus feed on leaves and S. dorsalis on inflorescence and young
fruits. Leaf feeding species feed on mesophyll near fruits. Affected leaves show silvery
sheen and bear small spots of faecal matter. In case of severe infestation young leaves
remain small, leaf tips turn brown and get curled. Inflorescence and young fruits when
infested show discoloured tissues at the feeding site, which subsequently turn brown.
Management practices : Spray with Spinosad 45 SC @ 0.25 ml or Thiamethoxam 25
WG @ 0.2 g/lit. water.

⤊⤊⤊

28 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 15
PESTS OF CITRUS

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Lemon butterfly Papilio demoleus Papilionidae Lepidoptera
2. Leaf miner Phyllocnistis citrella Phylocnistidae Lepidoptera
3. Citrus psylla Diaphorina citri Psyllidae Hemiptera
4. Whitefly Dialeurodes citri Aleurodidae Hemiptera
5. Blackfly Aleurocanthus woglumi
6. Fruit sucking Eudocima (Othreis) fullonica Noctuidae Lepidoptera
moth Eudocima (Othreis) materna
Achoea janata

1. Lemon butterfly (Papilio demoleus)

Economic importance : It causes severe damage to citrus particularly in nurseries.

Marks of identification : Butterfly has yellow and black markings on wings. Larva is
green in colour and measures 38 mm, when disturbed they protrude two fleshy horns from
the neck.
Life history : A female lays about 70-180 eggs singly on tender leaves. Eggs hatch in 3 -
7 days. Larva develops in 2 weeks and Pupates on plant remaining attached by silken
threads. Pupal period is 10-15 days, may extend upto 2-3 months in winter. The life cycle
is completed in 3-6 weeks in summer and 13-15 weeks in winter. There are 4-6 generations
in a year. Pest is active in monsoon season.
Life cycle of lemon butterfly
Site of oviposition : On tender leaves
Fecundity : 70-180 eggs
Incubation period : 3-7 days
Larval period : 2 weeks
Pupal period : 10-15 days
Site of pupation : On plant
Total life cycle : 3-6 weeks (summer) and 13-15 weeks (winter)
No. of generations/year : 4-6 generations

Host plant : All citrus species and other plants like bael, ber, curry leaves, bawachi etc.
Nature of damage : Caterpillars feed on tender leaves right upto the midrib and defoliate
the plants in case of severe infestation.
Management practices :
 Hand picking of caterpillars in early stage of infestation.
 Spray Bacillus thuringiensis @ 1 Kg/ha.
 Spray Quinalphos 25 EC @ 3 ml or Thiodicarb 75 WP @ 1 g per lit. water.

2. Leaf miner (Phyllocnistis citrella)

29 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Economic importance : Most destructive pest, active in monsoon , infestation noticed in
seedling stage. The pest is suspected to be responsible for the spread of bacterial infection
causing 'citrus canker'.
Marks of identification : Moths are small, silver white colour, forewings with brown
stripe and prominent black spot near the tip. Caterpillar is yellow in colour with brown
mandibles.
Life history : A single female Lys about 36-76 eggs. Eggs are laid singly on underside of
leaves and hatch in 3-6 days. Larval development takes place in 1-2 weeks and
pupates inside the larval mines of leaves. Pupal period is 3-4 weeks. Total life cycle is
completed in 12-55 days. About 9-13 generations are completed in a year. Pest is
active in monsoon season. Population of the pest decreases during hot summer
months.

Life cycle of leaf miner

Site of oviposition : On underside of leaves
Fecundity : 36-76 eggs
Incubation period : 3-6 days
Larval period : 1-2 weeks
Pupal period : 3-4 weeks
Site of pupation : Inside the larval mines of leaves
Total life cycle : 12-55 days
No. of generations/year : 9-13 generations

Host plants : All citrus species.

Nature of damage : On hatching larva feeds on leaf tissues between upper and lower
surfaces of leaves making glistening zigzag tunnels. The leaves turn pale, curl and finally
dry. Besides, mined leaves may get bacterial infection which leads to 'citrus canker'.
Management practices :
 Removal of infested leaves and their proper disposal.
 Soil application of Carbofuron 3 G @ 5o Kg or Phorate 10 G @ 15 Kg/ha.
 Spray Acephate 75 SP @ 1.5 g or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.25 ml or
Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.1 g/lit. water as soon as attack is noticed.

3. Citrus psylla (Diaphorina citri)

Economic importance : Most destructive of all pests of citrus, Also transmit "Greening
melody", a micoplasma disease in citrus.
Marks of identification : Adults are small, dark brown in colour. Wings are folded
like roof over body.
Life history : About 800 eggs are laid in leaf axis and hatch in 4-6 days in summer and 22
days in winter. Nymph develops in 2 weeks in summer and 3-4 weeks in winter. Adult
longevity may extend over 6 months. The developmental period from egg to adult
takes 15 days in summer and 47 days in winter. There are 9 generations in a year. Pests
overwinter in adult stage.
Life cycle of citrus psylla
Site of oviposition : In leaf axis

30 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 Fecundity : 800 eggs
Incubation period : 4-6 days (summer) and 22 days (winter)
Nymphal period : 2 weeks (summer) and 3-4 weeks (winter)
Total life cycle : 15 days (summer) and 47 days (winter)
No. of generations/year : 9 generations

Host plants : Citrus and other plants belonging to Rutaceae.

Nature of damage : Both nymph and adult suck the cell sap from tender leaves, shoot
and buds, which as a result curl, dry up and ultimately drop down. Complete crop
failure is reported in case of servere infestation.
Management practices :
 Spray Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1ml or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 0.1 ml or
Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 0.1 g/lit. water as soon as new sprouts appear in June
and January.

4. Whitefly (Dialeurodes citri) and Blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi)

Economic importance : Whitefly, D. citri is common in occurrence and destructive pest
of citrus. It causes 'Kolshi' in citrus and reduces plant vigour.
Marks of identification :
Whitefly : Adults are minute insect with yellowish body and red eyes. Wings are white or
greyish, covered with mealy secretions. Nymphs and pupae are oval shaped, scale like and
blackish with marginal bristle like fringes.
Blackfly : Smaller in size and black in colour.
Host plants : Citrus, cotton, castor, banana, coffee and some ornamental plants.
Life history : A female lays about 200 eggs. Eggs are laid on underside of leaves and
hatch in 10 days. Nymph develops in 3-10 weeks and forms pseudo pupa (quescent
stage) on underside of leaves, pupal period is 16-22 weeks. The total life cycle is complted
in 20-33 weeks. Two generations are complted in a year.

Life cycle of citrus whitefly and blackfly

Site of oviposition : On underside of leaves
Fecundity : 200 eggs
Incubation period : 10 days
Nymphal period : 3-10 weeks
Pupal (Pseudo pupa) period : 16-22 days
Total life cycle : 20-33 weeks
No. of generations/year : 2 generations

Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from leaves, as a result
leaves wither and turn brownish. Nymphs excrete honey dew on which black sooty
mould develops .The blackish coating commonly called "Kolshi". Fruit setting is
adversely affected in case of severe infestation.

Management practices :
 Spray Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1ml or Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 1ml/lit. water.

31 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
5. Fruit sucking moth [Eudocima (Othreis) fullonica, E. (Othreis) materna, Achoea janata]

Economic importance : Moths puncture the fruits and cause fruit rot.
Marks of identification : Moth is large sized with forewings grey or brown, hind wings
orange or yellow with black spot in the center and marginal dark bands. Kidney shape
black spots in E .fullonica and round black spots in E. materna
Life history : A female lays about 300 eggs on leaves of weeds such as Gulvel, Vasanvel
etc. The eggs hatch in 3-4 days. Larva is semilooper and 5 cm long. Larval
development complete in 20 days and enters in soil for pupation. The adult emerges in 9
days from pupa. The life cycle is complted in 4-6 weeks. There are 2-3 generations in a
year. Pest is active in Kharif season.

Life cycle of fruit sucking moth

Site of oviposition : On leaves of weeds such as Gulvel, Vasanvel etc.
Fecundity : 300 eggs
Incubation period : 3-4 days
Larval period : 20 days
Pupal period : 9 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 4-6 weeks
No. of generations/year : 2-3 generations

Host plants : Larva feeds on leaves of gulvel and vasanvel and moth feeds on fruits
of citrus mango, pomegranate, grape, cashewnut etc.
Nature of damage : Moths are nocturnal and seen flying in orchards after dusk.
Moths puncture the ripening fruits and suck the juice. Bacterial infection the infested fruit
causes rotting.
Management practices :
 Eradication of host plants viz. gulvel and vasanvel.
 Poison baiting (20 ml Malathion 50 EC + 200 g jaggary + 2 lit. water).
 Bagging of fruits with paper or cloth bags.
 Quick removal and disposal of fallen fruits.

⤊⤊⤊

PRACTICAL NO. 16
PESTS OF GRAPEVINE

32 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
No.
1. Flea beetle or Scelodonta strigicollis Chrysomelidae Coleoptera
Udadya Beetle
2. Thrips Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus Thripidae Thysanoptera
3. Mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus Pseudococcidae Hemiptera
4. Stem girdler Sthenias grisator Cerambycidae Coleoptera

1. Flea beetle or Udadya Beetle (Scelodonta strigicollis)

Economic importance : It causes severe damage to buds and tender shoots. The damage
may extend from 11 to 31 %.
Marks of identification : Adult is small, shining flea beetle with metallic bronze colour
and 6 dark spots on the elytra. Grub is small, dirty white.
Life history : A female lays 200-600 eggs in her lifetime of about 8 months. Eggs are laid
in crevices of vines and under bark and hatch within 4-8 days. Larva grows in 35-45 days
and pupates in soil, 6-8 cm deep in earthen cells. Pupal period is 7-10 days. Adult beetles
hibernate under the bark from November - March. Pest is very destructive to fresh
flush after pruning. Four overlapping generations are completed in a year.

Life cycle of flea beetle

Site of oviposition : In crevices of vines and under bark
Fecundity : 200-600 eggs
Incubation period : 4-8 days
Grub period : 35-45 days
Pupal period : 7-10 days
Site of pupation : In soil
No. of generations/year : 4 generations

Host plants : Specific to grapevine, however recorded on pangara.

Nature of damage : Adults feed voraciously on sprouting buds and tender shoots
soon after pruning. Buds dry up and do not develop. Beetles also feed on mature leaves
giving shot hole appearance. Grubs feed on roots but do not cause severe damage.
Management practices :
 Remove the loose bark and spray with Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 300 ml or
Lamda cyhalothrin 4.9 @ 250 g or Malathion 50 EC @ 1000 ml/ha in 1000 lit.
water.
 First spraying immediately after pruning and second spraying 10 days after
sprouting.

2. Thrips (Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus)

Economic importance : It is one of the important pests of grapevine causing scab
formation in berries.

33 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Marks of identification : Adults are minute with black wings having fringes.
Females are dark brown, males bright yellow. Nymphs are reddish.
Life history : Both sexual and parthenogenetic reproduction occurs. A female lays about
50 eggs. Egg is laid in leaf tissues which hatch in 3-8 days. Nymphal period is 11-22 days.
Pupation takes place in soil. Pupal period is 2-5 days. Adult longevity of male is 2 to 6
days while female 18-20 days. Life cycle is completed in 14-33 days. There are 5-8
generations in a year. Pests overwinter in pupal stage in soil. Pest is active in summer.

Life cycle of thrips

Site of oviposition : In leaf tissues
Fecundity : 50 eggs
Incubation period : 3-8 days
Nymphal period : 11-22 days
Pupal period : 2-5 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 14-33 days
No. of generations/year : 5-8 generations

Host plants : Polyphagous feeds on mango, pomegranate, rose, guava, jack fruit, cashew
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults scrape the ventral surface of leaves, flower
stalks, berries and suck the oozing cell sap. As a result affected leaves show silvery white
scorchy patches with curly tips, flowers shed and scab formation noticed on infested
berries.
Management practices :
 Spray Fipronil 80 WG @ 62.5 g or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 300 g or Emamectin
benzoate 5 SG @ 220 g or Lamda cyhalothrin 4.9 CS @ 250 g/ha in 1000 lit.
water.
 First spray immediately after pruning in April and October.

3. Mealybug (Maconellicoccus hirsutus)

Economic importance : It causes severe damage, infests grape bunches.
Marks of identification : Adult females are pinkish covered with mealy white waxy
secretion. Eggs and crawlers are orange in colour.
Life history : About 350-500 eggs are under bark, cracks, crevices in cottony cushion
ovisac. Eggs hatch in 5-10 days. Female nymph passes through 3 instars and male 4
instars. Pupal stage is noticed only in males. Life cycle is completed in 1 month. Pest is active
in Feb- March and June to August.

Life cycle of mealybug

Site of oviposition : Under bark, cracks, crevices in cottony cushion
ovisac
Fecundity : 350-500 eggs
Incubation period : 5-10 days
Nymphal period : 19-21 days
Site of pupation : On plant (Only males)
Total life cycle : 1 month

34 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Host plants : Hibiscus (bhendi, ambadi), mulberry, custard apple, guava etc.
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from leaves, shoots and
bunches. Develop sooty mould on bunches and cause severe damage to fruit bunches.
Management practices :
 Debarking of vines and pasting with insecticide like methyl parathion.
 Release of exotic predator Cryptolaemus montrouzieri @ 2500-3750/ha.
 Spraying of fruit bunches with Buprofezin 25 SC @ 1500 ml or Methomyl 40
SP @ 1250 ml/ha in 1000 lit. water in combination with fish oil rosin soap @ 2.5
g/lit. or sandovit 1-2 ml/lit. (wetting and sticking agent).

4. Stem girdler (Sthenias grisator)

Economic importance : Minor pest but may assume a serious status.
Marks of identification : The adult beetle is dark coloured, grayish brown with the elytra
bearing an eye-spot near their tips.
Life history : Eggs are laid under the bark of girdling point. Eggs hatch in 8 days.
Grub period is 7-8 months. Pupation takes place inside larval tunnel on plant. Pupal
period is 4- 5 months. Only one generation is completed in a year. Pest is active from
August to October.

Life cycle of stem girdler

Site of oviposition : Under the bark of girdling point
Incubation period : 8 days
Grub period : 7-8 months
Pupal period : 4-5 months
Site of pupation : Inside larval tunnel on plant
No. of generations/year : 1 generation

Host plants : Primarily grapevine but can also survive on mango, mulberry, citrus etc.
Nature of damage : Grubs tunnel into the stem (dry wood)) Beetles feed on bark and
girdle the vine resulting into drying of branch. Girdling of green branches is essential even
before ovipositon.
Management practices :
 Cut the affected branches below the point of girdling and destroy by burning.
 Hand collection and destruction of beetles.
 Spraying with Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 300 ml or Malathion 50 EC @ 1000 ml/ha
in 1000 lit. water.

⤊⤊⤊

35 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 17
PESTS OF CASHEWNUT AND BANANA

CASHEWNUT
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Tea mosquito or Helopeltis antonii Capsidae Hemiptera
Mosquito bug
2. Cashew stem borer Plocaederus ferrugineus Cerambycidae Coleoptera

1. Tea mosquito or Mosquito bug (Helopeltis antonii)

Economic importance : Major pest of cashewnut casuing considerable damage.
Marks of identification : Adult bug is small, active, reddish brown having peculiar
pin like knobbed process, arising vertically from the thorax and have long legs and
mosaic antennae (bugs having a mixture of red, black and white coloration). Nymph is
ant like, hairy and amber coloured.
Life history : About 500 eggs are laid in tissues of tender shoots, buds, mid ribs and
petioles of leaves. These eggs hatch in 1-4 weeks. Nymphs develop in 3-6 weeks.
Adult female bug lives for 6-10 weeks. Pest is active in rainy season. Heavy and
continuous rains with no sunshine are favourable for its rapid multiplication.

Life cycle of tea mosquito bug

Site of oviposition : In tissues of tender shoots, buds, mid ribs and
petioles of leaves
Fecundity : 500 eggs
Incubation period : 1-4 weeks
Nymphal period : 3-6 weeks

Host plants : Polyphagous - cashewnut, tea, apple, grapevine and guava.

Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck cell sap from the tender leaves, shoots
and fruits. As a result leaves, shoots turn dark brown and then black, white blisters and
scales appear on fruit. In case of severe infestation shoots dry up, nuts shrivel and fall
prematurely.
Management practices :
 Spray with Dichlorvas 76 EC @ 1000 ml/ha in 1500 lit. water during flowering
season for satisfactory control of the pest.

36 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
2. Cashew stem borer (Plocaederus ferrugineus)
Economic importance : Very serious pest of cashew in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra.
Marks of identification : Adult is a medium sized, reddish browh longicorn bettle, with
dark brown head and thorax. Full grown grub (7.6 cm) is stout, yellowish white,
legless with well segmented body, with each segment on its lower lateral part having a
distinct red spot.
Life history : Eggs are laid under the loose bark of stem or exposed root. Larval
period lasts for about 7 months, pupation is in a calcareous chamber and pupal period
lasts for about 2 months, one generation in a year.

Life cycle of cashew stem borer

Site of oviposition : Under the loose bark of stem or exposed root
Larval period : 7 months
Pupal period : 2 months
Site of pupation : In a calcareous chamber
No. of generations/year : 1 generation

Nature of damage : Grubs bore into the bark in their early stages and later into the
stem and feed on soft tissues making extensive tunnels. Oozing of gum from bored
holes and extrusion of chewed particles and excreta indicate the attack. Leaves of the
affected brach start yellowing and drying. Young trees are killed while in older trees
affected branches dry, tree gets weakened and gets killed in due course of time.
Management practices :
 Swabbing the tree trunk with tar and kerosene (1:2) upto one meter height from the
ground.
 Chiseling out the grubs from the main trunks in early stages, felling and
burning badly infested branches reduce the incidence.
 Treating the soil around the tree trunk with Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2 ml/lit. water.
 Remove the oozing gum and extruding chewed particles and apply mixture of
Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 10 ml or Dichlorvas 76 EC @ 10 ml in 50 ml kerosene in
hole.

37 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 BANAN

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Root stock weevil Cosmopolites sordidus Curculionidae Coleoptera
2. Aphid Pentalonia nigronervosa Aphididae Hemiptera
3. Burrowing nematode Radopholus similis

1. Root stock weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus)

Economic importance : Most destructive pest of banana in Maharashtra.

Marks of identification : Adult weevil is small, shiny black and have long curved snout
and short elytra. Grub is creamy white, stout, fleshy and legless with spindle shaped body.
Life history : A female lays about 10-50 eggs in decaying leaf sheath or rhizome.
Eggs hatch in 1 week. Grub develops in 2-6 weeks. Adult weevil is sluggish and avoid day
light. They live upto 2 years and can remain without food for 6 months.

Life cycle of root stock weevil

Site of oviposition : In decaying leaf sheath or rhizome
Fecundity : 10-50 eggs
Incubation period : 1 week
Grub period : 2-6 weeks
Pupal period : 1 week
Site of pupation : In larval tunnel in rhizome

Host plants : Only on banana, prefer the varieties viz. Malbhog and Champa.
Nature of damage : Grubs bores into stem or sucker. As a result, the affected stem
gets riddled with holes while the roots are weakened. Bacterial and fungal infections
lead to rotting. With strong blast of wind, the plants break down from the place of
infestation. If the fruits are formed, they are few in number and inferior in quality.
Management practices :
 Healthy suckers or rhizomes should be used for planting.
 Apply Carbofuran 3 G @ 33 g/sucker or Phorate 10 G @ 15 g/sucker around
the collar of affected plants. The treatment is to be repeated once in a month.

2. Aphids (Pentalonia nigronervosa)

Nature of damage : Although the direct damage is by sucking the cell sap, pest
causes serious damage indirectly by acting as a virus vector and transmitting the
‘bunchy top’ disease. In case of severe infestation, leaf dwarfing and leaf curling are
noticed and fruit bunches becomes small.
Management practices :
 Remove the affected plants along with rhizomes and destroy.
 Apply Carbofuran 3 G @ 33 g/sucker or Phorate 10 G @ 15 g/sucker around
the collar of affected plants.

38 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
  Spraying of Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 ml or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 2
ml/lit. water.

3. Burrowing nematodes (Radopholus similis)

.
Nature of damage : These are migratory endoparasites, enter into roots at any point.
Reddish brown cortical lesions are formed on roots, growth of the plant retarded,
some times mature plant collapse and become smaller.
Management practices :
 Soil application at planting with Phorate 10 G @ 15 g/sucker or carbofuran 3 G @
40 g/sucker reduces the nematode population.
 Application of non-edible oilseed cake like neem or karanj cake @ 1500-2000
Kg/ha will also help in reducing the namatode population.
 Nematode free rhizomes / seedlings should be planted.
 Crop rotation : Sugarcane after Banana.

⤊⤊⤊

39 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 18
PESTS OF POMEGRANATE
AND GUAVA

POMEGRANATE
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Fruit borer or Anar Deudorix isocrates Lycaenidae Lepidoptera
caterpillar (= Virachola isocrates)
2. Fruit sucking Eudocima (Othreis) fullonica Noctuidae Lepidoptera
moths Eudocima (Othreis) materna
Achoea janata
3. Thrips Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus Thripidae Thysanoptera
4. Shot hole borer Euwallacea (Xyleborus) Scolytidae Coleoptera
fornicatus

1. Fruit borer or Anar caterpillar (Deudorix isocrates)

Economic importance : Serious pest, regular in occurance causing 40-90 % fruit damage.
Marks of identification : Adults are medium sized, males are bluish violet whiles females
are brownish violet. Orange coloured patch on forewings of female. Larva is short, stout,
dark brown, with short hairs and whitish patches all over the body and 2 cm long.
Life history : A female lays 20-40 eggs on calyx of flowers or small fruits and hatch in 7-
10 days. Larval development completes in 10-20 days. Pupation takes place inside the fruit
or on fruit stalk. Pupal period is 7-14 days. Four overlapping generations are completed in
a year. Pest is active throughout the year.

Life cycle of anar caterpillar

Site of oviposition : On calyx of flowers or small fruits
Fecundity : 20-40 eggs
Incubation period : 7-10 days
Larval period : 10-20 days
Pupal period : 7-14 days
Site of pupation : Inside the fruit or on fruit stalk
Total life cycle : 30-45 days
No. of generations/year : 4 generations

Host plants : Pomegranate, guava, orange, ber, mulberry, plum, peach, pear and palm and
some other wild fruits.

40 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Nature of damage : Caterpillars bore the fruits, feed on pulp and seeds. Damaged fruits
subsequently get infected by bacteria resulting in rotting of fruits. Such rotten fruits give
offensive smell and fall down. The excreta of the larva around the entry hole are seen.
Management practices :
 Remove and destroy affected fruits.
 Bagging of fruits if number of fruit trees is limited.
 Spraying with Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 0.5 g/lit. water as soon as appearance
of flower buds.

2. Fruit sucking moths (Eudocima (Othreis) fullonica, E. (Othreis) maternal, Achoea janata)

Note : Details of this pests are given under Citrus.

3. Thrips (Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus)

Economic importance : Found throughout the country.
Marks of identification : Thrips are minute soft bodied, insects. Adults have highly
fringed wing.
Life cycle : A female lays about 30-50 eggs in leaf tissues. Eggs hatch in 2-5 days.
Nymphs become grown up in 5-7 days. Adult thrips live upto 10-15 days. There are 3-4
generations in a year.

Life cycle of thrips

Site of oviposition : In leaf tissues
Fecundity : 30-50 eggs
Incubation period : 2-5 days
Nymphal period : 5-7 days
No. of generations/year : 3-4 generations

Nature of damage : Nymph and adults lacerate the leaves, infest the flower stalks, sepals,
pepals and fruits and suck the sap that oozes out of these wounds. As a result leaf tips curl
and dry, flowers are shed and fruits show scab like rough surface.
Management practices : Spray with Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2 ml or Thiamethoxam 25
WG @ 0.3 g or Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 0.3 g / lit. water during flowering to fruit harvesting.

4. Shot hole borer (Euwallacea (Xyleborus) fornicatus)

Marks of identification : Adult beetles are 2 mm, small, black or grey and grub is
white in colour.
Life history : Eggs are laid in holes on stem. Eggs hatch in 8-10 days. Grub becomes full
grown in 21-26 days. Pupation takes place in stem. Pupal period is 10-12 days. One
generation is completed in 39-48 days.

Life cycle of shot hole borer

41 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 Site of oviposition : In holes on stem
Incubation period : 8-10 days
Grub period : 21-26 days
Pupal period : 10-12 days
Site of pupation : In stem
Total life cycle : 39-48 days

Nature of damage : Female makes deep galleries inside stem, which hinders the
translocation of nutrients and water. Neither the larva nor the adult feed upon any part of
plant. The brood feeds on the ambrosia fungal spores (Monocrosporium ambrosium) which
are carried and introduced by the young female at the time of gallery construction.
Management practices :
 Clean the holes on the stem and branches.
 Cut and destroy infested branches. Do not keep these branches in field.
 Spray Dichorvas 76 EC @ 1 ml / lit. on infested stem and branches.
 Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 20 ml along with geru (red soil) and copper
oxychloride 50 WP @ 25 g in 10 lit. water as a paste application is found quite
effective for the control of shot hole borer.

42 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 GUAVA

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Fruit fly Bactrocera diversus, Trypetidae Diptera
B. zonatus
2. Spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus disperses Aleurodidae Hemiptera
3. Bark eating Indarbela quadrinotata, Inderbellidae Lepidoptera
caterpillar I. tetraonis

1. Fruit fly (Bactrocera diversus, B. zonatus)

Life history : Eggs are laid under the rind of the fruit. These eggs hatch in 1-4 days.
Maggot grows in 4-5 days and pupates in soil. Pupal period is 7-13 days. Pest is active
throughout the year.
Nature of damage : The maggots bore into fruits and feed on soft pulp. Unripe fruits are
seldom attaked as the flies are unable to puncture the hard skin of fruits for
oviposition. The infested fruits show depressions with dark greenish punctures and when
cut open the wriggling maggots are seen inside. Later, the affected fruits get
malformed and in conjuction with bacterial activity, the fruits rot and ultimately fall
down.
Management practices : The pest is discussed in detail under Mango.

2. Spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus disperses)

Economic importance : Polyphagous in nature. A native of Central America has spread
over almost throughout the world during the past ten years. In India, it got introduced
in 1991 and so far has been reported from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and recently
in Andhra Pradesh.
Marks of identification : Adult whitefly, in comparison to other aleurodids, is
conspicucously larger in size. Immature stages live under milky white cottony filaments.
Life history : Each female can lay more than 200 eggs in a batch of 15-25 eggs in a loose
spiral on the lower epidermis of leaves with egg pedicels inserted into the stomata of host
plants. The nymphs emerge from eggs after 4-6 days. Nymphal period lasts for 12-14 days.
Pupation takes place on lower surface of leaves and pupal period lasts for 2-3 days.
Life cycle is completed in about a month.

Life cycle of spiraling whitefly

Site of oviposition : On the lower epidermis of leaves
Fecundity : 200 eggs
Incubation period : 4-6 days
Nymphal period : 12-14 days
Pupal period : 2-3 days
Site of pupation : On the lower surface of leaves
Total life cycle : 1 month

43 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Host plants : Guava, papaya, mulberry, tapioca etc.
Nature of damage : As a result of the sap sucking, leaves show signs of chlorosis, wither,
crinkle and curl, are covered with sooty mould and ultimately drop down.
Management practices :
 Collection and destruction of infested leaves.
 Destruction of alternate weed host plants.
 Setting of yellow sticky traps @ 25 / ha can control adults.
 Several natural enemies like Encarsia spp. have been reported.
 Spray Monocrotophos 36 EC @ 1.5 ml or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.5 ml/lit.
water for second and third instar nymph.
 Spray Dichlorvas 76 EC @ 2 ml/lit. water.

3. Bark eating caterpillar (Indarbela quadrinotata, I. tetraonis)

Economic importance : It causes severe damage to citrus in Maharashtra State.
Marks of identification : Moth is short, stout, ashy grey in colour. Larva is dirty
brown in colour and measures 4 cm. Ribbons of wood chips, frass and silken threads
over the bark surface form the webbing.
Life history : About 350 eggs are laid on bark in May-June. Eggs hatch in 8-11 days.
Larva develops in 8-10 months till about 3rd week of April. Pupation takes place
inside larval tunnel. Pupal period is 21-41 days. Moth longevity is 3 days. Only one
generation is completed in a year.

Life cycle of bark eating caterpillar

Site of oviposition : On bark
Fecundity : 350 eggs
Incubation period : 8-11 days
Larval period : 8-10 months
Pupal period : 21-41 days
Site of pupation : Inside larval tunnel
No. of generations/year : 1 generation/year

Host plants : Citrus, mango, ber, guava, pomegranate etc.

Nature of damage : Larvae bore into wood, making short tunnels in which they hide
during the day and come out at night to feed on the bark. As a result of feeding on
bark the sap conducting tissues are damaged which interupt the translocation of cell
sap. The growth and fruit setting is adversely affected.
Management practices :
 Remove ribbon like silken webs from affected branches/trunks.
 Inject CS2 or borer solution (2 parts CS2 + 1 part chloroform + 1 part creosote oil)
in borer- holes and plaster the holes with mud or insert into the borer holes
insecticide-soaked cotton plugs and plaster the holes with mud. The insecticides for
10 litres of water are Carbaryl 50 WP @ 4 g or Fenitrothion 50 EC @ 1 ml or
Dichlorvos 76 EC @ 3 ml / lit. water. These chemicals should be applied after
removimg webbings.

⤊⤊⤊

44 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 19
PESTS OF SAPOTA AND BER

SAPOTA or CHIKU
Sapota (Manilkara achras) is attacked by about 25 insect pests in India in which chiku
moth, bud borer and seed borer are major insect pests.

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Chiku moth Nephopteryx eugraphella Pyralidae Lepidoptera
2. Bud borer Anarsia achrasella Gelechiidae Lepidoptera
3. Seed borer Trymalitis margarias Tortricidae Lepidoptera

1. Chiku moth (Nephopteryx eugraphella)

Economic importance : It causes considerable damage to leaves and buds.
Marks of identification : Adult moth is small, grey coloured, slender bodied insect having
black forewings with yellow spots on the basal half and black transverse lines on the
remaining half. Caterpillar is small, active, deep pink in colour with 3 longitudinal pinkish
brown strips on each side of the body.
Life history : About 225 eggs are laid singly or in groups on tender shoots or ventral side
of leaves. Eggs hatch in 2-4 days in summer and 4-11 days in winter. Larva grows in 13-26
days in summer and 31-60 days in winter. Pupation takes place inside the fold of webbed
leaves. Pupal period is 1-2 weeks in summer and 2-4 weeks in winter. Life cycle is
completed in 4-5 weeks in summer and 7-13 weeks in winter. There are 7-9
overlapping generations in a year. Pest is active in June-July.

Life cycle of chiku moth

Site of oviposition : On tender shoots or ventral side of leaves
Fecundity : 225 eggs
Incubation period : 2-4 days (summer) and 4-11 days (winter)
Larval period : 13-26 days (summer) and 31-60 days (winter)
Pupal period : 1-2 weeks (summer) and 2-4 weeks (winter)
Site of pupation : Inside fold of webbed leaves
Total life cycle : 4-5 weeks (summer) and 7-13 weeks (winter)
No. of generations/year : 7-9 generations

Host plants : Sapota and bakul.

Nature of damage : The caterpillar webs the tender leaves with silken threads and excreta
and feeds on them under concealed condition. Also bore the buds and tender fruits.
The

45 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
infestation of the pest can be detected by the presence of webbed shoots, dark brown
patches on leaves and dried leaves in clusters on the tree.
Management practices :
 Removal and destruction of infested clumps keep the pest under check.
 Spray Profenophos 50 EC @ 1 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 1 ml/lit. water.

2. Bud borer (Anarsia achrasella)

It is a common pest of sapota throughout the year in India. It is recorded that
the damage ranged from 2-15 %.
Marks of identification :
Life history : The adult female lays eggs singly on the buds or on developing fruits. Each
female lays 40-60 eggs in her life time. Eggs hatch in 2-6 days. Larva grows in 11-15 days
and pupates on plant. Pupal period is 6-8 days. Life cycle is completed in 27-33 days.

Life cycle of chiku bud borer

Site of oviposition : On the buds or on developing fruits
Fecundity : 40-60 eggs
Incubation period : 2-6 days
Larval period : 11-15 days
Pupal period : 6-8 days
Site of pupation : On plant
Total life cycle : 27-33 days

Host plant : Sapota

Nature of damage : Larva webs together flower buds and flowers. Larva feeds by making
holes into the petals and ovary. Larva damages buds and young fruits which can result
in significant crop loss.
Management practices :
 Spray Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 0.45 g/lit. water at 50 % flowering. Second
spary after one month if necessary.

3. Seed borer (Trymalitis margarias)

The sapota seed borer is an exotic pest that has been introduced into India a decade
back and established over a period of time. First report from Dahanu areas of Maharashtra,
this pest has spread to major sapota growing belts in Gujrat, Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu. About 40-90 % damage to mature fruits has been noticed.
Marks of identification : The adult moths are small in size, having whitish forewings
with grayish spots on it anf fringed with hairs at the margins of the wings. The first instar
larva is very minute, white in colour with pinkish tinge, without distinctly segmented and
hairless body. Fully developed larva is 12 mm in length and pinkish in colour. Pupa is
small, dark brown in colour and obtect.
Life history : A female moth lays about 29-255 eggs on medium sized immature fruits of
sapota. Eggs hatch in 10-12 days. The larval development takes place in 11-14 days. The

46 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
full grown larva stops feedind, come out of the seed and start folding the leaf with the help
of silken threads to form a cocoon. Pupal period ranges from 10-15 days. Total life cycle
iccompleted in 34-45 days. It is active from September to March.

Life cycle of chiku seed borer

Site of oviposition : On medium sized immature fruits
Fecundity : 29-255 eggs
Incubation period : 10-12 days
Larval period : 11-14 days
Pupal period : 10-15 days
Site of pupation : In folded leaf
Total life cycle : 34-45 days

Host plant : Monophagous pest, feeds on only sapota.

Nature of damage : Newly hatched larvae bore into the fruit and finally enters the
seed. The larvae feed only on endosperm of the seed and complete its larval period
inside the seed. This pest feeds exclusively on endosperm of the seed. Full grown
larvae prepare a tunnel to come out from the fruit for pupation. The fungus as well as ants
enters inside the fruits through the exit holes and the fruit becomes unfit for
consumption. The quality of fruit deteriorates and the market price goes down.
Management practices :
 Spray Profenofos 50 EC @ 1 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 1 ml or
Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 1 ml/lit. water. First sparying after monsoon and repeat
the spay after one month.

47 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 BER

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Ber fruit fly Carpomyia vesuviana Trypetidae Diptera
2. Ber fruit borer Meridarchis scyrodes Carposynidae Lepidoptera

1. Ber fruit fly (Carpomyia vesuviana)

Economic importance : It causes severe damage to fruits to the extent of 75%.
Fleshy and late maturing varieties are more susceptible.
Marks of identification : Adult flies are small, brownish yellow, longitudinal strips
on thorax and wings transparent. Maggot is creamy white.
Life history : A single female lays abiout 12-18 eggs inside the epidermis of ripening
fruits which hatch in 2-3 days. Maggot grows in 9-12 days and pupates in soil, 5.0 - 7.5 cm
deep under the tree. Pupal period is 11-13 days in summer and 45-87 days in winter.
There are 3 generations in a year. Pest is active in winter, maximum damage during
February-March.

Life cycle of ber fruit fly

Site of oviposition : Inside the epidermis of ripening fruits
Fecundity : 12-18 eggs
Incubation period : 2-3 days
Larval period : 9-12 days
Pupal period : 11-13 days (summer) and 45-87 days (winter)
Site of pupation : In soil
No. of generations/year : 3 generations/year

Nature of damage : Maggots feed on fleshy and juicy pulp. The infested fruits turn
dark brown, rot and give offensive smell.
Management practices :
 Remove and destroy infested fruits.
 Rake soil around trees frequently during summer to expose and kill pupae.
 Spraying with Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 1.5 ml/lit. water as soon as infestation
noticed.
 Application of spray baits (20 ml malathion + 200 g jaggery + 20 litre water).

2. Ber fruit borer (Meridarchis scyrodes)

Economic importance : Most destructive pest of ber. Losses to the extent of 70% are
noticed in susceptible varieties.
Marks of identification : Adult moth is small and dark brown. Caterpillar is small, dark
pinkish to reddish, cylindrical, slightly tapering to both sides.
Host plants : Ber, jamun and olive.
Life history : About 11-34 eggs are laid singly in depression near the stalk of fruit and
hatch in 4-7 days. Larval development takes place in 13-17 days and pupates in soil. Pupal

48 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
period is 5-8 days. Adult lives for 3-4 days. Life cycle is completed in 1 month. Pest is
carried through shed fruits from one season to other in hibermating larval stage.
Activity of the pest is in fruiting season, from September to January and infestation
reaches at its peak in middle of November.

Life cycle of ber fruit borer

Site of oviposition : In depression near the stalk of fruit
Fecundity : 11-34 eggs
Incubation period : 4-7 days
Larval period : 13-17 days
Pupal period : 5-8 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 1 month

Nature of damage : Caterpillar enters the fruit by puncturing a hole in rind and feeds
on pulp. Infested fruits drop down, ferment and emit disagreeable odour.
Management practices :
 Removal and destruction of shed fruits.
 Spray with Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 1.5 ml/lit. water as soon as pest appears.
 Growing of less susceptible varieties eg. Surati No.l, Kashi, Mehroon and Mehroon
khirani.

⤊⤊⤊

49 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 20
PESTS OF FIG AND AONLA

FIG
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Jassid Velu caricae Jassidae Hemiptera
2. Mites Eutetranychus hirsti Tetranychidae Acarina

1. Jassid (Velu caricae)

Economic importance : It is one of the most destructive pests of fig.
Marks of identification : Adults are small, wedge shaped, reddish brown with
blackish compound eyes, walk diagonally.
Life history : About 36 eggs are laid singly inside the leaf tissues. Egg hatching occurs in
6-13 days. Nymphs growth complete in 9-12 days. The activity of pests coincides with the
period when young foliage is produced i.e. the first week of October.

Life cycle of fig jassid

Site of oviposition : Inside leaf tissues
Fecundity : 36 eggs
Incubation period : 6-13 days
Nymphal period : 9-12 days
Total life cycle :
No. of generations/year :

Host plants : It is specific pest of fig only.

Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from ventral side of leaves.
As a result leaf margins turn yellow, curl and become reddish brown producing typical
“hopper burn” symptoms. Fruiting capacity is adversely affected.
Management practices :
 Spray with Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 ml/lit. water. First spray should be given in the
first week of October when new flush appears and subsequent sprays as and when
infestation noticed.

2. Mite (Eutetranychus hirsti)

Economic importance : It is widely distributed species and is of a regular occurrence in

the state. The pest is observed to breed throughout the year. Heavy infestation however,
is noticed from mid January to March. In case of severe infestation fruit do not
develop properly and drop down prematurely.

50 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Marks of identification : Adult female is minute greenish yellow to yellow with a
few grey blotches. Males are comparatively narrow at acudal extremity. It measures 0.4 x
0.2 mm egg is spherical and dirty white. Freshly hatched nymph is almost sphericals
and yellowish green.
Life history : Female lays about 24 eggs within a period of 7 to 11 days on leaves.
The egg period lasts for about 4 days. The average duration of nymphal period is about 9
days during which it moults twice. The life span of the adult is 9 to 19 days. A
generation occupies 10 to 21 days.

Life cycle of fig mite

Site of oviposition : On leaves
Fecundity : 24 eggs
Incubation period : 4 days
Nymphal period : 9 days
Total life cycle : 10-21 days

Host plants : It is specific pest, found on fig only.

Nature of damage : Nymphs as well as adults suck the cell sap and as a result of feeding,
white patches develop on fruits, leaves and shoots, ultimately dry and fall down. Mites
usually found on ventral surface of leaves, which are covered with fine webs. In
severe cases, fruits do not develop properly and drop down prematurely.
Management practices : Spray with Dicofol 18.5 EC @ 1ml or Thiometon 25 EC @
1 ml or Sulphur 80 WP @ 2.5 g/lit. water.

AONLA
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Fruit borer Deudorix isocrates Lycanidae Lepidoptera

1. Fruit borer
Nature of damage : Larva bores into the fruit in different phases. Young larva feeds
on tender fruits and grown up larva attacks matured fruits. Infested tender fruits turn
brown initially, and become black later. Matured fruits start decaying from one side,
which gradually spreads all over, before they fall off.
Management practices : As in pomegranate.

⤊⤊⤊

51 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 21
PESTS OF APPLE, COCONUT AND ARE

APPLE
It is temperate fruits. About 75 insects and non-insect pests damage this fruit
crop.

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. San Jose scale Aspidiotus perniciosus Coccidae Hemiptera
2. Woolly aphid Erisoma lanigerum Aphididae Hemiptera

1. San Jose scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus)

Economic importance : This insect is world wide and the most serious pest on nearly
200 different species of fruits, shrubs and ornamental plants.
Marks of identification : These scales are ash-grey coloured which can be easily scraped
off exposing the orange coloured individuals beneath.
Life cycle : The pest is active from March to December. They start to reproduce by
mid May. Each female gives birth to 200 to 400 nymphs. Nymphal period is 3 to 40
days. Adult longevity is 25 to 31 days. There are 4-7 overlapping generations in a
year. Pest hibernates in nymphal stage.

Life cycle of San Jose scale

Reproduction : Viviparous, female gives birth to young ones
Fecundity : 200-400 young ones
Nymphal period : 3-40 days
No. of generations/year : 4-7 generations

Host plants : Apple, pear, cherry, plum, peach, apricot, ornamental crops.
Nature of damage : Nymph and adult suck the cell sap from twigs, branches and
fruits. The scale which forms a covering on the body of the insect is black or brown. The
infested fruits also have a scaly appearance and each spot is surrounded by a scarlet or red
area.
Management practices :
 The universal practice of spraying the dormant tree with diesel-oil emulsion mixed
with Bordaux mixture is very beneficial in saving crop from the attack of San jose
scale, apple wooly aphids and fungal diseases.
 Foliar sprays with Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 3 ml or Dimethoate 30 EC @
3 ml or Malathion 50 EC @ 1 ml/lit. water.

52 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
2. Woolly aphid (Erisoma lanigerum)
Economic importance : This is serious pest of apple, pear and crab apple in India and
Pakistan.
Life cycle : The pest overwinters as egg or young nymph on the roots of the host tree.
The eggs hatch and nymphs mature during spring. During this period, reproduction is
parthenogenetic and viviparous. A single female produces 30-116 young ones. Nymphal
period is about 11 days in June which gradually increases with fall in temperature and
becomes 93 days. With the advent of winter, the sexual forms appear, mature and lay eggs.

Life cycle of woolly aphid

Reproduction : Parthenogenetic and viviparous, female gives birth to young
ones
Fecundity : 30-116 young ones
Nymphal period : 11-93 days

Host plants : Apple, pear and crab apple.

Nature of damage : The aphids suck cell from the bark of the twigs and from the
roots underground, swelling or knots appear on the roots which hinder the normal
plant function.
Management practices :
 Soil application of Carbofuran 3 CG @ 166 g or Phorate 10 G @ 100 g/plant.
 Spray with Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1 ml or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 ml
or Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2.5 ml or Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1 ml/lit. water.

53 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 COCONUT AND ARECANUT

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Rhinoceros beetle Oryctes rhinoceros Dynastidae Coleoptera
2. Black headed Opisina arenosella Xylorictidae Lepidoptera
caterpillar (= Nephantis serinopa)
3. Red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Curculionidae Coleoptera
4. Eriophid mite Aceria guerreronis Eriophydae Acarina
5. Rat Ratts rattus Muridae Rodentia

1. Rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros)

Economic importance : Most destructive pest causes serious damage to young trees.
Marks of identification : Beetles are stout, elongate, blackish in colour, 3.5 to 5.0 cm
long, head bears a large tapering horn. Horn is well developed in male than the female and
female is slightly smaller in size.
Life history : A female lays about 100-150 eggs in decaying organic matter or in manure
pits or compost heaps. Hatching occurs in 8-14 days. Larval period is 4-5 months.
Pupation takes place in soil, 15-60 cm deep. Pupal period is 20-60 days. Adult beetles are
nocturnal in habit. Life cycle is completed in 10-12 months. Pest is active in monsoon
season.

Life cycle of rhinoceros beetle

Site of oviposition : In decaying organic matter or in manure pits or
compost heaps
Fecundity : 100-150 eggs
Incubation period : 8-14 days
Grub period : 4-5 months
Pupal period : 20-60 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 10-12 months
No. of generations/year : 1 generation

Host plants : Coconut and other palms, occasionally banana, pineapple etc.
Nature of damage : Only beetles are harmful. They damage unopened central leaflets
(tender fronds) and feed voraciously on softer tissues of growing points, with the result the
growth of the tree is arrested which ultimately wither and dies. Injury can be recognized by
clipping of leaves (fan like appearance) and fibrous mass oozes out from the bored
hole. The beetles are nocturnal and not capable of longer flight.
Management practices :
 Treating manure pits with 0.1 % Carbaryl once in three months toreduce the
intensity of infestion.
 Extracting beetles with iron hooks.
 Filling bored holes as well as leaf axils with 2 % methyl parathion dust + sand (1:1)
to avoid reinfestion.
 Removal and destruction of decaying organic matter lying near about orchards.

54 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
2. Black headed caterpillar (Opisina arenosella)
Economic importance : It causes severe damage to matured palms. The outbreaks of
the pest occur in the dry hot months.
Marks of identification : Adult moth is medium sized. Caterpillar is slender,
elongate, pale grayish with blackish head and 15 mm long.
Life history : About 130 eggs are laid on tip of older leaves which hatch in 5 days. Larva
grows in 6 weeks pupates inside the silken galleries of leaf. Pupal period is 12 days.
Life cycle completes in 2 months. There are several overlapping generations in a year.
Pest is active in hot months i.e. from March to May.

Life cycle of black headed caterpillar

Site of oviposition : On tip of older leaves
Fecundity : 130 eggs
Incubation period : 5 days
Larval period : 6 weeks
Pupal period : 12 days
Site of pupation : Inside the silken galleries of leaf
Total life cycle : 2 months

Host plants : Coconut and other palms.

Nature of damage : Caterpillars feed on tender leaflets by remaining inside the leaf folds,
in galleries made of silken threads and excreta. As a result, dried patches are seen on
fronds and trees start withering.
Management practices :
 Promt removal and destruction of affected leaflets showing larval galleries
along with caterpillars. This will check the populations build up of the pest.
 Spray with Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 15 ml/plant as soon as pest appears.
 Release of larval and pupal parasitoids such as Microbracon brevicornis and Perisierola
nephantidis.
 Release of larval parasitoide, Goniozus nephantidis in coconut plantation in the month
of March when pest assumes peak activity reduces the pest population effectively.

3. Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus)

Economic importance : Most destructive pest, common on matured palm.
Marks of identification : Adult weevil is reddish brown, bigger sized, with curved snout.
Grubs are brownish fleshy and 5 cm long.
Life history : About 200 eggs are laid in soft tissues at the base of leaf sheath, cuts of
wounds on the trunk. Hatching occurs in 2-5 days. Grub grows in 24-61 days.
Pupation takes place in cocoons of fibrous material. Pupal period is 18-34 days. Life cycle
completes in 50-90 days. Pest is active throughout the year.

Life cycle of red palm weevil

55 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 Site of oviposition : In soft tissues at the base of leaf sheath, cuts of
wounds on the trunk
Fecundity : 200 eggs
Incubation period : 2-5 days
Grub period : 24-61 days
Pupal period : 18-34 days
Site of pupation : In cocoons of fibrous material
Total life cycle : 50-90 days

Host plants : Coconut and some ornamental palms.

Nature of damage : All the stages of the pest are passed on palm trees. Grubs bore
into the trunk near the growing points and feed on soft tissues. A few small holes occur in
the crown from which chewed fibers come out and brownish sap oozes out. In young
palm the top wither while in older ones the top portion bends and breaks.
Management practices :
 Fill the leaf axis with 2 % methyl parathion dust + sand (1:1) to kill the female
resting in leaf axis.
 Painting of cuts, scars and wounds immediately with lime or coal tar for preventing
egg laying.
 Inject Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 20 ml/palm by drilling a slanting hole on trunk,
one metre above ground level, with the help of bent funnel and close the hole with
cement. Care should be taken to harvest all matured nuts prior to treatment or
do not use the nuts from such treated palms for at least 3 months thereafter.

4. Coconut mite (Aceria guerreronis)

Eriophid mite was recorded during 1998 in India in Kerala and spread in other
states. In Maharashtra, it is recorded in all districts of Konkan region, Kolhapur and
Sangali districts.
Marks of identification : These are very minute, 0.2-0.25 mm in length, grey white
in colour and vermiform. It has two pairs of legs and needlelike mouthparts.
Life history : A female lays about 200-250 eggs in the perianth of young, developing nuts.
Eggs hatch in 2 days. The life cycle consists of an egg, two nymphal and an adult
stage. The whole life cycle is completed in 10-12 days.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults suck sap fron the perianth of young nuts by
sharp needlelike mouthparts. The area around stalk becomes yellowish. As the fruit grows,
brownish stripes are seen on nuts. If infestation is more, it causes sheding of small fruits.
The infestation affects on growth of plant and fruit size.
Management practices :
 Root feeding with Fenpyroximate 5 EC @ 10 ml/lit. per plant.
 Apply Azadirachtin 0.03 % @ 12.5 ml/lit. water around the plant. Repeat the
treatment after 3 months.
 Spray with Wettable sulphur 80 WP @ 2.5 g/lit. water as soon as infestion noticed.

5. Rats (Ratts rattus)

56 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Nature of damage : Rats remain in the crown of coconut palm and feed on nuts of all
stages. They make hole through the husk and drinks the sweet liquid. Spoiled nuts fall
down in large number.
Management practices :
 Use of zink phophide or Warfarin poison bait is found to be effective.
 Use of mechanical barrier : The galvanized iron bands (40 cm wide x 0.15 cm
thick) are fitted around the trunk, 2 meters from the ground level to prevent rats to
climb.
 Trapping with the help of preferred food.

⤊⤊⤊

57 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 22
PESTS OF TOBACCO, COFFEE A

TOBACCO
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Family Order
Name
1. Tobacco leaf eating caterpiller Spodoptera litura Noctuidae Lepidoptera

1. Tobacco leaf eating caterpillar (Spodoptera litura)

Economic importance : The pest is cosmopolitan and polyphagous infesting various
crops in the world.
Marks of identification : Moths are medium sized stout with forewings grey to dark
brown in colour with wavy markings. Hindwings are whitish. Caterpillars are pale greenish
brown and smooth, with dark markings and prothoracic plate.
Life history : Eggs are laid in masses, covered with brown hairs on tender leaves. These
hatch in 4-5 days. Initially on hatching, larvae feed gregariously on soft tissues during
night and become isolated when full grown. Larval development takes place in 14 to
21 days and pupates in earthen cocoons in soil. Pupal period is 9-14 days.

Life cycle of tobacco leaf eating

caterpillar
Site of oviposition : On tender leaves
Incubation period : 4-5 days
Larval period : 14-21 days
Pupal period : 9-14 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 30-49 days

Host plants : Tobacco, peas, brinjal, banana etc.

Nature of damage : The caterpillars, when young, feed gregariously on leaves and
juci stems and become isolated at later stage of growth.
Management practices :
 Collection of eggs masses and caterpillars.
 Ploughing after harvest of the crop to destroy the pupae.
 At the early stage of infestation, spraying of Azadirachtin 5 % @ 200 g/ha.

COFFEE AND TEA

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Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Tea mosquito bug Helopeltis theivora Miridae Hemiptera
2. Coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei Scolytidae Coleoptera

1. Coffee and Tea mosquito Bug (Helopeltis theivora)

Marks of identification : Adult female bug is orange across the shoulders and male is
almost black in colour. The eggs are elongate sausage shaped with two long filaments.
Nymphs are wingless, due to long appendages they look like spider.
Life history : A female lays about 500 eggs in the leaf axis, buds and often in the broken
ends of the plucked shoots. Eggs hatch in 5-27 days, depending upon the prevailing
temperature. Nymphs pass through 5 moults within 8 weeks in winter and 2 weeks in
summer. Life cycle is completed in 8-9 weeks.

Life cycle of tea mosquito bug

Site of oviposition : In the leaf axis, buds and often in the broken
ends of the plucked shoots
Fecundity : 500 eggs
Incubation period : 5-27 days
Nymphal period : 8 weeks (winter) and 2 weeks (summer)
Total life cycle : 8-9 weeks

Host plants : Tea, cashewnut, guava and medicinal plants.

Nature of damage : The bugs puncture leaf frequently to suck the juice. While
feeding saliva is injected and tissues are necrotized, which become brownish or black
in colour. The entire leaves are shriveled and fall down. The severe attack causes
complete defoliation of branches and plants look like the brooms.
Management practices :
 Collection and destruction of numphs with hand net during morning and evening.
 Spray the trees with Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g or Thiacloprid 21.7 SC @ 375
ml or Bifenthrin 8 SC @ 500 ml or Profenophos 50 EC @ 800 ml or
Quinalphos 25 EC @ 2000 ml or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 2000 ml or
Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 1200 ml/ha in 400 lit. water.

2. Coffee seed borer

Marks of identification : The adult beetle is about 1.6-2.5 mm long and black in colour.
Grub is white, legless and brown headed.
Life history : A female lays about 30-60 eggs in batches of 8-12 on the maturing
coffee beans. The eggs hatch in 8-9 days. The grub grows in 2-3 weeks and pupates in the
larval galleries in berries. The pupal period is 7-8 days.

Life cycle of tea mosquito bug

59 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 Site of oviposition : On berries
Fecundity : 30-60 eggs
Incubation period : 8-9 days
Grub period : 2-3 weeks
Pupal period : 7-8 days

Host plants : Besides coffee, grub feeds on many plants of Rubiaceae and Leguminoseae
plants.
Nature of damage : The adult beetle bores young as well as ripe berries, near the
apex region. Inside the berries, they make tunnels in which the eggs are laid. The grub,
on hatching, causes further damage by feeding on the tissues. In case of severe infestation,
the berries drop down prematurely. Such berries are unfit for marketing.
Management practices :
 Spray the trees with Profenophos 50 EC @ 800 ml or Quinalphos 25 EC @
2000 ml or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 2000 ml or Monocrotophos 36 SL @
1200 ml/ha in 400 lit. water.

⤊⤊⤊

60 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 23 PESTS OF TURMERIC, GINGER, BEETLE VIN

TURMERIC AND GINGER

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Rhizome fly Mimegralla coeruleifrons Micropezidae Diptera

1. Rhizome fly (Mimegralla coeruleifrons)

Economic importance : Rhizome fly is becoming a serious menace to the cultivation
of turmeric and ginger crops in recent years in Maharashtra State.
Marks of identification : Adult flies are large in size with slender body and long legs. The
body is black in colour, transparent wings with ashy spots. Eggs are small, white cigar
shaped, tapering at either sides. Maggot is creamy white in colour, apodous and measures
9.5 mm length and 1.95 mm in breadth.
Life history : Flies are noticed in fields from August - September. Eggs are laid singly or
in clusters of 6-10 at the base of the plants under the lumps of soil, in cracks and on
the surface of soil. These eggs hatch in 2-5 days. Maggot grows in 13-18 days and pupates
in rotten rhizomes. Pupal period is 10-15 days. Life cycle is completed in 4 weeks.

Life cycle of rhizome fly

Site of oviposition : Under the lumps of soil
Incubation period : 2-5 days
Larval period : 13-18 days
Pupal period : 10-15 days
Site of pupation : In rotten rhizome
Total life cycle : 4 weeks

Host plants : Turmeric and ginger.

Nature of damage : The maggots feed on the rhizome as a result of which yellowing
of plants and rotting of rhizomes takes place.
Management practices :
 Preventive measures : Destruction of stray plants in off season, selection of healthy
rhizomes for planting.
 Removal and destruction of rotten rhizomes along with maggots from the field after
harvest of crop will help to check the breeding of the pest.
 Spraying with Fenitrothion 50 EC @ 500 ml or Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 700
ml/ha in 500 lit. water was found effective.

61 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 BEETLE VINE

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Mites

1. Mites

Sr. No. Common Name ONION

ScientificAND GARLICFamily
Name Order
1. Thrips Thrips tabaci Thripidae Thysanoptera

1. Thrips (Thrips tabaci)

Economic importance : Pest is cosmopolitan in distribution.
Marks of identification : Adults have narrow and long wings fringed heavily with
fine hairs. Nymphs are wingless. They are minute about 1 mm long, slender, fragile
and yellowish in colour.
Life history : A female lays about 40-60 eggs in notches in the epidermis of leaves. Eggs
hatch in 4-9 days. Nymphal development takes place in 4-6 days and pupate soil. Prepupal
and pupal period lasts for 2 and 3 days, respectively. Pest is active throughout the year. It
is found on onion and garlic during November to May. From these hosts it migrates to
cotton and other summer crops in June and then to cole crops during September-October.
A long spell of dry weather is favourable for its rapid multiplication.

Life cycle of onion thrips

Site of oviposition : In notches in the epidermis of leaves
Fecundity : 40-60 eggs
Incubation period : 4-9 days
Nymphal period : 4-6 days
Pupal period : 3 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 11-21 days

Host plants : Highly polyphagous. Besides onion, it attacks cole crops, cotton, cucurbits.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults found between leaf sheaths and stems lacerating
the epidermis of leaves and suck the exuding sap. The affected leaves show silvery white
blotches which later become brownish and get distorted from tips downwards, wilt
and ultimately dry away. Heavy infestation at seedling stage results in retardation of
growth and severe scarring of leaves which ultimately kills the seedlings outright. In case
of heavy infestation at later stage, the bulbs remain undersized and get distorted in
shape.
Management practices :

62 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
  Spraying with Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1.4 ml or Fipronil 5 SC @ 1.5 ml or
Profenophos 50 EC @ 1 ml or Carbosulfan 25 EC @ 1 ml or Quinalphos 25
EC @ 2.5 ml or Deltamethrin 10 % + Triazophos 35 % EC @ 2 ml/lit. water.
 Spray Verticillium lecanii @ 5 g/lit. water.

CORIENDER
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Mites

1. Mites

⤊⤊⤊

63 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 24
PESTS OF CURRY LEAF AND PEPPER,
ROSE, GERBERA, CARNATION
AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

CURRY LEAF AND PEPPER

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Scale Lepidosaphes piperis Coccidae Hemiptera
2. Pollu beetle Longitarsus nigripennis Chrysomelidae Coleoptera
3. Mealybug Pseudococcus virdatis Pseudococcidae Hemiptera

1. Scale (Lepidosaphes piperis)

Economic importance : About 50 species of scale insects reported to attack pepper. Out
of them 9 species are noticed in India. Most of them are sporadic in nature. But
occasionally causes heavy losses.
Marks of identification : Scale insect are small 2.5 mm in diameter, some of them
are circular and other oblong. They are usually brownish to grey in colour. They are
stationary, when present in large number. Leaves and green stem exhibit spotted
appearance. Females are apterous while males are winged.
Life history : Reproduction takes place parthenogenetically. Incubation period varies
from several days to few weeks, depending upon season. Young ones termed as ‘Crawlers’
move about for some time and settle down to feed, grow and reproduce. There are 3
generations / year.
Host plants : Polyphagous beside black pepper it attacks several crops like tea, citrus, fig,
mango, castor, bhendi etc.
Nature of damage : Both nymph and adult suck the sap from leaves, tender shoot, fruits
resulting in yellowing and withering of infested part in severe cases vines may dry up.
Management practices :
 Prunning of infested parts and destruction.
 Spray Dimethoate 30 EC @ 850 ml or Phorate 10 G @ 30 Kg/ha in granular form.

2. Pollu beetle (Longitarsus nigripennis)

Economic importance : Most destructive pest of black pepper in India 30-40 % reduction
in yield is reported from Kerala.
Marks of identification : Adults are small measuring about 2.5 mm in length, head
and thorax is yellowish brown and abdomen in black. Hind pair of legs is enlarged and
adopted for jumping. Fully grown grub measures about 5 mm in length and creamy white
in colour

64 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Life history : Eggs are laid on tender berriers (rind). A single female lays about 100 eggs.
Eggs hatch in 5-8 days. Grub develops in 20-42 days. Pupation takes place in soil in
oval earthen cocoons. Adult emerges in 6-7 days from pupa. The life cycle is completed in
39- 50 days. There are 4 overlapping generations in a year. Pest occurrence is more severe
in shaded garden.

Life cycle of pollu beetle

Site of oviposition : On tender berriers (rind)
Fecundity : 100 eggs
Incubation period : 5-8 days
Grub period : 20-42 days
Pupal period : 6-7 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 39-50 days
No. of generations/year : 4 generations

Host plants : Monophagous.

Nature of damage : Both grub and adult are harmful. Grubs bore within tender spike
and berries and damage them by feeding on internal contents. Infested berries turn yellow
(hollow) and finally black and can be easily pressed. Act as a vector for ‘pollu
disease’. Adult feeds on tender shoot, leaves and spikes by scraping the tissue.
Management practices : Spray Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1650 ml or Quinalphos 25 EC
@ 2000 ml/ha each twice a year in July and October is effective.

3. Mealybug (Pseudococcus virdatis)

Economic importance : Serious pest of black pepper and occur throughout India.
Marks of identification : Adult oval, flat, long and waxy whitish insects observed on
tender plant parts. Males have brownish black wings while females are wingless having
pair of conspicuous long of glossy wax tassel at caudal end. Freshly hatched nymphs
(crawlers) are yellowish in colour later becomes pale white.
Life history : Reproduction is sexual as well as parthenogenetic. Eggs laid in clusters
in cottony ovisac which remains concealed under the female. On hatching crawlers
remains buddle together in cotton under body of female. Egg hatching occurs in 15
minutes to 4 hours. Nymphal development takes place in 20-60 days in male and 19-47
days in female. Adult longivity of male is 1-3 days while female 5-7 weeks.

Life cycle of tea mealybug

Site of oviposition : In cottony ovisac concealed under the female
Fecundity :
Incubation period : 15 minutes to 4 hours
Nymphal period : 20-60 days(male) and 19-47 days (female)

Host plants : Polyphagous and feeds citrus, mango, guava, tomato.

Nature of damage : Crawlers become active and wander about, moving till they find
a succulent spot for feeding. They puncture epidermis, inject their toxic saliva and
start sucking cell sap and devitalize plant to such an extent that some times plant
succumb

65 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
mechanical injury caused severe as entry for bacteria and fungus from second instar
onwards. Nymphs secrete honey-dew like substance on which sooty mould develops,
which disturbs photosynthesis result in stunted growth of plant. Pre-adult and adult
secretes a waxy mealy material.
Management practices :
 Remove and destroy all affected plant parts as soon as infestation is noticed.
 Spray Malathion 50 EC @ 500 ml or Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 700 ml or
Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1350 ml/ha.

66 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 ROSE, GERBERA AND CARNATION

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Thrips Rhipiphorothrips Thripidae Thysanoptera
cruentatus, Retithrips
syriacus, Thrips coloratus,
Thrips florum
2. Whitefly Aleurocanthus sp. Aleurodidae Hemiptera
3. Flower borer Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
4. Mites Tetranychus telarius, Tetranychidae Acarina
Teranchus equaatarius,
Teranychus urticae

1. Thrips (Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Retithrips syriacus, Thrips coloratus, Thrips florum)

First two species are reported to feed on leaves while next two are found on flowers.
First one is more common and found all over India.
Marks of identification : Adults are blackish brown and nymphs are reddish.
Host plants : Besides, roses it also attacks arecanut, cashewnut, country almond, crotons,
custard apple, grapevine, jamun etc.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults with rasping mouth parts scrape the tissues from
leaf surface as well as petals and suck the cell sap oozing out from wound. The
attacked leaves show brown pathees, get distorted, finally wither and drop down. This
adversely affects the flowering capacity by shedding of flower buds. Brown patches on
petals affect the beauty of flowers. These insects leave minute excreta around their colony
on the under surface of leaves. The activity of the pest is more under cloudy weather
conditions (April
– June and September – December) and over wintering takes place in soil from November
to March.
Management practices :
 Spraying with Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1320 ml/ha. in 500 lit. water will
effectively control the pest.
 Soil application of Phorate 10 G @ 10 Kg/ha will also give sufficient
protection against the pest.

2. Whitefly (Aleurocanthus sp.)

Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the leaves and
devitalize the plants. Besides, they also excrete honey dew on leaves on which black sooty
mould develops. It is also acts as vector of virus.
Management practices : Spray Dimethoate 30 EC @ 500 ml or Monocrotophos 36 EC
@ 1400 ml/ha in 500 lit. water.

3. Flower borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

67 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Economic importance : Polyphagous in nature, found throughout the year with peak
activity between September to March.
Marks of identification : Adult is a stout moth having dark yellow –olive grey forewings
with a dark brown band near outer margin. Hindwings are pale with a dark apical
borer. Single, yellowish, shiny sculptured eggs are laid on young buds. Caterpillars
may be of many colours, sparsely hairy with distinct characteristic light and dark bands
along the sides. Full grown larva is about 40 mm long.
Life history : As in chickpea pod borer.
Host plants : Red gram, cotton and tomato.
Nature of damage : Young larva bores into the buds and flowers. Damage to buds by
tiny larva may go unnoticed till the flowers open with petals showing holes. Larva moves
from one bud to another and a single caterpillar can damage a large number of buds.
Management practices :
 Erection of pheromone (helilure) traps.
 Use of HaNPV 250 LE per ha.
 5 % neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) may be used when populations are low.
 In case heavy population Fenvalerate 20 EC @ 500 ml or Cypermethrin 10 EC
@ 500 ml or Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 500 ml or Thiodicarb 75 WDP @ 500 g
or Spinosad 45 SC @ 150 ml/ha in 500 lit. water may be sprayed.

4. Mites (Tetranychus telarius, Teranchus equaatarius, Teranychus urticae)

Tetranychus telarius popularly known as red spider mite has a world wide distribution
attacking number of other plants. Tetranychus urticae known as two spoted spider mite, is
a pest of world wide importance infesting more than 150 host plants. Recently
Thomson seedless grape and rose gardens in Maharashtra were found to be heavily
infested by these species. The pest is becoming more serious day by day, particularly in
the areas where grapewine and roses are grown side by side.
Marks of identification : These are small creatures belonging to class Arachnida.
They have oval unsegmented body and four pairs of legs. The mites are yellowish white in
colour with two conspicuous black spots on the abdomen. Nymphs are generally white in
colour and black spots on dorsum, later on.
Host plants : Most of these are polyphagous. Apart from roses and grapevine these mites
also thrive well on papaya, pangara, brinjal, marigold and weeds like cocks comb, dudhani
and tandujia.
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adult suck the cell sap from leaves and twigs.
Infested leaves turn yellowish with whitish, yellowish spots along with leaf veins, later on
brownish burnt patches develop on the leaves, which wither and finally dry. Mites live
gregariously on underside of the leaves and are protected by silken webbings. These mites
appear with the onset of monsoon and are most active during September to January.
Afterwards their activity declines till April, when they disappear due to excess heat.
Management practices :
 Spraying with Flufenoxuron 10 DC @ 500 ml or Bifenazet 50 WP @ 750 ml/ha in
500 ml water.
⤊⤊⤊

68 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 25
PESTS OF FORAGE CROPS

LUCERNE
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
1. Aphids Aphis craccivora Aphididae Hemiptera
2. Tobacco leaf Spodoptera exigua, S. Noctuidae Lepidoptera
eating caterpillar mauritia

1. Aphid (Aphis craccivora)

Host plants : Lucerne, Berseem, Gram and Cowpea.
Nature of damage : This causes serious damage by sucking cell sap.

2. Tobacco leaf eating caterpillar (Spodoptera exigua, S. mauritia)

Life history : Eggs are laid on leaves. Pupation occurs in soil. Life cycle of S. exigua
completed in 3-12 days and S. mauritia completed in 28-51 days.
Host plants : Lucerne, Maize, Gram, Cowpea, Sorghum etc.
Nature of damage : It causes major damage. Caterpillars feed on leaves and defoliate the
plant.
Management practices :
 Collection and destruction of caterpillars.
 Ploughing after harvest.
 Spraying 3 % NSKE.

⤊⤊⤊

69 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 25
POLYPHAGOUS PESTS

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Army worms Mythimna separata Noctuidae Lepidoptera
2. White grubs Holotrichia serrata, H. Scarabacidae Coleoptera
consanguinea, Leucopholis
lepidophora
3. Termite or White Odontotermes obesus, Termitidae Isoptera
ant Microtermes obesi
4 Locust Acrididae Orthoptera
Bombay Locust Patanga succicata
Migratory locust Locusta migratoria
Desert Locust Schistocerca gregaria

1. Army worms Mythimna separata (Walker) [Noctuidae : Lepidoptera]

Economic importance : It is one of the cosmopolitan and polyphagous pests. It is
sporadic in occurrence but sometimes breaks out in an epidemic form especially when
there is a good start of rains followed by long dry spell. Complete failure of crops is also
common in case of heavy attack.
Marks of identification : Moths are of two types. The first one is brownish red with
brownish prominent spots on the anterior margin of the wings. Hind wings are pale
coloured with dark borders. The other one is dark brown with a dark median line and
spots on the apical margin of the wings. The wing expanse is about 35 mm. The
caterpillars are dull greenish in colour with broad light coloured stripes running along the
lateral sides of the body. Full grown caterpillar is smooth stout bodied measuring
about 25 to 37.5 mm in length
Life history : Round greenish white eggs are laid in batches on central leaves in two
parallel rows. They hatch in about a week. Larval period lasts for about 3 to 4 weeks.
Pupation takes place in the soil. Pupal period lasts for 8 to 10 days. Adults live for 1
to 8 days. One generation is completed in about 5 to 6 weeks and there are many
generations in a year. The pest is active from June to November and it usually hibernates
in the soil in pupal stage.

Life cycle of army worm

Site of oviposition : On leaves
Incubation period : 7 days
Larval period : 3-4 weeks
Pupal period : 8-10 days
Site of pupation : In soil
Total life cycle : 5-6 weeks

Host plants : It is a polyphagous species and attack a wide range of cereals and pulses.
Nature of damage : Caterpillars are mostly active during night and hide in the leaf whorl
or the soil during the day time. They feed on the leaves from margin and in case of severe

70 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
attack the plants are completely defoliated. Pelleted excreta of the caterpillars are observed
on the leaves as well as in whorls. On exhausting food from one field the caterpillars
march like an army to neighbouring fields and hence the name army worms.
Management practices :
 Hand collection and destruction of egg masses and caterpillars in the early stage of
infestation; help to check the pest incidence.
 Deep ploughing of the infested fields after the harvest of the crop to expose
hibernating pupae to the action of weathering agencies and birds.
 Since the pest is polyphagous the measures on campaign basis be undertaken.
 Chemical control: Adopt the Management practices recommended for Borers or
Dusting of methy parathion 2% dust @ 20 Kg /ha or spraying of carbaryl 50 WDP
@ 2000 g/ha in 500 lit. of water may be done directing the spray or dust in the
whorl.

2. White grubs
Holotrichia serrata, H. consanguinea, Leucopholis lepidophora [Scarabacidae : Coleoptera]
Economic importance : It is a cosmopolitan and polyphagous species having been
reported from most of the states of the country. Since last 10 to 15 years grub is
posing a great threat to the cultivation in some pockets of Maharashtra State. It is in
endemic form in some pockets of Ahmednagar, Buldhana, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur,
Osmanabad, Parbhani, Sangli, Satara and Wardha districts.
Marks of identification : Adult beetle is stoutly built, reddish brown 22-25 mm in length
and head is oblique. Eggs are creamy white, oval / spherical, 2 mm diameter. Grub is about
47 mm long, white in colour with dark brown head having powerful mandibles and 3 pairs
of prominent thoracic legs.
Life history : The emergence of beetle begins after first pre monsoon showers (May /
June), emergence is confined to early evening, after the sunset, mating takes place on neem
and babul trees. Beetles return to soil before sunrise and female starts laying the eggs
singly in earthen cells at the depth of 7-10 cm in soil. A female lays 50-70 eggs.
Incubation period is 9-24 days. Grub moults twice and becomes full grown in 5-9
months. Pupation takes place in soil. Pupal stage last for about 14-29 days. Though adults
are formed during November and December they do not emerge until the first
premonsoon shower in May or June. The longevity of adult after emergence is 47-97
days. Only one generation in a year. Carry over through the adult beetle. Newly formed
beetle remains in quiescent stage in soil and emerges when cloudy weather and light
showers prevail in the month of May / June. The pest is active in kharif season.

Life cycle of white grub

Site of oviposition : In soil
Fecundity : 50-70 eggs
Incubation period : 9-24 days
Grub period : 5-9 months
Pupal period : 14-29 days
Site of pupation : In soil
No. of generations/year : 1 generation

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Host plants : White grubs are polyphagous.
 Larval hosts : Attack number of crops like sugarcane, groundnut, jowar,
maize, paddy, tobacco, vegetables etc. and grasses. Perennial trees like guava,
citrus, peach etc. are also reported to be attacked by the grub.
 Adult host : The adult beetles feed on leaves of neem, babul, shevaga, ber,
tamarind, bel, gulmohar.
Nature of damage : The grub feed on roots and rootlets of plant and infested plants
become yellowish and dried up. The attacked plant can be easily pulled out from the soil.
Management practices :
 Collection of beetles by shaking host trees (neem / babul / ber) at night hours
and their destruction in kerosinized water.
 Collection and destruction of grubs from the field at the time of weeding and
interculturing.
 Flooding of the fields. Spray the host trees like neem, babul and ber with 0.1 %
carbaryl in monsoon on community basis. The emergence of beetles is
observed immediately after the first pre-monsoon showers (May/June).
 Note : Leaves of treated host tree should not be fed to animals upto 10 days
after treatment.
 Soil application with Quinalphos 5 G / Phorate 10 G / Carbofuran 3 G @
25 Kg/ha, at the time of land preparation or application of FYM.
 In case L. lepidophora around Kumbhi river in Kolhapur district, use rotavator in
May, in white grub affected area for the destruction of different stages of white
grub.

3. Termites or White ants Odontotermes obesus, Microtermes obesi [Termitidae : Isoptera]

Economic importance : Termites are polyphagous insects, reported from many parts
of Maharashtra. The infestation of termites is more in sandy loam soils. They inflict
more serious damage in the unirrigated areas.
Marks of identification : These are social insects living in a colony. Polymorphic forms
are noticed.
 A) Reproductive caste (winged) : They live in royal chambers.
Queen : Develops from fertilized eggs. It is much larger in size and has creamy
white abdomen which is marked with transvere dark brown stripes. It lives for
5- 10 years and lays thousands of eggs.
King : Develops from unfertilized eggs. It is much smaller than queen and slightly
bigger than workers. It is secondarily wingless insect.
 B) Sterile caste (wingless) :
Workers : Develop from fertilized eggs. They are whitish yellow. Head wider than
reproductive castes. Mandibles are stronger, meant for feeding on. They avoid
light and need high humidity for their survival.
Soldiers : Develop from unfertilized eggs. They have large head and strongly
chitinized sickle shaped mandibles, defend the colony by fighting. Mandibulate
type soldiers.
Life history : Soon after, first monsoon showers, the sexual forms leave their colony for
nuptial flight during evening. After a short flight mating takes place, they shed their wings

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and the queen and king settle down in the soil. The female burrows in the soil, lay
eggs and establish new colony. The queen gradually grows in size and starts egg
laying very rapidly at the rate of one egg per second or 70,000 to 80,000 eggs in 24
hours. It lives for 5 – 10 years. It can live for several years also. There is only one
queen in a colony. Incubation period is one week in summer and within 6 months
larvae develop to form soldiers or workers. The reproductive castes when produced
mature in 1-2 years.
Host plants : Termites are polyphagous feeding on crops like wheat, sugarcane,
groundnut, cotton, chillies, brinjal, fruit trees etc.
Nature of damage : Worker termites feed on the roots and stem parts of the plants. This
results in drying of the plants. Other forms do not cause any direct damage to the crop.
Management practices :
 Locate termitoria (mounds) and destroy queen by digging out termitoria or
fumigating with fumigants like CS2 or CS2 + Chloroform mixture @ 250 ml/mould.
 Termite damage in standing crop can be minimized by application of 5 litres of
Chlorpyriphos 20 EC/ha into irrigation water or field spreading of 1 litre of lindane
mixed with sand or soil, followed by light irrigation.
 Keep the crop healthy and vigorous. Shortage of water leading to initial drying of
the plant, may lead to termite infestation. Hence, it is very necessary to keep
the crop healthy and vigorous.

4. Locust [Acrididae : Orthoptera]

Species : Locusts are those species of grasshoppers, which under certain favourable
conditions, multiply, congregate, move together in their nymphal stages as band and
the resultant swarms fly to distant areas in dense. Their epidemic occurs in all
continents. There are nine well recognized species. The following species occur in
India.
1. Bombay Locust – Patanga succicata L.
2. Migratory locust – Locusta migratoria L.
3. Desert Locust – Schistocerca gregaria, very common and most destructive.
1. Bombay locust : Patanga succinota L.
 The area of distribution : India, Ceylon and Malaya. In India area extending from
Gujarat to Madras and in certain areas upto Bengal Swarms 1835-45, 1864-66,
1901- 1908 resulted in heavy damage to crops.
 Breeding grounds : Open areas of Western Ghats.
 No. of broods : 1 in year (dispause in adult).
These hoppers do not congregate to form bands but remain scattered among crops
or grasses.
2. Migratory locust : Locusta migratoria L.
 Distribution : Europe, Africa, East Asia and Australia. Swarms : In India they
were observed in 1898 in Madras and in Bangalore 1954.
 Breeding grounds : Breeds in spring in Pakistan and resultant adults migrate into
the desert area of India as individuals and breed during summer in Rajasthan –
Gujarat areas of India. Scattered locust may gather in ecologically favourable
pockets and lay eggs immediately i.e. there are several broods in a year.
3. Desert Locust : Schistocerca gregaria,

73 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
  The desert locust is a pest of world wide importance as it is known to migrate
in swarms from one country to another.
 Distribution : It is an international pest affecting about 60 countries, mainly India,
Pakistan, Afganistan, Arebia, Persia, Iraq and Africa.
 Breeding regions : The pest breeds during the spring season in costal and
other areas of West African countries like Persia where the winter rains bring
about the required degree of soil moisture and vegetation. The adults emerging
from this breeding stage migrate eastward to Pakistan and India by about the
beginning of monsoon.
Phase Theory of Locust : The phase theory was first put forth by Uvarov on the basis
of his studies on Locusta in Russia. Previously L. migratoria and L. danica were
recognized as two distinct species as they exhibited marked differences in
colour, morphology, physiology and behaviour. Investigations by Uvarov,
however, revealed that the L. migratoria and L. danica were the same species
which existed in 2 phases. Two forms gregarious and solitary are connected by
intermediate form transiens. This theory was subsequently confirmed for other
species of locust also. Gregarious phase exhibit black colour pattern and same is
absent in solitary. Solitory has uniform colour which resembles that of vegetation
on which they live. Under laboratory condition the colour of the solitary phase
hoppers can be changed into that of gregarious by breeding them under crowded
conditions and vice-versa.
Reasons of outbreak : In breeding regions there are regular showers of rainfall in
both the rain fall belts, which brings about the required degree of soil moisture and
vegetation. However, strong winds do not scatter the swarms.
Nature of damage : Locusts are voracious feeders, each adult, consuming its own weight
of vegetation daily. It is estimated that 1 sq. km settled swarm contains about 3000 quintals
of locust. An average swarm is 10 sq. km. Biggest 300 sq. km swarm is on record.
Similarly, hoppers eat 6-8 times more than their own weight. It has been assessed that in
India during 1926-31 plauge, the damage caused to crops, fodder etc. was about 10 crores
of ruppes and consequential loss of premature death of cattle and other live stock was
incalculable.
Methods of locust control : The chief aim of locust control is to destroy the locust in all
its stages.
 Destruction of eggs : Locating the egg laid areas is almost important, then trench
them around, so as to entrap the young hoppers as they move out after
hatching. Even actual destruction of eggs on organized scale may be carried out by
ploughing, harrowing and hand digging.
 Hopper control : The mechanical methods include entrapping the making hopper
bands in 2’x2’ trenches and burying. The chemical method include use of
poison baits and dusting of insecticides. Dusting of 2 % methyl parathion dust
against hoppers @ 25 to 30 Kg/ha has been found to bring a complete control
of these pests.
 Control of adults or winged locust swarms : 2 % methyl parathion may be
carried out to achieve better control when swarms are resting on bare ground at
night or in early morning can be beaten or swept up and destroyed. If they are
resting on bushes or hedges, they can be easily burnt with the help of flame
throwers.

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  When flying locust are about to descend in large swarms in cultivated areas,
best way to tackle them is to prevent them by creating a cloud of smoke or by
burning refuse etc. Spraying with neem kernel suspension as a deterent to the crop,
has also been tried with success. Recently with the introduction ‘aerial
application’ of insecticide the control of locust swarms has become easier. The
advantage associated with aerial spraying are :
 Vast areas can be treated in relatively short time.
 The swarm in flight can also be treated.
 When swarms settle down in a particular area that area can be quickly covered
by aerial application.
 The moment of swarm can be watched with ease.

Locust control organizations.

 In India : Locust warning organization of the Govt. of India was established from
April 1939. In 1942 a Coordination Anti Locust Scheme was put into operation.
 In the World : United Nations special Fund Desert Locust Project, which was
sponsored by the F.A.O. in 1960. This is being subscribed by several countries
including India. It’s purpose is to develop more effective and less expensive control
of the desert locust.

⤊⤊⤊

75 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
 PRACTICAL NO. 27
STORED GRAIN PESTS

(I) INSECT PESTS

Several species of beetles, weevils and moths are the main insect pests, causing
losses and deterioration of stored grains and their products, from which the beetles and
weevils are more important pests. Because they destroy grains both in the larval and adult
stages.
On the basis of nature of damage caused by them the insect pests of stored
grains can be classified into three main groups as follows.
A) Primary pests (or primary grain and seed feeders)
B) Secondary pests (or secondary grain and seed feeders)
C) Primary and Secondary pests.

(A) Primary pests : The primary pests are those, which are capable of causing damage to
the whole or sound grains. They are of two types.
(a) Internal feeders and (b) External feeders
(a) Internal feeders : In this the larvae feed entirely within the kernels or grains. This
group includes following pests.

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae Curculionidae Coleoptera
2. Lesser grain borer Rhyzopertha dominica Bostrichidae Coleoptera
3. Pulse beetle Callosobruchus chinensis Bruchidae Coleoptera
4. Grain moth Sitotroga cerelella Gelechidae Lepidoptera

(b) External feeders : In this, larvae feed from outside of the grain. This includes
the following pests.

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Khapra beetle Trogoderma granarium Dermestidae Coleoptera
2. Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella Pyralidae Lepidoptera
3. Rice moth Corcyra cephalonica Pyralidae Lepidoptera

(B) Scondary pests : These pest do not damage or attack the sound grains but feed on
damaged or broken grains. These pests are listed below.

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1. Rust red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum Tenebrionidae Coleoptera
2. Saw toothed Orzyaephilus surinamensis Cucujidae Coleoptera
Grain beetle
3. Long headed beetle Latheticus oryzae Tenebrionidae Coleoptera

A) Primary pests of stored grain

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1. Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)
Economic importance : This is the most destructive insect pest of stored grains,
widely distributed in different parts of the world. It infests stored grains such as rice
(unhusked), wheat, jowar, maize, bajra, barley etc.
Marks of identification : Adult is a tiny weevil measuring about 3 mm in length with
a head produced into a snout like structure. Body is dark-brown or almost black in
colour. Fore wings bear four light reddish spots. It is a strong flier and is known to fly
from godown to the field. The grubs are whitish and are found Inside the kernels or
grains. They are small and legless.
Life history : The adult female makes small shallow holes (cavities) in the soft portion of
the grain with the help of its mouth parts and lays in it a small egg, which is later on
covered with gelatinous fluid to protect it from damage. Each female deposits about
250 to 400 eggs. The incubation period is about 4 days in summer and 6 to 9 days in
winter.
On hatching, the tiny, fleshy, white legless grub bores into the grain and feed
on inner content. The larval stage last for 19 to 34 days and development is completed
within a grain. Pupation takes place inside the same grain. The pupal period is usually 3 to
6 days. But it may last upto 20 days. Later on the adult weevil emerges out by cutting
its way through the grain. The adult weevil lives for 4 to 5 months. A generation is
completed in 2 to 5 months, depending upon the season. About 4 to 5 generations are
completed in a year.
Life cycle of rice weevil
Site of oviposition : In small holes on grains
Fecundity : 250-400 eggs
Incubation period : 9-24 days
Grub period : 19-34 days
Pupal period : 3-6 days
Site of pupation : In grain
Total life cycle : 2-5 months
No. of generations/year : 4-5 generations

Nature of damage : Both adults and larvae feed on the sound grains. As a result the
grains are rendered unfit for human consumption. The adults eat a small protion of grain,
making shallow holes while larvae cause major damage by boring into the grains. Though
the grains are mostly damaged in storage, the infestation is carried from field also.

2. Lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica)

Economic importance : It is also a cosmopolitan pest and causes serious damage to
the stored grains, next to rice weevil. It attacks cereals, various types of grains and dry
fruits. Marks of identification : The adult beetle is cylindrical measuring about 2.5 to
2.8mm in length. The adults are dark brown and elytra with slightly rough surface.
Head is turned somewhat downwards, so that it is scarcely visible from above. Full-
grown larva is dirty white with light brown head.

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Life history : A single female lays about 300 to 500 eggs on the grains or they are dropped
between loose grains, on walls or in crevices. The eggs hatch in about 5 to 6 days in
summer. The newly hatched grubs crawl and enter the grain generally near the soft embryo
and the larva passes its life inside the grains and becomes full fed in about 44 days.
Pupation lasts for 7 to 8 days. The adult can survive for 8 to 10 months. Usually 5
generations are completed in a year.
Life cycle of lesser grain borer
Site of oviposition : On grains or between loose grains, on walls
or
in crevices
Fecundity : 300-500 eggs
Incubation period : 5-6 days
Grub period : 44 days
Pupal period : 7-8 days
Site of pupation : In grain
Total life cycle : 2 months
No. of generations/year : 4-5 generations

Nature of damage : Both beetles and larvae cause serious damage to variety of grains like
wheat, rice, jowar, bajra, pulses etc. They completely hollow out the kernels or grains and
only outer coat is left. The adults chew a great deal of grains more than it needs for
consumption and produce considerable flour and frass. The grubs can feed inside the grain
or on grains destroyed by adults.

3. Pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis)

Economic importance : It is a major pest of pulses like mung, gram, tur, bean,
masoor, and urid and causes heavy damage mostly during monsoon season. However,
this pest does not attack split pulses, traded in India as “Dals”
Marks of identificaion : The adult beetle is dark brown in colour, oval or heart
shaped, measuring 3 to 6 mm in length. The head is small and abdomen is conspicuously
swollen. Two ivory coloured spots are present in the middle of elytra. The elytra do
not cover the posterior portion of the abdomen. The grub is whitish, cylindrical and
fleshy.
Life history : An adult female deposits about 60 to 65 eggs, either singly or in batches on
seed or pods. They hatch in 4 to 5 days. The newly hatched grub enters into the grain on
which they feed. The larval period lasts for 2 to 3 weeks. Pupation takes place inside the
grain and pupal period lasts for about 4 to 8 days. The total life cycle is completed within
30 days. The adult can live for 10 days or even longer. There are 7-8 overlapping
generations in a year.
Life cycle of pulse beetle
Site of oviposition : On seed or pod
Fecundity : 60-65 eggs
Incubation period : 4-5 days
Grub period : 2-3 weeks
Pupal period : 4-8 days
Site of pupation : Inside the grain
Total life cycle : 30 days
No. of generations/year : 7-8 generations

78 | E N T O 3 5 3 P R A C T I C A L M A N U A
Nature of damage : The attack of this pest starts in the field on the ripening crop and
carried to storage or godown. However, they do really serious and spectacular damage
under storage condition. In the field, eggs are laid on developing leguminous pods, either
on the outside or inside the pod. The larvae hatching out from these eggs, bore their
way into the soft developing grain inside the pod and feed on the inner content. The
larvae continue to develop inside the grain and later on pupate there only and then
emerge as adults through the exit whole prepared by the grub damaged grains with
circular holes, result in lowering the value of the grain.

4. Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerelella)

Economic importance : This pest also causes serious damage to the grains like
wheat, maize, jowar, barley and oats. It is particularly a pest of paddy and maize,
wherein development is fast
Marks of identification : The adult moth is smaller in size, measuring about 3 to 4
mm in length with wing expanse of 12.5 mm. Hind wings are fringed and rather pointed.
The moths are straw coloured. The larva is whitish with yellowish head.
Life history : A single female moth lays about 150 eggs on or near the grains. The
eggs hatch in 4-8 days. The larva becomes full grown in 2-3 weeks and pupates inside the
grains in silken cocoon. Pupal period lasts for 7-10 days. The life cycle is completed in 50
days.

Life cycle of angoumois grain moth

Site of oviposition : On or near the grains
Fecundity : 150 eggs
Incubation period : 4-8 days
Grub period : 2-3 weeks
Pupal period : 7-10 days
Site of pupation : Inside the grain
Total life cycle : 50 days

Nature of damage : The infestation of this pest starts, when the crop is still in the
field and the grains in milky stage. Larvae feed on the endosperm of grains, leaving other
parts untouched. The damage on the grain is not noticed until full grown larva cuts exit
hole for the moth. The infested grains are hollowed out by the larvae and filled by their
excreta and webbing.

5. Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium)

Economic importance : It is serious and primary pest of wheat. However, it is also found
to attack other cereals like rice, jowar, maize as well as pulses and oil seeds. The pest
is cosmopolitan in distribution. The word “Khapra” is an Indian term, which means a
brick. This name describes its habit of hibernating or aestivating in the pores of bricks
used in the construction of godown in India.
Marks of identification : The adult beetle is small about 1.5 to 3mm long, oval in shape,
light of dark brown and covered with fine (short) hairs, which gives velvety
appearance.

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The male is almost half the size of the female. The grub is brownish-white in colour
and its body is covered with long reddish brown hairs, which are usually directed
backward and form as sort of thick tail at the anal end.
Life history : The eggs are generally laid amongst the grain. A single female lays about
125 eggs. The eggs hatch 1 to 6 days. Larvae become full fed in about 50 days by
moulting 4 times. During winter and in absence of food, the larvae hibernate in cracks
and crevices in godown or in seams and meshes of bags. The pupal stage lasts for 6 to
17 days. The adults live for 10 to 12 days. There are 4-5 generations in a year

Life cycle of khapra beetle

Site of oviposition : Among the grains
Fecundity : 125 eggs
Incubation period : 1-6 days
Grub period : 50 days
Pupal period : 6-17 days
Site of pupation : Inside the grain
No. of generations/year : 4-5 generations

Nature of damage : Unlike other beetles of stored grain, the adult beetle in this case
is harmless and the grain, is damaged only by the larvae. The larvae feed voraciously on
the embryo of the grain, affecting their germination. When infestation becomes heavy,
the entire grain is destroyed. The infestation generally occurs in superfluous layers of
grain.

B) Secondary stored grain pests

1. Rust red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum)

It is a serious pest of cereal products such as atta (flour), maida, suji, milled rice as
well as broken or damaged grain during threshing or by the attack of other pests like
weevils and moths. The pest is distributed throughout the world.
Marks of identification : The adult beetle is about 3 to 4 mm long, flat and reddish brown
in colour. It has smooth, shining elytra. The larva is slender cylindrical in shape and
whitish yellow in colour and measures about 4.5 mm in length.
Life history : The eggs are laid freely in flour etc. and as they are moist they soon get
covered with dust and flour. A single female lays about 450 eggs. The incubation
period is of 5 to 12 days. The larva completes its development in 27 to 90 days
according to the availability of food and the range of prevailing temperatures. Pupation
takes place on the surface of the food stuff and lasts for 6 to 8 days. The adults are
active and hard. They can withstand a starvation even upto two months and normally
live for 4 to 6 months.
Life cycle of rust red flour beetle
Site of oviposition : In flour
Fecundity : 450 eggs
Incubation period : 5-12 days
Grub period : 28-90 days
Pupal period : 6-8 days
Site of pupation : On the surface of food stuff
Nature of damage : This pest is not capable of attacking whole grains but both larvae and
adult beetles feed on the grains, which are already damaged by other insects. They cause

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more damage to milled cereal. In case of the heavy infestation, flour or maida turns greysih
yellow and subsequently becomes mouldy and emits pungent bad odour.

2. Saw toothed grain beetle (Orzyaephilus surinamensis)

It is a worldwide pest of cereals products, oilseed, dried fruits and biscuits.

Marks of identification : Adult beetle is about 2.5 to 3.5mm in length, flattened
brown in colour with lateral edges of thorax serrated. The larva is active and whitish
in appearance. The common name of this pest is derived from the peculiar structure of
the thorax of adult which bears 6 saw teeth like projections on each side.
Life history : Beetle lays eggs on the grains or stored products. A female lays about
300 eggs. The life cycle is comlpetd in 28-35 days. The adult beetle lives for many
months.
Nature of damage : Both adults and larvae feed on the stored produce. The larva
feeds mostly in flour, maida or the grain dust produced by the infestaion of the pests.
The damaged grains are attacked by the adults. Excessive infestation of the pest on
the food products particularly cereals, makes it unpalatable and unsuitable.

C) Primary and secondary stored grain pests

1) Rice moth (Corcyra cephalonica)

This pest occurs in almost all parts of the world. It is considered to be the most
destructive pest of stored paddy, milled paddy, sorghum and other cereals like maize,
wheat etc. Besides, legumes, pulses, oil cakes, dried fruits, atta, dal, suji etc. are also
damaged by this pest.
Marks of identification : The moth is pale greyish brown in colour measuring about
15 mm. The fore wings are uniformly pale brown. The larva is creamy white in colour
with a prominent broad, yellowish head and it measures 25mm in length, when full
grown.
Life history : The eggs are laid on bags or walls etc. A single female can lay from 90
to 200 eggs, which hatch in about 5 days. The larval period lasts for 15 to 40 days and
pupation takes place inside the silken webbings or ‘Jalas’ the pupal period is completed in
about 12 to 15 days. The adult lives for 4 to 6 days only. The life cycle is completed in 33-
52 days and 6 generations are completed in a year.

Life cycle of rice moth

Site of oviposition : On bags or walls
Fecundity : 90-200 eggs
Incubation period : 5 days
Grub period : 15-40 days
Pupal period : 12-15 days
Site of pupation : Inside silken webbings
Total life cycle : 33-52 days
No. of generations/year : 6 generations

Nature of damage : Larva readily feeds on broken grains and flour but as it grows older,
it is capable of feeding on sound grain also. It bores into the grains, feeding on
starchy
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matter in them and forms a silken shelter (webbing) in which it remains. Infestation of this
pest is characterized by the presence of silken webbings (lumps) to which grain adhere (or
grain webbed together).

CONTROL OF INSECT PESTS OF STORED GRAINS AND GRAlN PRODUCTS

The methods adopted for control of insect pests of stored grains are of two types:
(a) Preventive measures and
(b) Curative or remedial measures
The preventive measures are employed to protect fresh stocks from the attack
of pest, while curative measures help to control the pest infestation in storage.

(A) PREVENTIVE METHODS

The following preventive measures are generally recommended :
1) Sun drying : Most of the stored grain pests cannot multiply in grains having lees
than 8% moisture (except khapra beetle and pulse beetle). Therefore, an age old practice of
sun drying of the grains after harvest and before storage helps to keep down the
moisture content below 8% and thus provides unfavourable condition for survival or
multiplication of pests.
2) Removal of insect stages, if any from the grains : It must be ensured that the
grains before storage are free from the infestation of any insect pest. For this, grains
should be sieved. It should be done to remove the different stages of insects.
3) Prevention of infestation from possible sources :
(i) Field infestation : Pests like pulse beetle, rice weevil, grain moth etc. fly to the
fields and lay eggs on grains or pods. When such grains reach the store, the
eggs hatch. The larva emerges and damages the grain. This way the infestation is
carried from the field to the godown. To check it, spraying of Malathion 50 EC @ 2
ml/lit. water should be done on the earheads or pods in the field.
(ii) Cross infestation : Stored grain pests remain in empty bags, godown,
trucks, bullock carts or crevices of godown etc. from where pest may get entry
into the fresh grain and thus get infested. It is, therefore, necessary to take due
precautions to prevent the carryover of the pest from the possible source of
infestaion. Prevention of cross infestation:
 With a view to avoid the possibility of infestation during transport from
threshing yard to godown or from one place to another, the vehicle (bullock cart
or truck or Railway wagon) should be cleaned and made insect free by
spraying) Malation 50 EC @ 3 ml/lit. water.
 In order to make the godowns insect free, following precautions should be
necessarily taken
 All dirt rubbish, webbings or refuge material should be removed from the
godown.
 All cracks and crevices and rat holes in the walls, floors or ceilings should
be filled with cement.
 Before storing the new stocks disinfect the godowns to remove insect
infestations. Now a day’s spraying with Malathion 50 EC @ 3 ml/lit. water
is recommended.

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4) Use of insect free storage structures : When the grain is properly dried and ready
for storage, it should be stored in gunny bags free from insect pests, as far as possible
new bags are to the used they should be first cleaned made dirt free and then fumigate
with ethylene di-bromide @ kg/ 100 cu. meters of space for 5 to 7 days
5) Providing dunnage to gunny bags and their proper stockings :
(i) Dunnage : At the time of the storage of gunny bags, proper dunnage is
necessary to protect grains from moisture damage, which usually occurs at the
bottom layers of bags. Best dunnage is of wooden battens with a layer of bamboo
matting on which a polythene sheet is spread
ii) Proper stacking : Gunny bags should not be kept touching to the walls or roofs,
as they absorb moisture. This will also facilitate aeration as well as inspection and
treatment of grains in godown.
6) Dusting or spraying the gunny bags after piling to check the cross infestation :
After pilling the bags, their outside surface be dusted or sprayed with malathion or DDVP
@ 0.05% spray).
7) Admixture of local plant : Some of the local plants have a repellent effect upon
insects. In India powdered dried rhizomes of sweat flag (Acorus calamus) is mixed with
paddy or rice @ 1:100 parts of grain. Similarly, mixing the ‘neem’ leaves in grains or
smearing them with castor oil is some of the indigenous methods.
8) Admixture of inert dusts and chemicals : Mixing of inert dusts with food grains
has been adopted in India for centuries. The mixture of wood or coal ash, slaked lime,
talc or sand with food grains is carried out in many areas. However, it is restricted to the
store of some small quantity of grains in earthen wares for seed purpose. Mercury is also
added in the cakes or balls prepared out of mud or cow dung. Borax in small quantities
prevents insect attack in rice but as it has careinogenic effect, it should not be mixed with
grains

(B) CURATIVE METHODS

The stocks of grains should be periodically examined and if insects are noticed, the
stock should be removed, sun dried and cleaned and then it should be fumigated with
suitable fumigant. In case of large scale storage it is not possible to be resorted to.
Fumigation methods
(a) Fumigation of bagged commodities
1) Dump method or Gas proof cover fumigation : This method is generally
used for the fumigation of bagged commodities. For this purpose, a gas proof
sheet is necessary to cover the entire stack. These covers are prepared from
baloon fabrics or rubberized cloth of varoius sizes. The standared size being 6
x
4.5 x 45 m which can be accommodating about 500 bags at a time
The cover should be put over the grain to be fumigated; the sides touching the
grounds are covered with dry earth or sand or heavy metal chains to prevent the
leakage from bottom. The fumigant should then be introduced from the top
(methyl bromide @ ½ kg/30 cu.m.) with the help of polythene tubing into a
metal pan from which it volatilizes. The exposure period should be 48 hours.
2) Gas proof cover fumigation with Aluminium phosphide tablets : Tablets
of aluminium phosphide may be incorporated into a stack layer as it is built @ 3 g
tablet/tonne. This stack should be covered with gas proof sheet within 2 hours.

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 In order to fumigate an existing stack, the required dose of fumigant i.e. 2
tablets of 3 g/tonne of grains may be distributed around the base of the stacks
on paper trays. The exposure period should be 48 hours. The grains required to
be stored for a longer period should at least be fumigated 3 times in a year, once
after winter, again before monsoon and the third time at the end of monsoon.

(b) Fumigation of bulk grains : The grains stored in bulk in bins or kothi or silo may be
fumigated by the following methods.
i) Direct Mixing : In this fumigant is applied to the grains, so that it is
distributed as evenly as possible. For this purpose, liquid or solid types of
fumigants are used. Liquids may be applied to the grains by ordinary cans, whereas
tablets of aluminium phosphide may be scattered over the surface or they may
be inserted into the bulk grain by means of special probes @ two tablets of 3g
per tonne of grain.
ii) Surface application : This method is mainly used with liquid type of fumigant.
These are sprayed evenly over the top surface of the grain. The vapours slowly
evolve and diffuse downward through the grain.
(C) Common fumigants : The fumigants commonly used for grain storage along
with their rate, exposure time.

⤊⤊⤊

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 REFERENCE BOOKS

Sr. Name of book Authors

No.
1. Trends in Agril. Pest Management Ramesh Arora and G. S. Dhaliwal
2. Agril. Pest of South Asia and their A. S. Atwal and G. S. Dhaliwal
management
3. General and Applied entomology David and Anathakrishnan
4. Insects of Fruits and Vegetables Butani D.K.
5. Integrated Pest Management Venngopal Rao
6. Plant Protection Schedule Department of Agriculture
(Maharashtra)
7. Joint Agresco Recommendations Agril. Universities
8. Insects and Mites M.R.G.K. Nair
9. Hand book of Agriculture for South India T.V.R., Ayyar
10. Elements of Economic Entomology B. V. David and V. V. Rammurthy
(Recent Edition)
11. Pests of Floriculture crops and their control T. Ramesh
12. Practical Manual of Entomology (Insect H. Lewin Devasahayan
and Non-insect pests)

PRACTICAL

Sr. No. Topic Marks

1 Collection 06
2 Spotting 30
3 Viva 04
4 General performance 10
Total 50

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