Semester : V

Course : ENTO 354

Course title : Pests of Crops and Stored Grain and their
Management
Credits : 2 (1+1)

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 Syllabus

Theory

General account on nature and type of damage by different arthropods pests: Scientific
name, order, family, host range, distribution, biology, nature of damage and management of
insect pests of Cereals- Rice - Paddy stem borer, Green leaf hopper, Brown plant hopper,
White backed plant hopper, Gall midge, Paddy grasshopper, Blue beetle, Caseworm,
Armyworm, Gundhi bug, Hispa, Leaf folder. Sorghum – Shoot fly, Stem borer, Aphids,
Delphacids, Grasshopper, Earhead midge, Earhead caterpillars. Maize – Shoot fly, Stem
borer, Armyworm, Cob earworm. Bajra – Shoot fly, Blister beetle. Wheat – Stem borer,
Aphids, Termites. Minor millets. Pulses – Pigeon pea, chickpea, mungbean, urdbean,
cowpea, pea. Pigeon pea – Pod borer, Plume moth, Pod fly, Spotted pod borer, Leaf
webber, Mites. Chickpea – Gram pod borer, Aphids, Cutworm. Mung and Urdbean –
Aphids, Leaf eating caterpillar, Semilooper, Pod borer. Cowpea and Pea – Aphids, Blue
butterfly, Pod borer. Oilseeds - Groundnut – Leaf miner, Hairy caterpillar, Tobacco leaf
eating caterpillar, Aphids, Thrips, White grub, Pod sucking bug. Castor – Semilooper,
Capsule borer, Jassids, Tobacco leaf eating caterpillar. Sunflower – Capitulum borer, Hairy
caterpillar, Jassids, Thrips, Whitefly, Stem borer. Safflower- aphids, Capitulum borer, Guzia
weevil. Mustard – Aphids, Sawfly, Leaf webber. Linseed – Gall fly. Soybean – Stem fly,
Girdle beetle, Leaf miner, Tobacco leaf eating caterpillar, Whitefly, Semilooper, Gram pod
borer. Sesamum – Til hawk moth, Gall fly, leaf eating caterpillar. Niger – Semilooper, Gram
pod borer. Fiber crops –Cotton – Aphids, Jassids, Thrips, Whitefly, Mealy bugs, Spotted
bollworm, American bollworm, Pink bollworm, Tobacco leaf eating caterpillar, Leaf folder,
Semilooper, Red cotton bug, Dusky cotton bug, Grey weevil. Sunhemp and Mesta –
Sunhemp hairy caterpillar. Sugarcane crops - Early shoot borer, Internode borer, Top
shoot borer, Whitefly, Pyrilla, Woolly aphids, Mealy bug, Scale insect, Termites, White grub.
Non-insect pests of above crops – Crabs, Snails and Slugs, millepedes, Mites, Rats and
squirrels. Stored grain pests - Biology and damage of Primary and Secondary pests.
Primary store grain pests- Internal feeders - Rice weevil, lesser grain borer, pulse beetle
and Angoumois grain moth. External feeders - khapra beetle, Indian meal moth. Secondary
store grain pests – Rust red flour beetle, Saw toothed grain beetle, Long headed beetle.
Primary and Secondary store grain pests - Rice moth. Non insect pests, mites, rodents,
birds and microorganisms associated with stored grain and their management. Preventive
and curative methods of stored grain pests. Storage structure and methods of grain storage
and fundamental principles of grain store management.

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Practical

Identification of different type of damage. Identification and study of life cycle and seasonal
history of various insect pests attacking crops and their produce. Field crops: Cereals-
Rice, Sorghum, Maize, Bajra, Wheat and Miner millets. Pulses- Pigeon pea, Chickpea, Mung
bean, Urd bean, Cowpea and Pea. Oilseeds: Groundnut, Castor, Sunflower, Safflower,
Mustard, Linseed, Soybean, Sesamum and Niger. Fibre: Cotton, Sunhemp and Mesta. Sugar
crop: sugarcane. Non insect pests of field crops. Store grain pests. Non insect pests, mites,
rodents, birds and microorganisms associated with stored grain and their management.
Preventive and curative methods of stored grain pests. Storage structure and methods of
grain storage and fundamental principles of grain store management.

Marks distribution for practical examination

 Spotting : 36
 Viva-voce : 04
 Practical manual : 05
 Collection : 05
Total : 50

Suggested Readings
1) A.S. Atwal and G.S. Dhaliwal :Agricultural Pests of South Asia and their Management
2) B.V. David and V.V. Rammurthy: Elements of Economic Entomology
3) Manishekharan and Sudarrajan : Pest Management in Field Crops
4) Pedigo L.P. : Entomology and Pest Management
5) VenuGopal Rao: Insect Pest Management
6) B.P. Khare : Storage Entomology

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Teaching Schedule

a) Theory
Lecture Topic Weightage
No. (%)
Distribution, host range, biology, nature of damage and
management of insect pests of ….
Cereals 20
1 Rice - Paddy stem borer, Green leaf hopper, Brown plant hopper,
White backed plant hopper, Gall midge, Paddy grasshopper, Blue
beetle, Caseworm, Armyworm, Gundhi bug, Hispa, Leaf folder
2 Sorghum – Shoot fly, Stem borer, Aphids, Delphacids, Grasshopper,
Earhead midge, Earhead caterpillars
3 Maize – Shoot fly, Stem borer, Armyworm, Cob earworm
Bajra – Shoot fly, Blister beetle
Wheat – Stem borer, Aphids, Termites
Minor millets -
Pulses – Pigeon pea, chickpea, mungbean, urdbean, cowpea, pea 10
4 Pigeonpea – Pod borer, Plume moth, Pod fly, Spotted pod borer, Leaf
webber, Mites
5 Chickpea – Gram pod borer, Aphids, Cutworm
Mung and Urdbean – Aphids, Leaf eating caterpillar, Semilooper,
Pod borer
Cowpea and Pea – Aphids, Blue butterfly, Pod borer
Oilseeds 20
6 Groundnut – Leaf miner, Hairy caterpillar, Tobacco leaf eating
caterpillar, Aphids, Thrips, White grub, Pod sucking bug
7 Castor – Semilooper, Capsule borer, Jassids, Tobacco leaf eating
caterpillar
Sunflower – Capitulum borer, Hairy caterpillar, Jassids, Thrips,
Whitefly, Stem borer
8 Safflower – Aphids, Capitulum borer, Guzia weevil
Mustard – Aphids, Sawfly, Leaf webber
Linseed – Gall fly
9 Soybean – Stem fly, Girdle beetle, Leaf miner, Tobacco leaf eating
caterpillar, Whitefly, Semilooper, Gram pod borer
Sesamum – Til hawk moth, Gall fly, leaf eating caterpillar
Niger – Semilooper, Gram pod borer
Fiber crops 10
10 & 11 Cotton – Aphids, Jassids, Thrips, Whitefly, Mealy bugs, Spotted
bollworm, American bollworm, Pink bollworm, Tobacco leaf eating
caterpillar, Leaf folder, Semilooper, Red cotton bug, Dusky cotton
bug, Grey weevil

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 Sunhemp and Mesta – Sunhemp hairy caterpillar
Sugarcane crops 10
12 Sugarcane – Early shoot borer, Internode borer, Top shoot borer,
Whitefly, Pyrilla, Woolly aphids, Mealy bug, Scale insect, Termites,
White grub
13 Non-insect pests of above crops – Crabs, Snails and Slugs, 10
millepedes, Mites, Rats and squirrels
14 & 15 Stored grain pests - Biology and damage of Primary and 20
Secondary pests
Primary store grain pests- Internal feeders - Rice weevil, lesser grain
borer, pulse beetle and Angoumois grain moth
External feeders - khapra beetle, Indian meal moth
Secondary store grain pests – Rust red flour beetle, Saw toothed
grain beetle, Long headed beetle
Primary and Secondary store grain pests - Rice moth
16 Non insect pests, mites, rodents, birds and microorganisms
associated with stored grain and their management
17 Preventive and curative methods of stored grain pests
18 Storage structure and methods of grain storage and fundamental
principles of grain store management
Total 100

Practical
Experiment No. Topic
1 Pests of Rice
2 Pests of Sorghum
3 Pests of Maize, Bajra, Wheat and Miner millets
4 Pests of Pigeon pea
5 Pests of Chickpea, Mung bean, Urd bean, Cowpea and Pea
6 Pests of Groundnut
7 Pests of Castor and Sunflower
8 Pests of Safflower, Mustard, Linseed
9 Pests of Soybean, Sesamum and Niger
10 & 11 Pests of Cotton, Sunhemp and Mesta
12 Pests of Sugarcane
13 Non insect pests of field crops
14 & 15 Store grain pests
16 Non insect pests, mites, rodents, birds and microorganisms associated
with stored grain and their management
17 Preventive and curative methods of stored grain pests
18 Storage structure and methods of grain storage and fundamental

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 principles of grain store management

Exercise No. 1
PESTS OF RICE

Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

No.
A) Stem boring insect
1 Paddy stem borer Scirpophaga incertulas Pyralidae Lepidoptera
B) Foliage pests
i. Sucking insects
2 Green leaf hopper Nephotettix virescens Cicadellidae Hemiptera
N. nigropictus
3 Brown plant hopper Nilparvata lugens Delphacidae Hemiptera
4 White backed plant Sogatella furcifera Delphacidae Hemiptera
hopper
ii. Chewing insects
5 Paddy gall fly Orseolia oryzae Cecidomyidae Diptera
6 Paddy blue beetle Leptispa pygmaea Chrysomelidae Coleoptera
7 Rice hispa Dicladispa armigera Chrysomelidae Coleoptera
8 Swarming caterpillar Spodoptera mauritia Noctuidae Lepidoptera
9 Paddy leaf roller Cnaphalocrocis Pyralidae Lepidoptera
medinalis
10 Rice caseworm Nymphula depunctalis Pyralidae Lepidoptera
11 Gundhi bug Leptocorisa acuta Alydidae Hemiptera
12 Paddy grass hopper Hieroglyphus banian Acrididae Orthoptera

Paddy stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas)

It is one of the major pests and prevalent in many states across the country. It is a
serious pest in all the rice ecosystems, particularly in deep water rice and where more than
one crops of paddy are taken in a year.
Marks of identification : The female moths are straw coloured with bright yellowish
brown with a black spot on each fore wing. Male moth has a series of small dark spots on a
brown forewing. Hind wings are white. Wing span is about 25 mm. Full grown caterpillar is
about 25 mm long, yellowish white in colour with black coloured head.

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Host range : It is a monophagous pest and so far no other host has been recorded except
wild varieties of paddy.
Biology : Female moth lays about 100-200 long whitish eggs in clusters (80-150 eggs per
cluster) near the tip on the upper surface of the leaves, which are covered by brownish
hairs. They hatch in about a week and larvae initially feed on the tender leaves and then
bore into the stem. Larval period lasts for 4 to 5 weeks. Pupation takes place in the stem.
The moths emerge in 8 to 10 days. Generation is completed in about two months. There are
3-5 generations in a year. The pest hibernates in larval or pupal stages in the stubbles.
Nature of damage : The caterpillars initially feed on the tender leaves and then bore into
the stem and feed internally thus causing death of central shoot called “dead heart”. When
the attack is in seedling stage, seedling is killed, whereas during tillering stage, deadheart
formed tiller gets damaged. If they attack the crop in the later stage, the plants bear empty
ears, locally known as ‘Palinj’ or white ear head.
Management practices :
 Avoid late transplanting of the crops.
 Use stem borer resistant varieties i.e. Ratna, IR-20, IET-3127, 9691.
 Remove affected tillers and destroy them.
 Clipping off of leaf tips at the time of transplanting to destroy the egg masses.
 Plough the field immediately after harvest and destroy the stubbles.
 Conservation of frogs to keep down the incidence of stem borer, army worm, crabs
etc.
 Release of laboratory based parasitoids, Trichogramma japonicum 4-5 times at
weekly intervals @ 50,000 parasitoids / ha on noticing stem borer moth activity.
Chemical control :
 Nursery treatment :
 Fifteen days after sowing, application of Phorate 10 G @ 10 Kg or Carbofuran 3 G @
50 Kg or Imidacloprid 0.3 GR @ 15 Kg or Cartap hydrochloride 4 G @ 18.75 Kg or
Fipronil 0.3 G @ 20 Kg or Chlorantraniliprole 0.4 GR @ 10 Kg or Benfuracarb 3 GR @
33 Kg/ha in the soil under saturated moisture conditions.
 If granular application is not possible due to inadequate soil moisture (sloppy or
light type of soil) then spray with following insecticides, when 1 moth or 1 egg
mass/sq. mt is noticed.
 Acephate 75 SP @ 1000 g or Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 1250 ml or Chlorpyriphos 50
EC @ 750 ml or Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1300 ml or Triazophos 40 EC @ 625 ml or
Fenitrothion 50 EC @ 800 ml or Ethofenprox 10 EC @ 500 ml or Monocrtophos 36
SL @ 1250 ml or Phosalone 35 EC @ 1400 ml or Bifenthrin 10 EC @ 500 ml or
Deltamethrin 11 EC @ 150 ml or Fenpropathrin 30 EC @ 330 ml or Lamda
cyhalothrin 4.9 CS @ 250 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 2.5 EC @ 500 ml or Lamda
cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 250 ml or Carbosulfan 25 EC @ 1000 ml or Chlorantraniliprole
18.5 SC @ 150 ml or Chromafenozide 80 WP @ 100 g or Cartap hydrochloride 50 SP

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 @ 1000 g or Fipronil 5 SC @ 1000 ml or Fipronil 80 WG @ 62.5 g or Flubendamide
20 WG @ 125 g or Flubendamide 39.35 SC @ 50 ml or Thiacloprid 21.7 SC @ 500 ml
or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g or Chlorpyriphos 50 % + Cypermethrin 5 % EC @
625 ml/ha in 500 lit. water.
 Dipping of seedlings : Dip seedling roots for 12 hours in the solution prepared by
mixing chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 500 ml in 500 litres of water (0.02 % solution). For
this treatment the bed should be prepared by spreading plastic sheet and making
ridges on all four ridges for preparing the solution.

 Field application :
 When 5 % dead hearts appear in the field or average 1 egg mass/sq.m, apply
granules in the soil as given under nursery treatment. At the time of
application, the field should have saturated moisture condition or maximum
of 7-10 cm of water level. Do not let in or drain out water for 4 days after
application or
 Spray the crop with insecticides given under nursery treatment, when 5 %
affected tillers/sq.m. or 1 egg mass/sq.m or 1 moth / sq. m. is noticed.
 Spray the crop with Azadirachtin 0.15 EC @ 1500 ml or Azadirachtin 0.03 EC
@ 2000 ml or Azadirachtin 5 % @ 200 g/ha in 500 lit. water.

Green leaf hopper (Nephotettix virescens, N. nigropictus)

They were supposed to be the minor pests in the past, but in recent years, they
appear in epidemic form in some parts of Maharashtra.
Marks of identification : The hoppers are wedge-shaped and green in colour measuring 4
to 5 mm in length. The adult is also green in colour with blackish apical margin and a black
spot on each forewing. The nymphs are also greenish in colour but are smaller and
wingless.
Host range : Paddy and grasses.
Biology : The female inserts the eggs in two rows on either side of mid-rib or leaf sheath. A
female lays about 420 eggs in 44 egg masses. The egg period is about 4 to 8 days. The
nymphs develop into adults in 15 to 20 days, passing through 4 to 5 nymphal instars. One
generation is completed in about 18 to 25 days. There are about six overlapping
generations from March to November. The insect overwinters in adult stage.
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults of green hopper suck the cell sap from leaves.
In case of serious attack, leaves initially become pale yellow, later on turn brown and
ultimately wither, without producing ears. However, when the attack during earhead
emergence stage, the pest devitalizes the plants and grain filling is adversely affected and
proportion of incompletely filled grain is increased. The green leaf hopper transmits
“tungro” and “rice yellow dwarf virus” disease.

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Management practices :
 Soil application of Phorate 10 G @ 10 Kg or Carbofuran 3 G @ 25 Kg or Fipronil 0.3 G
@ 20 Kg or or Benfuracarb 3 GR @ 33 Kg/ha.
 When the pest incidence is about 2 hoppers per hill during early tillering stage in
endemic areas or about 10 hoppers in other areas is noticed spray with the
following insecticides.
 Azadirachtin 0.15 EC @ 1500 ml or Azadirachtin 0.03 EC @ 2000 ml or Azadirachtin
5 % @ 200 g or Acephate 75 SP @ 1000 g or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1000 ml
or Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1500 ml or Triazophos 40 EC @ 625 ml or Dichlorvas 76 EC
@ 470 ml or Ethofenprox 10 EC @ 500 ml or Monocrtophos 36 SL @ 1250 ml or
Phosalone 35 EC @ 1400 ml or Phenthoate 50 EC @ 500 ml or Bifenthrin 10 EC @
500 ml or Deltamethrin 11 EC @ 150 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 2.5 EC @ 500 ml or
Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 250 ml or Carbosulfan 25 EC @ 800 ml or Fipronil 5 SC @
1000 ml or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g or Imidacloprid 70 WG @ 50 g or
Imidacloprid 30.5 SC @ 60 ml or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 100 ml or Acetamiprid 20
SP @ 50 g or Clothianidin 50 WDG @ 20 g or Dinotefuran 20 SG @ 150 g or
Fenobucarb 50 EC @ 500 ml or Buprofezin 25 EC @ 800 ml or Deltamethrin 0.72 %
+ Buprofezin 5.65 % EC @ 1250 ml or Ethiprol 40 % + Imidacloprid 40 % WG @ 100
g/ha in 500 lit. water.

Plant hoppers (Nilparvata lugens, Sogatella furcifera)

Two species of plant hoppers are considered important pasts of rice. One is brown
plant hopper Nilparvata lugens and another is white backed plant hopper Sogatella
furcifera. Brown plant hopper is considered to be the most serious and dangerous pest of
rice worldwide. However, along with this pest, white backed plant hopper is also found
attacking the crop in serious proportions in our locality. Losses to the extent of 100% are
recorded when heavy outbreak of the pest occurred.
Marks of identification :
i) Brown plant hopper : Nymphs are initially pale yellowish and turn brownish later.
Adults are also brown coloured and measure about 3 to 4 mm in length.
ii) White backed plant hoppers : Nymphs are initially dull white and turn yellowish as
they grow with black patches on the dorsal margin of tapering abdomen. The newly
formed adults are greyish, turning yellowish brown subsequently. Adults measure 3 to 4
mm in length. The dorsal region of pro and mesothorax i.e. back is creamy white
longitudinally and lateral sides are blackish. The wings are also yellowish brown. The
wings of both the plant hoppers slope over the sides of the body when at rest.
Host range : Graminaceous weeds associated with rice crop and haryali are most preferred
parallel hosts.

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Biology : Both the plant hoppers have almost similar life style. The female adult deposits
the eggs in a single row in batches inside the leaf sheath or on lower side of the leaf midrib
by making the incision in the tissues. The eggs are minute, cylindrical creamy white initially
and turn somewhat yellowish before hatching. About 100 to 150 eggs are laid by a female.
Incubation period lasts for 5 to 6 days during favourable conditions. The nymphs develop
into adults in about two weeks and one generation is completed in 18 to 25 days.
Brachypterous adults are formed during initial generations when ample food and preferred
conditions exist. Macropterous adults are developed when migration becomes necessary.
Nature of damage : Both the plant hoppers have a peculiar habit of attacking the crop
from the middle of the field. Both nymphs and adults suck the plant sap from the leaf
sheath. Attacked plants turn yellowish with drying of the leaves from the tips. Later plants
wither and dry up. Thus circular damage patches are noticed in the field spreading all
around if pest is not controlled in time and such circular reddish brown patches are called
as “hopper burn”.
Management practices :
 As the pest restricts to the leaf sheaths below the dense leaf canopy of plants and as
the attack begins from the middle of the field, commencement of attack is mostly not
noticed unless yellowish patches in middle of fields is noticed. However, when the
symptoms of damage appear, crop protection measures become futile. It is
therefore, necessary to have regular surveillance of the crop by examining
diagonally the leaf sheaths above the surface of water in bundles.
 When 5 nymphs or adults per hill during the post tilling phase or 10 nymphs per hill
during flowering stage, management practices should be undertaken.
 Spray the insecticides recommended for green leaf hopper.

Paddy gall fly (Orseolia oryzae)

The paddy gall-fly or gall midge is found in most of the paddy growing areas in the
southern and eastern parts of India. In Karnataka, the infestation is noticed in seed beds
and 30 – 40 days old transplanted crop in Karavali and Malnad areas (High rainfall areas).
Marks of identification : The fly lays elongate, cylindrical, shinning white or red or
pinkish eggs singly or in clusters (2-6) at the base of the leaves. Maggot is 1 mm long after
hatching with pointed anterior end. It creeps down the sheath and enters the growing bud.
An oval chamber is formed round the site of feeding. At the time of emergence the pupa
wriggles up the tube with the help of antennal horn to the tip of the silver shoot and
projects half way out. The adult fly is yellowish brown and mosquito like. The male is ash
grey in colour. Adults feed on dewdrops.
Host range : Wild rice, such as Oryza rufipogon are common alternate hosts.
Biology : The adults are mainly nocturnal and hide during the day. The females lay small
batches of eggs (up to 6) on the undersides of rice leaves. The tiny larvae crawl down the

10
leaf sheath till they reach the leaf axil where they bore their way into the stem. After
feeding for about 10 days and forming a pupa pupate inside. Four to seven days later they
use spines on the tip of the abdomen to make a hole in the gall near its tip. Here the adult
insects emerge. They live for 3-4 days, and there may be as many as 8 generations of midge
in the year.
Nature of damage : The larvae of the rice gall midge irritate the tissues of the rice plant
which forms a gall commonly known as a silver shoot or onion shoot. This is a pale
cylindrical, hollow tube with a green tip replacing the normal culm (stem). The gall is
formed from the walls of the leaf sheath growing together, after which the culm stops
developing. The stem is stunted and the seed-head does not develop. When the adult
insects emerge, the gall withers away and the shoot dies. The plant may respond by
producing more tillers, but these usually become infected in their turn.
Management practices :
 Release Platygaster oryzae parasitised galls on 10 days after transplanting (DAT).
 Early ploughing.
 Harvest the crop and plough immediately.
 Remove the alternate hosts and adjust the time of planting (early).
 Optimum recommendation of potash fertilizer.
 Setup light trap and monitor the adult flies.
 Application of Carbosulfan 6 G @ 16.7 Kg or Chlorpyriphos 10 G @ 10 Kg or Fipronil
0.3 GR @ 25 Kg / ha.
 Spray Carbosulfan 25 EC @ 800 ml or Ethofenprox 10 EC @ 500 ml or Fipronil 5 SC
@ 1000 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 2.5 EC @ 500 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 250
ml or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g / ha in 500 lit. water.

Paddy blue beetle (Leptispa pygmaea)

This pest occasionally causes damage to the paddy. It has an all India distribution
and infests the paddy crop along with rice hispa.
Marks of identification : The adults are small, metallic blue beetles with a series of black
dots on the elytra. It measures 1 /4th to 1/5th of an inch in length and 1 /8th inch in width.
Biology : The eggs are laid on the paddy leaves. They hatch in about 3-5 days. The larval
period lasts for about 12-15 days after which they pupate inside the roll. After 5-7 days the
adult emerges out. The life cycle is completed in about three weeks.
Nature of damage : The grubs are surface feeders and they scrap the green matters of the
leaves. The adult also, feed upon the leaves but the serious damage is caused only by the
grubs. The affected leaf become membranous and dries up soon. It is primarily the pest of
seedlings.
Management practices :
 Deep and thorough ploughing of the field.

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  Crop rotation.
 Plucking the infected leaves in minor infection and uprooting of the whole plant in
case of major infection.
 Spraying of Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1500 ml / ha in 500 lit. water.

Rice hispa (Dicladispa armigera)

It is a major pest of rice in parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and southern
China. It has a long record of sporadic outbreaks in India and Bangladesh. The intensity of
outbreaks seems to increase following the large-scale adoption of high-yielding rice
varieties and their associated production technologies.
Marks of identification : Adult is a small bluish-black beetle fringed with numerous short
spines over the body. Larva dorso-ventrally flattened, pale yellow, 2.4 (first instar) to 5.5
(mature) mm long. Pupa dorso-ventrally flattened, 4.6 mm long, brown in colour.
Biology : The female beetle starts laying eggs only 3- 4 days after emergence and continues
to do so for a month. A female lays upto 300 eggs. Eggs are pushed inside the leaf tissues
singly close to the leaf tips. They hatch in about 5-7 days. The grubs start feeding on the
mesophyll portion of the leaf and become fully grown in about 15 days. Pupation takes
place inside the tunnels formed by larvae which lasts for nearly 5 days. The total life cycle
is completed in about 20-25 days. The maximum life span for adults is about 80 days.
Generally six life cycles are completed by the insect in one year. In the absence of rice the
insect keep themselves alive on graminaceous weeds.
Nature of damage : Adult feeds externally on leaf tissue. The larvae mine into the leaf.
Both the adult beetle and the grub damage the rice plant by eating the green tissue of the
leaf. Severely infested leaves dry up, and present a white, dried-up appearance in the field.
From a distance, severely damaged fields look burnt.
Management practices :
 Clipping of leaf tip before transplantation.
 Nursery bed are flooded, the beetle float and can be collected at a corner of nursery
and destroyed.
 Grasses around the paddy field should be destroyed before the paddy
transplantation.
 Spray Lamda cyhalothrin 2.5 EC @ 500 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 250 ml or
Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1500 ml / ha in 500 lit. water.

Swarming caterpillar (Spodoptera mauritia)

It is cosmopolitan species and major polyphagous pest throughout the world. In

South India it is common in all the rice growing tracts, especially along the West Coast and

12
the Delta tracts. In some parts of India it is considered as major pest of paddy and causes
serious damage while in other parts it occasionally causes severe damage. Locally it is
called as “Patar Katti”.
Marks of identification : Eggs are spherical and creamy in colour, which are laid in a
group covered over with grey hairs. Caterpillars are light green with yellowish white lateral
and dorsal stripes in the early stages and later become dark brown or grayish green in
colour with a crescent (semi-circular) shaped black spot on the side of each segment. Pupa
is dark brown and measures 16-17 mm long. Moth is medium sized, stout built dark brown
with a conspicuous triangular black spot on the forewings. Hind wings are brownish white
with thin black margins.
Host range : Swarming caterpillar attacks a wide range of graminaceous plant species.
Rice is the main host of S. mauritia. This pest, in general, breeds on other hosts like
different kinds of grasses and occasionally on maize, oat and sorghum.
Biology : The moths mate 1-2 days after the emergence and start ovipositing shortly after
mating. A single female generally lays 5-6 oblong egg masses each containing 150-200 eggs
at the tips of upright leaves. Eggs are covered with gray hairs/setae from the anal tuft of the
female. Oviposition period is 5-6 days. Eggs laid by female ranges from 528 to 1084.
Incubation period of the eggs is 3-9 days. The larvae undergo 5-6 instars during larval
development period of 17-32 days. Pupation takes place in the soil in an earthen cell
slightly below the ground level. Pupal period lasts for 7-10 days. The life cycle of this pest is
completed in 25 to 40 days on rice plant as the main host, through eggs, larvae/caterpillars,
pupae and adults. It completes 3-4 generations in a year.
Nature of damage : The caterpillar feed at night on the leaves and defoliates the plants
completely. Generally they invade the transplanted plots in large number in big swarm and
devastate the whole plot overnight like cattle’s do. After finishing the crop of one field the
swarm marches to another field in a regular army formation manner, hence this pest is also
called as “Army worm”. Loss to the paddy yield caused by this pest varies from 10 to 20%.
Management practices :
 In case of severe attack of this pest, the entire area should be isolated by trenching
and the crop should be ploughed up.
 Collection of caterpillars with a hand net or sweeping basket and their destruction.
 Spary Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 1250 ml/ha in 500lit. water during late evening.

Paddy leaf roller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis)

Marks of identification : The moth is very active, bright yellow or straw in colour with
two distinct wavy lines in the fore wing and one wavy distinct line in the hind wing. It has a
wing span of 15mm. The fully grown caterpillar is green in color and is 16.5mm long.
Host range : The larvae are considered a pest on rice, maize, wheat and sorghum.

13
Biology : Eggs are laid singly or in groups arranged in longitudinal rows on the
undersurface of the leaves which are scaly white in color. Fecundity is about 56 eggs.
Incubation period is 4–8 days. There are 5–6 larval instars, larval period is about 22–23
days. It pupates within the infested leaf fold for a period of 6–7 days. The total life cycle
completed in about 5 weeks.
Nature of damage : Before feeding, larvae fold the leaves longitudinally by stitching the
leaf margins. Individual spun threads fuse to form a band: the desiccation of the band
facilitates contraction of silk stitches, hence, the leaf rolls. Once protected, the larvae scrape
and feed on the green tissues (the mesophyll layer) of the rice leaves, resulting in the
appearance of linear, pale-white stripe damage. In severe infestations, damaged plants
appear sickly and scorched.
Management practices :
 Use resistant varieties.
 Follow rice with a different crop, or fallow period.
 Avoid ratoning.
 Flood and plow field after harvesting if possible.
 Remove grassy weeds from fields and borders.
 Reduce density of planting.
 Use balanced fertilizer rates.
 Soil application of Benfuracarb 3 GR @ 33 Kg or Carbosulfan 6 G @ 16.7 Kg or
Cartap hydrochloride 4 G @ 25 Kg or Chlorantraniliprole 0.4 GR @ 10 Kg or
Chlorpyriphos 10 G @ 10 Kg or Chlorantraniliprole 0.5 + Thiamethoxam 1 GR @ 6
Kg / ha.
 Spray Bacillus thuriengiensis @ 2 Kg or Beauveria bassiana @ 2.5 Kg or Bifenthrin 10
EC @ 500 ml or Cartap hydrochloride 50 SP @ 1000 g or Cartap hydrochloride 75
SG @ 500 g or Chlorpyriphos 50 EC @ 750 ml or Deltamethrin 11 EC @ 150 ml or
Deltamethrin 1.8 EC @ 625 ml or Ethofenprox 10 EC @ 500 ml or Fipronil 80 WG @
62.5 g or Flubendiamide 20 WG @ 125 g or Flubendiamide 39.35 SC @ 50 ml or
Indoxacarb 15.8 EC @ 200 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 2.5 EC @ 500 ml or Lamda
cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 250 ml or Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1500 ml or Thiamethoxam 25
WG @ 100 g or Chlorpyriphos 50 + Cypermethrin 5 EC @ 625 ml or Deltamethrin
0.72 + Buprofezin 5.65 EC @ 1250 ml / ha in 500 lit. water.

Rice caseworm (Nymphula depunctalis)

It is found in all the rice growing tracts of India and assumes serious proportions in
certain season under swampy conditions.
Marks of identification : Moth is small, delicate white with pale brown wavy markings.
The adult moth is about 5 mm long. It is bright white with light brown and black spots.
Individual egg is circular, flattened, and measures 0.5 mm in diameter. It is light yellow and

14
has a smooth surface. Mature eggs are darker and develop two purplish dots. Larva is pale
translucent green with orange head. It has filamentous gills on the sides of the body. The
larvae are found hanging from the leaf and measures upto 15mm long. The pupa is cream
in color and about 5.5 mm long. Mature pupa is silvery white.
Host range : Rice and weeds in rice fields.
Biology : Eggs are laid on leaves and leave sheath in rows and batches. A female lays about
150 eggs which hatch in about a week. The caterpillars undergo six instars and is
characterised by the presence of tubular gills on its body. The gills become branched with
the growth in the caterpillar’s size. Larger cases are made by the succeeding larval instars.
The larval stage pupates inside the last case. Before pupation the case is attached to the leaf
sheath above the water level and its both ends are plugged. The pupal period lasts for
about a week, after which it is converted into an adult insect. The pest is active during the
monsoon and there may be two or three broods in a season. The life cycle is completed in
about 35-40 days.
Nature of damage : The early stages of the crop are damaged by the caterpillars of this
pest. The leaf blades are eaten away completely leaving the mid rib only. They also
construct tubular cases inside leaves and remain inside these leave rolls and feeds upon the
foliage. The weeds in rice field serves as alternate host for this insect.
Management practices
 Use of correct fertilizer application.
 Plant early and use wider spacing (30 × 20 cm).
 Drain the field.
 Transplant older seedlings. Sparse planting can also reduce the damage.
 Encourage biological control agents: snails (feed on eggs), hydrophilid and dytiscid
water beetles (feed on larvae), spiders, dragonflies, and birds (feed on adults),
nuclear polyhedrosis virus (a potential control agent).

Paddy gundhi bug (Leptocorisa acuta)

The rice gundhi bug is a common and important insect pest of rice. The bugs prefer to
attack milk stage grains. The most common species of rice bug are Leptocorisa oratorius F.
and Leptocorisa acuta Thunberg. It is generally distributed throughout India but is more
prevalent in Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and southern states.
Marks of identification : The bug is about 19 mm in length with long legs and antennae.
Its body is slender and green or brown in colour. Eggs are laid on the leaves in groups of
10-20 in straight rows. Eggs are oval shaped and dark reddish brown. The nymph is
slender, wingless and brownish green. As it grows up, the green colour deepens. The fully
grown nymph is about 14-16 mm long.
Host range : Leptocorisa acuta feeds primarily on graminaceous plants such as rice, wheat,
and sugarcane. It is thought that rice in the flowering stage is the preferred host. Other

15
important hosts include many well-known weeds. Other reported hosts include mango,
guava, jackfruit and beans.
Biology : The adults are crepuscular (active during the early morning and late afternoon).
After 8-29 days, adults of both sexes are fully mature. Adults may live up to 69 days. A
female lays up to 25-87 eggs over their life time. Eggs are deposited in single or double
rows of 10 to 20 on the upper surfaces of the leaves of the host plant. After 6-8 days, the
eggs hatch into nymphs. This stage continues for 17-23 days; after that nymph develops
into an adult stage. This pest is more common during July to November. During winter their
breeding rate is lowered much and the adults manage to tide over the cold on several
species of grasses. On paddy it has five broods during the season.
Nature of damage : Both adults and nymphs suck fluid from young shoots, leaves, florets
and soft grains using their piercing and sucking mouthparts. As a result, whitish spots
appear at the site of feeding. Black or brown spots appear around the holes made by the
bugs on which sooty mould may develop. The infested grains easily break during milling.
Rice fields severely affected by the bug emit a repugnant smell, hence the name gundhi bug.
Management practices
 Remove weeds from fields and surrounding areas to prevent the multiplication of
rice bugs during fallow periods.
 Level fields with even applications of fertilizer and water encourage rice to grow
and develop is at the same rate.
 Planting fields, within a village, at the same time (synchronous planting) also helps
reduce rice bug problems.
 Capturing rice bugs, in the early morning or late afternoon, by net can be effective at
low rice bug densities, though labor intensive.
 Encourage biological control agents: Some wasps, grasshoppers and spiders attack
rice bugs or rice bug eggs.

Rice Grasshopper (Hieroglyphus banian)

It is an important pest of rice. It causes heavy damage to nurseries and reduces

yield. It is distributed throughout India and is considered to be a major pest of paddy.
Marks of identification : In adult, the body is a shiny greenish yellow colour with three
black lines on its upper side. In the early stages, the young are yellowish, with many
reddish brown spots. They become greenish as they grow older.
Host range : Rice grasshoppers feed throughout the year on rice, maize, millet, sugarcane
and other grasses.
Biology : Breeding season is from October to December. Eggs are laid in soil on the field
bunds in the mass of 30 to 40. The hoppers emerge out in the month of June, after the first
monsoon rain. They feed on the leaves of paddy or the grasses on the bund. The hoppers
take 70 days in case of male and 80 days in case of females to become sexually mature.

16
Nature of damage : Both young and adult stages feed upon the leaves and shoots of paddy.
They also cut off the ear heads.
Management practices
 Flood the stubbles, shave bunds, sweep along the bunds, and pick adults directly
from the foliage at night when they are sluggish.
 Encourage biological control agents: scelionid wasps, parasitic flies, nematodes, and
fungal pathogens, birds, frogs, and web-spinning spiders etc.
 Use poison baits from salt water and rice bran.

*****

17
 Exercise No. 2
PESTS OF SORGHUM

Sr.No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

A) Seedling and stem boring Pests
1 Jowar shoot fly Atherigona soccata Muscidae Diptera
2 Jowar stem borer Chilo partellus Pyralidae Lepidoptera
B) Foliage pests
i. Chewing pests
3 Surface Chrotogonus spp. Acrididae Orthoptera
grasshopper
ii. Sucking pests
4 Aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis Aphididae Hemiptera
5 Delphacid Peregrinus maidis Delphacidae Hemiptera
C) Earhead pests
6 Jowar earhead Contarinia sorghicola Cecidomyiidae Diptera
midge (midge fly)
7 Earhead Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
caterpillar
8 Webworm Cryptoblabes Pyralidae Lepidoptera
angustipennella

Jowar shoot fly (Atherigona soccata)

The sorghum shoot fly is also known as the sorghum stem fly. In India, it is more
serious in southern parts. In past, it was considered to be the minor pest. But with the
introduction of hybrid varieties, which are comparatively more susceptible to the attack of
pests, it has assumed a major status causing infestation upto 80% and loss in yield as high
as 60 per cent.
Marks of identiflcation : The adult shoot fly looks like a general house fly, but it is smaller
in size (3 mm long). It is dark grey in colour and there are 4 to 5 dark spots on dorsal side
of abdomen. The eggs are elongate, flattened and somewhat boat shaped and is provided
with two lateral projections. Maggots are apodous, tapering towards head. Fully developed
maggot is pale yellowish colored, measuring 10-12 mm in length.
Host range : Jowar and other millets.
Biology : Each female lays singly about 40 eggs mostly on the lower surface of the leaves
or some time on tender stem of young plant. The eggs hatch within 2 to 3 days. The larval
period lasts for 10 to 12 days. Pupation takes place inside the stem and it extends for about

18
a week. After which the adult flies emerge and female starts laying eggs on other seedling.
A generation is completed in 2 to 3 weeks and there are several generations in a year. The
pests carry over winters in larval or pupal stage in the stubbles.
Nature of damage : The shoot fly attacks the sorghum crop in the seedling stage only,
starting its attack soon after germination and continuing up to 7th leaf stage. Damaging
stage is maggot. The maggot on hatching from egg crawls down within the leaf sheath, till
reaches the base of the seedling. Then it bores into the axis of the seedlings and feed on the
central shoot. As a result, the central shoot becomes initially pale yellow and finally causing
a characteristic dead hearts. The earlier plants are almost dead. When the attacked plants
are somewhat older, tillers are produced which mature later than main crop. The pest
attack is more severe in case of late sown jowar varieties in the kharif season ( July- August
sowing ). Cloudy weather favours the multiplication of this pest and infestation is higher in
irrigated fields.
Management practices :
Cultural and mechanical methods
 Early sowing of hybrid varieties of jowar in Kharif, latest by first week of July.
 Increase the seed rate of hybrid jowar to 11 kg per hectare, if sowing is delayed.
 Removal and destruction of affected shoots along with the larvae.
 Use resistant (Maldandi 35-1) or less susceptible varieties viz. I.S. 5490, I.S. 2130,
RSV9R (Swati), SPV - 86
Chemical control :
 Seed treatment :
o Imidacloprid 70 WS @ 10 g or Imidacloprid 48 FS @ 12 g or Thiamethoxam
70 WS @ 3 g or Thiamethoxam 30 FS @ 10 g per Kg seed.
o Carbosulfan 25 STD – 200 g be mixed in 1 Kg seed of jowar before sowing
mix the mixture thoroughly.
 The seed treatment with above insectticides gives better results. Howerver if the
seed is not treated then;
o First spraying 7 days after germination with Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @
1000 ml/ha or Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1500 ml/ha as soon as 10% seedlings are
infested or 1 egg / 10 seedlings is noticed.
o If necessary, second spraying 10 days after the first spraying of above
insecticides. OR
o Apply Phorate 10 G @ 18.75 Kg/ha in soil when moisture is present.

Jowar stem borer (Chilo partellus)

It is the most destructive pest of sorghum. It is found throughout India. The pest is
generally observed in the grand growth stage of the crop, i.e. month after sowing. But the
infestation on full grown crop even after earhead formation is not uncommon. The pest is

19
active throughout the year but the infestation is more pronounced on rabi and hot weather
crops. Hybrid varieties of jowar are reported to be more susceptible to the attack of the
pest than the other varieties.
Marks of identification : Moths are straw coloured with pale yellowish grey forewings,
having minute dots on the apical margin. The hindwings are whitish. Wing expanse is
about 25 mm. The caterpillars are dirty white in colour with brown head and many dark
spots on the body. Full grown caterpillar measures about 12 to 19 mm in length, having 4
broad and patchy strips.
Host range : Although it is a principal pest of jowar and maize, it has also been recorded on
sugarcane and some grasses.
Biology : A female lays about 300 creamy white coloured oval eggs in clusters overlapping
each other in batches on under surface of the leaves, near midrib and occasionally on stalk.
They hatch in about 6 days. Newly hatched caterpillars feed on tender leaves for a day or
two and then bore into the central shoot and cause dead hearts. Larval stage lasts for about
3 to 4 weeks. The pupation takes place inside the stem. However before pupation the larva
prepares a hole for the moth to come out. Pupal period lasts for 7 to 10 days. The adult
lives for 2 to 4 days. Total life cycle is completed in 6 to 7 weeks. The pest is active from
June to November and about 4 generations are completed in a year. The pest hibernates in
the larval stage in stubbles or harvested stems.
Nature of damage : The newly hatched larvae crawl over the leaf for about 15-30 minutes
and feed on the leaves and then enter the central whorl (Numerous small pin holes are
seen in the leaf lamina) and feed there for one or two days. Thereafter, the larvae bore into
the stem thereby causing the death of central shoot, commonly known as ‘deadheart’. The
midrib of leaves is often noticed mined by newly hatched larvae.
However, in the later stage of crop the deadhearts are not formed even though
larvae continue to bore the stem and tunnel them. The damage into the earlier stage of crop
is more spectacular and causes more loss than in the grown-up crop. If the attack is
continued during earhead stage the larvae bore into peduncles which may break by wind
and affect grain filling.
Management practices : The pest being internal feeder, it is very difficult to control.
However, the following preventive measures are found to be practicable and useful.
 Collecting and burning of the stubbles, after the harvest of previous crop to destroy
the hibernating larvae.
 Cutting the jowar straw into smaller pieces or making silage of the harvested straw
for the destruction of hibernating larvae soon after harvesting.
 Removal of stems showing dead hearts with larvae and their destruction.
The first instar larvae have a tendency to concentrate in the central whorl and this habit is
recently found to be of great value in their control. Hence the following chemical measures
are recommended.

20
Chemical control : As soon as the attack of the pest is seen spray with Chlorpyriphos 20
EC @ 1250 ml/ha. Repeat the above application 10 days after the first application.
Concentrate spraying in the whorls.
Surface grasshopper (Chrotogonus spp.)

It is a minor pest but occasionally assumes a serious form, especially in crops, grown
under light soil.
Mark of identification : Hoppers are 18 to 20 mm long, medium black coloured with
various spots and a rough body.
Host range : lt is a polyphagous pest, found on crops like jowar, maize, groundnut, cotton.
Biology : Eggs are laid in batches of 30-40 are laid in soil along the bunds and in fallow
land from October to December. The eggs hatch in June-July with the onset of rains.
Nymphal period is 70-80 days (moult 5-6 times). Only one generation is completed in a
year. The pest overwinters through egg stage in soil.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults feed on leaves and tender shoots causing
defoliation of the crop in severe infestation.
Management Practices :
 Deep ploughing after the harvest of crop so as to expose the egg masses in soil.
 Since the initial infestation of the pest is restricted to grasses on bund, it is advisable
to dust the bunds with methyl parathion 2% dust as soon as the hoppers are noticed
and check their migration to main crop.
 Dusting the crop in early stage with methyl parathion 2% dust @ 20 kg/ha gives
satisfactory control of the pest.

Aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis) and Delphacids (Peregrinus maidis)

They are the most important pests of jowar and heavy infestation is noticed on rabi
crops Besides sucking the sap from the foliage, their injuries cause exuding of cell sap,
which crystalizes on evaporation. They also excrete honeydew like substances. This type
of formation of sugary material on the plant is locally called as “Chikta” or “Sugary disease”.
As a result of the infestation of these pests, the yield is adversely affected and the fodder
quality also deteriorated.
Marks of identification :
Aphids : They are minute soft bodied, oblong insects usually light green or slightly yellow
in colour They remain stationary mostly on the lower surface of the leaves and do not
move unless disturbed. They are mostly wingless but become winged at the time of
maturity of the crop
Delphacids : Nymphs are initially yellowish in colour and later turn pale yellow. The
adults are greyish yellow. The body is wedge shaped.
Host range : Cereals

21
Biology :
Aphids : Females reproduce viviparously and parthenogenetically. On an average, each
female produces about 42 young ones within a period of 5 days. A generation is completed
within 2 weeks.
Delphacids : The female lays about 150 eggs in row along the midribs of leaves in a period
of 5 to 9 days. They hatch in 7 to 8 days and the nymphs moult 5 times in a period of 15 to
20 days. A generation is completed in about 3 weeks.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults of both the pests suck the cell sap from the leaves.
As a result, the leaves turn yellow and in case of heavy infestation, the plants remain
stunted. Due to sugary material oozing out of the plants attacked by the aphids and
delphacids and also honey dew secretion of the pests, the black sooty mould develops and
the leaves turn blackish which affects adversely the photosynthesis activity and thereby
leads to reduction in the yield.
Management practices : First application of Dimethoate 30 EC @ 500 ml/ha or Methyl
demeton 25 EC @ 400 ml/ha or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 140 ml/ha or Thiamethoxam 25
WG @ 150 g/ha. should be done immediately after the pest incidence. Second spraying
should be taken at 10 to 15 days interval after 1st spraying.

Earhead midge (Sorghum midge fly) (Contarinia sorghicola)

Among all the sorghum pests this is the most cosmopolitan and occurring nearly in
all regions of the world; wherever the jowar crops are grown. In India this pest was
reported for the first time by Fletcher in the year 1914 in Madras State. But it was
considered as a negligible pest. However, severe infestation of this pest was noticed in
Vidarbha and Marathwada region of Maharashtra, during 1970-71 and the total estimated
loss in yield was reported as 40%. Thereafter, the pest occurred more of less regularly
every year in our region.
In the past the cultivators used to sow only local varieties of jowar more or less at
the same time. They mostly flowered at the same time and therefore the pest was not
getting prolonged flowering span for feeding and multiplication. However, with the
introduction of high yielding, short duration, and hybrid varieties of jowar during the year
1965-66 and due to intensive cultivation and multiple cropping systems, this pest got
prolonged flowering span and favourable atmosphere for its multiplication over a long
period of time. Therefore, late flowering hybrids or local varieties suffered severely. The
losses vary from 20 to 50 % or even more.
Marks of identification : The adult fly is a slender bodied insect, measuring about 2 mm
in length. The abdomen is bright orange in colour. The wings are transparent and when
closed the wings extend, just beyond the tip of the abdomen. The maggots are creamy
white when newly hatched, but later on turn orange red.
Host range : Jowar, bajra and other graminaceous plants like Sudan grass, Johnson grass.

22
Biology : Adult midges mate soon after emergence and each female lays about 30 to 100
eggs. The eggs are deposited in the flowering spikelets with her long ovipositor. Peak
oviposition activity is observed from 8 to 10 a.m. and for about one hour before sunset.
The females seldom live for more than a day, while the males live just a few hours. The eggs
hatch in about 2 days. The full grown larvae are orange in colour and can be detected by the
pale red fluid that exits from a crushed infested glume. Larval development requires 9 to
11 days and pupal period lasts for 3 days. In this way the complete life cycle may require
14 to 16 days and there may be 9 to 12 generations during a season. The midge
overwinters in the larval stage in aborted spikelets within a cocoon. Some may remain in
this stage of diapause, which is resistant to cold and dessication, even upto 3 to 4 years.
Nature of damage : The newly hatched maggots feed on the developing ovary, resulting
into complete or partial sterility. The injury can be easily noticed as it is stained with red
colour.
Management practices :
 Immediately after threshing, the threshed panicles and bhusa may be fed to cattle or
burnt so as to destroy the hibernating maggots.
 Complete the sowing of hybrid varieties for jowar latest by the first week of July.
 As far as possible undertake zonal sowing of same type of jowar varieties, so that
they will flower uniformly.
First undertake sowing of mid-late varieties of jowar (CSH-5, CSH 6 etc.) then after seven
days, sow early varieties like CSH-1 etc. lastly after 15 days the local varieties of jowar
should be sown. As a result mid .late and early varieties of jowar will flower at the same
time and there will be an interval of about one month in their flowering time and that of
local varieties of jowar. This will interrupt the breeding of midges as they will not get
continuous flowering span for their multiplication. Consequently late sown varieties will
escape from the attack of midges.
 Field application, 1st application as soon as about 30-50% earhead emerge, spray or
dust with pesticides as follows:
Malathion 50 EC @ 1000 ml or Phosalone 35 EC @ 1150 ml or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1650
ml/ha. Second application 15 days after the first application with any one of the above
insecticides.

Earhead caterpillar (Helicoverpa armigera)

Marks of identification : Moths stoutly built, light brown, medium sized, forewings with
few dark specks near the margin, hindwings lighter with smoky dark margins caterpillars
greenish to brownish with scattered short white hairs and dark brown stripes along the
sides of the body, 35 mm in length. Larva remains concealed in the inner branches of the
ear and feeds on the grains.

23
Host range : It is polyphagous feeding on gram, cotton, tomato, peas, tobacco, maize,
safflower etc.
Biology : Eggs are laid singly on tender part of the plant. Incubation period is 3-4 days.
Larval period 3-4 weeks. Pupation takes place in soil, pupal period is 6-12 days. Carryover
pest hibernate in pupal stage in soil. A generation is completed in about 5-7 weeks.
Nature of damage : Caterpillars feed voraciously on the tender parts of the plant and on
the developing earheads. The damaged ears could be easily spotted in the field by chalky
appearance due to partially eaten grains.
Management practices :
 Plough the field after harvest of the crop.
 Collection and destruction of larvae.
 Spraying with Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1000 ml/ha as incidence is noticed.

*****

24
 Exercise No. 3
PESTS OF MAIZE, BAJRA, WHEAT AND MINER MILLETS

PESTS OF MAIZE

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Shoot fly Atherigona soccata Muscidae Diptera
2 Stem borer Chilo partellus Pyralidae Lepidoptera
3 Armyworm Mythimna separata Noctuidae Lepidoptera
4 Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Noctuidae Lepidoptera
5 Cob earworm Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera

Shoot fly Atherigona soccata

As described in sorghum.

Stem borer Chilo partellus

As described in sorghum.

Armyworm Mythimna separata

It is one of the major pests of maize in Asia. The term "armyworm" is used because
of their habit to spread out in a line across the field, and slowly "march" forward,
consuming the foliage they encounter.
Marks of identification : The forewings are greyish yellow with a dark-grey or reddish-
yellow tinge. Round and reniform spots are light or yellowish with indistinct edges,
whereas reniform spot with white point at lower margin. External wing margin blackened
obliquely from top backward, with dark stroke and with a row of dark points. Hindwings
are grey, with dark external margin. Larva has two wide black-brown and one intermediate
light dorsal stripe, with black-brown lateral stripe along spiracle line.
Host range : Maize, sorghum, rice etc.
Biology : A female lays eggs on leaves on an average of 996 eggs after a pre-oviposition
period of 2-5 days. Oviposition continues for 2-7 days after emergence. Egg incubation is 4-
5 days. The larval period is about 20 days. Prepupal and pupal periods last for 1-2 and 8-12
days, respectively. The entire post-embryonic development was completed in 29-39 days.
Nature of damage : Caterpillars feed on leaves. Complete defoliation occurs in severe case.
Caterpillars march like an army to neighbouring fields and hence the name army worms.

Management practices :

25
  Hand collection and destruction of egg masses and caterpillars in early stage of
infestation.
 Deep ploughing of the infested fields after the harvest of the crop.
 The measures should be taken on campaign basis be undertaken.
 Spray Cypermethrin 10 EC @ 550 ml in 500 lit. water.

Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda

Fall armyworm native to America is one of the important invasive polyphagous

pests. It occurs in several countries such as Brazil, Argentina, USA. In 2016 and 2017, it was
reported in African countries. In 2018, fall armyworm noticed in India.
Marks of identification : Forewing of male is shaded with gray and brown, with triangular
white patch at the apical region and circular spot at the center of the wing. The forewings of
female are uniform grayish brown to a fine mottling of gray and brown. The hind wings are
silver-white with a narrow dark boarder in both male and female. Eggs are dorso-ventrally
flattened, pale green to yellowish in colour. Full grown caterpillars are brownish black and
had three dorsal lines and alight lateral lines. Black tubercles are found dorsally on the
body which bears spines. The frons has a white inverted ‘Y’ line. Pupa is light brown in
colour.
Host range : It is most commonly recorded from wild and cultivated grasses; from maize,
rice, sorghum and sugarcane. It also damages to vegetable crops, cotton and soybean.
Biology : Female lays eggs in clusters on under or upper surface of leaves, base of the plant
and also in whorls. Eggs are covered with scales. Incubation period is 2-3 days. Each larva
passes through six instars for a period of 14019 days. Puapation takes place in soil. Pupal
period is 9-12 days. Adult survives for 7-12 days. The total life cycle is completed in 32-46
days.
Nature of damage : Larvae cause damage by consuming foliage. Young larvae initially
consume leaf tissue from one side, leaving the opposite epidermal layer intact. By the
second or third instar, larvae begin to make holes in leaves, and eat from the edge of the
leaves inward. Feeding in the whorl of corn often produces a characteristic row of
perforations in the leaves. Older larvae cause extensive defoliation, often leaving only the
ribs and stalks of corn plants, or a ragged, torn appearance. Larva sometimes burrows into
the ear, feeds on kernels.
Management practices :
 Deep ploughing which exposes pupae due to heat and predatory birds.
 Follow clean cultivation. Destroy crop residue after harvesting of crop.
 Follow crop rotation. Do not take maize or sorghum in same field.
 Avoid staggered sowing.
 Seed treatment with Cyantraniliprole 19.8 % + Thiamethoxam 19.8 % EC @ 4 ml /
Kg seed.

26
  Intercropping with pulse crops like pigeonpea.
 Monitoring by installation of pheromone traps @ 2 traps / acre.
 Hand collection and destruction of egg masses and early instar gregarious larvae.
 Release of Trichogramma sp. @ 1 lakh/ha three times at 15 days interval.
 Spraying of Metarhizium anisopliae or Nomureya relyi @ 40 g or Bacillus
thuringiensis powder 20 g or entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) Heterorhabditis
indica 75 g /10 lit. water.
 Spraying of 5 % Neem Seed Extract or Azadirachtin 10000 ppm @ 20 ml or
Azadirachtin 1500 ppm @ 50 ml / 10 lit. water.
 Spraying with Thiamethoxam 12.6 % + Lamda-cyhalothrin 9.5 % ZC @ 2.5 ml or
Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC @ 4 ml or Spinotorum 11.7% SC @ 9 ml/ 10 lit. water.

Corn earworm Helicoverpa armigera

Marks of identification : Eggs are spherical in shape and creamy white in colour, laid
singly. Larva shows colour variation from greenish to brown. It has dark brown grey lines
on the body with lateral white lines. Pupa is rown in colour, occurs in soil, leaf, pod and
crop debris. Light pale brownish yellow stout moth. Fore wings of adult is olive green to
pale brown with a dark brown circular spot in the centre. Hind wings are pale smoky white
with a broad blackish outer margin.
Host range : Polyphagous
Biology : Eggs are laid singly on tender part of the plant. Incubation period is 3-4 days.
Larval period is 3-4 weeks. Pupation takes place in soil, pupal period 6-12 days. Carryover
pest hibernate in pupal stage in soil. A generation is completed in about 5-7 weeks.
Nature of damage : Larva feeds on silk and developing grains.
Management practices :
 Deep ploughing in summer.
 Use marigold as trap crop.
 Set up sex pheromone traps at 12/ha.
 Collection and destruction of larvae.
 Spray HaNPV and 5% NSKE.

PESTS OF BAJRA

Sr.No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Shoot fly Atherigona soccata Muscidae Diptera
2 Blister beetle Zonabris pustulata Meloidae Coleoptera

27
Shoot fly Atherigona soccata
As described in sorghum.
Blister beetle Zonabris pustulata

Marks of identification : The adults are large beetles, 25-35 mm long, with a bright
conspicuous red or yellow and black patterned coloration. They are rather sluggish in
behaviour but are strong fliers. It handled, adults exude an acrid yellow fluid containing
cantharidin which cuases blisters on skin.
Host range : Bajara, pulses, okra, cotton etc.
Biology : Eggs are laid in soil in batches (2000). Eggs hatch into active triungulin larvae
which feed on egg pods of grasshoppers. The later larval stages are often sluggish with a
large body and reduced legs. An abundance of meloid beetles has often been noted
following locust invasion.
Nature of damage : Adult beetles feed on flowers.
Management practices :
 Hand collection and destruction of beetles.

PESTS OF WHEAT

Sr.No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Wheat stem borer Sesamia inferens Noctuidae Lepidoptera
2 Aphid Rhopalosiphum maidis Aphididae Hemiptera
3 Termite Odontotermes obesus Termitidae Isoptera

Wheat stem borer (Pink borer) (Sesamia inferens)

The pest is of common occurrence in wheat growing states.

Marks of identification : Caterpillar is about 25 mm long, flesh coloured (pinkish),
smooth with dark spots on the slender body with red head capsule. Moths are small and
straw coloured, forewings with marginal dark line and hind wings are pale white. Wing
expanse is about 25-30 mm.
Host range : Wheat, maize and sugarcane.
Biology : Creamy white eggs are laid in clusters (upto 100 eggs) inside the leaf sheath.
They hatch in 4 to 9 days. Newly hatched larvae disperse to the neighbouring plants and
bore into the stem; they become full grown in 3 to 4 weeks. Pupation takes place inside the
bored stem. The adults emerge out after 5 to 12 days. The total life cycle is completed in 6
to 7 weeks. Pest hibernates in larval stage in stubbles.

28
Nature of damage : The young larva after hatching from the egg, bores into the stem,
causing death of the central shoot, commonly known as “dead heart”. If the incidence of the
pest is noticed in flowering stage, the white ear-heads are formed.

Management practices :
 As the pest is an internal feeder, preventive measures like removal of tillers having
dead hearts and destruction of the larva.
 Removal of stubbles after the harvest of the crop and their destruction may help to
minimize the pest infestation.
 Chemical Control : Spraying of Dichlorvas 76 EC @ 625 ml or Quinalphos 25 EC @
1600 ml/ha, immediately after the incidence noticed or first application at flag leaf
stage.

Aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis)

This pest is already dealt under pests of jowar.

Management practices :
 Spraying of Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 50 g or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 50 g or
Dimethoate 30 EC @ 500 ml or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 400 ml/ha.

Termites or White ants Odontotermes obesus

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.

29
 Soldiers : Develop from unfertilized eggs. They have large head and strongly
chitinized sickle shaped mandibles, defend the colony by fighting. Mandibulate
type soldiers.
Host range : Termites are polyphagous feeding on crops like wheat, sugarcane, groundnut,
cotton, chillies, brinjal, fruit trees etc.
Biology : 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 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.
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.

PESTS OF MINOR MILLETS

Sr.No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Shoot fly Atherigona soccata Muscidae Diptera
2 Wheat / ragi / pink Sesamia inferens Noctuidae Lepidoptera
stem borer
3 Spotted stem borer Chilo partellus Pyralidae Lepidoptera
4 White stem borer Saluria inficita Noctuidae Lepidoptera
5 Leaf / Plum/ Ragi Hysteroneura Aphididae Hemiptera
aphid setariae
6 Ragi root aphid Tetraneura Pemphigidae Hemiptera
nigriabdominalis

White stem borer Saluria inficita

30
 It was specific pest on ragi in South India and rarely infests navane (Sateria italica)
and Rice (Oryza sativa). This pest in found in all ragi growing states of India. Predominantly
noticed in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.
Marks of identification : Adult is a medium sized dark brown moth with a pale white band
along the costal margin of each forewing. The hind wings are white in colour. The
caterpillar is creamy-white in colour.
Host range : Ragi
Biology : The female white stem borer lays the eggs near the tip of the leaf blade. The
female lays eggs in batches of about 100 and are covered with silky greyish hairs; they
resemble the eggs of the yellow stem borer. The incubation period is about 8 days. The
larvae pupate in the stem.
Nature of damage : The caterpillar attacks the base of the tillers close to soil causing
deadhearts. Oozing of the excreta from the bored hole is very conspicuous in the infested
plants.
Management practices
As described in wheat / pink stem borer.

Leaf or Shoot aphid Hysteroneura setariae

It was reported for the first time in India on rice, sorghum, Italian millet and other
crops in Madras. It has been recorded in Madras, Tambaram, Tindivanum, Coimbatore,
Madurai, Bangalore, Ananthapur and Coonoor
Marks of identification : Leaf aphids are also called rusty plum aphid, as the name
suggests is a brown, small aphid with dark cornicles.
Host range : Ragi leaf aphid is known to attack all graminaceous plants and other grasses
Nature of damage : Adult and nymphs of aphids suck the sap of the plant from the base of
the spicklets, and spread to the entire plant. Resulting in reduced vigour of the plant and
stunted growth, generally infestation starts from the border row and spreads. The
infestation is alarming when appears on crop of less than a month old. The occurrence is
during the months of August and September. When the crop is caught in dry spell,
infestation continues throughout the crop growth stage. In severely infested plants even
the earheads are fully covered by aphids.

Root aphid Tetraneura nigriabdominalisi

Biology : The aphids are pinkish and globular. It reproduces viviparously. They have 4
nymphal instars with a total nymphal duration of 7-9 days. Adult lives for 5-11 days and
produces 10-35 off springs.

31
Nature of damage : Aphid remains at the base of the plant and suck the sap. The infested
plants turn pale yellow and become stunted. Wilting and drying of plants in patches is the
typical symptom. Black ants attend them for honeydew and their presence confirm the
root aphid attack. It occurs on many grasses too.
Management practices :
Spraying the base of attacked plants with a contact or systemic insecticides controls the
aphid.

32
 Exercise No. 4
PESTS OF PIGEONPEA
Pulses, the food legumes, have been grown by farmers since millennia providing
nutritionally balanced food to the people of India (Nene, 2006) and many other countries in
the world. The major pulse crops that have been domesticated and are under cultivation
include black gram, chickpea, cowpea, faba bean, grass pea, green gram, horse gram, lablab
bean, lentil, moth bean, pea and pigeon pea.

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Pod borer Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
2 Tur plume moth Exelastis atomosa Pterophoridae Lepidoptera
3 Tur pod fly Melanagromyza obtusa Agromyzidae Diptera
4 Spotted pod borer Maruca testulalis Pyraustidae Lepidoptera
5 Leaf webber Grapholita critica Tortricidae Lepidoptera
6 Mite Aceria cajani Eryophyidae Acarina

Pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

As described in gram.

Tur pod caterpillar (Tur plume moth) (Exelastis atomosa)

Marks of identification : The moths are slender, about 12 mm long and are grey with long
narrow wings. The fore wings are divided into two parts and the hind wings are cut into
three parts and provided with fringed border. The full grown caterpillars are about 12 mm
long greenish brown in colour, covered with short hairs and spines.
Host range : Tur and wal.
Biology : A female lays 17-19 minute eggs on the tender shoots, leaves, flowers or pods and
they hatch in about 5 days. On hatching the caterpillars first scrape the surface of pods and
gradually cut holes and thrust their heads into the pods and feed on seeds. They become
full grown in about 4 weeks and pupate on the surface of the pods. The pupal period lasts
for 2 weeks. The total life cycle is completed in about 7 weeks.
Nature of damage : The caterpillar cuts hole in pod, insert the head and feed from outside
on developing seed.

Tur pod fly (Melanagromyza obtusa)

This pest is widely distributed throughout India causing 80 % loss in yield of seed..

33
Marks of identification : Adult flies are blessy black in colour and measure 2.75 mm in
length. Full grown larva is creamy white, measuring 3.5 to 4 mm in length.
Host range : Various leguminous crops (Tur, soybean and cowpea).
Host range : Various leguminous crops (Tur, soybean and cowpea).
Biology : The female fly lays about 79 eggs into tender pods. Eggs hatch in 3-8 days.
Maggots feed on grains for 10-18 days and pupate in the same pod. The pupal period is 4-9
days. The total life cycle is completed in 3-4 weeks.
Nature of damage : The young maggots after hatching enter soft seeds and feed on them.
At first the damage resembles that of leaf miner as their galleries run just under the
epidermis of seed. Later they burrow deep down resulting in decaying of the grains which
become unfit for either consumption or germination. In advanced cases of damage, the pod
shows a twisted appearance

Spotted pod borer (Maruca testulalis)

It is a sporadic pest and damages the pods.

Marks of identification : Full grown caterpillars are on an average 20 mm long, light
brown in colour with irregular brownish black dorsal, lateral and ventral spots. The adult
moth has brown forewings with three white spots and the hind wings greyish-white with
distal brown markings.
Host range : Castor, groundnut, paddy and tobacco.
Biology : Eggs are laid singly on or near flower buds. On hatching the young caterpillars
feed on reproductive parts of flowers and move from one flower to another full grown
caterpillars are on an average 20 mm long. Pupation takes place inside coccon on the pods
or within the leaf folds.
Nature of damage : The caterpillars feed on tender leaves, flowers, buds and pods. The
caterpillars web the flowers together with fine, silken thread, live inside and feed on the
floral parts. Lateron they bore into tender pods and feed on developing seeds.

Management practices of pod borer complex : (Pod borer, plume moth, pod fly and
spotted pod borer).
Cultural and mechanical practices :
 Ploughing the field after harvest of crop to destroy the pupae.
 Intercropping with jowar, bajra, maize or soybean.
 Follow crop rotation.
 Destroy alternate host plants of pests or weeds.
 Hand picking of caterpillars during initial stages of attack.
 Use of pheromone traps @ 4-5 traps/ha.
 Install bird perches @ 50/ha.

34
Biological control :
 Spray NSKE 5% or Azadirachtin 0.03 WSV (300 ppm) @ 2500 ml or Bacillus
thuringiensis 5 % @ 1 Kg/ha.
 HaNPV be applied to suppress the attack of H. armigera when 50 % flower buds are
noticed and next spray of any insecticide.
Chemical control :
 Apply any one of the recommended insecticides commencing the first application at
bud formation stage. Recommended insecticides are Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1400ml
or Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 1250 ml or Spinosad 45 SC @ 125 ml or Emamectin
benzoate 5 SG @ 220 g or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml or Indoxacarb 14.5
SC @ 400 ml or Benfuracarb 40 EC @ 2500 ml or Indoxacarb 18.5 EC @ 330 ml or
Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 500 ml or Lufenuron 5.4 EC @ 600 ml or Methomyl 40 SP
@ 750 g or Deltamethrin 1 % + Triazophos 35 % EC @ 1250 ml or Profenophos 40
% + Cypermethrin 4 % EC @ 1250 ml/ha.
 When severe tur pod fly attack is noticed, spray Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1250 ml or
Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 625 ml or Lufenuron 5.4 EC @ 600 ml or Lamda
cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 500 ml.

Mite (Aceria cajani)

Nature of damage : Mite feeding causes no direct damage to the host, therefore there are
no distinctive symptoms attributable to it. However, it is a vector of pigeonpea sterility
mosaic virus (PPSMV), which causes mosaic and mottling symptoms on wild and cultivated
pigeonpea leaves (Cajanus cajan), and inhibits flower production.

Management practices :
 Use of resistant varieties such as BSMR 736, BSMR 853.
 Spraying of Dicofol can reduce the infestation.

35
 Exercise No. 5
PESTS OF CHICKPEA, MUNG BEAN, URD BEAN, COWPEA AND PEA

PESTS OF CHICKPEA

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Pod borer Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
2 Aphid Aphis craccivora Aphididae Hemiptera
3 Cutworm Agrotis ipsilon Noctuidae Lepidoptera

Gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera)

It is a polyphagous and cosmopolitan pest, widely distributed in India. It is serious

pest of gram and tur crops.
Marks of identification : The moths are stout, light yellowish – brown with a wing
expanse of about 37mm. The forewings are pale brown with some black dots and the hind
wings are lighter in colour with smoky dark margins. The caterpillars are greenish with
darker broken grey line along the sides of the body. They are 37 to 50 mm in length, when
full grown.
Host range : Besides, gram it infests cotton, tomato, peas, tobacco, safflower, jowar, maize
etc.
Biology : The females lay shining greenish whitish yellow eggs, spherical in shape, singly
on the tender parts of the plants or flower buds. A single female may lay as many as 700
eggs in 4 days. The eggs hatch in about 6 to 7 days. On hatching, the caterpillars start
feeding on tender leaves and shoots and after pod formation begins, they bore into the pod
and eat developing grains and become full grown in 14 to 15 days and descend to the
ground and pupate in earthen cocoons in the soil near the plants. Their pupal period lasts
from one week to a month. The pest is active from November to March. There may be as
many as 8 generations in a year on different crops.
Nature of damage : The caterpillars feed on tender foliage and young pods. They make
holes in the pods and eat the developing seed by inserting the anterior portion of their
body inside the pods. Single larva is capable of damaging many pods. Thus, heavy losses in
yields are incurred under heavy infestation level.
Management practices :
Cultural and mechanical practices :
 Ploughing the field after harvest of crop to destroy the pupae.
 Intercropping with coriander, mustard, linseed or safflower.
 Follow crop rotation. Take jowar, bajra, maize or groundnut after gram.
 Destroy alternate host plants of pod borer or weeds.

36
  Hand picking of caterpillars during initial stages of attack.
 Use of pheromone traps @ 4-5 traps/ha.
 Install bird perches @ 50/ha.
Biological control :
 Spray NSKE 5% or Azadirachtin 0.03 WSV (300 ppm) @ 2500 ml or Beauveria
bassiana 1 % WP @ 3 Kg/ha.
 Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus of Helicoverpa armingera (HaNPV) @ 250 LE/ha be
applied instead of insecticidal application in alternation with insecticide.
Chemical control :
 Application of Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1000 ml or Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 1250 ml or
Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 220 g or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC 125 ml or
Novaluron 10 EC @ 750 ml or Triazophos 35 % + Deltamethrin 1 % EC @ 1250 ml
at 50% flowering stage or as soon as pest incidence is noticed.
 If necessary second spraying should be undertaken 15 days after the first
application.

Aphid Aphis craccivora

Marks of identification : The adults are black and shiny, up to 2 mm long and some are
winged. The nymphs are similar to the adults but smaller.
Host range : Polyphagous
Biology : This species can reproduce without mating in Asia creating one generation in a
week under optimum conditions. Individual adults can produce about 100 nymphs over a
lifespan of up to 30 days. When the population density in the colony reaches a certain limit,
winged individuals are found among the wingless forms. They fly away to form new
colonies.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults suck sap from the tender growing shoots. They
secrete a sticky fluid (honeydew) on the plant, which turns black by fungal infection.
Although the feeding activity of aphid colonies can retard plant growth particularly at
seedling stage, infestation on young seedlings results in twisted shoots under heavy
infestation. Seedlings may wilt, particularly under moisture-stressed conditions. However,
a more notable issue in chickpea is the transmission of stunt disease, caused by the bean
leaf roll virus transmitted by these aphids. Stunt disease limits plant growth, rendering
leaflets small, and reddish brown.

Cutworm Agrotis ipsilon

It is a 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%.

37
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.
Host range : Polyphagous feeding on potato, pulses, barley, oat, tobacco, peas, gram,
cotton, tomato, lucerne, chillies, brinjal and other vegetables.
Biology : 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 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.
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).

38
 PESTS OF MUNG BEAN AND URD BEAN

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Aphid Aphis craccivora Aphididae Hemiptera
2 Leaf eating
caterpillar
3 Semilooper
4 Pod borer Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera

PESTS OF COWPEA AND PEA

Sr.No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Aphid Aphis craccivora Aphididae Hemiptera
2 Blue butterfly Lampides boeticus Lycaenidae Lepidoptera
3 Pod borer Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera

39
Exercise No. 6
Pests of Groundnut

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Leaf miner Aproaerema modicella Gelechidae Lepidoptera
2 Hairy caterpillar Amsacta moori, Arctiidae Lepidoptera
Spilosoma obliqua
3 Tobacco leaf Spodoptera litura Noctuidae Lepidoptera
eating caterpillar
4 Aphid Aphis craccivora Aphididae Hemiptera
5 Thrips Thrips tabaci Thripidae Thysanopte
ra
6 White grub Holotrichia serrata Scarabaeidae Coleoptera
7 Pod sucking bug Aphanus sordidus Lygaeidae Hemiptera

40
Exercise No. 7
Pests of Castor and Sunflower

Pests of Castor

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Castor semilooper Achoea janata Noctuidae Lepidoptera
2 Castor capsule Dichocrosis Crambidae Lepidoptera
borer punnctiferalis
3 Tobacco leaf Spodoptera litura Noctuidae Lepidoptera
eating caterpillar
4 Castor jassid Empoasca Cicadellidae Hemiptera
distinguenda

Pests of Sunflower

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Capitulum borer / Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
Gram pod borer
2 Hairy caterpillar Spilosoma obliqua Arctiidae Lepidoptera
3 Jassid Empoasca devastens Cicadellidae Hemiptera
4 Thrips Thripos tabaci Thripidae Thysanopte
ra
5 Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Aleurodidae Hemiptera
6 Stem borer Nupserha bicolor Cerambicidae Coleoptera

41
Exercise No. 8
Pests of Safflower, Mustard, Linseed

Pests of Safflower

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Aphid Ureleucon compositae Aphididae Hemiptera
(=Dactynotus
carthami)
2 Capitulum borer / Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
Gram pod borer
3 Gujhia weevil Tanymecus indicus Curculionidae Coleoptera

Pests of Mustard

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Mustard aphid Lypaphis erysimi Aphididae Hemiptera
2 Mustard sawfly Athalia proxima Tenthredinida Hymenopte
(lugens) e ra
3 Leaf webber Crocidolomia binotalis Pyraustidae Lepidoptera

Pests of Mustard

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Gall fly Dasineura lini Cecidomiidae Diptera

42
Exercise No. 9
Pests of Soybean, Sesamum and Niger

Pests of Soybean

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Stem fly Melanagromyza sojae Agromyzidae Diptera
2 Girdle beetle Obereopsis brevis Cerambycidae Coleoptera
3 Leaf miner Aproaerema modicella Gelechidae Lepidoptera
4 Tobacco leaf Spodoptera litura Noctuidae Lepidoptera
eating caterpillar
5 Semilooper Gesonia gema Noctuidae Lepidoptera
6 Gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
7 Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Aleurodidae Hemiptera

Pests of Sesamum

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Til hawk moth Acherontia styx Sphingidae Lepidoptera
2 Gall fly Asphondylla sesami Cecidomyidae Diptera
3 Leaf webber Antigastra Crambidae Lepidoptera
catalaunalis

Pests of Niger

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Semilooper
2 Gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera

43
Exercise No. 10 & 11
Pests of Cotton, Sunhemp and Mesta

Pests of Cotton

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

A Sucking pests
1 Aphid Aphis gossypii Aphididae Hemiptera
2 Jassid Amrasca biguttula Cicadellidae Hemiptera
biguttula
3 Thrips Thrips tabaci Thripidae Thysanopte
ra
4 Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Aleurodidae Hemiptera
5 Mealybug Phenacoccus Pseudococcida Hemiptera
solenopsis e
B Bollworms
6 Spotted bollworm Earias vittella, Earias Noctuidae Lepidoptera
insulana
7 American Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae Lepidoptera
bollworm
8 Pink bollworm Pectinophora Gelechidae Lepidoptera
gossypiella
c Chewing pests
9 Cotton leaf roller Sylepta derogata Pyralidae Lepidoptera
10 Cotton green Anomis flava Noctuidae Lepidoptera
semilooper
11 Grey weevil Myllocerus spp. Curculionidae Coleoptera
D Lint strainers
12 Red cotton bug Dysdercus cingulatus Pyrrhocoridae Hemiptera
13 Dusky cotton bug Oxycaranus Lygaediae Hemiptera
hyalinipennis

Aphid (Aphis gossypii)

This pest is distributed all over the country. A. gossypii is small, adaptable, easily
spread, with a rapid reproductive rate, and the ability to cause serious plant injury in
isolated communities.
Marks of identification : Aphids are small soft bodied insects with a pair of cornicles,
present on the 6th abdominal segment. Nymphs are light yellowish green, or greenish black

44
or brownish. Adults are mostly wingless, but few winged forms can also be seen with thin
transparent wings.
Host range : The cotton aphid has a very wide host range of at least 60 host plants
including various field and vegetable crops.
Biology : Females directly produce young ones which mature in about a week, hence
population build up is quite fast. Alate and apterous forms multiply parthenogenetically
and viviparously and give birth to 8 –22/ day and become adult in 4-7 days. The nymphs
moult four times to become adult completing the life cycle in 8-10 days.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults colonize on the undersurface of the young leaves
or on shoots. Leaves become curled and plant growth is affected. Besides sucking the sap
from plant they secrete honey dew on which sooty mold develops causing interference to
photosynthesis.

Cotton jassids (Amrasca biguttula biguttula)

It is a cosmopolitan and polyphagous species, distributed widely in all the cotton
growing areas of the State.
Marks of identification : The adult is a wedge shaped insect, about 3.5 mm long and pale
green in colour. There is a black spot on each of the fore wings and spots on the vertex. The
insect is characterized by its habit of walking diagonal in relation to body.
Host range : It is polyphagous species infesting cotton, bhendi, ambadi, potato, brinjal etc.
Biology : Female lays about 30 eggs singly inside the leaf veins, which hatch in 4 to 11 days.
Nymhal stage lasts for 7 to 21 days with six nymphal instars. The entire life cycle is
completed in 2 to 4 weeks. There are several overlapping generations in a year. The pest is
more severe in July to September.
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap mostly from the underside of
the leaves. As a result, a characteristic hopper burn symptom is noticed wherein the
margins turn yellowish initially and subsequently turn reddish and curl. In cases of heavy
infestation, the leaves show brown necrotic patches and the growth of the plants remain
stunted which adversely affects the flowering and ultimately yield.

Thrips (Thrips tabaci)

It is a cosmopolitan and polyphagous species distributed all over the State.
Marks of identification : The adults are minute delicate insects about 1 mm in length and
are light yellow in colour. Their body is narrowed in the middle. Their wings are fringed
with hairs, hence called as fringe winged insects. The nymphs and even adults are seen
walking fast, when observed under magnifying lens
Host range : Cotton, chilly, cucurbits etc.
Biology : The eggs are laid in the tissues on the lower surface of leaves. A female lays
about 30-50 eggs. These eggs hatch in about 2 to 5 days. Nymphs become full grown in

45
about a week, after moulting thrice. The adult lives for 10 to 25 days. There are 3-4
generations in a year.
Nature of damage : The thrips have rasping and sucking type of mouth parts suited for
scraping the epidermal tissues of the leaves and sucking the oozing cell sap. As a result of
such feeding brown patches are seen of the leaves and also on bolls. Excessive feeding on
leaves leads to curling and the growth on the plant is stunted. The pest is active in post
monsoon periods.

Whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)

This is a minor pest earlier but after 1985 became major pest in many crops.
Marks of identification : Eggs are yellowish white laid singly on the under surface of
leaves. Nymph is greenish yellow, oval in outline. Pupa is oval in shape, present on the
under surface of the leaves. Adult is minute insect with yellow body covered with a white
waxy bloom.
Host range : It is a polyphagous pest which feed on several crops like cotton, tobacco,
cassava, cabbage, cauliflower, melon, mustard, brinjal etc.
Biology : The female whitefly lays the eggs singly on the under surface of leaves and
mostly on the top and middle crop canopy. A single female lays about 120 eggs. The
incubation period varies from 3-30 days. The nymphs after hatching fix themselves to the
underside of the leaves and they moult thrice before pupation. The nymphal period varies
from 9-19 days. The pupal period is 2-8 days. The total life-cycle ranges from 14 to 107
days depending upon the weather conditions. There are about 12 overlapping generations
in a year.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults suck the sap from foliage. Chlorotic spots are
developed on leaves and yellowing of leaf leading to dropping of matured leaves.
Vegetative growth is retarded, boll formation hampered. There is shedding of squares and
bolls, bad boll opening in matured bolls and reduces the quality of cotton. They secrete
honeydew on which sooty mould develops and interfere in the photosynthesis. Severe
infestation after boll bursting makes the lint sticky due to deposition of honeydew. It also
transmits the leaf curl virus.

Management practices :
 Use of resistant varieties.
 Timely sowing with recommended spacing, preferably wider spacing.
 Avoid excess use of nitrogenous fertilizers.
 Adopting crop rotation with non-preferred hosts such as sorghum, ragi, maize etc.
 Removal and destruction of alternate weed hosts from the fields and neighbouring
areas and maintaining field sanitation.
 Use of yellow and blue sticky traps.

46
  Seed treatment with Imidacloprid 48 FS or Imidacloprid 70 WS or Thiamethoxam
70 WS @ 5 g or Thiamethoxam 30 FS @ 10 g or Carbosulfan 25 DS @ 60 g / Kg seed.
 Soil application of Phorate 10 G @ 10 Kg/ha or drenching Clothianidin 50 WDG @
200 g in 1000 lit. water per ha.
 Spray the crop with Acephate 75 SP @ 400 g or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 660 ml or
Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 1200 ml or Profenophos 50 EC @ 1000 ml or
Acetamiprid 20 SP @ 50 g or Thiamethoxam 25 WG @ 100 g or Clothianidin 50
WDG @ 30 g or Thiacloprid 21.7 SC @ 100 ml or Flonicamid 50 WG @ 100 g or
Imidacloprid 70 WG @ 35 g or Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 100 ml or Fipronil 5 SC @
1500 ml or Buprofezin 25 SC @ 1000 ml or Difenthiuron 50 WP @ 600 g or Lamda
cyhalothrin 2.5 EC @ 750 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 375 ml or Fluvalinate 25
EC @ 200 ml or Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 200 ml or Malathion 50 EC @ 1000 ml or
Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 435 ml/ha in 500 lit. water. Spraying can be reperated at
fortnightly interval if needed.

Mealybug (Phenacoceus solenopsis)

Mealybug considered as a emerging pest of cotton and becoming a new threat for
future cotton production.
Marks of identification : Mealybug (P. solenopsis) has elongated oval body and greenish
black colour. There are medium sized filaments around the body and two dark stripes on
either side of the middle ridge of the body. They are having waxy coating on the body.
Host range : Cotton, soybean, okra, tomato, brinjal and different weeds.
Biology : Reproduction is sexual and parthenogenetic, female lays eggs without
fertilization. In an ovisac which is on the underside of the body, about 200-600 eggs are
observed. The young mealy bugs called “crawlers” (nymphs) and emerge from the egg
within 3 to 9 days. Nymphal period is about 22-25 days. The pest completes its life cycle
within 25-30 days and there are 10-12 generations in a year.
Nature of damage : Both the nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the leaves, stem
and other parts of the plants. The entire plant may be stunted and the shoot tips develop a
bushy appearance. The pest also secretes honey dew which encourages the development
of black sooty mould, affecting photosynthetic activity. The severe infestation causes late
opening of bolls, which ultimately affects the yield and quality of cotton.
Management practices :
 Deep ploughing of the field in summer.
 Alternate host plants like parthenium grass and other weed plants around field
should be removed.
 Destroy the ant colonies during land preparation because ants act as a carrier for
spread of mealy bugs.
 Proper crop rotation should be followed.
 Insecticides treated seeds should be used.

47
  Release Chrysopa and coccinellid beetles which are active predators of mealybugs.
 Conserve the parasitoids viz. Anaecius bambawali, Promuesidae sp., Anagyrus sp.
 Young crawlers are not covered by waxy coating so they are most susceptible to
plant protection measures.
 Use biopesticides like Metarrhizium anisopliae or Verticillium lecanii @ 4 g/lit of
water.
 Need based application of Acephate 75 SP @ 1500 g or Triazophos 40 EC @ 1000 ml
or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1650 ml or Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC @ 2000 ml or
Clothianidin 50 WG @ 150 g or Buprofezin 25 SC @ 1000 ml or Dichlorvas 76 EC @
1000 ml or Fenpropathrin 25 EC @ 500 ml/ha in 500 lit. water. Repeat the foliar
application after one week of first spray.
 Regular monitoring of field should be done and spot treatment should be given so as
to avoid further spread of mealybugs from infested plants. Spot application of
insecticides help in conservation of coccinellid beetles, wasps etc, which are
important.

Spotted bollworm (Earias vittella, Earias insulana)

This is a cosmopolitan pest, having been reported from all the cotton growing areas
of the state.
Marks of identification : There are two species of spotted bollworm. The adults of one
species have pale white upper wings with a broad greenish band in the middle (E. vitella)
The adult of another species have completely green upper wings (E. insulana) Wing
expanse is about 25 to 30 mm. The caterpillars of both the species are brownish white and
have a dark head and a prothoracic shield. Their main characteristic is that their body
surface is irregularly covered with black spots (E.vitella) and spins (E. insulana). A full
grown larva measures 19mm in length.
Host range : Besides cotton, the pest infests bhendi, ambadi, hollyhock etc.
Biology : The female lays about 200-400 bluish eggs singly on tender shoots, flower buds,
bracts, bolls etc. The egg period is 2 to 10 days. The larval period varies from 9 to 25 days
depending on the climate. The full fed larvae pupate in a silken cocoon in the soil, in this
stage it remains for 6 to 25 days. The total period of life cycle is about 18 to 46 days. The
pest is active practically throughout the year and there are about 7 to 8 generations in a
year. Summer bhendi is an important source of ‘carry over’ of the pest from one season to
another.
Nature of damage : In the beginning of the cotton season, the caterpillars bore into the
growing shoot of the young plants (generally 6 week old) and cause curling of the attacked
shoot. When flower buds appear, the larvae are found boring into them which results in
the heavy shedding of early formed floral buds. Later they also bore in bolls, which show
holes plugged with excreta. The infested bolls are mostly shed. But if they remain on the

48
plant, they open prematurely; consequently lint from such bolls fetches a low price in the
market.

American bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)

It is serious pest of cotton in India. It is also popularly known as “gram-pod borer”.
It is a cosmopolitan and polyphagous pest attacking wide range of crops throughout the
year.
Marks of identification : The adults are stout, light yellowish brown, with a wing expanse
of 37mm. The forewings are pale brown with some black dots and the hind wings are
lighter in colour with smoky dark margins. The caterpillars are greenish with dark grey
lines along the sides of body. They are 30-35 mm in length, when full grown.
Host range : Besides cotton, it feed on gram, tomato, peas, tur, tobacco, jowar, maize.
Biology : The eggs are laid singly on the tender parts of the plants and they hatch in about
3 to 7 days. A female lays about 300-600 eggs. The caterpillars become full fed in 14 to 15
days and descend to the ground and pupate in earthen cocoons in the soil. The pupal
period lasts for one week to a month. There may be as many as 8 generations in a year on
different crops.
Nature of damage : This pest causes substantial damage to cotton crop. The newly
hatched larvae usually feed on tender leaves and squares of the plant. The larvae make
holes in bolls and consume the entire contents inside the bolls. A single larva can destroy 9
to 15 squares and bolls. The excreta of the larvae is noticed on the bracts.

Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella)

Economic importance : It is the most destructive pest of cotton, having reported from
almost all the countries in the world. In Maharashtra also it is noticed in all the areas
wherever, the cotton crop is grown. The larvae are pinkish in colour and hence the name.
Marks of identification : The moth is small sized, about 5 to 6 mm in length and a wing
span of 12.5 mm. Body is dark brown in colour with numerous small spots on the wings.
The caterpillar is pinkish in colour when full grown and it measures about 18 to 19 mm in
length. The pupa is brownish and measures about 7 mm in length.
Host plants : Besides cotton, this pest also feeds on bhendi, ambadi and hollyhock.
Biology : A single female lays about 100 to 150 eggs on the under surface of leaves, floral
buds, bracts and bolls. They hatch within 3 to 25 days, depending upon the climatic
conditions. The newly hatched caterpillar is whitish in colour and wanders for some time in
search of buds or bolls. On entering the bolls, the entry hole gets sealed and caterpillar
leads a concealed life. It becomes full grown in 8 to 21 days. It attains characteristic pink
colour in the third instar. They moult thrice. The larva then pupates by spinning a cocoon
on bracts or in fallen leaves, flowers, lint under clods or in soil. The pupal stage lasts for 6
to 20 days. This is termed as short cycle generation.

49
 While in case of long cycle generation the full grown larvae without under going
pupation remains in the hibernating stage even upto two years. Carry-over through seed in
the form of hibernating larvae is quite negligible in our state, while majority of them
hibernate in cocoons amongst the shed bolls, plant debris or in cracks in the soil. As many
as 9 generations are completed in a year.
Nature of damage : Unlike the spotted bollworms, the pink bollworm never attacks the
shoots but effect floral buds, flowers and bolls only. In the beginning of the season, the
caterpillars feed on floral buds, flowers and cause their shedding. Later on they enter the
developing boll through the tip portion and entrance hole gets closed up as the boll
matures and it becomes extremely difficult to locate the infested bolls unless they drop
down to the ground.
The larva feeds on the inner contents (particularly seeds) and moves to adjacent
locule by making a hole through the septum. As a result of infestation of this pest, ginning
percentage, oil and spinning qualities are adversely affected.
Management Practices for bollworms of cotton :
Bollworms being internal feeders, they are extremely difficult to control. In order to keep
their incidence under check, both preventive and curative measures are necessary.
 Removal and destruction of cotton stalks, shed bolls and other plant debris after the
last picking.
 Avoid growing of bhendi and other malvaceous crops during off seasons.
 Fumigation of seed to kill the hibernating larvae of pink bollworms with Aluminium
phosphide @ 600/100 cu. meter of space before storage of seed.
 Crushing the larva within attacked drooping shoots due to the spotted bollworm
before flowering, arrests multiplication of the pest initially.
 Collection and destruction of buds, squares, flowers and bolls in the early season
helps in keeping the pest under check.
 Use of light traps and pheromone traps.
 Use of resistant or tolerant varieties.
 Spray Azadirachtin 0.15 EC @ 2500 ml or Azadirachtin 0.3 EC @ 2000 ml or
Azadirachtin 0.03 EC @ 2500 ml or Azadirachtin 5 % @ 250 g or Bacillus
thuringiensis @ 1000 g or Beauveria bassiana @ 2000 g/ha in 500 lit. water.
 Chemical control : First spraying should be undertaken at square formation.
Subsequent spraying at 15 days interval. For spraying use any one following
insecticide.
Acephate 75 SP @ 780 g or Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 1250 ml or Chlorpyriphos 50 EC
@ 1000 ml or Profenophos 50 EC @ 1500 ml or Triazophos 40 EC @ 1500 ml or
Ethion 50 EC @ 2000 ml or Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 1125 ml or Phosalone 35 EC @
2000 ml or Cypermethrin 10 EC @ 550 ml or Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 200 ml or
Deltamethrin 11 EC @ 125 ml or Deltamethrin 25 WT @ 50 g or Deltamethrin 2.8
EC @ 500 ml or Alfacypermethrin 10 EC @ 150 ml or Beta cyfluthrin 2.45 EC @ 500

50
 ml or Bifenthrin 10 EC @ 800 ml or Fenpropathrin 10 EC @ 500 ml or
Fenpropathrin 30 EC @ 170 ml or Fenvelarate 20 EC @ 270 ml or Fluvalinate 25 EC
@ 200 ml Lamda cyhalothrin 4.9 CS @ 500 ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 2.5 EC @ 750
ml or Lamda cyhalothrin 5 EC @ 375 ml or Permethrin 25 EC @ 250 ml or
Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml or Chlorfluazuron 5.4 EC @ 1500 ml or
Novaluron 10 EC @ 1000 ml or Novaluron 8.8 SC @ 1000 ml or Lufenuron 5.4 EC
@ 600 ml or Diflubenzuron 25 WP @ 300 g or Spinosad 45 SC @ 200 ml or
Emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 200 g or Fipronil 5 SC @ 2000 ml or Flubendamide 20
WG @ 250 g or Flubendamide 39.35 SC @ 125 ml or Indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 500 ml
or Indoxacarb 15.8 EC @ 500 ml or Thiodicarb 75 WP @ 1000 g Deltamethrin 1 % +
Triazophos 35 % EC @ 850 ml or Indoxacarb 14.5 % + Acetamiprid 7.7 % SC @
500 ml or Profenophos 40 % + Cypermethrin 4 % EC @ 1000 ml or Pyriproxifen 5 %
+ Fenpropathrin 15 % EC @ 500 ml/ha in 500 lit. water.
 Note : Synthetic pyrethroids may be used during growth period when bolls of first
flush are being developed and they should be alternated with conventional
insecticides 3 weeks later. More than three sprays of pyrethroids should not be
applied during one crop season.

PESTS OF SUNHEMP AND MESTA

Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order

1 Sunhemp hairy Utethesia pulchella Arctiidae Lepidoptera
caterpillar

Sunhemp hairy caterpillar (Utethesia pulchella)

Marks of identification : The full grown caterpillar has red, dark and white markings on
its body and brownish head. The adult moth is pale whitish with red, black spots on the
upper wings and black marginal blotches on the lower wings.
Biology : The female moth lays eggs on the tender leaves and shoots. Caterpillar feeds on
leaves and pods. Larva pupates in the leaf folds or in the soil. The life cycle is completed in
about 22-30 days and a number of generations are completed in a year.
Nature of damage : The caterpillars feed on leaves and occasionally also bore into seed
capsules.
Management practices :
 Clean cultivation.
 Hand picking of caterpillars in the early stage of infestation.
Spraying with Quinalphos 25 EC @ 1000 ml/ha as soon as incidence is noticed.

51
 Exercise No. 12
PESTS OF SUGARCANE
Sr. No. Common Name Scientific Name Family Order
A Borer pests
1 Early shoot Chilo infuscatellus Pyralidae Lepidoptera
borer
2 Internode borer Chilo saccarifagus Crambidae Lepidoptera
indicus
3 Top shoot borer Scirpophaga novella Pyralidae Lepidoptera
B Sucking pests
4 Whitefly Aleurolobus barodensis Aleurodidae Hemiptera
5 Pyrilla (Leaf Pyrilla perpusilla Fulgoridae Hemiptera
hopper) (Lophopidae)
6 White wooly Ceratovacuna lanigera, Pemphigidae Hemiptera
aphid C. graminum
7 Mealy bug Saccharicoccus sacchari Pseudococcidae Hemiptera
8 Scale insect Melanaspis glomerata Coccidae Hemiptera
C Soil pests
9 Termite Odontotermes obesus Termitidae Isoptera
10 White grub Holotrichia serrata Scarabaeidae Coleoptera
(Root grub)

Early shoot borer (Chilo infuscatellus)

It is cosmopolitan and most serious pest of the sugarcane crop. The pest is wide
spread in all the cane growing areas of the state. It is more serious in the crop grown on
light soils and losses to the extent of 20 to 30% have been recorded.
Marks of identification : Adult moth is greyish brown or straw coloured with a wing
expanse of about 25 mm to 30 mm. Front wings are greyish brown with row of white dots
along its apical margin. Hind wings are whitish. Full grown larva is cylindrical in shape
with a dark brown head and dirty white body and measures about 20 to 25 mm in length.
Host range : In addition to sugarcane crop this pest infests crops like jowar, maize and
grasses.
Biology : A female lays about 300 or more eggs in groups of around 40 eggs on the
underside of the leaves and egg masses are covered with crimpson coloured hairs. The egg
period is about 6 days. The caterpillar becomes full fed within 4 to 6 weeks and pupates in
a larval tunnel in a silken membrane. Pupa is brownish and the pupal period continues for

52
7 to 10 days. The pest hibernates over winters in larval stage in stubbles and is more active
during Kharif.
Nature of damage : The attack of this pest is mostly noticed in the early stage of the crop.
i.e. up to 3 weeks after germination. The minute caterpillar on hatching initially feeds on
the leaves and later on enters into the young shoot and tunnels downwards.
In some cases the caterpillars enter the plants from the side of ground level by
making holes in the stalk and may bore either or both ways. Thus the central shoot dries up
causing deadheart which is characteristic sign of presence of the pest within the plant. The
symptoms are damage on the inner surface of a first leaf sheath, biting on the inner surface
of stem and offensive smell emitted by deadheart. Such deadhearts can be easily pulled
out. If the attack is heavy immediately after planting, replanting becomes necessary for gap
filling.

Internode borer (Chilo saccarifagus indicus)

It is supposed to be a major pest of sugarcane in India. It is mostly confined to

peninsular region. It has also, been reported from certain part of North India, Madhya
Pradesh and Orissa.
Marks of Identification : Adult moths are straw in colour and moderately sized. Fully
grown caterpillars are characterised by four strips which are violet in colour. Tubercles are
jet black and crochets on the prolegs form complete circle.
Host plants : Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum); alternate hosts include S. spontaneum,
sorghum, Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), bajra, rice, Echinocloa colona, etc.
Biology : Under South Indian conditions the internode borer remains active throughout the
year. About 5-6 generations are completed in one year. The moth lay eggs in masses usually
on the upper surface of the leaf. The number of eggs in one mass varies from 5-60. The eggs
hatch into larvae in about 5-7 days. The larvae enter into stem by burrowing through the
internode. The larval period lasts for 25-35 days, after that they are converted into pupa.
Before pupation the fully grown larva comes out of the tunnel formed into the stem and
take shelter under the tightly fitting leaf sheath on the cane. There it secretes a silken
cocoon and undergoes pupation in that. The pupal life lasts for 8-10 days and then adults
emerges out. The life span of adults is approximately 3-5 days.
Nature of damage : Neonate larvae feed on the leaf spindle or leaf sheath by scraping the
tissues and characteristic white streaks are seen on leaf lamina when it opens. Later, the
larvae bore into the tender cane top and most of the borer attack is found in the top five
immature internodes. In ratoon crop, formative internodes are badly damaged, resulting in
the formation of deadhearts, which do not emit a foul smell when pulled out. The larvae
feed on the inner tissues and the frass is pushed out to the exterior.

Sugarcane top shoot borer (Scirpophaga nivella)

53
 This is also a cosmopolitan species. It has been recorded as important pest of
sugarcane crop practically in all the states in our country. In Maharashtra is occurs
regularly every year and causes heavy losses.
Marks of identification : Moths are silvery white with a wing expanse of a little more than
25 mm. Females possess orange coloured tuft of hairs at the tip of the abdomen. The
matured caterpillars measure 25 to 35 mm in length and yellowish in colour
Host range : Sugarcane, wheat, maize etc.
Biology : Creamy white eggs are laid in clusters on the inner side of the sheath. A female
lays about 250-300 eggs in clusters of 30-60 eggs. They hatch in 4 to 8 days. The larvae
have the migratory habit and become full grown in 3 to 4 weeks by tunneling the stems.
Pupation takes place inside the tunnel. The adults emerge out from the pupae after 5 to 12
days. The total life cycle is completed in about 6 to 7 weeks.
Nature of damage : Unlike early shoot borer this pest is injurious to sugarcane crop in all
the stages of crop growth. The caterpillar on hatching enters first into the midrib of the leaf
and later on bore downwards into the shoot from the top causing death of central shoot. As
a result side shoots are given out from the upper most internode giving a “bunchy top
appearance” Shot holes on leaves, galleries in the midribs, death of central shoot and the
bunchy top are the characteristic symptoms of the pest.

Management Practices for sugarcane bores (All bores together)

Borers being internal feeders are extremely difficult to control. But preventive and
curative measures are therefore necessary to keep them under check. Since, most of the
borers occur together and the type of damage caused by them is more or less common, the
measures for their control are given together.
Mechanical and cultural methods :
 Collection and destruction of egg masses.
 Removal of infested plants.
 Early earthing up of canes especially for early shoot borer and root borer control.
 Mulching with trashes at planting or germination for early shoot borer.
Biological control :
 Releasing of an egg parasitoid Trichogramma japonicum @ 2.5 lakh/ha in three
installments at fortnightly intervals.
Chemical control :
 Soil application of Phorate 10 G @ 30 Kg or Carbofuran 3 G @ 33 Kg or
Chlorantraniliprole 0.4 GR @ 18.75 Kg or Fipronil 0.3 GR @ 25 Kg/ha at the time of
panting for arresting the infestation of early shoot borer in endemic area or after
infestation is noticed.
 For early shoot borer control, spray three weeks after planting Chorpyriphos 20 EC
@ 1500 ml or Quinalphos 25 EC @ 2000 ml or Cypermethrin 10 EC @ 650 ml or

54
 Fipronil 5 SC @ 1500 ml or Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 500 ml or Monocrotophos
36 SL @ 1500 ml/ha.
 For other borers repeat subsequent spray at fortnightly interval, if needed.

Sugarcane leaf hopper or Pyrilla (Pyrilla perpusilla)

It is a major pest of sugarcane crop and breeds practically throughout the year, but
the incidence is at the peak from April to August.
Marks of identification : The adults are straw coloured hoppers with two pairs of wings,
folded like a pointed beak which is quite readily visible. Newly hatched nymphs are milky
white in colour with a pair of characteristic anal processes or filaments covered by wax.
They are very active and are found in large number on canes.
Host range : Besides sugarcane crop, it also feeds on wheat, barley, maize, bajra, jowar.
Biology : Pale greenish yellow eggs are laid in clusters of 20 to 25 mostly on the lower
surface of the leaves and also between the detached leaf sheath and the stem. the eggs are
covered with white, cottony waxy filaments. Egg laying continues from April to November
and on an average a female lays about 400 eggs over a period of about 2 months adult
longevity. Incubation period lasts for 7 to 14 days under warm conditions (summer and
rainy season) while in winter it continues upto 30 to 40 days. The nymphs become adult
hoppers within 50 to 60 days. There are about 5 instars and the life cycle is completed in
about 60 days in summer and 120 days in winter. Depending upon the weather conditions
3 to 5 generations are competed in a year.
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the lower surface of
leaves which as a result lose turgidity, begin to wither and ultimately get dried under
severe conditions. Due to feeding, the sucrose percentage of juice and development of cane
is adversely affected. Besides sucking the sap, these insects secrete honeydew like
substance that spreads on the leaves, on which a black fungus (sooty mould) develops, that
adversely affects the photosynthesis and ultimately the yield of canes.
Management practices :
 Mechanical method such as collection and destruction of egg masses helps to
minimize the pest incidence.
 Disposal of cane trashes.
 Stripping off 5 to 6 lower most leaves on which generally eggs are laid.
Biological control :
 Release cocoons @ 5000/ha or egg masses @ 5,00,000 eggs/ha of Epiricania
melanoleuca Parasite for effective control of pyrilla. After establishment of
parasites, insecticide should not be used. Avoid trash burning to prevent
destruction of hibernating parasite eggs on dry leaves.

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  Use of Metarhizium anisopliae and Aspergillus flavus (fungus is also reported
effective against this pest).
Chemical control :
 If biocontrol is not undertaken, spray Dimethoate 30 EC @ 1000 ml or
Monocrotophos 36 SL @ 500 ml or Chorpyriphos 20 EC @ 1500 ml or Quinalphos
25 EC @ 1200 ml/ha as soon as the incidence is noticed.

Whitefly (Mealy wing) (Aleurolobus barodensis)

It is a minor and sporadic pest but occasionally assumes a serious form and causes
heavy losses especially in water logged conditions.
Marks of identification : Adult has pale yellow body with hyaline wings dusted with waxy
bloom, exhibit brisk fluttering movements. Neonate nymphs are pale yellow in colour, flat
and oval in shape, later turn shiny black. Its body is surrounded by fringes of wax.The
fourth instar being the pupal stage, is flat, oval, greyish in colour and slightly bigger than
the nymph. There is a ‘T’ shaped white marking on the thorax, which splits at the time of
adult emergence.
Host range : It is a monophagous pest.
Biology : A female lays about 60-65 eggs. In each mass about 15-20 eggs are deposited in
rows side by side near the midrib of leaves and attached to the leaf by a short filament. The
eggs hatch in 8 to 10 days. The nymphs complete their development in 15-30 days after
passing through four instars. The pupal stage lasts for 10 to 11 days. The life cycle is
completed in 5 to 6 weeks and pest completes 9 generations in a year.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the leaves which as a result,
turn yellow and ultimately dry, affecting the vigour of the crop and also yield. Due to the
injury to leaf tissues and also on account of the coverage of leaf surface with mealy
secretion, the metabolic activities of the plant are upset, which adversely affect sugar
formation. Besides, excretion of honey dew encourages the development of a black fungus
which affects photosynthesis.
Management practices :
 Clipping off and destroying the early infested leaves to prevent further spread of the
pest.
 Chemical control : After the initiation of pest incidence, spray methyl demeton 25
EC @ 3200 ml or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 2650 ml or Dichlorvos (DDVP) 76 EC @ 1100
ml/ha. Repeat at fortnightly interval if necessary.

Sugarcane white woolly aphid (Ceratovacuna lanigera, C. graminum)

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 In July 2002 in Sangli District of Maharashtra this pest was noticed for first time,
then spread in Kolhapur, Satara, Solapur, Pune, Ahmednagar and Marathwada region
within few years.
Marks of identification : Nymphs are yellowish or greenish yellowish in colour. They
moult four times and become adults. Adults are black in colour having two pairs of
transparent wings and two cornicles on last abdominal segment.
Host range : Sugarcane, bamboo.
Biology : Each female produces 15 to 35 young ones/day. Maximum 300 nymphs are paid
during 20 days of life time. Nymphal period 6-22 days. Adult period 32-57 days. Total life
cycle is completed within 30 days.
Nature of damage : Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from leaves and excrete
honeydew like substance on which black sooty mould developed. Yellowish spots develop
on leaves, edges dry and complete leaves dried. The growth of the plant remains stunted
and yield losses upto 26 per cent. On single leaf 8000 aphids are seen. The damage is more
on older sugarcane.
Management practices :
 Use pest free sets for planting.
 Set treatment with 300 ml malathion + 100 lit. of water, dip for 15 minutes.
 Use resistant varieties like Co-98125, Co-8021, Co-9909.
 Proper application of nitrogenous fertilizer.
 Cleaning field.
Biological control :
 Release Chrysoperla carnea 2500 eggs/ha, Dipha aphidivora 1000 larva/ha,
Micromus spp. 2500 larva/ha, syrphid fly 2500 larva/ha.
Chemical control :
 Soil application of Phorate 10 G @ 15 Kg/ha.
 Spray with Oxydemeton-methyl 25 EC or Dimethoate 30 EC @ 600 ml in 400 lit.
water/ha (small sugarcane), 1050 ml in 700 lit. water/ha (medium sugarcane) and
1500 ml in 1000 lit. water/ha (tall sugarcane) or monocrtophos 36 SL @ 1500
ml/ha.

Mealybug (Saccharicoccus sacchari)

It is one of the important pests of sugarcane in the state, but sporadic in occurrence
and may cause heavy losses especially under drought conditions.
Marks of identification : Adults and nymphs of mealybugs are soft bodied, light coloured,
oval creatures and found in large numbers near the nodes, covered over by a mealy white
secretion of waxy powder. They are also found in the leaf sheaths,. The adults measure
about 5 x 2.5 mm size.
Host range : Besides sugarcane the pest is reported to feed on sorghum and grasses.

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Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults remain under the leaf sheaths and
continuously suck the cell sap from the cane stalks. As a result the plants are weakened
and the sucrose content of the cane juice is reduced. Excretion of honey dew encourages
development of black sooty mould, which adversely affects the photosynthesis. Mealy bug
also acts as vector of “Mottling” and “Spike” disease of sugarcane.
Management practices :
 Selection of sets free from infestation of mealy bugs for planting and burning the
affected canes.
 Clean cultivation and detrashing of old leaves alongwith leaf shoots.
 Chemical control : Same as for whitefly.
Scale insect (Melanaspis glomerata)

Marks of identification : Adults are greyish black in colour, oval and slightly convex in
shape.
Host range : Sugarcane, Wild grasses.
Nature of damage : Both nymphs and adults suck cell sap from cane stalk. As a result
infested canes shriveled. Internodes shortened and sucrose percentage of juice reduced. In
severe infestation entire cane covered with the pest, crop dries. Adversely affect market
value.
Management practices :
 Selection of setts free form scale insects for planting.
 Burning affected canes.
 Clean cultivation and detrashing of older leaves.
 Chemical control :
 Dipping canes in suspension of dimethoate 30 EC @ 235 ml or malathion 50 EC @
200 ml in 100 lit water for 2 minutes.
 Spray with dimethoate 30 EC @ 0.08 % or malathion 50 EC @ 0.1 %.

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Exercise No. 13
Non insect pests of field crops

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Exercise No. 14 & 15
Store 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 Bostrichidae Coleoptera
dominica
3. Pulse beetle Callosobruchus Bruchidae Coleoptera
chinensis
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 Dermestidae Coleoptera
granarium
2. Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella Pyralidae Lepidoptera
3. Rice moth Corcyra cephalonica Pyralidae Lepidoptera

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(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 Tenebrionida Coleoptera
e
2. Saw toothed Orzyaephilus Cucujidae Coleoptera
Grain beetle surinamensis
3. Long headed beetle Latheticus oryzae Tenebrionida Coleoptera
e

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Exercise No. 16
Non insect pests, mites, rodents, birds and microorganisms associated with stored
grain and their management

62
Exercise No. 17
Preventive and curative methods of stored grain pests

63
Exercise No. 18
Storage structure and methods of grain storage and fundamental principles of grain
store management

64