Tag: insect pests

• Belongs to family Pyralidae, order Lepidoptera; serious pest of brinjal.
• Adult moth is medium-sized with whitish forewings marked by black and brown patches; caterpillar is small and light pink.
• Eggs (up to 250) are laid singly on leaves, shoots, flower buds, or fruits; larval period lasts 12–15 days in summer, 22 days in winter.
• Larvae bore into shoots and fruits, causing withering, drying, and fruit damage (up to 21% loss); infested fruits show circular holes plugged with excreta.
• Management includes removal of infested plant parts, use of larval parasitoids (Microbracon greeni), pheromone traps (5/ha), and insecticidal sprays (carbaryl, profenofos, cypermethrin).

• Member of family Coccinellidae, order Coleoptera; also known as spotted leaf beetle or hadda beetle.
• Adults are small, round to oblong, brick red or pinkish with 12–28 black dots; grubs are yellowish, spiny, and broad at the front.
• Eggs laid on leaf undersides; larval period 10–35 days, pupal period 3–6 days; total life cycle 17–50 days.
• Both grubs and adults feed on leaf chlorophyll, creating skeletonized patches and reducing photosynthetic area.
• Control by hand-picking, destruction of egg masses, use of parasitoids (Tetrastichus ovularum, Uga menoni), and foliar insecticides (DDVP, carbaryl, profenofos, quinalphos).

• Family Cicadellidae, order Hemiptera; small, light brown adults.
• Feeds on plant sap, causing leaf size reduction, shortened petioles, bushy growth, and stunted plants.
• Can induce ‘little leaf’ disease, leading to conversion of floral parts into leafy structures and rare fruiting.
• Management includes removal and destruction of infected plants, seedling dip in carbofuran, and spraying with dimethoate.

• Family Aleurodidae, order Hemiptera; adults have yellowish bodies, red eyes, and white or greenish wings.
• Common and serious pest of brinjal and other solanaceous crops; nymphs are pale yellow and sluggish.
• Life cycle completed in 13–122 days; up to 10–12 generations per year.
• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing leaf withering, browning, and flower shedding; excrete honeydew leading to sooty mould and reduced photosynthesis.
• Control via insecticidal sprays (dimethoate, malathion, methyl demeton, monocrotophos).

• Family Aphididae, order Hemiptera; nymphs and adults are small, soft-bodied insects.
• Suck sap from leaves, causing yellowing, deformation, and drying of plants.
• Honeydew secretion promotes sooty mould growth, further reducing photosynthetic efficiency.
• Management includes seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam, and use of yellow sticky traps.

• Family Tingidae, order Hemiptera; nymphs and adults feed on leaf sap.
• Infestation leads to yellowing, withering, and leaves covered with exuviae and excreta, especially in summer crops.
• Control by spraying with DDVP or dusting with carbaryl.

• Family Pyralidae, order Lepidoptera; caterpillars fold leaves from tip upwards and feed within the fold.
• Infested leaves wither and dry; larvae are always found inside the leaf fold.
• Management includes removal and destruction of infested leaves, and application of carbaryl dust or spray.

• Family Tetranychidae, order Acarina; tiny pests that suck cell sap from leaves.
• Infestation causes yellowing and withering of leaves, reducing plant vigor.
• Control measures include spraying with sulphur, dicofol, or abamectin, and dusting with sulphur.

• Tomato is affected by several insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Pests attack various plant parts: leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
• Effective management requires correct identification and integrated approaches.

• Caterpillar: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish-brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval stage: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Complete life cycle: ~30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Bores circular holes, feeds inside fruit, causing rot by secondary infection.
• One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract egg-laying adults.
• Grow resistant varieties (e.g., Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume).

Biological Control:

• Release Trichogramma pretiosum or T. chilonis (egg parasitoids).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (predator).
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis or Helicoverpa NPV.

Chemical Control:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per label rates).

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Small, pale yellow fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupation in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

Nature of Damage:

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermis, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Remove and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits.
• Causes leaf necrosis, fruit damage, and yield loss.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping.
• Remove and destroy infested plant parts.
• Apply biological agents (Trichogramma, Bacillus thuringiensis).
• Use recommended insecticides judiciously.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran or recommended insecticides (dimethoate, malathion, thiamethoxam).

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing, deformation, and drying.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.
• Spray recommended insecticides if needed.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark, fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; severe infestation affects flowering and fruiting.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur (50 WP, 2g/lit).
• Spray dicofol (18.5 EC, 2.5 ml/lit).

• Correct pest identification is essential for effective management.
• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for sustainable control.
• Monitor pest populations using traps and field scouting.
• Use resistant varieties and maintain field hygiene.
• Apply insecticides judiciously to avoid resistance and protect beneficial organisms.

• Tomato is affected by several major insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Pests attack various plant parts: leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.
• Effective management requires knowledge of pest biology and damage symptoms.
• Integrated pest management (IPM) combines cultural, biological, and chemical methods.

• Caterpillars: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval period: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Complete life cycle: ~30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Bores circular holes, feeds on fruit contents.
• Damaged fruits often invaded by secondary pathogens.
• One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract egg-laying adults.

Biological Control:

• Release Trichogramma pretiosum or T. chilonis (egg parasitoids).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea (predator) at 30 days after planting.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis or Helicoverpa NPV.

Chemical Control:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Spray recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per label rates).
• Grow resistant varieties: Rupali, Roma, Pusa Red Plume.

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Small, pale yellow flies.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupates in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine tunnels.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.
• Use yellow sticky traps for monitoring.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3G or recommended insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam.

• Nymphs and adults suck sap from leaves and shoots.
• Plants turn yellow, become deformed, and may dry up.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps for monitoring and control.
• Spray recommended systemic insecticides if needed.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark, slender, fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, premature flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as per recommendations.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; severe infestation affects flowering and fruiting.

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2 g/litre).
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/litre) if needed.
• Maintain field sanitation and avoid dust accumulation.

• Monitor pest populations regularly using traps and field scouting.
• Adopt resistant varieties and crop rotation.
• Promote natural enemies and use biopesticides.
• Apply chemical pesticides judiciously, following recommended doses and intervals.
• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for sustainable pest management.

• Tomato is affected by several major insect pests worldwide.
• Pests cause direct damage and act as vectors for viral diseases.
• Effective management is crucial for yield and quality.

• Major pest of tomato and other crops (e.g., pigeon pea, chickpea).

• Caterpillar: Varies in color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish-brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval stage: 18–25 days.
• Pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: 30–40 days.

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Creates circular holes in fruits, feeds on inner contents.
• Damaged fruits often infected by secondary pathogens.
• One larva can destroy 2–8 fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop tomato with marigold (1:16 rows).

Biological Control:

• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/lit).
• Use Helicoverpa NPV (HaNPV) @ 250 LE/ha.

Chemical Control:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) @ 12/ha.
• Spray recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos.

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Small, pale yellow flies.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupates in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits.
• Causes leaf necrosis, fruit damage, and yield loss.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps, biological control agents, and selective insecticides.

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran or recommended insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam.

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing and deformation.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.

• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Dark, fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton 25 EC or dimethoate 30 EC @ 1 L/ha.

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish.
• Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; reduced flower and fruit formation.

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP @ 2g/lit.
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC @ 2.5 ml/lit.

• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for effective pest control.
• Monitor pest populations regularly.
• Use resistant varieties and crop rotation.
• Minimize pesticide use to prevent resistance and protect beneficial organisms.

• Tomato is susceptible to several insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Major pests include fruit borer, leaf miner, whitefly, aphids, thrips, and red spider mite.
• Effective management requires correct identification and understanding of pest biology.

• Family: Noctuidae; Order: Lepidoptera

Economic Importance:

• Serious pest in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Damages tomato, tur, gram, and other crops.

Identification:

• Caterpillar: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval stage lasts 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: 30–40 days.

Nature of Damage:

• Young larvae feed on foliage; older larvae bore into fruits.
• Circular holes in fruits; internal feeding leads to secondary infections.
• One larva can damage 2–8 fruits.

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest to expose pupae.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 rows) to attract adults.

Biological:

• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/lit) or HaNPV (250 LE/ha).

Chemical:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) at 12/ha.
• Spray recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos.

• Family: Agromyzidae; Order: Diptera

Identification:

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggots.
• Adult: Pale yellow, small fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupates in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

Damage:

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermis, causing serpentine trails.
• Severe cases cause leaf drying and drop.

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.
• Practice crop rotation and avoid overuse of insecticides to conserve natural enemies.

• Family: Gelechiidae; Order: Lepidoptera

Identification:

• Small, greyish-brown moth; larvae mine leaves, stems, and fruits.

Damage:

• Leaf mines, galleries in stems, and fruit damage.
• Can cause severe yield loss if unmanaged.

Management:

• Use pheromone traps for monitoring.
• Release natural enemies (Trichogramma spp.).
• Apply Bacillus thuringiensis or selective insecticides as needed.

• Family: Aleyrodidae; Order: Hemiptera

Identification:

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

• Uproot and destroy infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3% G @ 40 kg/ha or recommended insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam.

• Family: Aphididae; Order: Hemiptera

Identification:

• Small, soft-bodied insects, green or black.

Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing, deformation, and drying.
• Honeydew secretion leads to sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.
• Encourage natural predators (ladybird beetles, lacewings).

• Family: Thripidae; Order: Thysanoptera

Identification:

• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Dark with fringed wings.

Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Uproot and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate as needed.

• Family: Tetranychidae; Order: Acarina

Identification:

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Small, red.

Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed, and dry.
• Webbing on leaves; reduced flower and fruit set.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2g/lit) or dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/lit).

• Combine cultural, biological, and chemical methods for effective pest control.
• Monitor pest populations regularly using traps and field scouting.
• Promote use of resistant varieties and natural enemies.
• Apply insecticides judiciously to avoid resistance and conserve beneficial insects.

• Tomato is susceptible to several insect pests causing significant yield loss.
• Major pests include fruit borer, leaf miner, whitefly, aphids, thrips, and red spider mite.
• Effective management requires understanding pest biology and damage symptoms.
• Integrated pest management (IPM) combines cultural, biological, and chemical methods.

• Family: Noctuidae; Order: Lepidoptera

Identification:

• Caterpillars: Varying color, radiating hairs, brown to greenish with dark lines.
• Moth: Medium-sized, light yellowish brown, forewings with dark spot, hindwings pale with black border.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid on tender plant parts.
• Larval period: 18–25 days; pupates in soil.
• Total life cycle: ~30–40 days.

• Young larvae feed on foliage; mature larvae bore into fruits.
• Circular holes on fruits; larvae feed inside, causing internal damage.
• Damaged fruits often infected by secondary pathogens.
• One larva may damage multiple fruits (2–8).

• Collect and destroy infested fruits and larvae.
• Deep ploughing after harvest exposes pupae to predators.
• Intercrop with marigold (1:16 ratio with tomato).

Biological:

• Release Trichogramma spp. and Chrysoperla carnea.
• Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (2g/litre) or HaNPV @ 250 LE/ha.

Chemical:

• Use pheromone traps (Helilure) @ 12/ha.
• Spray recommended insecticides: Azadirachtin, Indoxacarb, Flubendiamide, Novaluron, Phosalone, Quinalphos (as per label rates).

• Family: Agromyzidae; Order: Diptera

Identification:

• Larva: Minute, orange-yellow, apodous maggot.
• Adult: Pale yellow, small fly.

Life Cycle:

• Eggs laid singly on upper leaf surface.
• Larval period: 7–10 days; pupation in soil or leaves.
• Total life cycle: ~3 weeks.

• Larvae mine between leaf epidermal layers, creating serpentine trails.
• Severe infestation causes leaf drying and drop.

Management:

• Collect and destroy mined leaves.
• Spray neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) 5%.

• Family: Aleyrodidae; Order: Hemiptera

Identification:

• Eggs: Pear-shaped, light yellow.
• Nymphs: Oval, scale-like, greenish-white.
• Adults: Tiny, white, scale-like.

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing chlorosis and leaf curling.
• Vector of tomato leaf curl virus.

• Uproot and destroy virus-infected plants.
• Remove alternate weed hosts (e.g., Abutilon indicum).
• Use yellow sticky traps (12/ha).
• Apply carbofuran 3% G @ 40 kg/ha.
• Spray insecticides: Dimethoate, Malathion, Oxydemeton-methyl, Thiamethoxam (as per label rates).

• Family: Aphididae; Order: Hemiptera

Nature of Damage:

• Nymphs and adults suck sap, causing yellowing and deformation.
• Honeydew secretion promotes sooty mould, reducing photosynthesis.

Management:

• Seed treatment with imidacloprid or thiamethoxam.
• Use yellow sticky traps.

• Family: Thripidae; Order: Thysanoptera

Identification:

• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Dark with fringed wings.

Nature of Damage:

• Silvery streaks on leaves, bud necrosis, flower drop.
• Vector of tomato spotted wilt virus.

Management:

• Remove and destroy diseased plants.
• Use yellow sticky traps (15/ha).
• Release Chrysoperla carnea larvae (10,000/ha).
• Spray methyl demeton or dimethoate (as per label rates).

• Family: Tetranychidae; Order: Acarina

Identification:

• Eggs: Hyaline, globular, laid in masses.
• Nymphs: Yellowish; Adults: Small, red.

Nature of Damage:

• Leaves turn reddish-brown, bronzed; webbing present.
• Severe infestation leads to leaf drying and reduced fruit set.

Management:

• Spray wettable sulphur 50 WP (2g/litre).
• Spray dicofol 18.5 EC (2.5 ml/litre).

• Combine cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods for sustainable pest control.
• Monitor pest populations regularly for timely intervention.
• Promote use of resistant varieties and natural enemies.
• Minimize pesticide use to prevent resistance and protect beneficial organisms.