Practical Manual Pests of Field Crops and Their Management

1 Ag. Ento. 3.3 Pests of Field Crops and Their Management by Dr. M. V. Dabhi and Prof. Himansu Patle 2015

PRACTICAL MANUAL

OF

PESTS OF FIELD CROPS & THEIR MANAGEMENT

(AG. ENTO. 3.3)

THIRD SEMESTER

OF

POLYTECHNIC IN AGRICULTURE

DR. M. V. DABHI

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

SMC POLYTECHNIC IN AGRICULURE

ANAND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERITY

ANAND-388 110

DR. H.C. PATEL

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

ANAND AGRICULTURAL UNIVERITY

VASO- 387 380, DIST. KHEDA

PREPARED BY

NAME:____________________________________________________________

REG. NO.:_____________________________ EXAM NO.____________ ______

COLLEGE :_________________________________________________________

PLACE:____________________________________________________________

_


EXERCISE- 1 DATE:

TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF DAMAGE BY VARIOUS PHYTOPHAGOUS

INSECT-PESTS

It is very important to know and study about the symptoms of damage by

various phytophagous insect pests for proper, effective and economic

management. Insect-pests found to be cause injury to plant either directly or

indirectly to secure food, their development and further generations. Insect-pests

attack on various parts of plant viz., root, stem, bark, leaf, bud, flower and fruit.

Based on the nature and symptoms of damage, insect-pests can be classified into

different groups as mentioned below.

1.1. Stem borer

Larvae enter into the stem/ tillers and feed on inert green matter. As a

result, damaged part is wilted, dried and exhibited symptoms like dead

heart/ white ear. e.g: stem borers of paddy, millets and sugarcane etc.

1.2. Shoot borer

Larvae attack tender shoots and bore inside during the vegetative stage of

the crop growth and cause wilting, drooping of terminal plant part which

later dries up. e.g: shoot borers of cotton, castor, shoot fly of sorghum

1.3. Defoliator

Larvae feed on the leaves completely by scraping the chlorophyll content

of leaves; leaving only midrib/veins or cause numerous holes. e.g: castor

semilooper, red headed hairy caterpillar, bihar hairy caterpillar, tobacco

caterpillar

1.4. Leaf miner

Larvae mine leaves/leaflets between the epidermal layers and feed on green

matter, resulting in the appearance of translucent white patches/ zig-zag

galleries on leaves. e.g: leaf miner of ground nut, chickpea, rice hispa.

1.5. Leaf webber

Larvae web leaves/ leaflets by means of silken threads and feed inside the

webbed leaves and the chlorophyll content. Often faecal pellets/ frass are

found within the web. e.g: leaf Webbers on Ground nut.

1.6. Leaf folder

Larvae fold leaves from tip to base/ longitudinally/ margin to margin edge

which producing appearance of a fold/ roll. e.g: rice leaf folder, cotton leaf

folder.


1.7. Gall maker

Larvae feeding inside the stem/ tiller/ leaf/ flower bud stimulate excessive

growth of cells at the affected portion and distrub normal growth which

results in malformation of plant parts called as gall formation. e.g: paddy

gall midge

1.8. Pod/ capsule borers/ boll worm

During the reproductive stage of crop, larva enter into the pod, capsule, boll

and feed on the seed/lint exhibiting symptoms like webbed condition of

pods/bolls or web few pods/capsules with frass and excreta or holes of

different sizes and shapes. e.g: spotted pod borer, capsule borers of castor

and red gram pod fly, tobacco caterpillar, gram caterpillar, pink boll worm

etc.

1.9. Root feeder

Larvae feed on root/ root nodules or the nymphs and adults suck the cell

sap form the roots resulting in stunted growth/ poor tillering/drying of

plants in isolated patches. e.g: white grubs, termites, rice root weevil and

ragi root aphid.

1.10. Seed feeder (stored grain pests)

Larvae feed on stored seeds either as internal/external feeders/by webbing

the food particles. e.g: rice weevil, red rust flour beetle, rice moth etc.

1.11. Sap feeder

a. From grain: Nymphs and adults suck juice from developing ovaries/

milky grains resulting in the formation of shrivelled/chaffy grains e.g: rice

gundhy bug, sorghum earhead bug, sorghum midge.

b. From tender plant parts: Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from the

base of the plant/leaves/ tender terminal plant parts/ flowers, thereby affect

the vigour and growth of the plants. Different insects exhibit different

symptoms. In case of severe infestation, sooty mould develops on the plant

parts covered with honey dew excreted by insects while feeding. e.g. paddy

brown plant hopper, white backed plant hopper, paddy leafhopper, cotton

aphid.

All these insect pests causing damage to different parts of plant and based

on the symptoms of damage the name was given. This will helpful for

identifying the insect pest damage during field visit.


EXERCISE- 2 DATE:

PESTS OF PADDY

2.1 Paddy stem borer

Scirpophaga (Tryporyza) incertulas (Walker), (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The female moth has bright yellowish brown forewings which having

single black spot and the anal end having tuft of yellowish hairs. The hind

wings are white. The male is pale yellow and the spots on the forewings

are not conspicuous. Male is smaller than female. Eggs are laid at the tip

of the upper surface of tender leaf in masses, covered with a buff coloured

hair and scales. The caterpillars are pale yellowish white and smooth.

Newly hatched larva moves on the leaf blade for 1-2 hours and later

reaches the leaf sheath and bores into the stem near the nodal region at

ground level. Larva feeding inside the stem results in the formation of

"dead heart" or "white ear" during vegetative and reproductive stages,

respectively and they can be easily pulled out. Pupation takes place into

stem and paddy stubbles.

2.2 Rice leaf folder

Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

It is a sporadic pest. Moth is golden or yellowish brown coloured with

light brown wings having two distinct dark wavy lines on forewings and

one line on hind wings. Both wings have dark brown band on their outer

margin. Caterpillar is greenish white, but it turns to greenish yellow, when

fully grown. Larva folds the leaf blade longitudinally or joins the leaf tip

to the basal part of the leaf blade with silken threads and feeds by

scrapping the chlorophyll content. It results initially in whitish

membranous folded leaves and later on gives scorched appearance.

Pupation takes place inside the folded leaf.

2.3 Brown plant hopper

Nilaparvata lugens (Stal) (Hemiptera : Delphacidae)

It is most destructive pest in paddy growing areas. Adult is brown to

brownish black with brown eyes while the nymph is pale white with

brownish tinge and greyish blue eyes. Both nymphs and adults suck the

cell sap from basal portion of plant, clustering at the base of rice clump

and deposit eggs in masses by lacerating the parenchyma tissue. They also

inject toxic saliva while feeding which results in “hopper burn”.

Excessive sap drain from the plant results in yellowing of leaves initially

and due to continuous feeding whole plant dries. Drying of plants occur in


isolated patches and gradually in a circular manner, exhibiting hopper

burn symptom. Severe infestation results in development of sooty mould.

They are also vector of grassy stunt virus disease in paddy.

2.4 Rice green leaf hopper

Nephotettix nigropictus (Stal), N.virescens (Distant)

(Hemiptera : Cicadellidae)

These are small, active wedge shaped leafhoppers with prominent black

spots in the males which extend up to the black distal portion of the

forewings. Female is generally entirely green without any black tinge on

pronotum. Both nymphs and adults suck sap from the leaves and cause

uniform yellowing of leaves from mid-half. leafhoppers transmit virus

diseases viz., transmit rice dwarf, rice yellow dwarf, rice transitory

yellowing and rice tungro.

2.5 Rice earhead bug/Gundhi bug

Leptocorisa oratorius (Thunberg) (Hemiptera : Coreidae)

Adult is brownish, slender with long legs. Nymphs are greenish in early

instar later on it become brownish. These bugs emit characteristic

unpleasant odour which indicate their presence in the field, hence the

name was given "Gundhi bug". This pest appears on rice just before

flowering stage and continues until panicles ripen. Both the nymph and

adult suck juice from grains during milky stage which causing grains

become shrivelled and chaffy. Brown spot is observed at the feeding site

ultimately formation of sooty mould.

2.6 Rice hispa

Dicladispa armigera (Olivier)(Coleoptera : Hispidae)

Beetle is bluish black and shiny with spines on thorax and elytra. Adults

scrape green matter on upper surface of leaf blade causing. Whitish leaf

tips of young leaves giving dried up appearance White, rectangular streaks

parallel to veins on older leaves, which initially appear glistening,

membranous, papery white, later turning pale reddish, grubs feed on leaf

tissue inside the leaf mine causing.

Q.1 Answer the following questions on the basis of damage samples during

the field observation.

(A) How would you identify the adults of following insect pests?

i. Paddy stem borer


ii. Rice leaf folder

iii. Brown plant hopper

(B) Give specific marks of identification of the immature stages of the

following insect pests.

i. Rice hispa

ii. Rice earhead bug/gundhy bug

(C) Which diseases are transmitted by the following insect pests?

i. Green Leaf Hopper:

ii. Brown Plant Hopper:

(D) Explain or define the following terms.

i. Dead heart in Paddy

ii. Hopper burn

(E) Give reasons for the following.

i. Higher doses of nitrogenous fertilizers should be avoided in paddy crop.

ii. Tips of paddy seedlings should be removed before transplanting.


iii. Paddy stubbles should be removed immediately after harvesting the crop.

iv. Water should be drained out from the paddy field during hopper infestation.

(F) Furnish the following information as per the requirement.

Sr.

No.

Name of

Pest

Oviposition Damaging

stage/s

Site of

pupation

Effective

chemical

control Site Pattern

i Paddy stem

borer

ii Rice leaf

folder

iii Brown

plant

hopper

iv. Rice hispa

(F) State Integrated Management Strategy for the Major Insect Pests of

Paddy.


EXERCISE- 3 DATE:

PESTS OF SORGHUM, MAIZE, PEARL MILLET AND WHEAT

3.1 Sorghum

3.1.1 Sorghum shoot fly /Stem fly

Atherigona soccata Rondani (Diptera : Muscidae)

Adult is dark grey in colour and looks like a small housefly. Abdominal

segments of male and female bear 6 and 4 dark spots respectively,

arranged in two rows. Maggot is pale yellow, apodous and tapering at one

end. Eggs are laid singly on under surface of leave of during its life span

of about one month of seedlings (six leaf stage). The tiny maggot creep

out and reach in between sheath, axis and bore into the stem. The growing

point is destroyed. Young seedling dries and exhibits the dead heart

symptoms. Infected plant produces tillers, which may also be attacked by

the pest. Pupation takes place inside the stem or in the soil.

3.1.2 Sorghum stem borer

Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

Adult is yellowish grey moths about 25 mm across the wings when

spread. Caterpillar is dirty greyish white with black head which having

four brownish longitudinal stripes on the back. The female lays eggs on

under surface of leaves of various host plants. Eggs are flat, oval and

yellowish and the pattern of egg lying as overlapping and laid in batches.

Initially, the larvae feed on leaves causing few shot holes. Later on, the

larvae bore their way downwards through the central shoot and cause dead

heart as such young plants can be easily pulled out. The Chaffy ear-heads

produced in later stages. Pupation takes place inside the stem.

3.1.3 Sorghum midge

Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillett) (Diptera : Cecidomyiidae)

Adult fly is a tiny, fragile and mosquito like insect which having a bright

orange abdomen and a pair of transparent wings. Eggs are laid singly

within spikelet's of sorghum when the pollen is being shed. The maggots

feed on the ovaries and destroy the developing grains causing production

of chaffy florets/ grains.

3.1.4 Sorghum aphid / corn aphid

Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) (Hemiptera : Aphididae)

Adult is black/ green with dark green legs, winged or wingless. Nymphs

are yellowish. Nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from leaves and tender


ear-heads leading to mottled appearance with yellow patches, failure of

grains to develop in ear-head and formation of sooty mould due to

honeydew excretion on the plants.

3. 2 Maize

3.2.1 Stem borer

Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera : Crambidae)

(As per sorghum stem borer)

3.2.2 Pink stem borer

Sesamia inferens (Walker) (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

(As per wheat stem borer)

3.2.3 Corn worm/Earworm

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

Moth is yellowish brown with dark specks and dark area near the outer

margin of each wing. Fore wings are marked with greyish wavy lines and

black spots of varying size on the upper side and a black kidney shaped

mark on the underside. The hind wings are whitish and lighter in colour

with a broad blackish band along the outer margin. Larva is green with

dark broken grey lines and dark pale bands; shows colour variation from

greenish to brown. Larva feeds on silk and developing grains.

3.3 Pearl millet

3.3.1 Shoot fly

Atherigona soccata Rondani (Diptera : Muscidae)

(As per sorghum shoot fly)

3.3.2 Stem borer

Chilo partellus (Lepidoptera : Crambidae)

(As per sorghum stem borer)

3.3.3 Pink stemborer

Sesamia inferens (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

(As per wheat stem borer)

3.3.4 Blister beetle

Cylindrothorax ruficollis (Oliver) (Coleoptera : Meloidae)

The beetles are bluish black with reddish brown stripes across their elytra.

Other species are smaller with light brown or metallic greenish blue

colour. The adult insect secretes an acidic substances cantharid from its

body when disturbed which causing a blister on human body. Eggs are

laid in soil. The larvae feed on eggs of grass hopper laid in soil. The grain

setting is reduced due to feeding on pollen and flowers by the beetles.

Pupation takes place in soil.

10 Ag. Ento. 3.3 Pests of Field Crops and Their Management by Dr. M. V. Dabhi and Prof. Himansu Patle

2015

3.3.5 Myllocerus weevil

Myllocerus maculosus Desor (Coleoptera : Curculionidae)

Adult weevils are ash coloured or white. They feed on leaves by making

irregular notch on the margin of the leaf. Larva remain in soil and feeds

on the fine roots of the plant.

3.4 Wheat

3.4.1 Wheat Aphid

Sitobion avenae (F.) (Hemiptera : Aphididae)

The nymph and adult are pale green to dark green, louse like soft bodied

insect and appear on young leaves or ears in large number during the cold

and cloudy weather. Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from tender

plant, parts particularly from their ear heads.

3.4.2 Pink borer

Sesamia inferens (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

The moth is straw coloured and stout with three black dots on forewings.

The caterpillar is pinkish brown and has a smooth cylindrical body with

25 mm body size. Creamy white eggs are laid in clusters under the leaf

sheath. Dead heart is caused due to the feeding on central shoot by the

larva. The caterpillar pupates inside the stem.

3.4.3 Termites

Microtermes obesi, Odontotermes obesus (Isoptera : Termitidae)

The termites are social insects and their colony organization is based on a

caste system i.e. worker, soldiers, queen, king etc. They live underground

but make small earthen mounds and earthen passages that are visible

above the ground. Termites are apterous, white-yellow, flat, soft bodied

social insects with chewing biting mouth parts. The termites live on

cellulose material which they obtained from dead and living vegetative

matter. They can digest wood and cellulose due to presence of certain

protozoa in their digestive tracts. To obtain their food, they damage the

wheat crop and often confused with the symptoms caused by the root rot

of wheat. As a result of damage, there will be wilting and drying at all

stages of wheat crop.




i. Pink stem borer


2015

ii. Maize stem borer

iii. Aphid

iv. Blister beetle



i. Shoot fly

ii. Corn worm/Ear head worm

(C) Give the nature of damage for the following insect pests.

i. Shoot fly

ii. Maize stem borer

ii. Wheat termite

(D) Give reasons for the following.

i. Higher seed rate of sorghum is recommended for sorghum crop.

ii. Monocrotophos and phosphamidon should not be recommended in sorghum

crop.


2015

iii. Sorghum stubble should be removed immediately after harvesting crop.


Sr.

No.

Name of

Pest


stage/s

Site of

pupation

Effective

chemical


i Maize stem

borer

ii Shoot fly

iii Pink borer

iv. Corn worm


sorghum, maize and wheat.


2015

EXERCISE- 4 DATE:

PESTS OF PIGEONPEA, CHICKPEA AND GREENGRAM

4.1 Pigeonpea

4.1.1 Gram pod borer

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick (Lepidotera : Noctuidae)

Adult moth is yellowish brown to greenish in colour, dark speck and dark

area near the outer margin of each forewing and marked with greyish

wavy lines and dull black border on the hind wing with white colour.

Eggs are laid singly on the tender plant parts. The caterpillar is being

greenish with dark broken grey lines along the body sides. It shows colour

variation from greenish to brown. Caterpillar first feeds on foliage; later

bores into pods and feeds on seeds. Larva is seen feeding with the head

alone thrust inside the parts and the rest of the body hanging out.

Boreholes on pods, absence of seeds on pods and defoliation in early

stages are the symptoms of attack. The larval pupates in soil.

4.1.2 Plume moth

Exelastis atomosa (Walsingham) (Lepidoptera : Pterophoridae)

Adult plume moths have fringed wings that are held perpendicular to the

body at rest. Eggs are laid singly on buds and pods. The full-grown larva

is greenish brown and having short hairs on their body. The larva first

scrape the surface of the pods and later on bores into unopened buds,

flowers, tender pod and seeds. Pupation occurs in the damaged foliage.

4.1.3. Pod fly

Melanagromyza obtusa (Malloch) (Diptera : Agromyzidae)

The small, black fly is about 5 mm in length. Eggs are laid in the wall of

an immature pod. The maggots feed under the epidermis of the seed and

enter inside the seed. Pod fly infested pods do not show external evidence

of damage until the fully grown larvae make hole in the pod walls. This

hole provides an emergence "window" through which the adults exit from

the pod. Pod fly damaged seeds will not germinate and are unfit for

human consumption. The white maggots feed on the developing seed and

reach a length of 3 mm before pupation. The brown puparium is formed

between the remnant of the seed and the pod wall.


2015

4.1.4 Mite

Aceria cajani (Acarina : Eriophyidae)

The eriophyid mite is about 0.2 mm long and difficult to see without

magnification (10 x or more). They are light-colored, long and spindle-

shaped, and deposit their eggs on young foliage. Eriophyid mites are

generally found on the lower leaf surface. The eriophyid mite is the vector

of the pigeon pea sterility mosaic disease, the most serious viral disease of

this crop. Plants infected with sterility mosaic disease develop light green,

chlorotic foliage. Leaves have a mosaic pattern, and early infection results

in reproductively sterile plants (no flowers and pods).

4.2 Chickpea

4.2.1 Cutworm

Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The adult moth measures about 25 mm from head to tip of abdomen and

having dark or blackish with greyish patches on the back and dark streaks

on the fore wings. The caterpillar is slightly yellowish ranging from 1.5 -

45 mm long with a shiny, black head and a black shield on the prothorax

and later on become dark brown with a plump and greasy body. Eggs lay

in clusters of about 30 on the under surface of the leaves or in the soil by

the females. The young larvae feed on the epidermis of the leaves, while

mature one live in the heap of grasses, cracks and holes of the soil at day

time and come out at night time which fell the plants cutting their stems,

either below the surface or above the ground. The cut branches are also

dragged into the holes where the leaves are eaten at leisure. The pupation

takes place in the soil by covering with earthen chamber.

4.2.2 Gram pod borer

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick (Lepidotera : Noctuidae)

As per the pigeon pea

4.3 Black gram and Green gram

4.3.1 Bean aphid

Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera : Aphididae)

Aphid is greenish black to dark black coloured, oval to oblong in shape

and having cornicles at the end of abdomen. Both nymph and adult cause

the damage by sucking the cell sap from tender plant parts. Infested twigs,

flowers and pods become deshaped, withered and malformed. Severe

infestation may result in complete drying of affected pods. It is also act as

vector of cow pea mosaic virus.

4.3.2 Whitefly


2015

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera : Aleyrodidae)

Adult is a minute insect with yellow coloured body with white waxy

wings. After hatching, the crawler remain under the leaf surface for one to

two hours and then stick to surface up to the adult stage. Nymph is

greenish yellow, oval in outline along with puparia on the under surface of

leaves. The damage is caused by both nymphs and adults, which are found

in large numbers. They suck cell sap from plant parts and lower its

vitality. Severe infestation results in premature defoliation, development

of sooty mould or honey dew and shedding of flowers and pods. It is also

a vector of yellow mosaic disease.




i. Whitefly

ii. Gram pod borer

iii. Bean aphid



i. Chickpea pod borer

ii. Pod fly


i. Pod fly

ii. Chickpea pod borer


2015

iii. Cut worm

(D) Give vectors for the following diseases and give effective chemical

control measures for these pests.

i. Yellow mosaic disease of green gram:

ii. Sterility mosaic of pigeon pea:

iii. Cow pea mosaic:


Sr.

No.

Name of

Pest


stage/s

Site of

pupation

Effective

chemical


i Chick pea

pod borer

ii Cut worm

iii Pod fly

iv. Mite


pulses.


2015

EXERCISE- 5 DATE:

PESTS OF GROUNDNUT AND MUSTARD

5.1 Groundnut

5.1.1 Whitegrub

Holotrichia consanguinea Blanch , H. Serrata F.

(Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae)

Adults emerge out of soil during first satisfactory rain showers at dusk,

adults mate and feed on the leaves of the trees viz., neem, drumstick,

subabul etc. Early in the morning get back and burrow into the soil and

lay the eggs in the loose soil at a depth of 12 -15 cm. Upon hatching grubs

feed on dead organic matter, later on to root nodules, fine root lets and

also girdle the main root ultimately killing the plants. In case of severe

infestation the patches of dead plants are seen in the one same row and

side by rows of infested fields. The cut end of the attacked stem of a dead

groundnut plant is swollen. Adult is creamy with soft white elytra with the

lapse of time, the colour changes to brown. Full grown grub is curved "C"

shaped and dirty creamy white with a brown head with strong mandibles.

They are curled up in position. Pupation takes place in an earthen cocoon

in soil and beetle in the same cocoon hibernate up to the next season.

5.1.2 Leaf miner

Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae)

Young larvae initially mine into the leaflets, feed on the mesophyll and

form small brown blotches on the leaf. The leaflets get distorted, dried up

due to feeding in due course of time. Severely attacked field looks "burnt"

from a distance. The adult moth is brownish grey 6 mm long with 10 mm

wing expansion and forewings are with white spot on the costal margin.

Full grown caterpillar is greenish with a small dark head. Pupation is takes

place inside the blotch mine.

5.1.3 Red hairy caterpillar

Amsacta albistriga (Wlk.), Amsacta moorei(Butr.)

(Lepidoptera : Arctiidae)


2015

Initially the larvae feed gregariously and later on solitary. The caterpillars

cause defoliation of the crop, all the leaves eaten away leaving the main

stem alone. The adult moth is having white wings, forewing

with brownish streak all over and yellowish streak along the anterior

margin while, the hind wing with black marking. Hairy caterpillar is

reddish brown with black band on either end having long reddish brown

hairs all over the body.

5.1.4 Aphid

Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera : Aphididae)

Aphid is greenish black to dark black coloured, oval to oblong in shape

and having pair of cornicles at the end of abdomen. Both nymph and adult

cause the damage by sucking the cell sap from tender plant parts and

flowers. Infested twigs and flowers become deshaped, withered and

malformed. Severe infestation may result in complete drying of affected

shoots and flowers. It is also transmit the groundnut rosette virus and stunt

virus disease.

5.2 Mustard

5.2.1 Aphid

Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) (Hemiptera : Aphididae)

Wingless, female, aphids (called apterae) are yellowish green, gray green

or olive green with a white waxy bloom covering the body. The winged,

female, adult aphids (called alate) have a dusky green abdomen with dark

lateral stripes separating the body segments and dusky wing veins. Nymph

and adult aphids feed by sucking the cell sap from the tender plant parts.

The mustard aphid also found in large numbers on the undersides of

leaves, on twigs, in the inflorescences (flowers) and on pods also. In

severe infestations, both sides of inflorescences and twigs are infested.

Large colonies can cause damage to the plant parts which become

deformed, curled, shrivelled and dried.

5.2.2 Painted bug

Bagrada hilaris (Burm.) (Hemiptera : Pentatomidae)

The nymph is black with a number of brown markings while, the adult

bug is black with red and yellowish markings on the body. Eggs are laid

singly on pods or leaves. Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from

the leaves and developing pods, which gradually wilt and dry up. The

nymphs and adult bugs also excrete a sort of resinous material which

spoils the pods. Ultimately yield and oil content is reduced.

5.2.3 Sawfly


2015

Athalia lugens proxima Klug (Tenthridinidae: Hymenoptera)

The adult wasp is small orange yellow with black markings on the body,

smoky wings with black veins. The larva is greenish black with wrinkled

body and has eight pairs of pro-legs. Eggs are laid singly on leaf margins.

The larva feeds on the leaves nibbling leaves initially, biting holes later

causing skeletonization of leaves. On touch the larva falls to ground and

feigns death. Pupation is in an earthen cocoon in the soil.




i. Whitegrub

ii. Painted bug

iii. Mustard aphid



i. Red hairy caterpillar

ii. Mustard sawfly


i. Whitegrub

ii. Mustard aphid

iii. Groundnut Leaf miner


2015

(D) Furnish the following information as per the requirement.

Sr.

No.

Name of

Pest


stage/s

Site of

pupation

Effective

chemical


i Whitegrub

ii Leaf miner

iii Painted

bug

iv. Sawfly

(E) State Integrated Management Strategy for the following crops.

(i) Major insect pests of Groundnut:

(ii) Major insect pests of Mustard:


2015

EXERCISE- 6 DATE:

PESTS OF CASTOR,SOYABEAN AND SESAMUM

6.1 Castor

6.1.1 Castor semilooper

Achaea janata Linn. (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

Adult is a pale reddish brown moth, stoutly with wing expansion of 6-7

cm. wings are decorated with broad zig-zag markings, a large pale area

and dark brown patches. Female moth lays bluish green rounded and

ridged eggs singly on lower surface of leaf. The larva is dark and marked

with prominent blue-black, yellow and reddish stripes and a pair of

reddish processes. Also a dorsal hump near the head end of the body with

a white mark on the head. The first pair of prolegs is reduced so called as

a semilooper. The caterpillars feed voraciously on castor leaves, starting

from the edges inwards and leaving behind only the midribs and stalks.

Maximum damage observed during August-September with excessive

loss of foliage. Seed yield is also decreased. Pupation takes place in the

soil or among fallen leaves.

6.1.2 Castor capsule borer

Dichocrocis punctiferalis Gn.(Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

The moths are orange yellow with black markings on the both pairs of the

wings. The full grown caterpillar is 25-30 mm long, reddish brown with

black blotches all over the body and pale stripes on the lateral side. The

attack done by the caterpillar recognized from a distance by the webbed

capsule heads. The caterpillar bore in to the shoots, capsules, seeds and

feed on inert material. The quality and yield is reduced considerably due

to damage in the capsule and seed. Pupation occurs inside the damaged

stem, capsule or seed with covering of a thin silken cocoon.

6.1.3 Leaf eating caterpillar

Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera : Noctudiae)


2015

The adult moth is stout and yellowish forewing having longitudinal,

transverse and oblique lines. The hind wings are totally white in colour.

The caterpillar has three pale yellowish longitudinal lines running along

the body with two black dots on each of the first and eight abdominal

segments. The eggs laid in masses under surface of leaves. The early

instar larvae feed gregariously on the under surface of the leaf leading to

skeletonization of it. Later on the larva feed solitary, defoliate the plants

in severe infestation. The pupation takes place in the soil.

6.1.4 Whitefly

Trialeurodes ricini (Misra) (Hemiptera : Aleyrodidae)

The adult body is pale yellow, white wings covered with waxy powder. It

lays eggs in clusters on the under surface of leaves. Initially crawler move

on the leaf for 1-1.5 hrs and stick to the surface up to the adult

development. Both nymphs and adults suck the sap and cause yellowing

and drying of leaves.

6.2 Soyabean

6.2.1 Aphid

Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

These aphids are small, yellow-bodied insects with distinct black

cornicles, and may be either winged or wingless. They are typically slow-

moving, often found on the underside of the newest growth on a soybean

plant. The soybean aphid feeds using needle-like sucking mouthparts to

extract plant juices. If aphids are present in large numbers, this feeding

may cause a reduction in plant vigour, growth as well as leaf puckering,

reduced pod/seed counts, and ultimately reduced yield. Aphid also

secretes the honeydew, produced as a waste product during feeding,

promotes the development of sooty mold on leaf surfaces which reducing

photosynthetic activity of plants.

6.2.2 Jassid

Empoasca Kerri (Pruthi) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Adults and nymphs are light green in colour and suck the cell sap from

leaves and stem. The infested leaves start yellowing from the margins. It

also inserts the toxic material in the leaves which cause reddening of the

affected parts. In case of severe attack, all the leaves become yellow and

eventually fall off from the plants.

6.2.3 Whitefly



2015

The adult body is pale yellow, white wings covered with waxy powder. It

lays eggs in clusters on the under surface of leaves. Initially crawler move

on the leaf for 1-1.5 hrs and stick to the surface up to the adult

development. Both nymphs and adults suck the sap and cause yellowing

and drying of leaves.

6.2.4 Hairy caterpillar

Spilosoma oblique Walker (Lepidoptera : Arctiidae)

The adult moth is medium sized with brown wing and red abdomen. The

larva is covered with long yellowish to black hairs on the body. The eggs

laid in cluster on the underside of the leaves. Young larvae feed

gregariously on chlorophyll content mostly on the under surface of the

leaves, due to which the leaves look like brownish-yellow in colour. In

later stages the larvae eat the leaves from the margin. The leaves of the

plant give an appearance of net or web.

6.3 Sesamum

6.3.1 Leaf webber or leaf roller or capsule borer

Antigastra catalaunalis (Crambidae: Lepidoptera)

The larva is greenish in colour with black head having short white hairs

on the body. The adult is pale brown medium sized moth with reddish

yellow forewings. The female lay shiny pale-green eggs on the tender

plant parts. The young larvae roll together a few top leaves and feed them.

In the early stage of infestation, the plant dies without producing any

branch or shoot. In later stage of attack, infested shoots stop growing. At

flowering, larvae feed inside the flowers and on capsule formation, larvae

bore into capsule and feed on developing seeds.

6.3.2 Til hawkmoth or Death's Head Moth

Acherontia styx (Sphingidae: Lepidoptera)

The adult moth is a large reddish brown, robust thick with a wing span of

about 10 cm. the fore wings are decorated with a mixture of dark brown

and grey pattern with dark or black wavy markings and a prominent

yellow spot on each wing. There is a prominent Death's Head mark on the

thorax. The adult is also harmful because it sucks honey from the combs

in apiaries. The full grown caterpillar with 5 cm length and 1 cm width

and often retracts its anterior body segments and looks like sphinx. It

having horn like projection on the hind end of abdomen and also

decorated with mix of soft colours. The female lay globular single egg on

the underside of the leaves. The young larvae roll together a few top

leaves and feed them. In the early stage of infestation, the plant dies


2015

without producing any branch or shoot. In later stage of attack, infested

shoots stop growing. At flowering, larvae feed inside the flowers and on

capsule formation, larvae bore into capsule and feed on developing seeds.

The pupation takes place in the soil.




i. Castor capsule borer

ii. Leaf eating caterpillar

iii. Til hawk moth



i. Leaf eating caterpillar

ii. Castor semi-looper


i. Castor capsule borer

ii. Leaf-webber in Sesamum


2015

iii. Soybean jassid


Sr.

No.

Name of

Pest


stage/s

Site of

pupation

Effective

chemical


i Leaf eating

caterpillar

ii Castor

semilooper

iii Castor

capsule

borer

iv. Sesamum

pod borer

v. Soybean

whitefly

vi. Til hawk

moth

(E) State Integrated Management Strategy for the following crops.

(i) Major insect pests of Castor:

(ii) Major insect pests of Sesamum:


2015

EXERCISE- 7 DATE:

PESTS OF COTTON

7.1 Spotted bollworm

Earias vitella Fabricius , Earias insulan Boisd. (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

Adult of E. vitella has pale whitish fore wings with a broad greenish band

in the middle, while E. insulana has completely green forewings. The

female moth lays spherical, sculptured bluish eggs singly or in groups on

various tender parts of the plant. The caterpillars of both the species have

a number of black and brown spots on the body and hence the name given

as spotted boll worm. The spotted bollworm appears about 6 weeks after

sowing and initially damages the tender shoot by boring into it which

resulting in “drying of central shoots”, withers and drops down. The

larvae later bore into the flower buds, squares and bolls and feed the inert

material. The larva inserts head inside the boll and feeds by filling the boll

with its excreta. A larva may move out and feed on another bud or boll.

The feeding causes severe shedding of early formed flower buds and

bolls. Pupation takes place generally in fallen material, outside the boll,

on plant surfaces and in cracks and crevices of the soil.

7.2 American bollworm

Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Hardwick (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

Moth is stout, medium sized with brownish/greyish forewings with a dark

cross band near outer margin and dark spots near costal margins. The

spherical, yellowish eggs are laid singly on tender parts and buds of

plants. Caterpillars are of varying colour, initially brown and later turn


2015

greenish with darker broken lines along the side of the body. Young larva

feeds on the leaves for sometimes and then attacks squares and bolls.

Internal tissues are eaten severely and completely hollowed out. While

feeding, the caterpillar thrust its head inside leaving the rest of the body

outside. Bolls are bored at the base of flower buds which are hollowed

out, bracts of damaged flower buds spread out and curl down wards. The

full grown caterpillar pupates in the soil in an earthen cell.

7.3 Pink bollworm

Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera : Gelechiidae)

Adult is small deep brown in colour with numerous small black spots on

the wings. Female lays flattish scale like whitish eggs singly on various

parts of young shoots. The freshly hatched larvae are white and turn pink

as they grow older one. The full grown, uniformly pinkish larvae

measures about 8-16 mm with dark brown head and prothoracic shield. It

is found inside flower buds, panicles and bolls of cotton or the host plants.

The larvae do most spectacular damage to practically mature cotton bolls

which they enter mostly at such a tiny stage of just hatched larvae that

their entry holes get healed in which they remain, devouring both seed and

fibre forming tissues. Pupation occurs on the ground, among fallen leaves,

debris, etc. The larva is the dormant stage after the last generation.

7.4 Leaf eating caterpillar

Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

As per the castor crop.

7.5 Leaf hopper

Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) (Hemiptera : Cicadellidae)

The adult is a wedge shaped which having a black spot on each forewing

and two small black spots on the vertex. Both the nymphs and adults

move diagonally, when disturbed. The eggs are usually inserted into the

spongy parenchymatous tissue between the vascular bundles and the

epidermis. Nymph and adult suck the cell sap from the plant tissue.

During this process, they also inject a toxin through its saliva into the

plant tissue which resulting into hopper burn. In susceptible varieties, the

attack results in mottling accompanied by the downward curling of the

entire lamina with brown necrotic patches.

7.6 Cotton aphid

Aphis gossypii Glover (Hemiptera : Aphididae)

Adult is small, soft, yellowish green or greenish brown in colour. It is

found in colonies of hundreds on the tender shoot and the under surface of


2015

tender leaves. Nymphs are light yellowish green or brownish or greenish

black in colour. They colonise at growing points, lower surface of leaves

and tender shoots. Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap by remaining

on the lower surface of the leaves. The photosynthetic activity is hindered

due to development of black sooty mould due to honeydew excretion on

infested parts.

7.6 Mealybug

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley(Hemiptera : Pseudococcidae)

Earlier it was a minor pest with isolated incidence. Adult females covered

with a powdery, waxy secretion with six pairs of transverse, dark bands

that are located across the pro- to meta-thoracic segments. A series of

waxy filaments extend from around the margin of the body with the pair

of terminal filaments longest. The ovisac is composed of fluffy, loose-

textured wax strands. But, now a days it is one of the important the pest

has been reported to infest cotton in alarming situation by sucking sap

from all aerial parts of the plant. The pest initially is restricted to a few

plants. If the infestation is not checked in a few isolated spots, it spreads

to all corners of the field. The extraction of phloem feeding sap by the

mealybug results in the leaves and other reproductive parts of the plant

turning yellow and becoming crinkled or malformed, which leads to loss

of plant vigour, foliage and fruit-drop and potential death of the plant, if

not treated.

7.7 Whitefly


As per the soyabean crop. The ETL level for whitefly is 5 - 10 /leaf.

7.8 Thrips

Thrips tabaci Lindermann (Thysanoptera : Thripidae)

It is a polyphagous pest which damages too many host plants. The Nymph

is very minute, slender, yellowish and microscopic. The Adult thrips is

small, slender and yellowish to brown with fringed wings. The adult

female lays their into the tissue of leaves. The damage caused by the

thrips showed the shrivelling of leaves due to scrapping of epidermis, de-

sapping, attacked terminal buds-have ragged edges and silvery shine on

the under surface of leaves. The pupation takes place in the soil. The ETL

level of thrips is 50 nymphs or adults/50 leaves in affected host plant.

7.9 Mite

Thrips tabaci Lindermann (Thysanoptera : Thripidae)


2015

The two spotted spider mite is one of the most polyphagous arthropods

that feeds and damage too many host plants. It is greenish to a straw

yellow in colour, and has “red-eye” spots and dark pigmentation on the

sides of its body. The eggs are spherical and translucent when first laid,

but become opaque with age, and can be found scattered about the

webbing. The larva is round about the same size as the egg, translucent

(except the red eyespots), having three pairs of legs. But once it begins

feeding turns pale green to straw color and the characteristic black spots

begin to form on the dorsum (back). The protonymph is larger and more

oval, and has four pairs of legs, as do all succeeding stages. The two

dorsal spots are more pronounced, and the green color is slightly deeper.

The deutonymph is slightly larger than the preceding stage. Foliar feeding

by the two spotted spider mite results in yellow speckling of the leaves or

reddish-brown spots as the damage intensifies.




i. Spotted bollworm

ii. Cotton leafhopper

iii. Mealybug



i. Pink bollworm

ii. Spotted bollworm


i. Pink bollworm


2015

ii. Mealybug

iii. Difference between the damage symptoms and feeding behaviour by

American bollworm and spotted bollworm


Sr.

No.

Name of

Pest


stage/s

Site of

pupation

Effective

chemical


i Pink

bollworm

ii Spotted

bollworm

iii Mealybug

iv. Leaf

hopper

v. Mite

(E) State Integrated Management Strategy for the major insect pests of

cotton crop.


2015

EXERCISE- 8 DATE:

PESTS OF TOBACCO

8.1 Leaf eating caterpillar

Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

As per the castor crop.

8.2 Tobacco aphid

Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera : Aphididae)

The apterae (wingless) are generally yellowish-green but vary from

whitish or pale yellowish green to mid-green, rose-pink or red. The alate

(winged) has a solid pigmented area occupying the mid-abdominal

dorsum from segments 3 to 6, as well as further bars on adjoining

segments. Aphids suck the cell sap of plant parts, as a result of which

leaves turn pale and dry up. This pest also transmits potato leaf roll viral

disease.

8.3 Whitefly


As per the soyabean crop. The ETL level for whitefly is 5 - 10 /leaf. It

transmits the tobacco leaf curl virus disease and other diseases in

vegetable crops.

8.4 Tobacco stem borer


2015

Scrobipalpa heliopa (Lower) (Lepidoptera : Gelechidae)

The moths are small, active, pale brown closely allied to the potato tuber

moth. The caterpillars are small and brownish white in colour with dark

head. Cigar shaped eggs are laid on leaf-stalks and upper surface of

leaves. Tiny caterpillars mine along the leaf stalk into the stem and feed

on the internal tissues. Due to larval feeding seedlings and young plants

have stem galls and sprouted side branches, plants stunted, distorted and

withered.




i. Tobacco leaf eating caterpillar

ii. Whitefly

iii. Aphid



i. Tobacco stem borer

ii. Whitefly


i. Tobacco leaf eating caterpillar

ii. Tobacco stem borer

iii. Difference between the damage symptoms and feeding behaviour by

Whitefly and aphid


2015


Sr.

No.

Name of

Pest


stage/s

Site of

pupation

Effective

chemical


i Tobacco

stem borer

ii Leaf eating

caterpillar

iii Aphid

iv. Whitefly

v. Tobacco

bud borer


tobacco crop.


2015

EXERCISE- 9 DATE:

PESTS OF SUGARCANE

9.1 Sugarcane top borer

Scripophaga excerptalis Walker (Lepidoptera : Crambidae)

The larva is smooth, white or cream coloured with a red coloured mid

dorsal lines. Female adult moth is white coloured and orange to buff

coloured anal tuft of hairs at tip of abdominal. In case of certain males,

each of the forewings has a black spot. The adult female lays their egg

masses near the midrib of the plant. Parallel rows of shot holes are found

in the emerging leaves. There are also red tunnels in the midribs of leaves.

Dead heart symptoms like reddish brown of stem, bunchy top appearance

due to growth of side shoots is observed and infected plant canes cannot

be easily pulled out.

9.2 Sugarcane shoot borer (Early shoot borer)

Chilo infuscatellus Snellen (Lepidoptera : Crambidae)

Adult moth having straw coloured fore-wings, whitish hind wings with

apical light buff areas and wing-span 25-40mm. The larva is 20mm long,

white and mottled with brown when fully grown. Eggs are laid in 3-5


2015

rows in masses of 4-100 near the leaf sheath or leaves. Young larvae

make small holes especially in the leaf-sheaths which later on killed the

growing points. First the terminal leaves may die and form characteristic

dead heart. Older larvae make tunnel in stems eating out extensive

galleries and excreting frass which resembles moist sawdust. Tunnelled

stems may break, especially in high winds.

9.3 Sugarcane root borer

Emmalocera depressella Swinhoe (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae)

A full grown caterpillar is creamy white with yellowish brown head and

rather wrinkled body. Damage is caused by the caterpillars which feed on

the underground portions of plants, resulting in drying up of the central

whorl of leaves. This pest is primarily destructive to young plants and the

attack is particularly severe from April to June. Plants attacked after the

formation of canes are not killed, although their weight and sugar content

are reduced.

9.4 Sugarcane leafhopper

Pyrilla perpusilla Walker (Hemiptera : Lophopidae)

Adults are straw coloured with two pairs of wings folded like a roof on

the back and the head prominently drawn forward as a beak of bird. Eggs

are laid on the underside of leaves in clusters, covered over with a white

filamentous waxy material secreted by the female. Both adults and

nymphs suck the cell sap usually from the underside of leaves and reduce

the plant vigour. In severe cases, the leaves dry up and the plant is stunted.

Besides sucking the sap, they also excrete honey dew that spreads on the

leaves which a black sooty mold develops adversely affecting

photosynthesis and ultimately the yield is reduced.

9.5 Sugarcane whitefly

Aleurolobus barodensis (Maskell) (Hemiptera : Aleurodidae)

Both nymphs and adults suck the cell sap from leaves due to which it

dries up and characteristic yellow streaks appear along the length.

Nymphs are sedentary, while adults are found moving from one plant to

another plant. Severely attacked plants become stunted.

9.6 Sugarcane woolly aphid

Ceratovacuna lanigera Zhnt. (Hemiptera : Pemphigidae)

Adults colonise on either side of mid rib, covered with white puff material

on underside of leaves. Nymphs develop white waxy and mealy

filamentous material from third instar. Nymphs and adults suck cell sap


2015

from under surface of leaves resulting in white and yellow spot on leaves,

drying of leaves, sooty mold on leaves and activity of ants.




i. Sugarcane shoot borer

ii. Sugarcane pyrilla

iii. Sugarcane top borer



i. Sugarcane shoot borer



i. Sugarcane woolly aphid


iii. Difference between the damage symptoms by Sugarcane shoot borer

and Sugarcane root borer


2015


Sr.

No.

Name of

Pest


stage/s

Site of

pupation

Effective

chemical


i Sugarcane

shoot borer

ii Sugarcane

top borer

iii Sugarcane

pyrilla

iv. Sugarcane

root borer


sugarcane crop.

Documents

Practical Manual Pests of Field Crops and Their Management