PESTS OF SORGHUM :: Minor Pests :: Semilooper

17. Semilooper: Eublemma silicula  (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)

Damage symptoms: Extensive webbing of grains and presence of broken grains can be seen on the ear head.

Bionomics: The adult moth is small with reddish buff coloured wings having wavy lines.  Eggs are laid on spikelet and grain.  The egg period is four days.  Larva is pale yellow.  Larval period lasts for 12-13 days.  It pupates within the gallery for about 12 days.

ETL: Caterpillar 2 nos. / earhead

Management: Spray two to three rounds of phosalone 750mi in 500 L of water at fortnightly interval.