1. Anarbutterfly

1. Anarbutterfly - Virachola isocrates Fab. (Lycaenidae: Lepidoptera)
    Damage
    • The larva bores inside the developing fruits and feeds on the pulp and seeds.
    • The infested fruits are infected by fungi and bacteria causing fruit rot disease.
    • The damaged fruits ultimately fall off and give an offensive odour.
    • It causes 40-90 per cent damage to the fruits.
    Anarbutterfly- damage

    Bionomics
    • The adult butterfly is medium sized with wing expanse of 40-50 mm.
    • The female moth is glossy brownish violet while the male is bluish violet in colour.
    • The female lays eggs singly on the calyx of flowers and on small fruits.
    • The egg period is 7-10 days.
    • The young larvae bore into the developing fruits.
    • The larval period is completed in 18-47 days. It pupates inside the fruits.
    • The pupal period last for 7-34 days.
    • It completes four generations per year.

    Anarbutterfly

    Management
    • Grow less susceptible varieties.
    • Remove calyx from the fruits to prevent the hatching of eggs and subsequent damage.
    • Collect and destroy the infested fruits.
    • Cover the fruits with polythene or muslin bags during flowering period to prevent egg laying when fruits are up to 5 cm diametre
    • Spray NSKE 5% or neem oil 2% as oviposition deterrent, 2 to 3 times at 15 days interval commencing from flowering and during butterfly activity.
    • Adopt ETL (5 eggs / plant with bearing capacity of 60 fruits).
    • Release egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis at 1 lakh / acre.
    • Spray thiochlopril 2 ml/ litre of water.
    • Ensure minimum waiting period of 10 days between the day of insecticide application and harvesting of fruits in the field.

Last modified: Wednesday, 8 February 2012, 5:07 PM