Insect Pests of Fruit, Plantation, Medicinal & Aromatic Crops (2+1)

1. Stemborer

1. Stemborer - Sahydrassus (= Phassus) malabaricus M. (Hepialidae: Lepidoptera)

Damage

• The caterpillar bores in the stem at the base of the tree resulting bore hole with circular particle mat covering on the stem and wilting of the tree.
Bionomics

• The adult moth is big brownish white in colour. The larva is stout caterpillar.
Management

• Remove and destroy damaged branches and trees along with larvae.
• Use light trap at 1/ha attract and kill adults.
• Locate live hole and kill caterpillar by spiking with an iron hook.
• Inject or pour monocrotophos 10 ml+water 10 ml mixture and cover with mud. Follow stem injection after harvest of fruits and subsequent harvest should be done 40 days later from first stem injection.