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

4. Gram pod borer

4.Gram pod borer - Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)

Damage

• Larva feeds on flower heads and seeds. Adult is a medium sized mom with 'V' shaped speck and dull black border on hind wing.
  
• Full-grown larva is greenish with dark brown grey lines along sides of body.
  
• Spherical, yellowish white eggs are laid singly on buds and flowers.
  
Bionomics

• Larval period lasts for 15 to 20 days. It pupates in the soil and pupal period is 10 to 15 days.
  
Management

• Hand pick and destroy larvae.
  
• Use pheromone traps to attract and kill adult moths.
  
• Spray dimethoate 0.03 % /l.