Insect Pests of Vegetable, Ornamental and Spice Crops (2+1)

INSECT PESTS OF TARO

INSECT PESTS OF TARO (ARUM) I.E. COLOCASIA AND ALOCASIA

1. White spotted flea beetle, Monolepta signata (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera)

• Distribution: Pest is more active in south India than in north India.
• Host range: Taro, beat roots, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, etc..

• Beetles bite holes in leaves
• Damage the leaf lamella thus reducing the yield
• In young plants severe infestation may result in its complete destruction.
• The adult beetle is 3-4 mm, reddish brown
• Elytra pale brown with two big white spots
• Control: Spray carbaryl @ 0.1%

2. Leaf eating caterpillars

• Pericallia ricini, commonly known as woolly bear
• Agrius convolvuli (Sphingidae : Lepidoptera)
• Theretra gnoma
• T. Pinastrina

Management

• As soon as the attack is noticed spray the crop with either of the following insecticides
• Carbaryl @ 0.1% or malathion @ 0.05%

3.Aphids

• Banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa
• P. galadii
• Cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii

4. Thrips

• Groundnut thirps, Caliothrips indicus
• Banana leaf thrips, Heliothrips kadaliphilus
• Greenhouse thirps, H. haemorrhoidalis

INSECT PESTS OF ELEPHANT FOOT

• Leaf eating beetle, Galerucida bicolor, (Gallerucidae: Coleoptera)
• Leaf eating caterpillars
• Pericallia ricini (Arctiidae: Lepidoptera)
• Spodoptera littoralis (Noctuidae: Lepidoptera)
• Theretra gnoma

INSECT PESTS OF YAM

• Leaf eating beetles:
• Galerucida bicolor (Galerucidae : Coleoptera)
• Lema lacorelairei
• Crioceris impressa
• Mealy bugs:
• Geococcus coffeae
• Planococcus citri
• Phenococcus gossypii