TNAU Agritech Portal :: Crop Protection

Crop Protection : Pests of Bengal Gram

Cut worm: Agrotis ipsilon

Symptoms of damage

The caterpillar remains the soil at a depth of 2-4 inches.
The caterpillars cut the tender plants at the base, and branches or stems of growing plants.
The caterpillars drag the cut parts into soil for feeding.
The buried stem or branches is almost the sure index of the place where the caterpillar is hiding

Identification of the pest

Eggs - are laid on earth clods, chickpea stem bases and on both sides of leaves.
Larva - is dark brown with red head.
Pupa -Pupation takes place in earthen cocoon.
Adult- moth are brownish with numerous wavy lines and spots, measuring 3 to 5 cm across wings

Larva

Management

Deep summer ploughing.
Use well decomposed organic manure.
Adapt crop rotation.
Early sowing in the last week of October.
Intercropping with wheat or Linseed or Mustard reduces infestation.
In the early stages pick the insects and destroy.
Do not grow Tomato or Lady Finger in near by field.
Grow marigold on bunds
The adult insects can be controlled by light traps
Spray insecticides like quinalphos 25 EC @ 1000 ml/ha
In case of severe infestation Spray insecticides like spark 36 EC at the rate of 1000 ml/ha. Profenophos 50 EC @ 1500 ml/ha.
Dilute the above in 500 - 600 liters water and spray.

Adult