Symptoms of damage:

• The larvae feed on the tender leaves, shoots, bracts and petals
• Later, the larvae spread in the field causing defoliation
• The larvae also feeds on the developing seeds in capitulum

Identification of the pest:

• Egg: Egg masses appear golden brown
• Larva: Pale greenish with dark markings, gregarious in the early stages
• Adult: Forewings are brown colour with wavy white marking. Hind wings are white in colour with a brown patch along the margin

Management:

• Hand pick the Helicoverpa larvae and destroy
• Spray any of the following insecticides
  • Dichlorvos 76 EC 500 ml/ha
  • Phosalone 35 EC 1000 ml/ha
  • Phosalone 4 D 25 kg/ha
• Insecticidal application at the time of bee visit is toxic to honey bees. So, apply the insecticides after 4 pm when the bee activity is minimum.
• Do not spray insecticides on the same day when NAA is sprayed