PEST MANAGEMENT IN FOREST NURSERIES

MINOR PESTS

MOLE CRICKET (Gryllotalpa africanaa)

It is pale brown and 30 mm long subterranean insect which lives in burrows abundantly in light loamy soil. It is widespread over the plains. Its nymphs and adults feed on the seedlings. The female lays a maximum of 50 eggs in cluster in the earthern cell. After 3-4 weeks, the hatching takes place. The nymphs burrow in soil, undergo 3-4 moults and hibernate for the remaining part of the year in the colder regions.

CONTROL MEASURES

Mole crickets can be driven out from their tunnels by pouring water mixed with a little amount of kerosene into the freshly made tunnels.
In irrigated areas, flooding of water helps to coming out of the mole crickets from their tunnels. They can be collected and killed mechanically.
Application of carbaryl 5% dust @ 25kg/ha in soil to be effective against these pests.