Green pod borer: Etiella zinckenella  (Noctuidae:Lepidoptera)

Description:

• Adults are small, brown moths with a wing of about 20 mm.
• Eggs are laid in clusters on fully mature pods.
• The young larvae are green, but become pinkish- red as they get older.
• Larvae feed inside the pod, reaching a maximum length of 15 mm.
• Pupation takes place in the soil.
• Larvae are generally found infesting maturing and dried pods.

Damaging systems:

• The larva feeds on maturing seeds after entering the pods.
• Fecal pellets are seen inside the damaged pods.