Spotted pod borer  : Maruca testulalis (Pyraustidae: Lepidoptera)

Damaging systems:

• The larva webs together the leaves, buds and pods and feeds inside these webs.
• The caterpillar also bores into pods and eat up the ripening seeds.
• A crown mass of excrement is seen at the entrance into the larval burrow

 Management:

Cultural Control

• Timely sowing should be done preferably up to first quarter of July.
• Excess application of nitrogen should be avoided.
• Water logging should be prevented.

Biological Control

• Conserve ants and praying mantids as these are good predators of egg and larva of the pest

Chemical Control

• Apply chemical insecticide only if the pest population crosses ETL.
• Spraying of 0.07% endosulfan ( 2ml of 35 EC/lit. of water) or 0.04% monocrotophos ( 1 ml of 36 Sl /litre of water) or chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 3.5 ml/lit. of water at 600-1000 lit. of spray material per ha. with hand sprayer.