Castor capsule borer (Conogethes punctiferalis,Pyraustidae,Lepidoptera)

Damaging stage: larva

Damaging symptoms: Larva bores into the young fruits which dry up and fall prematurely, bore holes plugged with excreta.

Identification:

• Egg: on top leaf axils, inflorescence, tender part of plant and fruits
• Larva: reddish brown with numerous tubercles on body
• Pupa: inside fruit
• Adult: bright orange-yellow color has numerous  black dots on wings

Management:

• Collect and destroy the damaged plant
• Use light trap 1/ha to monitor the activity of
• Spray malathion 50 EC at 3 Lor dimethoate 30 EC 3 L in 1500 – 2000 L water per ha, two rounds, one at flower formation and next at fruit set.