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.