Economic threshold levels given for groundnut: leaf miner – 1 larva per metre row; tobacco caterpillar – 8 egg masses per 100 m row.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut – Crop protection, ETL, p. 193
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Red hairy caterpillar: non-chemical measures
Dig out and destroy the pupae from field bunds and shady spots before the summer rains. In the rainfed crop, set up 3–4 light traps and bonfires immediately after rains to attract and kill the moths. Collect and destroy egg masses and the early, gregarious larvae (seen on lace-like leaves of intercrops such as red gram and cowpea). Dig a trench 30 cm deep and 25 cm wide with straight sides around infested fields to stop larvae from moving in.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut – Red hairy caterpillar, p. 193
Grow castor as a border or intercrop to serve as an indicator or trap crop. Monitor the moths with light traps and pheromone traps. Collect and destroy egg masses, and the gregarious larvae as soon as lace-like leaves appear on castor, cowpea and groundnut. Spray NSKE 5% (neem seed kernel extract), or apply nuclear polyhedrosis virus at 1.5 x 10^12 POB per hectare with crude sugar 2.5 kg and teepol 250 ml per hectare.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut – Tobacco caterpillar, p. 194
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Leafhopper and leafminer: non-chemical measures
For leafhopper, intercrop lablab with groundnut in a 1:4 ratio. For leafminer (leaf webber), set up a light trap at ground level between 8 and 11 pm.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut – Leafhopper & leafminer, p. 194
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Chemical insecticides: ask before you spray
The source lists insecticides for red hairy caterpillar, tobacco caterpillar, leafhopper, leafminer, earwig, white grubs, aphids, thrips and termites. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Choose a product only with your local Agriculture Officer, and spray only after the pest crosses the threshold level.
Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut – Pest management strategies, pp. 193–195
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Bud necrosis virus
Spray antiviral principles (AVP) from sorghum or coconut leaves twice, at 10 and 20 days after sowing. To prepare: dry and powder the leaves; add 2 litres of water to 1 kg of leaf powder, heat to 60°C for one hour, filter through muslin cloth and dilute to 10 litres. About 500 litres of spray fluid is needed for one hectare. The disease is spread by thrips; in areas where it is common, use the wider 15 cm x 15 cm spacing.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut – Disease management (Bud necrosis), p. 196
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Root rot
Apply Pseudomonas fluorescens at 2.5 kg per hectare with 50 kg of well-decomposed FYM or sand to the soil at 30 days after sowing.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut – Disease management (Root rot), p. 196
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Rust and leaf spots
For rust and leaf spots (early and late leaf spot), spray mancozeb at 1000 g per hectare or chlorothalonil at 1000 g per hectare; if necessary, repeat the spray 15 days later. For combined infection of rust and leaf spot, the source also lists a 10% Calotropis leaf extract spray.
Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Groundnut – Disease management (Rust, leaf spots), pp. 195–196
