Traps and lures
The advice below comes from each crop's guide — every item shows its source, region and date. It is pending expert review; ask your local officer whether it suits your area.
Crops with advice (40)
Tap a crop to open its advice.
Paddy1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pest prevention in the main field Remove or destroy stubble after harvest, keep fields free of weeds, trim field bunds and provide effective drainage. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Avoid close planting, especially in brown planthopper (BPH) and leaf folder prone areas or seasons, and leave a 30 cm space after every 2.5 m. Use light traps (1 per hectare) and pheromone traps (12 per hectare) to monitor stem borer and leaf folder, and remove and destroy stem borer egg masses. In BPH-prone areas, avoid chemicals that cause resurgence, such as synthetic pyrethroids and quinalphos, and avoid repeated use of the same insecticide. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Rice – Pest management, main field, p. 50
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Maize2 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fall armyworm: prevention and non-chemical measures Apply neem cake at 250 kg/ha during the last ploughing, and treat seeds with Beauveria bassiana at 10 g/kg. Use spacing of 60 x 25 cm for irrigated and 45 x 20 cm for rainfed maize, leaving a 75 cm gap after every 10 rows. Raise border crops of cowpea, sunflower or gingelly, and intercrop with black gram or green gram, to attract and conserve natural enemies. Raise a border crop of Bajra Napier for irrigated maize, or grain sorghum for rainfed maize, to attract the moths. Use a solar light trap (1 per hectare) and sex pheromone traps (50 per hectare) from 10–15 days after sowing. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize – Pest management (Fall armyworm), p. 113
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Shoot fly and borers: non-chemical measures For shoot fly, set up low-cost fish meal traps at 12 per hectare until the crop is 30 days old. For borers, the source lists releasing the egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis at 12 cc/ha three times at weekly intervals, coinciding with the egg-laying period, and conserving the larval parasitoid Cotesia flavipes. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize – Pest management (Shoot fly, borers), p. 113
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Jowar3 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pest prevention without chemicals Plough soon after harvest, and remove and destroy the stubble. Complete sorghum sowing in an area in as short a time as possible, so that flowering is not spread out, which favours grain midge and earhead bug. Set up light traps until midnight to monitor and kill adults of stem borer, grain midge and earhead caterpillars. Avoid repeated insecticide sprays, which may cause pest resurgence. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Pest management, pp. 76–77
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Shoot fly Sow early, immediately after the South-West or North-East monsoon rains begin, to reduce shoot fly. In direct seeding, use an increased seed rate and remove shoot fly–damaged seedlings at thinning. If transplanting, use only healthy seedlings. Set up fish meal traps at 12 per hectare until the crop is 30 days old. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Pest management (Shoot fly), p. 77
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Stem borer and earhead caterpillar: non-chemical measures Sow lablab or cowpea as an intercrop (sorghum : lablab/cowpea 4:1) to reduce stem borer damage. For earhead caterpillar, set up sex pheromone traps at 12 per hectare from flowering to grain hardening, and apply NPV at 1.5 x 10^12 POB with crude sugar 2.5 kg and cotton seed kernel powder 250 g on the earheads twice at a 10-day interval, preferably in the early morning or evening. Neem seed kernel extract 5% is also listed. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Pest management (Stem borer, earhead caterpillar), p. 77
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Red gram1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pod borers: non-chemical measures For pod borers, raise one row of sunflower as an intercrop for every 9 rows of pigeon pea and plant maize as a border crop. Set up pheromone traps for Helicoverpa armigera at 12 per hectare and bird perches at 50 per hectare, and mechanically collect grown-up larvae and blister beetles. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Redgram – Pest management strategies, p. 130
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Groundnut3 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →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
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera): non-chemical measures 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
Cotton1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Monitoring with traps Use light traps (modified Robinson type, 125 W mercury lamp) to follow insect populations. Set up species-specific sex pheromone traps at 12 per hectare for pink bollworm, tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura) and American bollworm. Apply insecticides only where absolutely necessary, when the pest population or damage reaches the threshold level. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cotton – Pest monitoring, p. 272
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Chilli1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit borer and thrips: non-chemical measures For fruit borer, set up pheromone traps for Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura at 12 per hectare, collect and destroy damaged fruits and grown-up caterpillars, and spray Bacillus thuringiensis at 2 g per litre. For thrips, grow agathi as an intercrop. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Chilli – Plant protection (Fruit borer, thrips), pp. 75–76
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Tomato3 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit borer: non-chemical measures Grow tall American marigold as a trap crop: plant 40-day-old marigold and 25-day-old tomato seedlings at the same time, in a 1:16 row ratio. Set up pheromone traps at 12 per hectare. Collect and destroy damaged fruits and grown-up caterpillars. Release Trichogramma chilonis at 1 lakh per hectare every 7 days from flower initiation. Spray HaNPV at 1.5 x 10^12 POB per hectare, or azadirachtin 1% EC at 2 ml per litre, or Bacillus thuringiensis at 2 g per litre in the evening. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tomato – Plant protection (Fruit borer), pp. 59–60
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Whitefly, leaf curl and spotted wilt Whitefly spreads leaf curl virus: install yellow sticky traps at 12 per hectare and remove the alternate weed host Abutilon indicum. For tomato spotted wilt, select healthy seedlings for transplanting and rogue out infected plants up to 45 days after planting. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tomato – Plant protection (Whitefly, leaf curl, spotted wilt), pp. 60–62
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
IPM package for tomato Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens (10 g/kg); nursery application of Trichoderma viride and P. fluorescens; neem cake at 250 kg/ha; soil application of P. fluorescens at 2.5 kg/ha; select good, virus-free seedlings; rogue out virus-infected plants up to 45 days after transplanting; grow marigold as a border crop; Helicoverpa and Spodoptera pheromone traps at 12 per hectare; release Trichogramma chilonis at 50,000 per hectare; yellow sticky traps; and neem formulations (1%) or neem seed kernel extract (5%). Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tomato – IPM package, p. 62
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Mango1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests: non-chemical and biological measures Remove criss-cross branches, infested shoots and dense branches. Hoppers: apply Metarhizium anisopliae or Beauveria bassiana (10^8 cfu/ml) on the tree trunk once in the off-season and twice at 7-day intervals in the flowering season. Mealy bug: release the Australian ladybird beetle Cryptolaemus montrouzieri at 10 beetles per tree, and band the trees with 20 cm wide degradable polythene sheets. Stem borer: remove and kill the grub mechanically with a needle or wire. Fruit fly: plough the interspaces to expose pupae, collect and destroy fallen fruits, and keep methyl eugenol traps at 25 per hectare. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Mango – Plant protection: pests
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Pearl millet1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Shoot fly and ear midge: non-chemical measures Plough soon after harvest and remove and destroy the stubble. Set up low-cost fish meal traps at 12 per hectare until the crop is 30 days old. Neem seed kernel extract 5% is listed as a spray option. In shoot fly–endemic areas, use a higher seed rate and remove shoot fly–damaged seedlings at thinning. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cumbu – Pest management, p. 88
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Bengal gram1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Gram caterpillar: non-chemical and biological measures Set up pheromone traps for Helicoverpa armigera at 12 per hectare and bird perches at 50 per hectare. Collect grown-up larvae and blister beetles by hand. Spray HaNPV at 3 x 10^12 POB per hectare in 0.1% teepol, or Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki 5% WP at 1000–1250 g per hectare, while the larvae are young (up to the third instar). Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bengalgram – Gram caterpillar management, p. 164
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Green gram2 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Caterpillars and pod borers: non-chemical measures Use light traps to monitor and kill adult moths. Set up sex pheromone traps at 12 per hectare to monitor the pest. Grow castor along the border and irrigation bunds. Remove and destroy egg masses in castor and cotton, and early-stage larvae found in clusters. Collect and destroy shed plant parts, and hand-pick and destroy grown-up caterpillars. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Greengram – Pest management strategies, p. 149
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Powdery mildew, rust and yellow mosaic: non-chemical measures Powdery mildew: spray NSKE 5% or neem oil 3% twice at a 10-day interval from the first symptoms. Rust: spray 10% eucalyptus leaf extract when the disease starts and 10 days later. Yellow mosaic (spread by whitefly): install yellow sticky traps at 12 per hectare, rogue out virus-infected plants up to 45 days, and spray 10% notchi leaf extract at 30 days or a neem formulation at 3 ml per litre. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Greengram – Disease management (Powdery mildew, rust, yellow mosaic), pp. 149–150
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Brinjal1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Shoot and fruit borer, whitefly and beetles: IPM Shoot and fruit borer: clip and destroy affected shoot tips with bore holes and affected fruits; avoid synthetic pyrethroids; spray neem seed kernel extract 5% from one month after planting at 15-day intervals; monitor moths with pheromone traps and release Trichogramma after each brood. Whitefly: yellow sticky traps at 12 per hectare, neem oil 3% with teepol 1 ml/l, and maize as a border crop. Epilachna beetle: collect and destroy beetles, grubs and pupae. Aphids: release green lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla) at 10,000 per hectare. Apply neem cake at 250 kg/ha. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Brinjal – Pests; IPM package, pp. 65–67
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Okra1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit borers, whitefly and yellow vein mosaic: IPM Set up pheromone traps at 12 per hectare and collect and destroy affected fruits. Release the egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis at 1.0 lakh per hectare, green lacewing larvae at 10,000 per hectare, and Chelonus blackburnii and Bracon brevicornis at 1000 adults each per hectare three times at fortnightly intervals from flower initiation. Spray Bacillus thuringiensis at 2 g/l. Grow maize as a border crop against whiteflies, use yellow sticky traps, and periodically remove yellow vein mosaic–infected plants. Apply neem cake at 250 kg/ha and neem formulations. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bhendi – IPM; IPM package, pp. 71–72
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Cabbage1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source Aphids: yellow sticky traps (12/ha) to monitor; neem oil 3%. Diamondback moth: grow mustard as a trap crop (cabbage to mustard at 20:1), set pheromone traps (12/ha), and spray Bacillus thuringiensis 2 g/l or NSKE 5% at the early stage. Club root: Pseudomonas fluorescens 10 g/kg seed, seedling dip 5 g/l and 2.5 kg/ha in the soil with 50 kg FYM; rotate crops and avoid cabbage-family crops for three years. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cabbage – Plant protection (non-chemical measures), pp. 121–123
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Cauliflower1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source Aphids: yellow sticky traps (12/ha); neem oil 3%. Diamondback moth: mustard as a trap crop (20:1), pheromone traps (12/ha), NSKE 5%. Club root: Pseudomonas fluorescens 10 g/kg seed, seedling dip 5 g/l and 2.5 kg/ha in the soil with 50 kg FYM before planting. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cauliflower – Plant protection (non-chemical measures), pp. 126–127
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Cucumber1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cucumber – Plant protection (fruit fly), pp. 98–99
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Bottle gourd1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bottle gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 91
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Bitter gourd1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bitter gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 94
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Ridge gourd1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ribbed gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 88
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Snake gourd1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Snake gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 85
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Pumpkin1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Pumpkin – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 83
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Ash gourd1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set up cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on these crops — they damage the plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ash gourd – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 97
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
French bean1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Whitefly trap Place 20 yellow sticky traps coated with castor oil on polythene sheets to attract whiteflies. For anthracnose in pole beans, remove affected plants and pods. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), French bean – Plant protection (whitefly), pp. 111–113
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Drumstick1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests: non-chemical measures in the source Pod fly: fermented tomato fruit traps at 25 per hectare. Bud worm, leaf caterpillar and leaf webber: Bacillus thuringiensis 2 ml/l. Hairy caterpillars: use a flame torch when they gather on the trunk. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Annual moringa – Plant protection, p. 116
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Amaranthus1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests: non-chemical measures in the source Leaf-eating caterpillar and leaf webber: collect and destroy affected parts with caterpillars, and set a light trap (1/ha) to catch adults. Amaranthus weevil: destroy wild amaranthus nearby and affected plant parts with grubs and adults. The source advises avoiding sulphur sprays on amaranthus; a chemical leaf-spot spray is also listed — ask your officer. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Amaranthus – Plant protection (pests), p. 156
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Potato1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source Cutworms: summer ploughing, light traps (7–10 pm), pheromone traps (8/acre), hand-collecting larvae, NSKE 5% or Bacillus thuringiensis 2 g/l. Tuber moth: healthy tubers planted 15 cm deep, pheromone traps (5/acre), earthing up, and covering stored seed tubers with lantana or eucalyptus branches. Nematodes: do not grow potato year after year in the same field. Late blight and brown rot: use disease-free seed, good drainage, and remove affected plants. Viruses: use virus-free seed and pull out affected plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Potato – Plant protection (non-chemical measures), pp. 135–137
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Sweet potato1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Sweet potato weevil Remove and destroy previous crop residues and wild Ipomoea plants. Use pest-free planting material and set pheromone traps from crop establishment. Rake up and earth up the soil at 50 days. Harvest as soon as the crop matures and destroy the residues. (A chemical drench for soft rot is also listed — ask your officer.) Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sweetpotato – Plant protection (sweetpotato weevil), p. 138
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Tapioca1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Whitefly and mosaic: non-chemical measures in the source Mosaic spreads through whitefly. Take planting material only from healthy plants; remove the weed host Abutilon indicum; set yellow sticky traps (12/ha); use nitrogen carefully; avoid excess irrigation; do not keep the crop beyond its duration. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Papaya mealybug: release the parasitoid Acerophagus papayae (100 per acre). Tuber rot: avoid waterlogging and provide drainage; Trichoderma asperellum 2.5 kg/ha at planting and at the 3rd and 6th months. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Tapioca – Plant protection (whitefly, mosaic, mealybug, tuber rot), pp. 141–142
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Cardamom1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source Shoot, panicle and capsule borer: pheromone traps at 12 per hectare. Mosaic (katte) disease, a serious disease, is spread by the banana aphid. The source also lists chemical sprays for thrips, aphids, hairy caterpillars, mites, damping off and capsule rot (azhukal) — ask your officer before using any. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cardamom – Plant protection, pp. 169–170
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Curry leaf1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests: bio-intensive measures in the source Citrus butterfly: collect and destroy larvae; Bacillus thuringiensis 1 g/l or neem oil 10 ml/l at new flush. Psyllids and leaf roller: yellow sticky traps (50/ha), a light trap (1/ha), releases of Trichogramma chilonis and Chrysoperla, NSKE 2.5% with mineral oil 0.25%, and border crops of sorghum or cowpea to keep natural enemies. Avoid sulphur sprays; a chemical leaf-spot spray is also listed — ask your officer. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Curry Leaf – Plant protection (bio-intensive IPM), pp. 158–159
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Banana1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Weevils, borers and aphids: clean-field measures Remove dried leaves periodically and keep the plantation clean. Remove side suckers up to the eighth month. Do not dump infested material in the manure pit; uproot infested plants, chop them into pieces and burn them. Trap and kill adult weevils with pseudostem pieces. The banana aphid spreads bunchy top virus. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Banana – Pests (rhizome weevil, stem borer, aphid), p. 11
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Guava1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests and nematodes: non-chemical measures Mealybug: release Cryptolaemus predatory beetles at 10 per tree. Fruit fly: collect and destroy fallen fruits and install methyl eugenol traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is listed against tea mosquito bug and fruit fly. Root-knot nematode spreads through infested planting material: use air layers and sterilised or soil-less media (vermiculite, coir pith) in the nursery, grow marigold around the basin, and apply Purpureocillium lilacinum 60 g with 5 kg FYM and 250 g neem cake per tree once in three months. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Guava – Plant protection (pests, nematodes), p. 29
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-04
Jackfruit1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests and diseases Spittle bug: spread yellow sticky sheets (3 ft x 2 ft) to trap the bugs. Chemical options for spittle bug and Rhizopus fruit rot are also listed — ask your officer. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Jack – Plant protection, p. 39
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Watermelon1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on melons — they damage the plants. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Watermelon – Plant protection (fruit fly), p. 102
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Muskmelon1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly: non-chemical measures in the source Collect and destroy affected fruits. Fruit flies are fewest in hot weather and peak in the rainy season, so adjust the sowing time. Plough to expose the pupae. Set cucurbit fruit-fly traps at 4 per acre. Neem oil 3% is also listed. Do not use copper or sulphur dust on melons — they damage the plants. Whitefly: neem seed kernel extract 5%. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Muskmelon – Plant protection, p. 105
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Ber1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Fruit fly and scales: non-chemical measures in the source Fruit fly: collect fallen and infested fruits and bury them under a thick layer of soil; plough between trees to expose pupae; use methyl eugenol lure traps (25/ha); neem oil 30 ml/l is also listed. Scale insects: prune and burn affected parts. Chemical sprays for black leaf spot and powdery mildew are also listed — ask your officer. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ber – Plant protection (pests), p. 40
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Rose1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests: non-chemical measures in the source Rose chafer beetle: hand-pick the beetles during the day and destroy them. White grub: set up a light trap to attract the adult beetles. Red scale: rub off the scales with cotton soaked in kerosene, and cut and burn affected branches. Neem oil 3% is listed for thrips, aphids and leafhoppers. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Rose – Pests (non-chemical measures), pp. 248–249
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Oil palm1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source Rhinoceros beetle: trap adults with fermented castor cake or pheromone baits; use the bio-agents Baculovirus oryctes and Metarhizium anisopliae. Red palm weevil: remove damaged and rotten bunches, apply tar to wounds and cuts on the stem, and trap adults with pheromone baits. Basal stem rot: remove and destroy diseased palms and apply 5 kg neem cake per tree per year. Chemical treatments for the compost pit, bud rot and basal stem rot are also listed — ask your officer. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Oil Palm – Plant protection, p. 227
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05
Coffee1 recommendations
Full guide for this crop →Pests and diseases: non-chemical measures in the source White stem borer (Arabica under poor shade): keep optimum shade; trace and uproot infested plants in March and September; pheromone traps (25/ha) if severe; rub off loose scaly bark. Berry borer: harvest on time and thoroughly, pick up gleanings and leftover berries, remove off-season berries, avoid excess shade, prune for ventilation, and dry berries to the right moisture (parchment 10%, Arabica cherry 10.5%, Robusta cherry 11%). Shot-hole borer: prune affected branches. Scales and mealybugs: release Cryptolaemus beetles (300 per acre). Black root rot: dig out and burn infected bushes, trench around the spot, and do not replant for 18 months. Chemical options for these and for rust, black rot and collar rot are also listed — ask your officer. Pending expert review - Source
- Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Coffee – Plant protection, pp. 199–200
- Region
Tamil Nadu - Last updated
- 2026-11-05