Fruit, pod and bud borers

When to act: pest threshold levels

Economic threshold levels (ETL) given for red gram: aphids – 20 per 2.5 cm shoot length; pod borers – 10% of pods affected; plume moth – 5 larvae per plant; spotted pod borer – 3 larvae per plant.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Redgram – Crop protection, ETL, p. 130

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

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.

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

Pod borers: biological options

Biological options listed for pod borers, plume moth and pod fly include Helicoverpa NPV (HaNPV) at 3 x 10^12 POB per hectare in 0.1% teepol, and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki 5% WP at 1000–1250 g per hectare. Sprays should be made when the larvae are up to the third instar (young larvae).

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

Chemical insecticides: ask before you spray

The source lists several insecticides for aphids, pod borers, plume moth, pod fly and pod bugs. 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.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Redgram – Pest management strategies, pp. 130–131

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

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.

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

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists many insecticides and acaricides for fruit borer, thrips, aphids and mites. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Choose a product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Chilli – Plant protection, pp. 75–77

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

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.

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

When to act: pest threshold levels

Economic threshold levels for green gram: aphids – 20 per 2.5 cm shoot length; pod borers – 10% of pods affected; spotted pod borer – 3 per plant; stem fly – 10% of plants affected; tobacco cutworm – 8 egg masses per 100 m.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Greengram – Crop protection, ETL, p. 148

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

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.

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

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists insecticides and fungicides for stem fly, aphids, whitefly, pod borers, rust, leaf spot and leaf curl. 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.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Greengram – Pest & disease management, pp. 148–150

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

When to act: pest threshold levels

Economic threshold levels for black gram: aphids – 20 per 2.5 cm shoot length; pod borers – 10% of pods affected; spotted pod borer – 3 larvae per plant.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Blackgram – Crop protection, ETL, p. 140

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

When to act: pest threshold levels

Economic threshold levels for cowpea: aphids – 20 per 2.5 cm shoot length; spotted pod borer – 3 larvae per plant; stem fly – 10% of plants affected.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cowpea – Crop protection, ETL, p. 155

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical pesticides for stem fly, aphids, whitefly, blue butterflies, spotted pod borer, pod bug and rust. 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.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cowpea – Pest & disease management, pp. 155–156

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Shoot and capsule borer

Threshold: 10 larvae per m² in the vegetative stage and 2 larvae per m² in the reproductive stage. Neem seed kernel extract 5% or neem oil 2% are listed as spray options.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sesame – Pest management, p. 202

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

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.

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

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for epilachna beetle, whitefly, shoot and fruit borer, mites and leaf spot. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Vegetables are eaten fresh, so choose any product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Brinjal – Plant protection, pp. 64–66

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

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.

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

Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for fruit borers, leafhopper, aphids, mites, whiteflies, powdery mildew and nematodes. Many are hazardous, and some may be restricted. Vegetables are eaten fresh, so choose any product only with your local Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bhendi – Plant protection, pp. 70–71

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bottle gourd – Plant protection, pp. 90–91

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Bitter gourd – Plant protection, pp. 93–94

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ribbed gourd – Plant protection, p. 88

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Snake gourd – Plant protection, pp. 85–86

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew, and lists red pumpkin beetle, leaf miner, thrips, whitefly and pumpkin caterpillar among the pests. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Pumpkin – Plant protection, p. 83

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical sprays for aphids, jassids, fruit borers and caterpillars, red spider mite, powdery mildew and downy mildew. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Ash gourd – Plant protection, pp. 96–97

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical treatments for white grub, stem weevil, leafhoppers, aphids, ash weevils, pod borer, powdery mildew, rust, anthracnose, leaf spot and root rot. Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), French bean – Plant protection, pp. 111–113

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

The source lists chemical treatments for pod borer, sucking pests and powdery mildew (neem-based azadirachtin is listed for pod borer). Choose any product only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Lab lab or Dolichos bean – Plant protection, p. 110

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05

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.

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

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.

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

Fruit borer, aphids and nematodes: non-chemical measures

Aphids: release green lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla) at 50 per flowering branch, four times at 10-day intervals from flower initiation. Fruit borer: remove the calyx where possible to discourage egg laying, cover fruits with neem-oil-dipped cloth bags during flowering, spray neem oil 3% or NSKE 5% when butterflies are active, and release Trichogramma chilonis at 1 lakh per acre at the marble stage. Root-knot nematode spreads through infested planting material: use air layers and sterilised or soil-less nursery media.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Pomegranate – Pests; nematode management, pp. 37–38

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Tree care, bud worm and sooty mould

Remove rootstock sprouts, water shoots, crossing and low branches. Bud worm: spray neem seed kernel extract 5%. Sooty mould: boil 1 kg of maida or starch in 5 litres of water, cool, dilute to 20 litres (5%) and spray on the leaves; avoid spraying in cloudy weather.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sapota – After cultivation; plant protection, pp. 31–32

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-04

Pests and diseases: ask before you spray

Yellowing of leaves has three main causes: iron deficiency, nematodes and root rot. The source lists chemical treatments for bud worm, blossom midge, red spider mite, nematodes, root rot and Alternaria leaf spot. It also lists Pseudomonas fluorescens: 25 g/m² to the soil and a 5 g/l foliar spray monthly after planting. Choose any chemical only with your local Horticulture or Agriculture Officer.

Follow the instructions on the product label. Consult your local Agriculture Officer before use.

Source

Crop Production Guide – Horticulture Crops 2020 (Directorate of Horticulture and Plantation Crops, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Malligai – Plant protection, pp. 250–251

Region

Tamil Nadu

Last updated

2026-11-05