Pests and diseases

Shoot fly

మొవ్వ ఈగ

Insects and mites

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.

Maize

  • 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

  • Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

    The source lists insecticides and fungicides for shoot fly, stem borer, aphids, fall armyworm, leaf blights, rust and downy mildew. 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.

    Pending expert review
    Source
    Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Maize – Pest & disease management, pp. 113–114
    Region
    Tamil Nadu
    Last updated
    2026-11-04

Jowar

  • When to act: pest threshold levels

    Economic threshold levels given for sorghum: shoot fly – 1 egg per plant in 10% of plants in the first two weeks, or 10% dead hearts; mite – 5 mites per cm² of leaf; stem borer – 10% damage; grain midge – 5 per earhead; earhead caterpillar – 2 per earhead; earhead bug – 10 per earhead.

    Pending expert review
    Source
    Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Sorghum – Crop protection, ETL, 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

  • Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

    The source lists insecticides and fungicides for shoot fly, stem borer, grain midge, earhead bug, earhead caterpillar, stored-grain weevil and several diseases. 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)), Sorghum – Pest & disease management, pp. 76–78
    Region
    Tamil Nadu
    Last updated
    2026-11-04

Pearl millet

  • 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

  • Chemical pesticides: ask before you spray

    The source lists insecticides for nursery pests, shoot fly and ear midge. 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.

    Pending expert review
    Source
    Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cumbu – Crop protection, pp. 87–88
    Region
    Tamil Nadu
    Last updated
    2026-11-04