Entomology

Insect, (class Insecta or Hexapoda), any member of the largest class of the phylum Arthropoda, which is itself the largest of the animal phyla. Insects have segmented bodies, jointed legs, and external skeletons (exoskeletons). Insects are distinguished from other arthropods by their body, which is divided into three major regions: …

1. Early shoot borer Chilo infuscatellus Snellen (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) Distribution: It is found to attack sugarcane in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, U.P., Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Nature of damage: The borer enters into young shoots and tunnels downwards. The upper portion of the central leaf …

A. Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) 1. Sorghum shoot fly Atherigona soccata Rond. (Muscidae: Diptera) Distribution: Occurs throughout the country. Nature of damage: The maggots bore into the shoot of young plants, a week after germination to about one month and as a result the central shoot dries up resulting in ‘dead …

1. Brown Wheat Mite Petrobia lateens (Muller) (Arachnida: Tetranychidae) Distribution: It occurs on wheat in the summer rainfall regions and expected to be severe where drought conditions are frequently encountered. Nature of damage: The brown wheat mite feeds on sap from leaves by inserting two needle-like stylets into the leaf …

Brinjal (Solanum melongena) 1. Shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guen.) (Pyraustidae: Lepidoptera) Distribution: This is the most serious pest of brinjal throughout the country. Its other host plants include potato, Solanum xanthocarpum, S. indicum, S. nigrum etc. Nature of damage: The larva bores into tender shoots in the early …

Cruciferous Vegetables (Cabbage, Cauliflower, Radish, Beetroot and Knolkhol) 1. Diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella (L.) (Plutellidae: Lepidoptera)   Distribution: It is a well known pest of cruciferous crops throughout the world. Nature of damage: The larvae bite holes in leaves and cause serious damage. The larvae cause blisters on the …