PESTS OF PULSES - RED GRAM & CHICKPEA :: Major Pests :: Spiny Pod Borer

6. Spiny pod borer: Etiella zinckenella (Phycitidae: Lepidoptera)

Distribution and status: India, Japan, Burma, Australia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, USA, Mexico, West Indies, South America, Europe, Egypt, India. It is a serious pest of lentils and green peas in North India

Host range: Redgram, horsegram, cowpea and greengram, lentil and green peas.

Damage symptoms: The larva feeds inside green pods and then on pod surface, webbing together 2-4 pods.

Bionomics: Eggs are laid singly (or) in groups preferably at the junction of the calyx and pod or on the pod surface.  A female lays 47-178 eggs, which hatch in 5-6 days.  The larva bores within the green pods and feeds on seeds.  Larval period lasts for 10-13 days.  When fully grown the larva drops to ground and forms a cocoon about 2.5 cm or so below ground or under dry leaves.  Pupal duration lasts for 9-20 days depending on the climate.  The moths pair 24-30 hour after emergence.

Management

• Conserve natural enemies like Tetrastichus sp., Bracon hebetor, Phanerotoma sp. and P. hendecasisella.
• Chemicalcontrol measures are the same as redgram pod borer




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