CUCURBITS :: MAJOR :: PEST OF SNAKE GOURD SEML LOOPER

5. Snake gourd semi looper: Diaphania indica (Pyraaustidae: Lepidoptera)
Distribution and status: Widely distributed in India.
Host range:  Melon, gourds, cucumber and cucurbits
Damage symptoms
         Larvae webs leaves and feed. Ovaries and young developing fruits are also eaten. Affected flowers bears no fruits and infested fruits become unfit for consumption.
Bionomics
Adult has transparent white wings with broad and dark brown marginal patches and orange coloured anal tuft of hairs in the female. Eggs are laid singly or in groups on the lower surface of the leaves. Egg, larval, pupal periods last for 3-6, 9-14 and 5-13 days respectively. Larva elongate bright green with a pair of thin white longitudinal lines on the dorsal side. Pupation take s place in a cocoon in the flowers. Adult lives for 3 -7 days and females lays upto 366 eggs.
Management

1. Collect and early stage caterpillars.
2. Spray Malathion 50 EC or dimethoate 30Ec or methyl demeton 25 EC 500 ml in 500 L of water.
3. DDT, lindane 1.3 D, copper oxychloride, Bordeaux mixture and sulphur dust should not be used as these are highly phytotoxic.
4. Encourage the activity of larval parasitoid of namely Apanteles spp.