CARDAMOM :: MINOR PEST :: SHOOTFLY

9. Shootfly: Formisina flavipes (Chloropidae: Diptera) 
         The maggots bore into the central growing shoots of young cardamom causing dead heart symptom.
         Adults lay white cigar shaped eggs in between the leaf sheath and pseudostem on the top whorl singly or in rows of 4 - 5. Pupates inside the shoot. Total life cycle is about 50 -92 days.
Management

•  Remove the affected shoots at ground level and destroy them.