Pests of Redgram_Identification, Binomics_Dr.UPR

Redgram, also known as pigeon pea or Cajanus cajan, is a legume crop cultivated for its edible seeds and forage. Like other crops, redgram is susceptible to various pests that can cause damage to both the plants and the harvested grains. Some common pests of redgram include:

Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera): This is one of the most destructive pests of redgram. The larvae of this moth bore into the pods, feeding on developing seeds. Pod borer infestations can lead to significant yield losses.

Pod Fly (Melanagromyza obtusa): The larvae of this fly feed on the developing seeds within the pods, causing damage and reducing yield.

Pod Bug (Riptortus spp.): Pod bugs pierce and suck on the pods, causing damage to developing seeds. Severe infestations can lead to reduced yield and quality of harvested grains.

Aphids: Aphids can infest redgram plants, sucking sap from the leaves, stems, and pods. They can transmit viruses and cause distortion of plant growth, leading to reduced yield.

Whiteflies: These tiny insects feed on the undersides of leaves, sucking sap and causing yellowing, wilting, and reduced photosynthesis. Whiteflies can also transmit viruses to redgram plants.

Thrips: Thrips feed on plant tissues, causing stippling, distortion, and discoloration of leaves. Severe infestations can lead to reduced plant vigor and yield.

Caterpillars: Various species of caterpillars can feed on redgram foliage, causing defoliation and reduced photosynthesis. Severe infestations can lead to significant yield losses.

Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.): These microscopic roundworms infest the roots of redgram plants, causing swellings (galls) and impairing root function. Severe infestations can lead to stunted growth and reduced yield.

Integrated pest management (IPM) practices are important for managing pests in redgram cultivation. These may include cultural practices such as crop rotation, intercropping with pest-repellent crops, use of resistant varieties, biological control using natural enemies of pests, and judicious use of chemical pesticides when necessary. Regular monitoring of fields for pest infestations and timely intervention are essential to minimize crop losses.

1. Pests of Redgram
By
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD.
Assistant Professor (Entomology)
JSACAT
Affiliated to Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

2. Borer pests of Redgram

3. Gram pod borer, Helicoverpaarmigera, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
1
Symptomofdamage
Plantsseendefoliated
Boreholesseenonthepods
Natureofdamage
Younglarvafeedsontenderleaves,buds,flowers,
andsubsequentlyitboresintothepodsandfeeds
ontheseedswithitsheadandpartofthebodyonly
thrustinside,therestremainingoutside
Widespread incentral and southern Europe,
temperate Asia, Australia and Africa
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

4. On the forewings, there is speck that forms a V-shaped mark. Hind wings are dull
grey colouredwith a black border on the distal end.
Spherical in shape with
sculptures in the form of
longitudinal ribs
The colourvaries according to the food intake. Dorsal surface
bears dark broken stripes. Head is reddish-brown. Larva is highly
cannibalistic and readily eats one another.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

5. Management
•ETL:2 early instar larvae/plant 5-8 eggs/plant
•Helicoverparesistant Red gram varieties :T 21, Bori, BDN 2, ICPL 332, ICPL84060,
ICPL 88039, PPE 45-2, ICP 19640, ICP 7035, MA 2, Pant A1, BSMR 1, JG 315 and JG
74 for central zone and ICCV 7
•Pheromone traps forHelicoverpaarmigera12/ha
•Bird perches 50/ha
•Hand picking of grown up larvae and blister beetles
•Inundativerelease of egg parasiteTrichogrammaspp. and egg larval
parasites,Chelonusblackburnii
•Ha NPV 1.5 x1012 POB/ha with teepol(1 ml/lit.)
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

6. Apply any one of the following insecticides in 700-1000 L of water per ha.
•Azadirachtin0.03% @ 2.5-5.0 L
•Bacillus thuringiensis serovarkurstaki5 WP @ 1.0-1.25 kg
•Lufenuron5.4 EC @ 600 ml
•Benfuracarb40 EC @ 2.5 L
•Methomyl40 SP @ 750-1125 g
•Emamectinbenzoate 5 SG @ 220 g
•NPV of H. armigera@ 250 -500 ml
•Spinosad45 SC @ 125-160 ml
•Indoxacarb14.5 SC @ 333-400 ml or 15.8 SC 335 ml
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

7. Pulse Blue butterfly, Lampidesboeticus, Lycaenidae,
Lepidoptera
Natureofdamage
Thelarvaboresintothebuds,flowersandgreen
podsjustwithincoupleofhoursafterhatchingand
feedsinsidethedevelopinggrains
Symptomofdamage
Boreholesonbuds,flowers,greenpodsand
maturedpods
A ubiquitous specieswidely distributed throughout the
World. Caterpillars are polyphagous and live on Fabaceae
2
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

8. Eggs are laid on the buds, flowers,
green pods and on shoot and
leaves. Greenish white in colour,
disc-shaped form with a slight
depression at the top.
Newlyhatchedlarvaisyellowishgreenincolour
withblackheadandadark-brownpatchonthe
prothoraxandcylindricalbodywithscatteredhair.
Full-grownlarvaisyellowishgreentoyellowishred
sometimeslightpurpleincolour,ventralsurfaceis
lightgreen.Wholelarvaiscoveredwithsmallsetae
andmarkedwithirregularblackmarkings.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

9. Pupa are green later darkens
It is medium sized butterfly. The colourof the
wings is violet metallic blue to dusky blue. The
tail of hind wings is black and tipped with
white.
Management
Emamectinbenzoate 5%SG 220 g/ha
Indoxacarb15.8%SC 333 ml/ha
NSKE 5% twice followed by triazophos0.05%
Neem oil 2%
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

10. Gram blue butterfly, Euchrysops(Catochrysops)
cnejus, Lycaenidae, Lepidoptera
Nature of damage
Larva bores into the buds, flowers and green
pods and feeds inside the developing grains
Symptom of damage
Presenceofregular,big,circularboreholeon
theflowersandpods.Presenceofflatslug
likegreencolouredlarvaonaffectedflowers
oryoungpods.Blackantshoveringaround
theplants
It is found fromIndia to Australia. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabriciusin 1798.
3
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

11. Laid on flower buds,
green pods, shoots and
leaves
Flat, slug like, green or
yellowish green, red/pink
colouredmid stripe and
few hairs.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

12. Pupates in soil or on the plants
Blue colouredbutterfly having five black spots
on the dorsal surface of the hind wing and two
black spots on the ventral surface.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

13. ManagementforBluebutterfly
•Discouragedenseorcloseplanting.
•Digsoilregularlyduringtheperiodofinfestationtokillpupae.
•Pickanddestroythelarvae,pupae&adults.
•ReleaseeggparasitoidTrichogrammasp.
•Conservelarvalparasitoidsichneumonwasps,Listrodromuscrassipes.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

14. RedgramPlume moth, Exelastisatomosa,
Pterophoridae, Lepidoptera
Natureofdamage
Younglarvaeboreintotheunopenedflowerbudsfor
consumingthedevelopinganthers.
Grownuplarvaefirstscrapthesurfaceofthepodsandthen
boreintopods.Thelarvaeneverenterthepodcompletely.
Symptomofdamage
Podsarescrappedintheearlystages,laterboreholesseenon
thepodsandseedseatenaway.
4
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution:India (Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab), Sri Lanka ( Fletcher 1931); Ethiopia, Iran,
Kenya, Madagascar, Nepal, Swaziland, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates.

15. Minute eggs laid singly on
young pods, flower buds or
tender leaves
Full-grown caterpillar is 1.3 cm in length,
greenish–brown in colourand fringed with
hairs and spines
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

16. Pupates on the pod surface or in the entrance hole itself. Pupa
looks like larva.
It is light brown in colour,
deeply fissured wings, the
forewings longitudinally cleft
into two plumesand
hind wings into three
plumes.
Forewings and legs are
extremely elongate.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

17. Management
•ConserveLarvalparasitoids,Apantelespaludicolae,Diadegmasp.,
•Chemicalcontrolmeasuresarethesameasredgrampodborer.
Apantelessp. Diadegmasp.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

18. Spotted pod borer, Marucavitrata, Pyraustidae,
Lepidoptera
Symptoms of damage
•Webbing together of flowers, pods and leaves with
silken threads
•Damaged pods -darkened entry holes on the pods.
•First instar larvae prefer flowers and the third and
fourth instar bore in to the pods
•Through the entry holes, water will enter into the
pods causing rotting and browning ofseeds.
5
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution. Worldwide in the tropics.Asia, Africa, North, South and
Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia & Oceania.

19. 400 scaly eggs singly or in clusters of
2 -16 in the sepals, petals of the
flower or buds or on pods.
Egg period 2 –3 days
Young ones -dull white
Grownup larvae -black-headed, with irregularly
shaped brown or black spots on the dorsal, lateral
and ventral surfaces of each body segment.
Larval period -8 to 14 days
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

20. In double-walled pupal cell under the leaf
debris or soil. Pupal period -5 to 15
days.
Light brown forewings with white markings and white
transparent hind wings with brown irregular
markings at the lateral edge. Life span -7 to 10 days.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

21. Management
•GrowresistantcultivarslikeICPL98001,ICPL98003,
ICPL98008,ICPL98004
•ConservelarvalparasitoidsBraconhebetor
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

22. Spiny pod borer, Etiella zincknella, Phycitidae,
Lepidoptera
Nature of damage
Young larva bores into floral parts, making irregular
incision
Symptom of damage
Entrance hole in the green pod disappears.
Larva devours many seeds. The pod always contains a
mass of frass(excreta) and held together by a loosely
spun web
6
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
It is found inEurope and in the tropics and subtropics of Africa and
Asia. Introduced to North America and Australia.

23. Laid singly or in small groups on immature
pods on the calyx or near. Freshly laid eggs
are glistening white and adhere securely to
whatever they touch.
Dorsal surface of mature larva is
reddish pink, while the pleural and
ventral surfaces of the body are pale-
green
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

24. Light green in colourchanges to light brown or amber.
Pupates in the ground at a depth of 2 to 4 cm
Greyish brown moth, distinct pale-white band along the costal margin of the forewings,
hind wings are semi-transparent with a dark marginal line. Orange colouredprothorax
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

25. Management
•ConservenaturalenemieslikeTetrastichussp.,Braconhebetor.
•Chemicalcontrolmeasuresarethesameasredgrampodborer
Tetrastichussp. Braconhebetor
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

26. Field bean pod borer, Adisuraatkinsoni, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
Natureofdamage
Younglarvaboresintofloral
partsandpodsandfeedsonit
Symptomofdamage
Affectedpodsandflowershave
irregularboreholes
7
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Adisura atkinsoni (Moore, 1881) distributed inSri Lanka; India.

27. Small, spherical, laid
singly on tender
pods or buds
Robust, green, resemble gram pod borer except for the
presence of dark brown lateral stripe on each side
Pupates in soil
or on flower
spikes
Yellowish has light brownish forewings with V-shaped
specks and pale brown markings on hind wings
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

28. Redgrampodfly/ ‘Tur’ podfly, Melanagromyzaobtusa,
Agromyzidae, Diptera
Natureofdamage
•Youngmaggotattachesitselfonthe
immatureseedinsidethepod.
•Inthebeginningitfeedsonthesurface
•Laterminesintoseedsandmakes
galleries
•Oneseedisenoughforthedevelopmentof
amaggot.
8
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
India, Indonesia, and Malaysia

29. Symptomofdamage
•Shriveledpodsandseeds.
•Damagedseedsbecomeunfitforconsumption
andalsodonotgerminate.
•However,theattackoftheflyremains
unnoticedbythefarmersduetotheconcealed
modeoflifeofthisinsectwithinthepods.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

30. Freshly laid eggs are white, broad and
round at its posterior end which is
embedded in the tissues of the pod and
narrowed anteriorly into a somewhat
elongated egg sheath.
Freshly hatched maggot is white
Full-grown maggot is cylindrical in
shape and is narrower at the head end,
which bears black mouthparts.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

31. Pupation takes place in hard
chitinouspuparium, which is
found sticking to the side of pod.
Abdomen is glossy black,
but in some cases it is slight
bronzy, while in other cases
it has a greenish-blue
background.
Management
ConservenaturalenemieslikeEuderus
lividus,Eurytoma sp.,Euderus
agromyzae
Euderusspp. Eurytomasp.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

32. Stem fly, Ophiomyiaphaseoli, Agromyzidae, Diptera
9
Nature of damage
Maggot mines sub-epidermallythrough the
leaves
Tunneling in stem, at seedling stage
Symptom of damage
Drooping of the tender leaves and yellowing
Maggot feeding site swollensand start rotting
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution. Worldwide; a pest of tropical and subtropical regions.Asia, Africa, North America (Hawaii),
Oceania. It is recorded from Australia, Fiji, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Northern Mariana
Isalnds, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Solomon Islands.

33. Eggs are inserted under the
epidermis on the under
surface of the leaves
Light yellow-colouredmaggot moves in the leaf
and then bores deeper into the stem
Pupation takes place in the
main stem
Adult is metallic-bluish or greenish-black in
colourwith light brown eyes
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

34. Flower feeders of Redgram

35. Blister beetle, Hycleus(Mylabris) phalerata,H.
pustulatus, H. balteata, Meloidae, Coleoptera
10
Hycleusphalerata H. pustulatus H. balteata
Beetles occur solitarily or in swarms and devour all the floral parts.
Adult beetles feed on floral parts including petals, anthers, stigma and ovary
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
China, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan
Blister beetles containscantharidin, a toxic defensive chemical.
contacted skin can result in a painful blister

36. Cylindrical and yellowish 60 –
80 eggs laid on the ground
deep in soil.
Egg period lasts 30-40 days.
First stage larva is predatory called, ‘triungulin’(legs with three
claws) and actively searches for the host.
They feed on grasshopper eggs laid in soil.
They moultfive times to become eruciformor caraboid.
Pupates in the soil
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

37. Flower webber, Eublemmahemirrhoda, Noctuidae,
Lepidoptera
11
Symptomofdamage
Webbingofflowers
Natureofdamage
Larvawebstheflowersontheinflorescencein
greengram,blackgramandcowpea,andfeeds
onthem
Adult:Mothhasforewingswithyellowand
purplepatchesandwhitehindwings
Eublemmasp.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other parts of SE Asia

38. Red gram pod wasp, Tanaostigmodescajaninae,
Tanaostigmatidae, Hymenoptera
12
A potential pest of pigeon pea in India
Grub Adult
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
The larva feeds on young seed of
basal loculesof pods causing
complete abortion of the seed.
Larva also feeds on the pod wall
after consuming the seed.
Distribution and status:Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Maharastraand Karnataka

39. Pulse beetle, Callosobruchuschinensis, Bruchidae,
Colepotera
13
Symptoms of damage
Grubs eat up the grain kernel and make a cavity.
Adults come out making exit holes.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Distribution: Africa, USA, China, Burma, Japan, Philippines and India.

40. Abdomen is exposed as the
elytra do not cover the
abdomen entirely, called as
pygidium. Adult beetles
areshort-lived which do not
feed on stored produce
Laid singly, glued to the surface of
the pod (in fields) or on grains
(in stores)
Fleshy, curved,
creamy white in colour
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)

41. Non-insect pest of redgram

42. Red gram mite, Aceriacajani, Eriophyidae, Acari14
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)
Symptoms of damage
Infected plants develop light green or
chlorotic leaves which have mosaic
patterns
Most infected plants do not bear flowers
Pigeonpeasterility mosaic virus (Emaravirus)is transmitted byan eriophyid mite
Partial or complete sterility of the infected plants
Distribution. A. cajaniisrestricted to the pigeonpea-growing countries of Asia. It is
found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, China and Sri Lanka

43. Milky white eggs are found on vegetative terminals
The mites are difficult to see with the naked eye.
Silvery-white to slightly reddish-brown, vermiform
and150-200 µm long and about 50 µm wide
Management
Spraydicofol18.5EC1.0L
Wettablesulphur40WP3.0kg
Dimethoate30EC1.0L
Phosalone35EC1.0L
in700Lwaterperha
Avoidsyntheticpyrethroidsasthey
causeresurgenceafterrepeated
spray.
Dr. U. Pirithiraj, P.hD. (Entomology)